The Diocese of Gap in southern France is to be consecrated to the Virgin Mary

In September 2020, the diocese of Gap in Hautes Alpes, France, will kick off a Marian year to prepare for the consecration of this French department to the Virgin Mary. This time of spiritual renewal will include special days of prayer and conferences on the Virgin Mary.

Bishop Xavier Malle of Gap and Embrun announced that this Marian Year will open in September 2020 and end in September 2021, when the diocese and the department of Hautes-Alpes will be consecrated to the Virgin Mary. The government is not the only one that has made plans for after the shelter-in-place, he quipped.

The last Marian year was an international Marian year, in 1987-1988. The Diocese of Gap, unlike many others dioceses, has never before been consecrated to the Virgin Mary or to the Sacred Heart. For example, because of the current pandemic, the diocese of Marseille recently renewed its consecration to the Sacred Heart.

The theme of this diocesan Marian year will be: "Taking the Virgin Mary into your home." During the shelter-in-place order, the faithful will stay home... but with Mary and the saints.

This Marian year will take place mostly in people’s homes, but there will be special events held in each parish of the diocese and at the Shrine of Our Lady of Laus. A planning committee is being assembled.

Adapted from: La Croix