THIS SOLEMN ACT OF CONSECRATION OF THE NATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY WAS MARKED BY THE DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL RENAISSANCE.
Newsroom(12/13/2025 12:40 p.m., Gaudium Press) Last Saturday, December 6, the Catholic Church in Guinea-Bissau held the Solemn Act of Consecration of the Nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in a celebration marked by strong spirituality, calls for peace, and requests for reconciliation and democratic restoration in a country described as “wounded by instability.”
All parishes simultaneously celebrated the Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, replacing the traditional national pilgrimage to Cacheu, which was canceled this year due to the socio-political situation. The prayer of consecration followed the text prepared by Pope Francis in 2022.
At the Cathedral of Bissau, the bishops of Bissau and Bafatá, accompanied by priests, religious, and faithful, prayed that Mary would accompany the nation in this “hour of tribulation.” The Church acknowledged that the country faces political disputes, violations of fundamental rights, drug trafficking, corruption, and a loss of trust among citizens, which, according to the text, “dismantle the dream of peace and affect the hopes of young people.”
During the ceremony, read by Bishop Victor Quematcha, forgiveness was asked for greed, indifference, selfishness, and violence, and that Mary, Our Lady of the Nativity, remind the people that God never abandons Guinea-Bissau.
The Mother of God was invoked as Queen of Peace and spiritual guide of the nation, with requests that she not let the country sink into conflict, inspire paths of reconciliation, erase hatred and revenge, teach forgiveness, and preserve religious freedom. Peace was also requested for Guinea-Bissau and for the world.
Each person and family, the whole Church, the authorities, institutions, and the entire nation were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The prayer asks for the restoration of constitutional democratic order, in peace, truth, justice, and freedom, and the liberation of the country from all forms of authoritarianism.
The event ended with an appeal for hope, asking that divine mercy renew the country and that “the sweet beat of peace once again guide national life.” The Church urged Guineans to become “artisans of communion and builders of peace.” This celebration was marked by a desire for spiritual, social, and political rebirth, entrusting all of Guinea-Bissau to the maternal care of Mary. (EPC)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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