Zimbabwe’s Catholic Bishops Consecrate Nation to Mary, Present Her as “model of courage” in Difficult Times

The Bishop of Masvingo Catholic Diocese said Mary’s witness remains especially relevant for contemporary Zimbabwe.

“In the time in which we are living, we need the courage that comes with hope. Indeed, in difficult times, we need the courage to stand, and there is no better person to model our lives upon than the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he said.

Reflecting on the Church’s devotion to Mary throughout history, Bishop Mupandasekwa recalled Christ’s words from the Cross entrusting His Mother to the beloved disciple and said the Church has continually recognized Mary’s maternal role.

“Mary is given to the care of the Beloved, or the Beloved is given to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the Church remembers that we have a mother. The Church has never forgotten, and we see this down through the centuries, the Council of Ephesus speaking of her as the mother of God,” he said.

The ZCBC President also referenced the apparitions of Fatima, saying Mary called for families, peoples, and nations to be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart.

“She asks that we consecrate ourselves, that we consecrate countries that were then in desperate need of intercession, to her Immaculate Heart. Consecrate families, consecrate countries, and consecrate peoples to her Immaculate Heart so that they enjoy the special favor of her intercession,” he said.

The Zimbabwean member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.SS.R/Redemptorists) explained that the consecration followed a nine-day novena during which the faithful sought Mary’s intercession, protection, and guidance.

“We have been praying, consecrating ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the mother of God, that we too may be protected, may be inspired, and may be shown a way out of the many challenges that we face in our times,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Masvingo Diocese since December 2023 acknowledged the hardships many Zimbabweans continue to endure.

He said, “We know that we are living in very difficult times. Many of us are finding that life is very hard without jobs, struggling to make ends meet, and yet even as we struggle, we still have other responsibilities.”