2nd in 2 weeks! Brazil consecrated to Immaculate Heart of Mary

Incredible! For the second time in a week, a nominally Catholic nation has been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the initiative of a conservative political leader. Just yesterday, Walt was pleaed to report that Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Premier, dedicated his country to the Immaculate Heart on May 18th, at a rally in Milan. See "Salvini commends Italy to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Pope displeased", WWW 24/5/19.

Sig. Salvini was criticized by hierarchs of the Church (Hello, Cardinal Parolin!) for his fervent expression of faith. At the rally, the crowd of 1000s responded with jeers and catcalls to the mention of the name of the alleged Pope. Francis has reportedly refused to meet the Italian leader because of the latter's policy of stopping by invasion of Italy by hordes of "refugees" and asylum-seekers.

Hard on the heels of last weeks week's stunning news comes this report from Planalto, the website of the Presidency of Brazil, that on Tuesday last, that country was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a ceremony that included President Jair Bolsonaro and Bishop Fernando Areas Rifan.

The consecration was an initiative of national deputy Eros Biondini and Brazil's Catholic Parliamentary Front in reparation for sin and to ask for divine protection. Said Senhor Biondini, “We are doing this for Brazil, for our love for our nation." A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, revered in Brazil, which has more Catholics than any other country, graced the ceremony and will remain in a place of honour in the presidential palace.

Signing the proclamation of national consecration were President Bolsonaro, cabinet minister Floriano Peixoto, and Sr Biondini. The other signatories were Bishop Areas and Bishop Emeritus João Evangelista Martins Terra of Brasilia, the nation's capital. During the ceremony, participants prayed the Rosary and sang a Marian hymn, accompanied by a number of nuns.

Bishop Areas leads the Personal Apostolic Administration of St. Jean Marie Vianney, devoted exclusively to celebrating the pre-1965 Roman rite of the Mass. The prelate said that consecrating his country to the Immaculate Heart means that "Brazil recognizes the presence of God." Pro-life advocates, among them a priest, displayed banners emblazoned with the motto "Brazil is alive: no abortion.”

Sr Peixoto thanked President Bolsonaro for his participation in the event, saying, "This space and all our public buildings are places in which the Christian faith is professed.... May God illuminate everyone so that we can achieve our goals of lifting up fellow citizens and bringing to our children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and cousins, a better and more just condition for everyone."