Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis are being encouraged to embark on a nine-day prayer for peace in Ukraine that will culminate March 25, the day Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“We have heard from many of our Catholic schools that they desire to help the people of Ukraine. As Catholic schools, one powerful way we can join together is in prayer; particularly for peace,” said a March 16 update to Catholic schools from the archdiocese’s Office for the Mission of Catholic Education.

“In this update, you will find a simple but powerful way your school can join with Catholics across the world in prayer,” the OMCE said. “During this season of Lent, we are able to unite our prayers leading up to this consecration through participating in a Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for peace in this specific part of the world.”

Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, and the U.S. and its allies immediately imposed heavy economic sanctions against Russia and pledged financial and military assistance to Ukraine. On March 15, Pope Francis announced that he will consecrate both countries to the Virgin Mary. A similar consecration will be carried out the same day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

With the novena officially beginning March 17, on the feast of St. Patrick, schools also were encouraged to start the prayer exercise on any day they choose.

The message Mary gave in Fatima to three shepherd children in 1917 included these words: “If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated.”

But the message continued: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”

The prayer offered for the novena in the archdiocese’s 90 Catholic schools reads:

“O Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially for an end to war in Ukraine and healing for the Ukranian people. We are comforted in knowing your Immaculate Heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We entrust your gentle care and intercession, to those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.