The Catholic blogosphere is abuzz with the question -- will the consecration really be done as Mary requested? You know, considering world governments are officially and publicly on high alert for world war, nuclear attacks, cyber attacks, and economic fallout.
I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly well prepared for blackouts, looting, food shortages, hyperinflation, and the Great Reset. Though we are getting more and more prepared by the day. As I've been encouraging everyone these last weeks since You-know-who invaded You-know-where.
But I digress.
Here is my reasoning, of what I'm looking for, in part based on recent videos put out by the Fatima Center:
1. It has to be done by the pope. Is Francis the pope? That is a very legitimate question. A hermit priest Canadian vlogger, by the way himself not per se a traditionalist, who many like, made me "laugh out loud" recently when he ended his video remarking "Francis is pope like Biden is president." Layers of truth in that statement. If there is no pope, would he still materially exercise the authority of the Chair as the putative pontiff to do this? If Benedict didn’t really resign, but is still pope, would he participating fulfill the requirement? Much room for healthy skepticism.
I have my doubts Bergoglio was legally elected, after what was revealed in the best seller The Dictator Pope, but I personally see that question ultimately to be resolved by the Cardinals, or a future pope or Council. As insanely difficult it is to accept this individual as the Vicar of Christ on Earth, I still pray for him as the pope at Mass adding mentally “if he is the pope.”
2. It must be a consecration, i.e. a blessing. Not just an “entrustment” as Bergoglio did in 2013. Might sound too religious and sacred for the modernists in Rome wanting this prayer to be more a quasi-religious, secularized message to help end the War in Ukraine, than you know to actually finally, after over 100 years, to fulfill the requirements specified to Lucia by Our Lady at Fatima.
3. The prayer must say to the “immaculate heart of Mary.” That phrase might offend the ecumaniacs in Rome enough to get this phrase omitted. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they omit it, once we read what the prayer says.
4. The prayer has to be specific enough in mentioning Russia to clearly indicate Russia is in fact being consecrated. That is "set aside" in a special way for a special blessing, like you would in blessing a St. Benedict's medal, vs. say just blessing an object. If it said “We consecrate all of humanity, all countries, all the peoples of the world, which includes Ukraine and Russia during this current crisis,” that doesn't sound specific enough. Russia needs to be mentioned in some specific way to distinguish it from everyone else, as needing consecration so critically that the Mother of God would issue an ultimatum, as she did. About Russia.
5. The bishops must do the consecration with the pope. I’m no Fatima expert, but I’ve read (maybe from Fr. Gruner) that means a “majority.” I’d think much more than 51%, which is too close a margin, but more like 2/3rd.
There are over 5000 bishops. Can we really expect say 3500 bishops to a) get the letter in time, b) take this seriously enough since it’s a “request” not a directive, and most don’t give a flip about Fatima, c) and then really do it? There’s room for doubt on that one point, it seems to me. And how can the Church verify the majority really did the consecration? A survey of bishops? The last survey of bishops that I recall (re the Latin Mass) was not exactly a reliable survey, was it?
My 2 Cents.
How ultimately will we know? Well, for one the Vatican saying so won’t be enough; they’ve already falsely said JPII did the consecration — properly. It will come down to theological opinion and what sources you trust. Perhaps some will look to Cardinal Burke, Bishop Schneider, the FSSP, etc for the answer. Others to Ann Barnhardt, or those with a similar thesis on the current papacy.
Of course one could judge if an act was done by the outcome. If there is by some miracle a lasting, peaceful resolution between Ukraine-US-NATO and Putin-Russia, that itself would point to a valid pope + a proper consecration. Conversely, if Putin invades other countries in Eastern Europe, NATO sends in troops, that one "shot heard around the world" is fired, and then You-know-what becomes official (in my mind we are already at world war), then perhaps Francis wasn't the pope after all, and/or he/they once again ignored heaven's peace plan.
For us in my household, we will look to what Fr. Gruner’s (RIP) apostolate Fatima Center assesses for guidance, and the Society of St. Pius X. Because, truth be told, it has been mainly these two Catholic groups the last decades which have publicly labored, under the stigma of being crazy for doing so, to say the consecration has not been properly done by the pope, while continuously promoting it to be done properly. There are many published Fatima theologians that they have relied upon these last decades. I see no other more reliable theological authority to rely upon.
But still, I expect it to be very widely debated across the Catholic blogosphere, starting this Friday, if it actually went down as Our Lady requested. It is all strange to me, on one hand I am very skeptical, but on the other hand hoping against all hope. St. Jude pray for us.
Three more days left in the novena, including tonight, the consecration REALLY takes place on Friday. Miracles do happen. Like the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.
But if not, prepare for Divine Justice.