Pope Pius XII Consecration To The Immaculate Heart of Mary - Historical Context

Historical Context

Pius XII's motto for his pontificate was Opus Justitiae Pax, meaning "Peace is the work of justice" which according to author Rodger Charles reflected his interest in world affairs beyond the Church. The consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was pronounced at a critical phase of World War II at the end of October 1942. At that time, German troops under General Rommel had conquered strategic parts of North Africa while advancing towards the Suez Canal and in Russia fighting continued against an expanding German invasion. On October 31, 1942 Pius XII called for a prayer crusade to Mary the Queen of Peace, and stated that only her intercession could save the situation. He then dedicated the whole human race and especially Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He renewed the consecration again on December 8, 1942.

The consecration is noteworthy, because it contains a specific reference to military victory.

• Peace in truth, justice and the charity of Christ. Give them peace of the arms and peace of mind he asked from the “Conqueress in God’s battlefields”

Supporters of Pope Pius and his Marian views point out, that indeed the battlefield situation improved markedly for the allies. Shortly afterwards, in the battle of El Alamein, British forces achieved a major break through. According to Winston Churchill, not known as a Marian devotee, one can almost say, before El Alamein, we did not have a single victory, and after not a single defeat. In the Pacific, the Japanese defenders were decisively beaten during the Guadalcanal Campaign, as part of the larger land and sea battles in the Solomon Islands Campaign, with a few days after the consecration. The downfall of Stalingrad began a few days later as well with the encirclement November 19, 1942. Stalingrad surrendered on the Marian feast day, February 2, 1943. This view is not shared by everyone but popular among Marian devotees of Pope Pius XII.,