Archbishop Jerome Listecki responded to Pope Francis's call to join him consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, and in turn invited Milwaukee Catholics to participate. More than 500 parishioners took part.

“In a heartfelt reflection at the Act of Consecration for Ukraine and Russia, Archbishop Listecki spoke to a filled cathedral in Milwaukee,” the archdiocese posted on Facebook. Listecki was reported to have told them, “We can turn this world into a garden or a pile of rubble.”

The Russian military invaded Ukraine about five weeks ago and has been mounting attacks against the country from the ground and the air, AP News reported. More than 4 million people have fled Ukraine because of the conflict. 

As the conflict dragged on, Pope Francis invited all bishops across the world to join him in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, Vatican News reported. Pope Francis performed the consecration at St. Peter's Basilica; many U.S. dioceses held concurrent services. 

It’s not the first time Russia has been consecrated to Mary. When Mary appeared in Fatima during World War I, she requested that Russia be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. The request came with a warning that otherwise Russia “would spread ‘its errors throughout the world,’” Vatican News reported. A consecration ceremony has been performed for Russia several times in the intervening years, including in 1952 and 1964.

In Milwaukee, “all of the participants and bishops knelt together in prayer to the Holy Mother, acknowledging that we have strayed from peace and asked for God’s mercy to be poured out on the earth,” the diocese wrote. “As we continue to pray for peace, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee invites you to join us for Sunday Mass."

To watch a video of the Act of Consecration, visit https://youtu.be/fnMzc_HeDK8.