Ever Notice the Star on Our Lady of Fatima?

[Albino_Luciani]

Click on the link to see a good example of the star, on Our Lady’s gown, and just above Her feet:

sistersofcarmel.com/our-lady-of-fatima-statue-woodcarving.php

The neat thing about it, is that Sister Lucy, the only surviving seer of Fatima until her death, died on February 13, 2005. February coincides with the Jewish month of Adar. In the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, the 13th of Adar was the penultimate date!

The lesson for us is, Our Queen Esther (Mary), has gone into the King (of Heaven) and pleaded for Him to save us. We are in a foreign land of non-believers. Our Queen will not let us perish.

read more…

keepingitcatholic.blogspot.com/2008/05/hidden-revelations-star-of-esther-and.html

 

[Edmundus1581]

The single star on Our Lady’s gown seems to be well authenticated. Thanks for the link.

What’s missing is the connection to Esther. The linked article says this:

This star is a profound symbol long recognized by tradition as the “Star of Esther.” It points to an Old Testament history called The Book of Esther, which relates the story of a Jewish queen whose intercession saved her people from annihilation.

This looks like is a powerful argument for the author’s interpretation of 13th February, but I wanted to authenticate it.

If one searches for “star fatima esther” one only gets a small number of links, to articles similar to this one. It doesn’t seem to be a widely known connection.

My quick research does suggest that Esther is associated with a star in some way, but more in tradition than in the book itself.

The Targum[12] connects the name with the Persian word for “star”, ستاره setareh, explaining that Esther was so named for being as beautiful as the Morning Star. In the Talmud (Tractate Yoma 29a), Esther is compared to the “morning star”, and is considered the subject of Psalm 22, because its introduction is a “song for the morning star”.

[Wikipedia]

So, IMHO, the article’s theory about 13 February and the star on the gown is plausible, even probably, but needs more explanation - particularly to relate the “Star to Esther”. It does seem odd that this is not more widely known in relation to Fatima.

I also would like to find out more about the significance of 13’th Adar in Esther and Judaism.

What has really intrigued me with this is the (possible) connection between Fatima and Judaism. The connection with Islam has often been noted, but here we have possibly a connection to Judaism, and even a 3 way connection - Mary, Judaism, and Islam (via Persia).

 

[Bezant]

Click on the link to see a good example of the star, on Our Lady’s gown, and just above Her feet:

sistersofcarmel.com/our-lady-of-fatima-statue-woodcarving.php

The neat thing about it, is that Sister Lucy, the only surviving seer of Fatima until her death, died on February 13, 2005. February coincides with the Jewish month of Adar. In the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, the 13th of Adar was the penultimate date!

The lesson for us is, Our Queen Esther (Mary), has gone into the King (of Heaven) and pleaded for Him to save us. We are in a foreign land of non-believers. Our Queen will not let us perish.

read more…

keepingitcatholic.blogspot.com/2008/05/hidden-revelations-star-of-esther-and.html

I’m afraid there’s a problem. The secular calendar is solar-based. The Hebrew calendar is solar-based and lunar-based. Because of the moon’s cycles, in lunar-based calendars, the months overlap with the months on the secular calendar. (For example, holidays according to the Islamic calendar, which is lunar-based, may fall in the summer or the winter.) The Hebrew months usually overlap across a secular month. Because of the overlap, it’s incorrect to assume that February and Adar overlap exactly (in 2005, or indeed at all).

In 2005, 13 Adar fell on 22 February. The 13 February was 4 Adar according to the Jewish calendar. Interestingly 2005 was also a leap-year on the Jewish calendar, so there are 2 Adars, and two Purims.

(syonkosher.com/files/Good_Hebrew_Calendar.htm)

 

[Edmundus1581]

Thanks Bezant. Glad we’ve got an expert on board!

 

[JimmytheButcher]

February coincides with the Jewish month of Adar. In the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, the 13th of Adar was the penultimate date!

February does not always coincide. That calendar is a lunar calendar and not solar like that of the modern calendar (and by modern I meant to triumphically say ‘the Pope Gregory calendar’)

You got the 13th part correct that is for sure. Mary’s zodiac symbol is the one of the 13th month: The Serpent-handler or the Serpent-treader (…something like that)

There are twelve stars, one for each apostle, and one for Mary. Each apostle can be seen to be a deacon to each other. Six plus one is seven.

