Re-consecration occurs 70 years after Canada's first Marian consecration

OTTAWA (CCN)

Canada’s bishops will mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation re-consecrating the nation to Mary on Canada Day.

The re-consecration will take place 70 years after Canada was first consecrated to Mary at a huge Marian Congress in Ottawa in 1947.

In dioceses across Canada, bishops will consecrate their individual diocese or eparchy on July 1. In the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the consecration will take place at Holy Rosary Cathedral July 2, while the faithful can make the consecration in parishes.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will jointly re-consecrate Canada following a Eucharistic celebration at their annual plenary assembly in September.

“Beginning with the early Jesuit missionaries who consecrated their missions to Mary Immaculate, a number of Canadian dioceses, eparchies, parishes, schools, cities and buildings have been named in her honour,” the CCCB said in a news release.

The first consecration of Canada to the Blessed Mother took place at the 1947 National Marian Congress in Ottawa, which, at the time, was the largest religious gathering in North America. “The celebration marked the centenary of the Archdiocese of Ottawa and focused on the hope for lasting world peace,” the CCCB release said

“A message by Pope Pius XII was broadcast during the Eucharist and was carried by a number of radio stations across the country.”

Two federal cabinet ministers, Louis St-Laurent, then Secretary of State for External Affairs, and James J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of War Services led the prayer of consecration in French and English.

The CCCB has posted catechetical material for adults and children at cccb.ca to help them make a personal Marian consecration.  The adult resource explains consecration is a “renewal of our first consecration at Baptism,” in the “particular form of a personal pledge.”

“Today, the Blessed Mother continues to shine forth in the community of believers as the perfect example, icon, and model of what it means to live by faith, to welcome grace, and to cooperate with the Lord in the fulfilment of his plan of salvation,” the adult resource says.

“In entrusting ourselves to Mary’s maternal care and protection, we benefit from her intercession, joining our feeble efforts to her powerful prayers and her closeness to Jesus,” it says. “Mary helps us through her companionship and counsel.”

The CCCB release also noted Canada’s bishops consecrated Canada to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1954 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape near Trois-Rivières.