Bishop Kevin Vann will lead the Friday prayer service on the Christ Cathedral campus, asking to let the light of Christ prevail over the darkness of evil.

Garden Grove, Calif. (March 23, 2022) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will be joining other Dioceses throughout the world at 9 a.m. Friday, March 25 in a prayer service for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, an act of a unified Catholic Church coming from Vatican City that calls for the Blessed Mother’s help in a troubled time.

Bishop Kevin Vann will lead the service taking place inside the Christ Cathedral campus’ Arboretum church. The Diocese of Orange’s service will take place around the same time as Pope Francis’ at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Holy See.

In the Catholic tradition, to consecrate means to formally dedicate to a religious or divine purpose. More specifically, according to an explanation delivered in 1982 by Pope John Paul II, consecration to the Virgin Mary means “accepting her help — by having recourse to her motherly heart, which beneath the cross was opened to love for every human being, for the whole world — in order to offer the world, the individual human being, mankind as a whole, and all the nations to him who is infinitely holy.”

Bishop Vann will be calling upon the Blessed Mother to intercede to her Son, on behalf of people in Ukraine and Russia for peace, the immediate stop of the war, and to let the light of Christ prevail over the darkness of evil.

Media interested in covering the prayer service for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are asked to RSVP with Bradley Zint, assistant director of communications for the Diocese of Orange, at [email protected] or (714) 282-6052.

Video cameras will not be allowed in the Arboretum, but television/video media are welcome to use the livestream feed available on the Diocese of Orange’s YouTube channel, Christ Cathedral’s Facebook page and Christ Cathedral’s website.

Still photographers will be permitted inside the Arboretum with an RSVP and media credential, issued by the Office of Communications.

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About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

With 1.3 million Catholics, 56 parishes, five Catholic centers and 35 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools welcoming all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, was dedicated in July 2019.

Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at www.rcbo.org.