The war to end all wars
David Ahern
David is the editor of The Majellan
Humans have a terrible habit of not learning from past mistakes. After the atrocious trench warfare of World War 1 and the dreadful toll of lives lost, many world leaders said there would be no more wars. They claimed it was ‘the war to end all wars’.
Yet, just over 20 years later the world was at war again. Second time around and this war was even more horrifying in terms of the number of people killed and towns and cities destroyed.
There hasn’t been a decade since that has not witnessed a major conflict, whether it be Korea, Vietnam, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Move forward to the 21st century and some of the countries devasted by fighting have included Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
And now the world has to contend with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More than 100 days in and the war shows no signs of slowing. Like a game of snakes and ladders, there are small wins and small loses as both sides attempt to gain the upper hand.
In the meantime, missiles, bombs and bullets continue to claim lives, many blameless victims. It’s a calamity. It’s a disgrace. It was totally avoidable.
Senior diplomats in many countries are searching for a peaceful solution but so far without luck. It seems Putin and his cronies are not interested. Their maniacal resolve to take control of Ukraine was probably planned long ago.
So where does it end? No one really knows but its affects are reverberating around the globe. Inflation, escalating grocery and petrol prices, not to mention rising interest rates, are all making life difficult for many. Though our ‘first world’ problems are nothing compared to what the people of Ukraine are dealing with at present.
The war is also causing grain shortages which will especially impact Africa. Health officials are concerned it could lead to more famine on a continent which has seen more than its fair share of drought and famine.
To mark the feast of the Annunciation in March, Pope Francis and bishops throughout the world consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying for an end to the war.
As the hostilities continue unabated, we can only keep up our prayers to Mary while also hoping that on our earthly planet sanity will eventually prevail.
Personal Prayer for the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Most glorious Mother,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
To you do we turn in our time of need.
Your Heart is most pure,
Your virtues overflow in superabundance,
You are the Immaculate Conception,
You are our Mother and Queen.
In the face of grave evil,
In this time of war,
In this time of devastation and chaos,
We entrust all to you.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Please pray for us,
Cover us with your mantle of protection,
Free us from violence,
Free us from war.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Call us to repentance,
Open the eyes of sinners,
Pour down your Son’s mercy,
Pour down His abundant grace.
We consecrate to your Immaculate Heart this day,
Ourselves and our loved ones,
Our families and churches,
Our communities and countries.
Most Immaculate Heart of Mary,
In union with the Holy Father in Rome,
With the bishops throughout the world,
With all the faithful at prayer,
We consecrate Russia and Ukraine to you.
Receive them into your Immaculate Heart,
Bring healing and peace,
Strength and wisdom,
Love and compassion,
Mercy and forgiveness,
Reconciliation to all.
Through the powerful mediation of your Immaculate Heart,
Bind satan and all demons,
Thwart their evil plots.
St Michael the Archangel,
All angels and saints,
Pray for Ukraine,
Pray for Russia,
Pray for peace in the world,
Pray for peace in every heart.
Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Amen.
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