Dear Parishioners,

This past Friday marked an important anniversary in our Church: the one-hundredth anniversary of the final appearance of Our Lady of Fatima. From May until October in 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children (Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos) in Fatima, Portugal. These miraculous appearances attracted the attention of the then atheist government of Portugal who tried to force the children to confess they were making up the whole story. They stayed true to Our Lady and spread her message of conversion for the whole world.

Our Lady also told the children that on the day of the final appearance a great miracle would occur. So, a large crowd (some say 30,000, others say 100,000 people) gathered to see what would happen. Many came even just to disprove whatever the miracle might be. Despite the cloudiness of the day, the sun started to spin and cast multi-colored lights. It then zig-zagged back and forth from its normal position as if it were dancing. It also did not hurt their eyes to view the sun. The ground and the clothing of the people which were wet because of the rain were dried during this miracle. Many people left the field that day believing in the power of Our Lady.

With such a great miracle performed in front of so many people and the predictions made about Russia which came true, it is obvious that Our Lord really wanted us to listen to His Mother in these appearances. While we are not required to believe in private revelation, I think that it would be unwise to just ignore this. Why did Our Lady appear? To compel the world to repent and be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. As she says in her own words: “You have seen hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save sinners, God wishes to establish in all 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… When you pray the Rosary say after each mystery, O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven especially those who are in most need (July 13, 1917).”

In our modern lives, we can easily be isolated from our faith. We can make it that thing we do on Sundays or when it is convenient to us. But, Our Lady reminds us boldly that there are eternal stakes to our actions and we need to be people of devotion to her Son, Jesus. I think a great way to develop this devotion is through praying the rosary. So, if you have never prayed it before, you may want to give it a chance. And while you pray it, please remember these other words from Our Lady: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”

May we never forget to pray for peace. Our world needs it and only God can give it!

Peace,

Fr. Carter