Importance of the Fatima Messages for Today: Part One

"Pray The Rosary Every Day," Mary to the Children of Fatima

On May 13, 2017, my sister Lucia and I found ourselves among nearly one million people who had arrived in Fatima, Portugal, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children. Two of them, Jacinta and Francisco, would be canonized that day by Pope Francis. From across the world, the respectfully quiet crowds spilled into the entire city. My sister had suffered a near-fatal accident three years earlier that had left her with chronic pain in both her hip and ankle.

Our challenge was that nearly all the sidewalks were cobblestone, and the wheelchair had a broken wheel. Thanks be to God for the kindness of those who observed our situation and maneuvered the wheelchair to a place where other kind hearts made room for us by a stone wall in the middle of the shrine plaza. We were blessed to attend the Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion on this very special day of the canonization of the two youngest non-martyred saints of the Church. Afterwards, four young boys dressed as Boy Scouts appeared, effortlessly picked up the wheelchair (with my sister in it), and the crowds quickly made way for them. It was like the parting of the sea.

Startled, I ran, trying to keep up to get to the top of the plaza. Once they set her wheelchair down, the four young boys quickly disappeared into the crowd, and unfortunately, I was unable to thank them.

Sandwiched between the timeline of our arrival in Fatima and our departure back to America were other blessings that laced our days with grace. While I am here in Fatima once more, I will share with you a bit of God's providence in my trips here and how you will see His ever-present love in your daily life wherever you are.

However, my personal experiences are secondary to my purpose in writing these posts on the importance of the messages of Fatima, which are relevant to the current time. I hope to make them relevant to you. When placed in the light of the urgency with which she came, the political and social landscape of those times, in many ways, mirrors today. She came with the core message to stop offending God and a call to holiness.

A Series on Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

Part 1

The first visit of the Angel from “Lucia’s Own Words”, by Fr. Louis Kondor, published in 1976. Imprimatur granted by the Catholic Church. (Ven. Lucia died on February 13, 2005. The beatification process is awaiting a miracle for the Church's determination.)

“…we climbed the hillside in search of shelter.  After having taken our lunch and said our prayers, we began to see, some distance off, above the trees that stretched away towards the east, a light, whiter than snow, in the form of a young man, transparent, and brighter than crystal, pierced by the rays of the sun.  As he drew nearer, we could distinguish his features more and more clearly.  We were surprised, absorbed, and struck dumb with amazement.

On reaching us, he said, ‘Do not be afraid.  I am the Angel of peace.  Pray with me.’

Kneeling on the ground, he bowed down until his forehead touched the earth.  Led by a supernatural impulse, we did the same and repeated the words which we heard him say:

‘My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love thee!  I beg pardon of Thee for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.’

Having repeated these words three times, he rose and said: 'Pray thus.  The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.' Then he disappeared.

The supernatural atmosphere which enveloped us was so intense that we were there for a long time, scarcely aware of our own existence, remaining in the same posture in which he had left us and continually repeating the same prayer.  The presence of God made itself felt so intimately and so intensely that we did not even venture to speak to one another.  The next day, we were still immersed in this spiritual atmosphere, which only gradually began to disappear."

Ponder: The supernatural encounter with the angel left the shepherd children, ages 7, 9, and 10, speechless. In the presence of the supernatural of heaven, they were moved to an interior and exterior silence. The Church investigated the Fatima apparitions for several years, subjecting them to theological and scientific scrutiny before approving them. Go over the angel's words. Ask the Holy Spirit to place light on them in your heart and soul.

The following prayer dates back to 250 AD. It is the oldest known prayer to Mary.

"We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen." Author Unknown (The original Greek text was found on a Coptic papyrus from ancient Egypt)

theresa gray