A grassroots movement has organized thousands of Catholics in the state of California to join together tomorrow, on the feast of St. Juan Diego, to consecrate their state to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

According to Catholic Action for Faith and Family, the event will take place at churches throughout the state beginning with Mass at 12 noon followed by a Rosary procession in a place of public witness and the recitation of the Prayer of Consecration of California to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The effort began with a man named Angelo Libutti, director, writer and storyboard artist, who was in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament during an early morning vigil when the idea struck him that of all the states, California was the most distant from God and the least faithful to His commandments. He knew that if anyone could turn the situation around it was Our Lady.

He began to promote the idea of gathering the faithful together to consecrate the state of California to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He had a good response from parish priests, Knights of Columbus, and the faithful themselves. Word began to spread and before long, the movement known as Consecrate California began.

Thousands are now expected to participate along with a number of notable Catholics such as actor Eduardo Verastegui, exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger, Live Action founder Lila Rose, Tim Staples, and Patrick Coffin. Organizations such as Catholic Answers, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property and Catholic Action for Faith and Family also signed on and continue to spread the word.

The main intentions of the initiative are to defeat the Culture of Death by bringing about an end to abortion and euthanasia; to pray for all those impacted by the many natural disasters that have struck the state; for the sick, elderly, and unwanted; and for an end to violence, sex abuse, drugs, alcoholism, and sex trafficking.

As this promoter said in an anonymous email to California Catholic, “We are asking for God’s mercy upon us and for His guiding hand to steer us, especially our lawmakers, in the right direction.”

This is certainly a prayer we can all join! No matter where we are in the world, let us join in prayer with our brothers and sisters in California tomorrow and put the fate of our country into the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Prayer of Consecration:

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your “Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.

Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America, and particularly, the State of California, into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country and our State to You. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on the capital and on industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the innocence of our children. Grant the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesied by Simeon, save us from degeneration, disaster and war. Protect us from all harm. O Advocate, pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.”

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