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December Reflection
With the month of December we come to the end of the calendar year, but we in turn begin a “new” liturgical year of the Church. During this centenary year, we have reflected upon the six apparitions of Our Lady at Fátima, and now we enter the grace filled season of Advent. In this special time of year, we prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of the Lord and recall and celebrate his First Coming at Christmas. Being encouraged by Fátima’s message of peace, we are invited to prepare ourselves for the Coming of the Prince of Peace.
During this time, we are also reminded that Our Lady is a key figure in the season of Advent. With her, the “spirit of Fátima” draws us in a profound way into the great solemnity of December 8, the Immaculate Conception. Our Lady’s “fiat,” her “yes,” begs us to reflect on how we have responded during this year in giving our “yes” to the Father’s will. Have we asked the Immaculate Heart of the one who was conceived without sin, to assist us to freely choose to do the will of the Father?
Along with December 8, we have another Marian celebration on the 12th of December. It is on this day that we are invited to see and accept Our Lady as “mother.” During her appearances to St. Juan Diego, she assured him that she is his mother. Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Immaculate Virgin, stressed that she is with us to protect, strengthen and encourage us to center our lives in the Love that is God. It was hundreds of years later, at Fátima, that Our Lady assured us: she is our refuge, and there is nothing to fear.
If a person is privileged to visit the shrine at the Cova da Iria in Fátima, one will be surprised to discover a Nativity scene across the square from the site where Our Lady appeared. It is a great reminder that the “reality of Christmas” is always with us. The Nativity scene, in the Sanctuary of Fátima, reminds us of He who was born into this world to save us from our sins. The call to repentance, prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners is the message which echoes throughout, not only the Sanctuary of Fátima, but also throughout every Advent and Christmas Season.
During this special time of the year, may the Blessed Virgin, Our Immaculate Mother, pray for us as we prepare for the Coming of her Son, Jesus, the Christ.
May all of you have a blessed Advent and Christmas season!
Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fátima, pray for us
November 2017 Reflection
During the month of October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, we have recalled, within the centenary anniversary of Fátima, the culmination of the six apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Cova da Iria. We are invited, and challenged, to embrace the messages she entrusted to the three shepherd children: Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco in 1917.
As we welcome the month of November, the month we remember all the faithful departed, let us intercede for them by praying the Rosary every day. We pray that God will “grant them eternal rest” and that he will “let perpetual light shine upon them.” Through the prayers of Our Lady, “may their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.” It was at Fátima that the Virgin Mary’s messages from Heaven reminded us of the teaching of the Church in regard to the existence of Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. This month clearly brings this to our attention with the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints and All Souls’ Day.
Also, on the 21st of this month, we acknowledge the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Within the Byzantine Liturgy, we hear the following in regard to the Virgin Mary’s Presentation in the Temple: “The most pure temple of the Savior, his most precious bridal chamber, the Virgin, sacred treasury of God’s glory, enters today into the house of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the divine Spirit...’Behold the heavenly tabernacle!’...”
May the Heavenly Tabernacle, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and for the souls of the Faithful Departed. Let us faithfully pray the prayer that Our Lady taught the Shepherd Children of Fátima: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.” Amen. May the Immaculate Heart of Lady of Fátima, be our refuge and consolation.
May the souls of all the faithful departed “rest in peace.” Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of All the Saints, pray for us.
Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Fátima, pray for us.
October 2017 Reflection
As we welcome the season of Autumn, we direct special attention to the month of October and recall the sixth and last apparition of Our Lady at the Cova da Iria on the 13th of October in the 1917. It was in the midst of the darkness of World War I, and the social and political upheaval which threatened the existence of the Catholic Church in Portugal, that "the Lady clothed in light" appeared to the three little shepherd children. Our Lady promised, on the 13th day, she would perform a miracle so that all may believe. This last appearance of Our Lady at Fátima would bring peace and an end to the WWI. The event, which was to occur at the Cova, in the midst of the most inhospitable conditions of drenching rain and cold, would transform the lives of all waiting in anticipation of "the miracle."
