Memorial
of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary
In the midst of the second world war Pope Pius XII
put the whole world under the special protection of our Savior's
Mother by consecrating it to her Immaculate Heart, and in 1944 he
decreed that in future the whole Church should celebrate the feast
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is not a new devotion. In
the seventeenth century, St. John Eudes preached it together with
that of the Sacred Heart; in the nineteenth century, Pius VII and
Pius IX allowed several churches to celebrate a feast of the Pure
Heart of Mary. Pius XII instituted today's feast of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary for the whole Church, so as to obtain by her intercession
"peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion
of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue"
(Decree of May 4, 1944).
A
Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill
the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the
Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families
to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy
Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and
all the world.
Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and
use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of
the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together
with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the
spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes
the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal
for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.
We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace
and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which
has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts
and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus,
together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.
Amen.
—Venerable Pope Pius XII
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