Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), announced April 23 that the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to renew the consecration of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother. EWTN Global Catholic Network will air the brief liturgy and prayer of re-consecration at 3 p.m. ET, Friday, May 1, live from Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles with Archbishop Gomez celebrating. The event will also be aired live on EWTN’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ewtnonline.EWTN daily TV schedule, here.
On the day of the Re-Consecration, Birmingham Bishop Robert J. Baker will celebrate the 8 a.m. ET Daily Mass and the Franciscan Friars of the Eternal Word will conduct a Rosary Holy Hour at 2 p.m. ET.
In addition, as a lead up in the week of the Re-Consecration, the Friars will lead a series of short meditations on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. The meditations will immediately follow the 8 a.m. ET Mass on EWTN and will air in place of a recessional hymn. These meditations will also be aired live on EWTN’s Facebook page, along with a post containing the words to each day’s meditation.
In a letter to the U.S. Bishops regarding the Re-Consecration, Archbishop Gomez said: “This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus.” Each year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. “This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic.”
EWTN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw said: “EWTN is honored to be airing this important Re-Consecration of the United States and Canada to Our Lady. As the bishops’ leadership demonstrates, the road out of this pandemic is through the intercession of our Heavenly Mother. May the Lord bless and protect us in these challenging times.”
(Photo caption: A replica of the mosaic of Mary, Mother of the Church at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at EWTN in Irondale, Ala. The original can be seen at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.)
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