In anticipation of his Consecration for Peace tomorrow, Pope Francis commented earlier this week on how his veteran grandfather taught him to “loathe” war.
Speaking at the Vatican, the Pope offered a “personal testimony” to the power of hearing an elderly person tell their life story. He said that he heard about the horrors of the First World War directly from his grandfather, Giovanni Bergoglio, a radio operator caught up in fighting at the Piave River in northern Italy. “I learned hatred and anger for war from my grandfather, who fought at the Piave in 1914, and he passed on to me this rage at war, because he told me about the suffering of war,” the Holy Father said.
Pope Francis added: “Important things like these are not learned in books or in other ways, They are learned by being passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. And this is irreplaceable.”
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Reminder: On Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At the Holy Father’s request, Archbishop Alexander Sample invites all priests, religious, and faithful to assemble in churches and places of prayer to raise a heartfelt plea to our Blessed Mother. We will offer the same prayers of Consecration here at Holy Cross parish at 9am (immediately after our daily Mass). We will also offer the prayers after the Stations of the Cross Friday evening.
Archbishop Sample will be celebrating Mass at Mt. Angel Abbey at 8am on Friday. He will make the consecration at the end of the Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation, around 9am. The Abbey will livestream the event so that you may join from wherever you are: https://www.mountangelabbey.org/monastery/mass-prayer-schedule/live-streaming
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Answers to many questions about the Consecration: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250675/pope-francis-consecration-russia-ukraine-meaning
