On Friday, as Pope Francis consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the faithful gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, D.C.
“Ukraine is very devoted to Mary,” 72-year-old Luba Munter from Alexandria, Virginia, told CNA. “So if you’re going to do a consecration to Mary, that would be perfect — I think a perfect solution right now.”
Father Andrii Chornopyskyi wore the Marian colors of blue and gold, which match the colors of the Ukraine flag. While much of the moleben was said in Ukrainian, Chornopyskyi spoke in English at a couple of points.
“Nothing is impossible for God,” he told the congregants. “It may be impossible for man. But for God, there is nothing impossible.”
He acknowledged the Russian aggression directed at Ukraine.
“Maybe we have some doubts, some thoughts like it’s impossible to win,” he said. The Virgin Mary also asked, “How can it happen?” when the angel Gabriel revealed that she would conceive Christ during the Annunciation, he said. Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, he added, miraculously became pregnant in her old age.
He pointed to the gospel for March 25 — the feast of the Annunciation, a holy day of obligation for Ukrainian Catholics — as showing God can do all things.
“Unworthy as we are, we shall never cease to proclaim your power, O Mother of God,” he chanted at one point. “If you no longer intercede for us, who will deliver us from so many misfortunes?” said one of the attendants.