The following is the eyewitness account of the last Apparition on October 13, 1917 in the words of Sr. Lúcia dos Santos, visionary of Fátima:
We left home quite early, expecting that we would be delayed along the way. Masses of people thronged the roads. The rain fell in torrents. My mother, her heart torn with uncertainty as to what was going to happen, and fearing it would be the last day of my life, wanted to accompany me.
On the way, the scenes of the previous month, still more numerous and moving, were repeated. Not even the muddy roads could prevent these people from kneeling in the most humble and supplicant of attitudes. We reached the holmoak in the Cova da Iria. Once there, moved by an interior impulse, I asked the people to shut their umbrellas and say the Rosary. A little later, we saw the flash of light, and then Our Lady appeared on the holmoak.
"What do you want of me?"
"I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes."
"I have many things to ask you: the cure of some sick persons, the conversion of sinners, and other things..."
"Some yes, but not others. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins."
Looking very sad, Our Lady said:
"Do not offend the Lord our God any more. Because He is already so much offended."
Then, opening her hands, she made them reflect on the sun, and as she ascended, the reflection of her own light continued to be projected on the sun itself. (It was at this moment, when the rain had stopped and the clouds parted, that the multitude, up to 70,000, witnessed the supernatural solar phenomena, and its effects upon them and the surrounding area, known as the miracle of the sun.) While they experienced the awe inspiring and terrifying event, the shepherd children witnessed something entirely different.
Lúcia continues:
After Our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When, a little later, this apparition disappeared, I saw Our Lord and Our Lady; it seemed to me that it was Our Lady of Dolores. Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as St. Joseph had done. This apparition also vanished, and I saw Our Lady once more, this time resembling Our Lady of Carmel.
On that afternoon, those gathered at the Cova da Iria, believers and non believers alike, left that special place, a changed people. For it was on that day, 13th day of October, they witnessed the wonder and power of God's mighty hand at work. They were blessed with the extraordinary generosity and transforming power of his grace and mercy.
Thus ends the series of six apparitions and the "messages from Heaven" which God conveyed to the "little shepherd children" by means of the intercession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Fátima in the Year of Our Lord, 1917. It is a message which continues to have meaning, and an impact, on us and the world of the Third Millenium.
As St. John Paul II mentioned in one of his messages:
"The Lady of the message seems to read the signs of the times - the signs of our time - with special insight...The insistent invitation of Mary Most Holy to penance is nothing but the manifestation of her maternal concern for the fate of the human family, in need of conversion and forgiveness."
Let us pray, during this 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Fátima, that our world will be blessed with the gift of grace and mercy. The gift necessary to move hearts to repentance and ongoing conversion. May these graces assist us in avoiding sin so as "not to offend the Lord our God anymore. Because He is already so much offended." May God have mercy on us. May the prayers of Our Lady be our refuge and lead us to the Love, that is God. Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco, pray for us!
Let us find comfort and assurance in the words of Our Heavenly Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary:
In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph!
September 2017 Reflection
The 13th of September, 1917
The 5th Apparition: "Fátima in Lúcia's Own Words"
As the hour approached, I set out with Jacinta and Francisco, but owing to the crowds around us we could only advance with difficulty. The roads were packed with people, and everyone wanted to see us and speak to us. There was no human respect whatsoever. Simple folk, and even ladies and gentlemen, struggled to break through the crowd that pressed around us. No sooner had they reached us than they threw themselves on their knees before us, begging us to place their petitions before Our Lady. Others who could not get close to us shouted from a distance:
"For the love of God, ask Our Lady to cure my son who is a cripple!" Yet another cried out: "And to cure mine who is blind!...To cure mine who is deaf!...To bring back my husband, my son, who has gone to war!...To convert a sinner!...To give me back my health as I have tuberculosis!" and so on.
All the afflictions of poor humanity were assembled there. Some climbed up to the top of trees and walls to see us go by, and shouted down to us. Saying yes to some, giving a hand to others and helping them up from the dusty ground, we managed to move forward, thanks to some gentlemen who went ahead and opened a passage for us through the multitude.
At last, we arrived at the Cova da Iria, and on reaching the holmoak we began to say the Rosary with the people. Shortly afterwards, we saw the flash of light, and then Our Lady appeared on the holmoak.
"Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war. In October Our Lord will come, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world. God is pleased with your sacrifices. He does not want you to sleep with the rope on, but only to wear it during the daytime."
"I was told to ask you many things, the cure of some sick people, of a deaf-mute..." "Yes, I will cure some, but not others. In October I will perform a miracle so that all may believe."
Then Our Lady began to rise as usual, and disappeared.
As the Shepherd Children fulfilled the role of "intercessor" on behalf of the people and their petitions, so we too are called and challenged to embrace "the petition from Heaven:" to intercede, pray, and offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners in today's troubled world.
As we welcome the month of September, let us continue to take to heart Our Lady's request to "to pray the Rosary...." May Our Lady of Peace, during this Centenary of Fátima, hear our prayers for our country and the world.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
August 2017 Reflection
The month of August brings us to the Fourth Apparition of Fátima. During this month, let us continue to pray for the conversion of sinners as Our Lady has requested. We ask her intercession, especially, for all victims of crime and violence and for their families. We remember the incarcerated and those who work and minister within the many detention facilities in our Diocese of Sacramento. During this month of August, let us pray for the continued growth of our outreach ministries to the jails, prisons and other detention facilities in our area. May Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco, who experienced imprisonment, firsthand, pray for the conversion of those incarcerated so they may come to know the "grace and mercy" of Christ.
With the occurrences, which took place on August 13, 1917, we see how the "powers to be" tried to frustrate God's plan. On that day, the three shepherd children were prevented from going to the Cova da Iria for the anticipated visit of Our Lady. They were apprehended by the Magistrate for the purpose of interrogating them in regard to "the secret" which Our Lady had entrusted to them. In the midst of the endless interrogation, bribes and threats, even of death, the children remained steadfast.
At one point during their apprehension, they were confined to a jail and found themselves sharing a cell with some incarcerated men. These men were so moved by the children's courage, faith and sense of sacrifice, that they joined the children in praying the Rosary within their shared cell. Even during this experience of imprisonment, the children prayed and offered their suffering for the conversion of those who were in jail with them. They, as mere children, innocent and falsely in prisoned, ministered to those inmates!
Finally, on August 15, the Assumption of Our Lady, they were released and reunited with their families. Several days later, on August 19, at Valinhos, a location near their homes, Our Lady appeared to them. The following is the account of the Fourth Apparition according to: "Lúcia's Memoirs."
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"What do you want of me?" Lúcia asked.
"I want you to continue to come to the Cova da Iria on the thirteenth and to continue to say the Rosary every day."
Lúcia asked Our Lady if she would be willing to perform a miracle so that all may see and believe. "Yes," Our Lady answered, "In the last month, in October, I shall perform a miracle so that all may believe in my apparitions. If they had not taken you to the village, the miracle would have been greater. Saint Joseph will come with the Baby Jesus to give peace to the world."
"Our Lord also will come to bless the people. Besides, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Sorrows will come."
Lúcia asked Our Lady: "What do you wish us to with the money and the offerings that the people leave at the Cova da Iria?"
"Have two litters made. One is to be carried by you and Jacinta and two other girls dressed in white; the other one is to be carried by Francisco and three other boys. The litters are for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the money that is left over will help towards the construction of a chapel that is to be built."
Lúcia spoke to Our Lady of the sick who had been recommended to her.
"Yes, I shall cure some of them within the year." Then, Our Lady said: "Pray! Pray a great deal and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to Hell for not having someone to pray and make sacrifices for them." With that, she departed rising towards the East.
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Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners, pray for us.
Our Lady, Mother of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
July 2017 Reflection
100th Anniversary of Fátima
July 13, 1917 Third Apparition
As we continue to acknowledge this year of grace in regard to the 100th Anniversary of Fátima, Sr. Lúcia dos Santos gives her firsthand account of the Third Apparition at the Cova da Iria.
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July 13, 1917
A few moments after arriving at the Cova da Iria, near the holmoak, where a large number of people were praying the Rosary, we saw the flash once more, and a moment later Our Lady appeared on the holmoak.
"What do you want of me?" I asked.
"I want you to come here on the 13th of next month, to continue to pray the Rosary everyday in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war, because only she can help you."
