The Diocese of Winona-Rochester expressed its gratitude to all those who participated in their local consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Francis asked all bishops around the world to join him in the consecration last Friday.

"Thank you to all who joined us, whether it was in-person or via livestream, on Friday, March 25, for the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary," the diocese posted on Facebook this week. "O Immaculate Heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us. Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all people."

The ceremony was held after Pope Francis had invited all of the Church's bishops to join him in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, a recent report by Vatican News said. The pontiff performed the consecration at St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. Vatican time, with many U.S. dioceses holding concurrent services. 

Russia sent military troops into Ukraine approximately five weeks ago and has been mounting ground and air attacks against the country since then, a Thursday AP News report said. More than 4 million refugees have already fled Ukraine due to the conflict. 

The consecration ceremony's roots go back to 1917, when Mary appeared in Fatima, the Vatican News report said. At that time she asked for Russia to be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart, warning that if it weren't, "Russia would spread 'its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecution of the Church.'" Russia has since been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times, including in 1952 and 1964, along with this year.