May 13 - Our Lady of Fatima

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. For those who know little about this Feast or the apparitions of our Blessed Mother to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, or for those who simply would like to know more, see HERE

The messages given to the children are important for all of us. The Vatican also has a link to explain in detail the Message of Fatima, see HERE

Both links contain much information, so you may want to read some and then bookmark the page until you have more time. The information is well-worth prayerfully reading and pondering during these critical times in history. Below is the conclusion of the Theological Commentary on the “Third Secret of Fatima” written by Pope Benedict XVI who was then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the CDF in Rome:

…I would like finally to mention another key expression of the “secret” which has become justly famous: “my Immaculate Heart will triumph”. What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Saviour into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise.

May God give us hearts, like Mary’s, open to God and purified by contemplation! The “fiat”, the “yes” – the “word of her heart” to God, changed the history of the world. Today, we like Mary need to pray and to do the Truth. May Christ’s Light shine through us, His Church, on a dark world.

 

[jediliz]

Actually, it’s just the first apparition…the miracle of the sun feast day is October 13. That being said…I love Our lady of Fatima and consider the message very important today.

 

[MariaChristi]

Actually, it’s just the first apparition…the miracle of the sun feast day is October 13. That being said…I love Our lady of Fatima and consider the message very important today.

Dear jediliz,

Perhaps the Church chose the date of the First Apparition as the date to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima since beginnings are so important;

First apparition of Our Lady in Fatima

It was on the 13th of May 1917 that Our Blessed Lady appeared for the first time in Fatima. They were playing and building a wall when they suddenly saw a flash of lightening. They thought that a storm was brewing and herded the sheep together to take them home. They once again saw a flash of lightening and shortly afterwards they saw above a small holm oak tree a Lady dressed entirely in white and shining more brilliantly than the sun. They were standing so close to it that they were standing in this Light. The Beautiful Lady said; “be not afraid, I shall do you no harm”. Lucia asked;” where have you come from?” It is Lucia who asks all the questions. “ And what to you want from me?” The Blessed Virgin said: ”I come from Heaven, I come to ask to you to come back here on the thirteenth of the month at the same time for six months. Then I shall tell you who I am and what I want. Then I shall come a seventh time.” Then Lucia asked, “ Shall I also go to Heaven?” -----“ Yes.”—And Jacinta?”-----“as well”-------“And Francesco?”----“He too, but he must first say a lot of rosaries.” Then Lucia asked about two girls’ aged 16 and 20, who had died recently, if they were in Heaven. “The first is and the second not”. Was the reply.
This was the first apparition when they got to know Our Lady. Then Our Lady started to tell them why She had come. “ Will you all offer yourselves to God to carry the suffering that He shall give you in reparation for sin and for the conversion of sinners?” In childlike and heroic simplicity they answered. “ We want to”. “Then you will suffer a lot, but the Grace of God shall be your strength!” Whilst She said the words: - “ The grace of God", She opened Her hands out of which came beams of such a strong light, that it dug into the deepest depths of our souls. In this way She showed us ourselves in God, Who is this Light.

We saw ourselves better than in the very best mirror, Lucia tells us. Due to an enormous inner urge to do so, we fell to our knees and repeated: “Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly and I offer You the most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He Himself is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.” After a short time, Our Lady said; “ Pray the rosary every day for peace in the world and for the end of the war! At the end of the rosary say the following prayer: My Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fire of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have the most need of Thy Mercy.” Then She slowly moved away to the east.

It seems significant to me that the miracle of the sun occurred during the month of October, the month dedicated to the Rosary, in a special way. The three little children did not need the miracle of the sun in order to believe, but rather it was given so those who were lacking in faith might have what they needed to believe. May we learn to become like little children, as Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 18:1-4. May we receive grace to live in “childlike and heroic simplicity”.

Thanks for your reply. It is good to know of your love for Mary and your belief in the importance of her messages at Fatima.