"I would like to ask you to tell us who you are, and to work a miracle so that everybody will believe that you are appearing to us."
"Continue to come here every month. In October, I will tell you who I am and what I want, and I will perform a miracle for all to see and believe."
And she continued: "Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially whenever you make a sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her opened her hands once more, as she had done during the two previous months. The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened and burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke now falling back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and transparent like burning coals. Terrified and as if to plead for succour, we looked up at Our Lady, who said to us, so kindly and so sadly:
"You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that this is the sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father, "To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturday's. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved; etc... Do not tell this to anybody. Francisco, yes, you may tell him.
"When you pray the Rosary, say after each mystery: O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need."
After this, there was a moment of silence, and then I asked: "Is there anything more that you want of me?"
"No, I do not want anything more of you today."
Then, as before, Our Lady began to ascend towards the east, until she finally disappeared in the immense distance of the firmament.
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May Our Lady grace us with the desire to pray, throughout the month of July, the prayer she gave to the Shepherd Children of Fátima: "O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need."
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
June 2017 Reflection
Within the month of June we celebrate three Solemnities of the Church. The first is Pentecost. It is followed by the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The third is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The theological significance of these Solemnities were reinforced within in the Apparitions of Fátima.
During the Apparitions of the Angel of Peace in 1916, the three shepherd children, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta were instructed by the Angel of the importance of adoring the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. The Angel's catechesis to the children continued with the teaching of the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist in regard to his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Their special love for the "Hidden Jesus" in the Blessed Sacrament became the focus of their spiritual lives. It was the motherly love of Our Lady which would confirm, in the following year, the truth that was revealed to the children by the Angel of Portugal.
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, and Spouse of Our Lady, graced Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta in a very special way during the second apparition of Our Lady in the Cova da Iria on June 13, 1917. The following is the firsthand account of the Second Apparition in the words of Sr. Lúcia.
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The 13th of June, 1917
As soon as Jacinta, Francisco and I had finished praying the Rosary, with a number of other people who were present, we saw once more the flash reflecting the light which was approaching. The next moment, Our Lady was there on the holmoak, exactly the same as in May.
"What do you want of me?" I asked.
"I wish you to come here on the 13th of next month, to pray the Rosary every day, and to learn to read. Later, I will tell you what I want."
I ask for the cure of a sick person.
"If he is converted, he will be cured during the year."
"I would like to ask you to take us to Heaven."
"Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart."
"Am I to stay here alone?" I asked, sadly.
"No, my daughter. Are you suffering a great deal? Don't lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God."
As Our Lady spoke these words, she opened her hands and for a second time, she communicated to us the rays of that same immense light. We saw ourselves in this light, as it were, immersed in God. Jacinta and Francisco seemed to be in that part of the light which rose towards Heaven, and I in that which was poured out on the earth. In front of the palm of Our Lady's right hand was a heart encircled by thorns which pierced it. We understood that this was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, and seeking reparation. Thus, concludes the second visit of Our Lady to the Shepherd Children of Fátima.
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Let us, during the month of June, reflect on this second apparition of Our Lady. Throughout this "month of Solemnities," may we continue to pray the rosary daily for peace in this world and to pray that we will be open to the "immense light" which comes by way of the Holy Spirit; the indwelling of the Holy Trinity; and nourished by the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ.
With the recent celebration of the feast of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, let us reflect on her inspired words in regard to our three Solemnities: "Come Holy Spirit. Come! As you descended upon Mary, that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace. Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity. Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you."
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, pray for us.
St. Jacinta, pray for us.
St. Francisco, pray for us.
May 2017 Reflection
100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Fátima
May 13, 1917 - First Apparition of Our Lady
The following is the documented account of Our Lady's first visit from Heaven to the three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria taken from "Fátima in Lucia's own Words"- Sister Lucia's Memoirs.
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High up on the slope in the Cova da Iria, I was playing with Jacinta and Francisco at building a little stone wall around a clump of furze. Suddenly we saw what seemed to be a flash of lightning.
“We’d better go home,” I said to my cousins, “that’s lightning; we may have a thunderstorm.”
“Yes, indeed!” they answered.
