Minnesota Catholics who want to experience Pope Francis’ consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday will have the chance to do just that.

The Diocese of Crookston will join Pope Francis in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25.

“All are invited to Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. for Mass where Bishop Andrew Cozzens will lead #DioCrookston in an Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in union with Pope Francis,” the Diocese of Crookston said on Facebook as it confirmed it will join Pope Francis in the ceremony. 

Pope Francis tweeted last week that he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during this Friday’s ritual. He invited bishops everywhere to join him so their local parishioners could witness the ceremony and join prayers, Vatican News reported. Pope Francis will perform the consecration at St. Peter's Basilica beginning at 5 p.m. Vatican time.

The consecration ceremony is more than 100 years old. It dates to when Mary asked for Russia to be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart when Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, during World War I. Without such a consecration "Russia would spread 'its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecution of the Church," she said, according to a Vatican News report. Russia has been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times since, including in 1952 and 1964. 

This year’s consecration is tied to the war in Ukraine. Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and the country has since launched a variety of military attacks from multiple directions CNBC reported.

Given the ongoing conflict, Pope Francis selected Friday as the day for the ceremony because that day marks the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.