Pope Pius XII Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pope Pius XII Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary took place on October 31, 1942 just before major turning points in World War Two. Pope Pius consecrated to Mary not only the Church but the whole human race, as “Father of Christianity” as representative of Christ, who has all power in heaven and on earth” [Math28,18]

Historical context

The solemn consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was pronounced at a critical phase of [World War Two] on October 31 [1942] . At that time, German troops under General Rommel had conquered strategic parts of North Africa and were advancing towards the Suez Canal. In the Pacific, following Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese forces occupied ever increasing territories, and in Russia experienced an ever expanding German invasion. In this situation, Pope Pius XII, like his predecessors, put his trust in prayer. On October 31,1942, he calls for a prayer crusade to the queen of peace, because only she can help now. He then dedicates the whole human race and especially Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Military victory

The consecration is noteworthy, because it contains a specific reference to military victory.
* "Peace in truth, justice and the charity of Christ. Give them peace of the arms and peace of mind" he asks from the "“Conqueress in God’s battlefields”"

Supporters of Pope Pius and his Marian views point out, that indeed the battlefield situation improved markedly for the allies. Shortly afterwards, in the battle of El Alamein, British forces achieved a major break through. According to Winston Churchill, not known as a Marian devotee, one can almost say, before El Alamein, we did not have a single victory, and after not a single defeat. [Winston Churchill War memoirs, Volume IV, 2] In the Pacific, a crucial battle of Salomon Island was won by the US forces a few days after the consecration. The downfall of Stalingrad began a few days later as well with the encirclement November 19, 1942. Stalingrad surrendered on the Marian feast day, February 2, 1943. This view is not shared by everyone but popular among Marian devotees of Pope Pius XII. [J Zeitler, die Marien Welt-Weihe eine dogmatisch zeitgeschichtliche schau, Kaldenkirchen, 1956,] [Johannes Maria Höcht, der große Ruf, München, 1956] , [Johannes Maria Höcht Fatima Pius XII Wiesbaden, 1956]

Interpretation

The noted Mariologist Gabriel Roschini called the 1942 consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary "the greatest honour, which anyone can imagine. It is the highest manifestation of the Marian cult." [Quoted in Höchst, 265.] It opens new perspectives for salvation history. He and others see the consecration as a new “Marian way”, a new definition of what human means between the collectivism and unlimited liberalism. The consecration to Mary by Pope Pius means “that a age of the Church” has began: Though Mary we understand the super-natural destiny of mankind and every human being. [Zeitler, 93]

Relation to Fatima

The act of consecration

References