Here is the prayer made by Pope Francis in
St. Peter's Square on Sunday, October 13,
before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima,
brought from Portugal for this special occasion:
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, with renewed
gratitude for your motherly presence, we join in
the voice of all generations that call you blessed.
We celebrate in you the great works of God,
who never tires of lowering Himself in mercy
over humanity, afflicted by evil and wounded by sin,
to heal and to save it. Accept with the benevolence
of a Mother this act of consecration that we make
in faith today, before this your image, beloved to us.
We are certain that each of us is precious in your
eyes and that nothing of all that lives in our hearts
is unknown to you. We let ourselves be touched by
your most sweet regard and we welcome the
consoling caress of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace: bless and
strengthen every desire for good; give new life
and nourishment to faith; sustain and enlighten
hope; awaken and animate charity; guide us all
on the path to holiness.
Teach us your own special love for the little
and the poor, for the excluded and the
suffering, for sinners and the wounded
of heart: gather all people under your
protection and give us all to your beloved
Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.