“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt5:9 )
On the 22nd March 2022, Catholics around the world joined Pope Francis as he consecrated the people of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Francis prayed,
“Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially the people of Russia and Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world.”
Schools in the Diocese of Derry have been praying very hard for peace in Ukraine and with Russia. They have joined in our Rosary for Peace campaign, responding to Our Lady of Fatima’s call to pray the Rosary for peace each day. They pledged to pray One Million Hail Mary’s for the children and young people of Ukraine. They have also been praying for Ukraine in their daily class prayers, at school assemblies and Masses, in their parishes and at home with their families. As the war continues, schools have taken time to write special prayers to show their ongoing love and support for all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.
We pray too “that war may end and peace spread throughout the world.”