Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima

“Make of everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication, for the conversion of sinners.” Words spoken by the Angel of Peace in preparing Lucia, Jacinta & Francisco for visitation by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Today marks the 104^th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in 1917 in the village of Fatima, Portugal. She appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917.

 

As the children were attending their sheep an Angel of God appeared. “He said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the angel of peace. Pray with me,’” Abobora — later renamed Lucia de Jesus de dos Santos — recounted in her memoir, “Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words,” published in 1976.

 

“Do not be afraid” and “peace” are words that should echo in our hearts. In a very divided, polarized, politically charged, money motivated world, fear is rampant, and peace is scarce. Isn’t it interesting that Our Lady’s message from over 100 years ago for peace and to not fear or despair is a message that is so relevant to us now? This message, given 104 years ago in a war-enraged Europe, is THE message for our times.

 

There’s also another vital lesson to be learned here: Our Lady’s message at Fatima in each of her apparitions stressed the importance of praying the Rosary daily, asking the children to pray the Rosary every day for peace. Devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, terribly offended by the sins of humanity, is another important part of Fatima’s message to the world. We must pray the Rosary daily, visit HERE. As Saint Padre Pio said, the Rosary is, “the weapon for our times!” We must pray the Rosary to console the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

 

If you are unfamiliar with the entirety of the Fatima story, visit HERE. I hope that this story of three young children whose hearts were so in tune with God will inspire you to seek our Lord through daily meditations and prayers through the Rosary. Our world needs Jesus and our prayers through the Rosary will help to bring people to Him…let us not waste another second in turning to our Holy Mother.

 

Our Lady of Fatima, Ora Pro Nobis!

 

In the Peace of Christ,

Fr. Claude, MC