What Does Fatima Mean to You?

[peter26]

I’m interested in getting people’s take on this question with all the hype at the moment. What (if any) meaning does Fatima have to you?

 

[USMC_Convert]

Very important to me.

 

[johnnyc176]

Conversion = important

 

[Crusaderbear]

Years ago, I was skeptical, given it was some kids in a pasture…but have come to belive in it, and it is very important to all of us.

 

[tawny]

Conversion = important

 

[peter26]

Seems like Fatima is important to most people here then. Its one I’ve always had a hard time with, partly because of the so-called “Third Secret”.

 

[Della]

Seems like Fatima is important to most people here then. Its one I’ve always had a hard time with, partly because of the so-called “Third Secret”.

As to secrets given to seers of apparitions, St. Bernadette was given a few secrets, which she told no one. When asked about it, she said simply, “Because they are secrets.”

A good book on the topic of apparitions, if you are researching it, is Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s “A Still, Small Voice.” It’s an easy to read, slim volume with some very good information about apparitions.

I will say that since such things are private revelations, we need not follow any devotions that arise from them. And the word private is the key here, I think. Your example of a “third secret” given to the pope at his discretion to reveal really does not impact doctrine one way or the other, although it may be spiritually beneficial to some, and perhaps mean nothing to others–unlike the Gospel, which is relevant to everyone no matter their personal devotions/spirituality.

Having written that, I take such apparitions seriously in that they are calls to repentance and evangelization, which are always and everywhere good for us Catholics to practice and to do, within our state in life and according to God’s will for us.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Seems like Fatima is important to most people here then. Its one I’ve always had a hard time with, partly because of the so-called “Third Secret”.

It seems some people approach Fatima in a quasi-Gnostic, quasi-conspiracy theorist way and focus on either the Third Secret or the charge that “Pope JPII didn’t follow Mary’s directions regarding consecrating Russia”, and use Fatima as a way to divide the Church.
I am sure that is NOT what Mary intended!

But many who have a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima manage to do so in a more spiritually healthy manner.

 

[fred_conty]

To me it demonstrates the power and importance of prayer. She said that peace would come if enough people prayed for peace. She never mentioned any other activity. It was just simply prayer. And she recommended a prayer that was strong … the rosary. But how many people listened?

It reminds me of a story of Mother Teresa. Someone asked her, “How can we feed so many people who are hungry?” And Mother said, “just start with one. And if everyone just did one, millions would be fed.” It’s the same with praying. Many think they can’t do any good praying because their prayers aren’t enough. And so no prayers are offered. It all starts with one.