We began to go down the slope, hurrying the sheep along towards the road. We were more or less half-way down the slope, and almost level with a large holm oak tree that stood there, when we saw another flash of lightning. We had only gone a few steps further when, there before us on a small holm oak, we beheld a Lady all dressed in white. She was more brilliant than the sun, and radiated a light more clear and intense than a crystal glass filled with sparkling water, when the rays of the burning sun shine through it.
We stopped, astounded, before the Apparition. We were so close, just a few feet from her, that we were bathed in the light which surrounded her, or rather, which radiated from her. Then Our Lady spoke to us:
“Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm.”
“Where are you from?”
“I am from Heaven.”
“What do you want of me?”
“I have come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the 13th day, at this same hour. Later on, I will tell you who I am and what I want. Afterwards, I will return here yet a seventh time.” 1
“Shall I go to Heaven too?”
“Yes, you will”
“And Jacinta?”
“She will go also.”
“And Francisco?”
“He will go there too, but he must say many Rosaries.”
Then I remembered to ask about two girls who had died recently. They were friends of mine and used to come to my home to learn weaving with my eldest sister.
“Is Maria das Neves in Heaven?”
“Yes, she is.” (I think she was about 16 years old).
“And Amélia?”
“She will be in purgatory until the end of the world.” 12 (It seems to me that she was between 18 and 20 years of age).
“Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?”
“Yes, we are willing.”
“Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort.”
As she pronounced these last words “...the grace of God will be your comfort”, Our Lady opened her hands for the first time, communicating to us a light so intense that, as it streamed from her hands, its rays penetrated our hearts and the innermost depths of our souls, making us see ourselves in God, Who was that light, more clearly than we see ourselves in the best of mirrors. Then, moved by an interior impulse that was also communicated to us, we fell on our knees, repeating in our hearts:
“O most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the most Blessed Sacrament!”
After a few moments, Our Lady spoke again: “Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war.”
Then she began to rise serenely, going up towards the east, until she disappeared in the immensity of space. The light that surrounded her seemed to open up a path before her in the firmament, and for this reason we sometimes said that we saw heaven opening.
I think that I have already explained in my account of Jacinta, or else in a letter, that the fear which we felt was not really fear of Our Lady, but rather fear of the thunderstorm which we thought was coming, and it was from this that we sought to escape. The Apparitions of Our Lady inspired neither fear nor fright, but rather surprise. When I was asked if I had experienced fear, and I said that we had, I was referring to the fear we felt when we saw the flashes of lightning and thought that a thunderstorm was at hand. It was from this that we wished to escape, as we were used to seeing lightning only when it thundered. Besides, the flashes of lightning were not really lightning, but the reflected rays of a light which was approaching. It was because we saw the light, that we sometimes said we saw Our Lady coming; but, properly speaking, we only perceived Our Lady in that light when she was already on the holm oak tree.
The fact that we did not know how to explain this, and that we wished to avoid questions, caused us to say sometimes that we saw her coming, and other times that we did not. When we said we saw her coming, we were referring to the approach of the light, which after all was herself. And when we said we did not see her coming, we were referring to the fact that we really saw Our Lady only when she was on the holm oak.
1 This “seventh time”, refers to the 16th of June, 1921, on the eve of Lucia’s departure to Vilar de Oporto. It was an apparition with a personal message for Lucia, which, therefore, was not revealed.
2 This could mean “a long time”.
April 2017 Reflection
With the month of April comes the glory of Easter, and with it, a reminder of who we are: we are the Baptized! It is in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, that we enter a new life that is immersed in the Paschal Mystery of the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During this Easter Season, as we acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Fátima, we are reminded that at the center of the message of Fátima is the good news that God, the Holy Trinity, exists and we are invited to have a personal relationship with Him, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity's "messenger," Our Lady, reminds us that in order to enter into this "heart to heart" relationship with our God, we must repent of our sins and be reconciled with our Lord and with one another.
This was stressed in the life of one of the visionaries of Fátima, Sr. Lúcia. She was granted a vision of the Holy Trinity. In the vision, the Son of God was depicted as the Crucified One. Under the right arm of the cross of Jesus appeared Our Lady of Fátima. Under the left arm of the cross appeared two words that encompass the revelation of Fátima: Grace and Mercy.
