This is a good question.

It certainly has currency.

For we see in the news that 1) the war between Russian and Ukraine is as violent as ever and 2) there is no end in sight — in fact, there are some signs that it may last longer with more brutality than anticipated.

So what to think?

Were not Russia and Ukraine consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary — for the first time, in strict legalistic accordance with the Fatima requests, with Russia named and bishops around the world participating — back on March 25?

Here it is useful to recall that, according to the visionary Sister Lucia dos Santos, a previous consecration by Pope Saint John Paul II on the same March 25 date, but in 1984, prevented what she termed an “atomic [nuclear] war” from erupting “in 1985,” a year after that Consecration.

The effect wasn’t obvious (the public was totally unaware of any such close call) but extremely significant. This occurred despite a Consecration many criticized for not citing Russia by name (something the diplomatic corps at the Vatican has long argued against doing).

Fast forward to the present, and now other question, most obviously whether the March 25, 2022, Consecration will also have a major if unseen effect. Indeed, in an atmosphere of threats from Russia to use nuclear weapons, has the prayer prevented such an exchange already?

We have no way of knowing.

Remember, also, that collapse of Communism and dismantling of the evil Soviet Union began five years after the 1984 Consecration, beginning in 1989. Thus: effects may not be visible or immediate. Time tells.

In the meantime, while the current Pope has fulfilled the Fatima request, the question is whether the rest of the Church — with regard to her second requirement for the conversion of Russia (the Five First Saturdays  of Mass, Confession, and a Rosary) has fulfilled its duty.

Have those who long have criticized Popes for not technically meeting the Consecration requirement themselves answered Our Lady’s request at Fatima (actually, to Lucia at Tuy, Spain)?

Vladimir Putin — a man of many rumors and many threats — says to watch out: he has only just begun. He continues to rattle sabers. The U.S., whose intelligence services did a remarkable job forecasting the war, believes he still intends (does Vladimir the Christian) to conquer (and if not that, annihilate) Kyiv.

Mary says in her most recent message, “I am with you also in these days when Satan is fighting for war and hatred. Division is strong and evil is at work in man as never before.”

Have you not noticed how everything — whether a pandemic, or economic theory, or Court decisions, or proposed legislation, or vaccines, or elections, or shooting — is a source of acute wrangling?

Divide and conquer, is the devil’s plan.

Our Lady’s is: pray (First Saturdays!) and unite.

[resources: The Flower of Fatima]

[Footnote, from the Mailbag: “Nothing is set in stone. Our Lady herself said that World War II could have been avoided, had mankind turned back to God. She specifically said that if mankind did not repent another world war would occur. WWII could have been avoided.