Has Russia been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart as the Blessed Mother asked at Fatima? This has become a controversial topic since June 26, 2000. I guest-hosted Drew Mariani’s Catholic radio show on Relevant Radio on Friday afternoon and at the end of the show we discussed Pope Francis’ consecration of the world to Mary’s Immaculate Heart on October 13, 2013 (Deo gratias!).

Not surprisingly, we had a few callers call in with questions about the Third Secret and the Consecration of Russia. Let’s take a look at the history of papal consecrations to the Immaculate Heart.

As a reminder, here is the text of the words of Our Lady regarding the consecration of Russia to her heart:

To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”

Mary says the Holy Father will consecrate Russia to her and Russia will be converted. Several Popes have consecrated “the world” to Mary. Debate centers on whether consecrating “the world” counts for consecrating “Russia.”

List of Papal Consecrations to the Immaculate Heart

There have been at least 7 consecrations by Popes to the Immaculate Heart:

1) On October 31 1942, Pope Pius XII performed the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the entire world.

2) On July 7 1952, Pope Pius XII consecrated the Peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by his apostolic letter Sacro Vergente Anno. Pius XII stated:

Just as a few years ago We consecrated the entire human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, so today We consecrate and in a most special manner We entrust all the peoples of Russia to this Immaculate Heart.”

3) On November 21, 1964 Pope Paul VI renews, in the presence of the Fathers of the Vatican Council but without their participation, the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart.

4) On May 13, 1982 Pope John Paul II invites the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating the world and with it Russia to the Immaculate Heart. Many do not receive the invitation in time for the Pope’s trip to Fatima, where he accomplishes the consecration. Sr. Lucia later says it did not fulfill the conditions.

5) In October 1983 Pope John Paul II, at the Synod of Bishops, renews the 1982 Consecration.

6) On March 25, 1984 Pope John Paul II, “united with all the pastors of the Church in a particular bond whereby we constitute a body and a college,” consecrates “the whole world, especially the peoples for which by reason of their situation you have particular love and solicitude.”

On August 29, 1989 Sr. Lucia affirms in correspondence that the consecration of Russia “has been accomplished” and that “God will keep His word.”

Subsequent events:
November 9, 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall
December 25, 1991 Dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
July 26, 2000 Third Secret of Fatima revealed by Cardinals Bertone and Ratzinger

7) On October 13, 2013, Pope Francis consecrates the world to the Immaculate Heart.

Has Russia been consecrated properly?

Despite these distinct consecrations of the world by Popes (one mentioning Russia), people still debate whether Russia has been specifically consecrated as per the instructions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima.

Here are both sides of the debate.

Those who say Russia has not been properly consecrated, point to two problems:

1) The Popes have not consecrated “Russia” specifically in union with the bishops. It is granted that the world has been consecrated and that Russia belongs to the world. Russia has been consecrated as part of the collective of nations, but not specifically. It’s the difference between a priest blessing a congregation in which you are present and the priest blessing you specifically by name.

2) Russia is far from being “converted” as Mary promised would happen if the consecration were made. If Russia were duly consecrated, wouldn’t she be converted and wouldn’t we be living in “a period of peace granted to the world” as promised by Mary? Since Russia has not yet converted and since we are not in a period of peace, the consecration of Russia, they say, has not happened.

Those that say Russia has been consecrated, point to two proofs:

1) Sister Lucia stated that the consecration of Russia was accomplished by the action of John Paul II on March 25, 1984. If anyone knew, it was Sister Lucia – she received the message from Mary.

2) The Holy See, at the revelation of the Third Secret on June 26, 2000, indicated that the consecration had been accomplished. Sister Lucia, it seems, expressed her agreement.

As you can see, those that allege that Russia has not been properly consecrated must say that Sister Lucia, the recipient of Mary’s message, was either wrong, deceived, or performing some sort of mental reservation to deceive everyone on the matter. One must also say that Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, used extended mental reservation to deceive the world in this matter on June 26, 2000 and ever since.

On the other hand, it sure doesn’t look like Russia has been “converted” as Our Lady promised.

No matter where you stand, remember that we the laity have our own “Fatima responsibility” – to pray the Rosary daily and keep the First Saturdays devotion. For me personally, the “Russia question” must include the laity’s embrace of the Rosary and true devotion to Mary. She desires that our hearts be consecrated to the Sacred Heart through her Immaculate Heart.

[reminder]It’s your turn to weigh in. Be kind in the comment box. Have you read much about this debate? Where do you stand?[/reminder]

PS: We have reopened enrollment in the New Saint Thomas Institute for online courses in Theology and Philosophy. Please learn more about what we offer: newsaintthomas.com