During this holy Season of Easter, may we desire to have a greater love for the "indwelling" of the Holy Trinity in our lives. Let us never forget that we ARE the Baptized! May the Easter gift of "grace and mercy" be ours through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary; she who is "our life, our sweetness and our hope" - the Mother of the Risen Lord!
Our Lady of Fátima, pray for us.
March 2017 Reflection
With the month of March, we enter the Season of Lent and prepare for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. As we welcome this Lenten Season, within the centenary anniversary of the revelations of Fátima, we are reminded of the message of Our Lady that calls us to "turn away from sin," to pray for the conversion of sinners and to be: "faithful to the Gospel" of her Son, Jesus. As a penitential season, Lent, along with the message of Fátima, contain the valuable teaching of prayer, penance and sacrifice.
In 1916, the Angel of Peace stressed the importance of prayer when he asked Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco: "What are you doing? Pray, pray very much! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High." Their question in response to the Angel: "How are we to make sacrifices?" The Angel of Portugal responded to them: "In everything you can, offer a sacrifice as an act of reparation for sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners."
The following year, on May 13, 1917, Our Lady asked the shepherd children a similar question: "Do you wish to offer yourselves to God to bear any suffering that He wishes to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins with which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?" The children responded: "Yes, we do."
During this Lent, Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima extends the invitation to us: "Are we willing and ready to offer our sufferings as acts of reparation for sins in this world and in supplication for the conversion of sinners?" If we are, then, Our Lady assures us, as she assured the three children: "The grace of God will be your comfort."
May the grace of God be our comfort as we offer our acts of prayer, penance and almsgiving throughout these forty days of Lent.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
February 2017 Reflection
As we acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions in Fátima, let us remember February 20th, the Feast Day of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, to whom Our Lady appeared.
On this special day, February 20, I invite all to offer the prayer taught to Bl. Francisco and Bl. Jacinta by the Angel of Peace in 1916: "My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon of you, for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you." It was asked of them to recite this prayer three times.
This is a great prayer to recite often and to teach our children, especially those preparing for their First Holy Communion. It is there, within that sacramental experience, they will encounter for the first time what Bl. Francisco referred to as: "the Hidden Jesus."
May the Blessed Shepherd Children of Fátima, Jacinta and Francisco, pray for us and leads us to a greater love for "the Hidden Jesus."
January 2017 Reflection
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
As we welcome the New Year, 2017, we acknowledge the first day of the New Year as a day of prayer for peace in our world. This year is the 50th celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Peace. Pope Francis's theme for January 1 is: "nonviolence". As we raise our prayers to God for peace and nonviolence, we ask the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of God, and Queen of Peace.
As we begin the year, 2017, we also acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of the six apparitions of Our Lady in Fátima which took place from May to October in the year 1917. It is most-fitting that Our Lady's visits to the Cova da Iria conveyed, as a priority, the importance of praying for peace and an end to war.
Let Our Lady's "Peace Plan from Heaven" take heart in our lives throughout this New Year. Let us dedicate ourselves to praying the Rosary daily as Our Lady requested at each of her apparitions. Let us pray our rosaries for peace and an end to violence, terrorism, and war in the world. We ask the Lord's Divine intervention, especially, in the Middle East, as we commit ourselves to prayer, penance, and conversion of mind and heart during this Year 2017.
Our Lady, Mother of God, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Fátima , pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Action items for the month of January in acknowledging the 100th Anniversary:
- Pray the Rosary, daily, for the intention of peace in the world, especially, in the Middle East and for world leaders.
- Organize Rosary groups within parishes.
- Pray the Rosary before or after Mass.
- During 2017, teach the children and youth about the value of the Rosary and how to pray it, properly.
- Give time for praying the Rosary within our Catholic schools.
- Offer the Rosary as an act of reparation for those who are persecuted and being martyred for the Christian Faith.
- Pray the Rosary during visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
- As a family, pray the Rosary and set up a special "rosary prayer space" within the home.
- Consider giving a rosary as a gift.
- Provide pamphlets, and/or presentations, on " How to Pray the Rosary" for parishioners.