Yeah… this stuff goes on and on. It’s really wild and becomes rather skeptical after a while. But, it is edifying.

There was some Greek philosopher guy who said something like, “The mark of the Creator is all over His Creation.” (…or something like that… someone please clean that one up for me!)

 

[Bezant]

Thanks Bezant. Glad we’ve got an expert on board!

No problem

I also would like to find out more about the significance of 13’th Adar in Esther and Judaism.

According to an interpretation I’ve heard, one of the themes of the Book of Esther is about varying levels of control. Haman cast lots to solicit Fate, in an attempt to find out when Israel’s God would be vulnerable to Fate and unable to protect them. This date was 13 Adar.

Esther has a special place in this control theme, because she rose to power through control: using her charm, beauty, and ability to blend in to become Ahasuerus’ queen. To save her people, though, she must take a gamble that could cost her life. By taking that gamble, her initiative parallels Haman’s gamble and turns that first gamble on its head: the Jews rose to battle on 13 Adar and defeated their enemies.

The point, according to this interpretation, is that everyone has a purpose, even though we might not know what that is. God is obviously important to the story, but he has the passive role he takes in everyday life; most of what happens, depends on our willingness to act. When our talents are particularly needed, we should rise to the occasion, even if it means putting ourselves at risk – because you never know what may become of it. What if Esther had been too afraid to take the risk?

(jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm)

What has really intrigued me with this is the (possible) connection between Fatima and Judaism. The connection with Islam has often been noted, but here we have possibly a connection to Judaism, and even a 3 way connection - Mary, Judaism, and Islam (via Persia).

Persia was Zoroastrian at the time of Esther.

 

[Albino_Luciani]

I stated that February 13th coincided with Adar because the author of the main article said so. If you scroll down to the footnotes you will see the resources used:

[2] Sunrise and Sunset in Coimbra, timeanddate.com [timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.htm]](http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.htm])

[4] Hebrew Date Converter [Hebrew Date Converter - 4th of Av, 5781 | Hebcal Jewish Calendar]](http://www.hebcal.com/converter/])

[6] “Timeline: Adar in Jewish History,” Wikepedia. [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adar]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adar])

Note: The author of the main article had it published in Catholic Family News, so I would be pretty sure the date would hold up under scrutiny despite what the local “expert” says.

 

[Edmundus1581]

I stated that February 13th coincided with Adar because the author of the main article said so. If you scroll down to the footnotes you will see the resources used:

[2] Sunrise and Sunset in Coimbra, timeanddate.com [timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.htm]](http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.htm])

[4] Hebrew Date Converter [Hebrew Date Converter - 8th of Av, 5781 | Hebcal Jewish Calendar]](http://www.hebcal.com/converter/])

[6] “Timeline: Adar in Jewish History,” Wikepedia. [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adar]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adar])

Note: The author of the main article had it published in Catholic Family News, so I would be pretty sure the date would hold up under scrutiny despite what the local “expert” says.

I used the second reference, and found that in 2005 13 February fell on 4 Adar, exactly as described by Bezant, and contrary to the implication in your OP.

Please note that it was myself who called him an “expert” - he does not have to justify that label to anyone, and it would be polite if you don’t use it against him.

 

[Albino_Luciani]

“Please note that it was myself who called him an “expert” - he does not have to justify that label to anyone, and it would be polite if you don’t use it against him.”

:hey_bud:

 

[Edmundus1581]

No problem

According to an interpretation I’ve heard, one of the themes of the Book of Esther is about varying levels of control. Haman cast lots to solicit Fate, in an attempt to find out when Israel’s God would be vulnerable to Fate and unable to protect them. This date was 13 Adar.

Esther has a special place in this control theme, because she rose to power through control: using her charm, beauty, and ability to blend in to become Ahasuerus’ queen. To save her people, though, she must take a gamble that could cost her life. By taking that gamble, her initiative parallels Haman’s gamble and turns that first gamble on its head: the Jews rose to battle on 13 Adar and defeated their enemies.

The point, according to this interpretation, is that everyone has a purpose, even though we might not know what that is. God is obviously important to the story, but he has the passive role he takes in everyday life; most of what happens, depends on our willingness to act. When our talents are particularly needed, we should rise to the occasion, even if it means putting ourselves at risk – because you never know what may become of it. What if Esther had been too afraid to take the risk?

(jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm)

Persia was Zoroastrian at the time of Esther.

Thanks for the additional information, Bezant. It makes me glad that I joined this thread and learned more about Esther, Purim, and the Jewish calendar.

I read some of Esther last night.

I knew that Persia wasn’t conquered by Islam until the 7th century, but thought that it being a significant place in both Esther and Muslim history was a possible connection to Fatima. I didn’t know that their old religion was Zoroastrianism. Interesting!

 

[beehumble]

I suggest you read the post here on Fatima and the number 13:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=7086809#post7086809

Also, as far as Sr. Lucia’s death on February 13, it most likely is a purposeful blend of Jewish and Gregorian (Catholic or Christian) dates. She died on the Gregorian 13th day in the Jewish month of Adar. There are two separate wings of the People of God - The Jewish people and the Christian peoples. Blessed Mary is mother to all, and while Jewish, she is the mother of the Church and of Christianity.

Before the Second Coming, the Jews will convert - they will recognize Jesus as the Messiah - it is quite possible there are allusions to this conversion in the blended date of Lucia’s death.

In the days of Esther and Haman, the evil god Nergal, a god of war, death, pestilence, blood, and destruction, was worshipped on the 13th of each month.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nergal

Haman chose the 13th of Adar to annihilate the Jews in homage to Nergal. (Later, Christian and Jewish cultures consider Nergal to be Satan.)

But all things, including all days, belong to God, and so on the 13th of Adar, a day that would have seen the annihilation of the people of God (the Jews), became the day of their triumph over Haman, and over Nergal (Satan).

And Blessed Mary says at Fatima, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” (over Satan and evil) Note that at Fatima she warns about an evil Russia. The flag of that evil Russia of much of the 20th century was a red field of blood adorned with a hammer and sickle. Nergal, a god associated with bloodshed was often depicted with a mace and sickle.

ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/tag/babylonian/

God bless you.

 

[Bezant]

Thanks for the additional information, Bezant. It makes me glad that I joined this thread and learned more about Esther, Purim, and the Jewish calendar.

I read some of Esther last night.

I knew that Persia wasn’t conquered by Islam until the 7th century, but thought that it being a significant place in both Esther and Muslim history was a possible connection to Fatima. I didn’t know that their old religion was Zoroastrianism. Interesting!

No problem. And thanks for the support.

 

[centurionguard]

Interesting thread. I have a Blessed 3 1/2 foot statue of our Lady of Fatima in my residence I purchased new ten years ago. And yes there is a star on the statue.

However; I thought it had something symbolically to do with the Star of Bethlehem, or Miracle of the Sun? Perhaps I’m wrong.

The Blessed Virgin is also often referred to as the Morning Star.

 

[beehumble]

Having read a lot about Fatima, I don’t recall anything said by Sr. Lucia about the meaning of the star.

While it is true that Our Lady is called the Morning Star, any Fatima star would most likely be a pointer to Esther for several reasons.

First, Esther means ‘star’.

Second, the key date in the Book of Esther is 13 of Adar, and Our Lady of Fatima appeared on the 13th.

Third, the date 13 of Adar occurs 6 times in the Book of Esther, and at Fatima Our Lady appeared 6 times.

Fourth, the Book of Esther is about the triumph of the people of God, her people, and at Fatima Our Lady said, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

So I think the typology is quite clear between Esther and Our Lady of Fatima, and the star serves to reinforce it.

 

[thomas_jd]

Having read a lot about Fatima, I don’t recall anything said by Sr. Lucia about the meaning of the star.

While it is true that Our Lady is called the Morning Star, any Fatima star would most likely be a pointer to Esther for several reasons.

First, Esther means ‘star’.

Second, the key date in the Book of Esther is 13 of Adar, and Our Lady of Fatima appeared on the 13th.

Third, the date 13 of Adar occurs 6 times in the Book of Esther, and at Fatima Our Lady appeared 6 times.

Fourth, the Book of Esther is about the triumph of the people of God, her people, and at Fatima Our Lady said, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

So I think the typology is quite clear between Esther and Our Lady of Fatima, and the star serves to reinforce it.

