Church joins Pope Francis in entrusting the world to Mary

THE Philippine Catholic Church joins Pope Francis in solidarity as he entrusts the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, October 13.

In a letter to the Holy Father, Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president, expressed the joy of receiving the news of the pope’s intention to “entrust the whole world to Our Lady of Fatima which is an Act of Filial Entrustment to the maternal care and protection of our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace.”

He recalled with the Holy Father the Philippines’ own National Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary last June 8 and said, “we thank you again for your message to us and your Apostolic Blessing on that occasion.”

Bishop Guillermo Afable presents to Pope Francis the icon of "Puso ni Maria, Ina ng Bayang Sumisinta."

Members of the CBCP Ad Hoc Committee of the National Consecration are currently in Rome to take part in the celebration and represent the Philippine Church: Bishop Guillermo Afable of Digos diocese, Fr. Yulito Ignacio, Ms. Victoria Borres of Marian Solidarity, Ambassador Merceditas    Tuazon, Ms. Carmela Borres and Mrs. Josie Bantug.

The group presented to Pope Francis  the original icon of “Puso ni Maria, Ina ng Bayang Sumisinta” during the General Audience on October 9 at St. Peter’s Square.

The icon—painted by Fr. Armand Tangi, SSP—was given to the Holy Father as a remembrance of the National Consecration and a sign of the Filipino Catholics' unwavering love and unity with Pope Francis.

On Sunday, the Holy Father will lead in St. Peter’s Square the entrustment of the world to the Immaculate Heart as part of the Marian Day celebration of the Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.

Hundreds of movements and institutions around the world that highlight Marian devotion are participating in the event.

It will be recalled that Francis’ pontificate, upon his request, was consecrated by Cardinal Jose Polycarp, the Patriarch of Lisbon to Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, her feast day.

The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the Little Chapel of Apparitions in Portugal will be brought to Rome for the occasion on October 12 and will return to Portugal on the afternoon of October 13.