In 1947 Sr. Lucia collaborated with an american artist regarding a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. She commented that the star was visible in each appearance at the Cova.
That is the only reference that I remember of her speaking about the star.

 

[beehumble]

In 1947 Sr. Lucia collaborated with an american artist regarding a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. She commented that the star was visible in each appearance at the Cova.
That is the only reference that I remember of her speaking about the star.

Yes, and Sr. Lucia also told the artist that the star was always yellow. But I don’t think she ever said that Our Lady told her what it meant, why Our Lady had the star.

Of course Hitler made the Jews wear a yellow star; besides pointing to Esther, the star might also point to the upcoming Holocaust (At Fatima, Our Lady spoke of upcoming persecutions, singling out Russia but not necessarily excluding other tribulations).

Haman in Persia tried to annihilate all Jews in the world, in what would have been the first holocaust. Hitler likewise tried to annihilate all Jews. So the Jews living at the time of Esther and the Jews living during WW II both have that in common too - which makes it another reason why Blessed Mary at Fatima can be seen as the anti-type to Esther of long ago.

As Dr. Scott Hahn and other theologians are fond of saying, the versus of the God’s Word in the Bible are “packed” with layer upon layer of meaning.

And too, God’s apparition of Fatima seems to be densely “packed” with layers of meaning.

(BTW, the book A While Longer explores some of these layers of meaning of Fatima in ways I hadn’t read before.)

God bless you.

 

[Edmundus1581]

…

First, Esther means ‘star’.

…

Third, the date 13 of Adar occurs 6 times in the Book of Esther, and at Fatima Our Lady appeared 6 times.

I am always careful with claims such as this, because they can often be ascribed to coincidence (as the bible is a very large book) or manipulation of half-truths (eg. “Petros”/“Petra” dissection).

In fact, I would normally have not paid attention to this article, except that, at first sight, there did seem to be enough to warrant closer investigation.

We’ve already dispensed with “13 February” (in 2005) is “13 Adar”.

As to the above two facts.

1. I found no strong evidence that Esther means “star”. This extensive Jewish commentary on Esther, and this, does not mention “star”. Wikipedia has some discussion on how it might mean “star”, but the most probable meaning is the Persian version, “astra”, of “myrtle”, which was Esther’s Jewish name, Hadassah.
2. Yes, 13 Adar does appear exactly six times in the book of Esther!

So, I’m regarding this article as flawed in the facts as presented, but there does seem to be something worth further investigation.

 

[beehumble]

We are all free to believe what we want.

Note I am not vouching for the accuracy of the article - I added my own (name removed by moderator)ut from other sources. And I already explained February 13, 2005 as possibly being a mix of Gregorian and Jewish dates.

BTW, if one reads the article, I do not think it anywhere states February 13 2005 is Adar 13 - that was posted in this blog but not in the article. It says:
The secret significance of Lucia’s date of death has been right before our eyes all the time: It occurred exactly 40 minutes before sunset,[2] on the 13th of February[3] – in the Hebrew month of Adar.[4]
So you should in all fairness remove one of your check marks of inaccuracies of the article.

Esther as a type for Blessed Mary is well established.

youtube.com/watch?v=ZwVYL63RA9Y

Here is more on the typology, and** this article also begins by saying Esther is from the Hebrew meaning star **:
One line from the article:
“The Fathers of the Church considered Esther as a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

newadvent.org/cathen/05549a.htm

And let’s get at ‘star’ another way in relationship to Esther. Hadassah means “myrtle” in Hebrew. The myrtle tree is a symbol of Israel, and it has “star-like flowers having five petals”.

God bless you.

 

[beehumble]

Oh and the sources you cited in the search for ‘strong evidence’ of Esther meaning star are not very ‘strong’ . Neither one of the Jewish sources cited mention star or Hadassah or even delve into the meaning of Esther (lack of meaning does not by any means rule it out.)

The Jewish Encyclopedia does mention ‘star’ in association with Hadassah’s Persian name ‘Esther’:

jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5872-esther

Name of the chief character in the Book of Esther, derived, according to some authorities, from the Persian “stara” (star); but regarded by others as a modification of “Ishtar,” the name of the Babylonian goddess (see below).

 

[zab]

A star on an image of Mary, such as the icon of Mother of Perpetual Help and other images, often represents her role as Star of the Sea.