OUR LADY OF FATIMA

Saturday, May 13, 2023

OUR LADY OF FATIMA (Opt. Mem)

First Reading. Acts 16: 1-10
Psalm.  100: 1-5 (R. 1)
Gospel. John 15: 18-21

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION

OUR LADY OF FATIMA 

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, on the 13th day of the month from May to October. The final apparition on October 13th concluded with the spectacular “Miracle of the Sun” and was witnessed by over 70,000 people.

Although many Catholics have heard of Our Lady of Fatima, most do not know the incredible story in its entirety or its crucial importance in world history, the life of the Church, and our eternal salvation.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Throughout the Old Testament, God in His great mercy, chose prophets to call His people back to Himself. In recent times God is sending His Mother.
So, One of the apparitions of the Mother of God in this century took place in 1917 at Fatima, a little village in Portugal. Our Lady came there to warn us of the harm we would inflict upon ourselves as a result of our sins: wars, famines, plagues, persecution of the Church, and the loss of many souls in Hell. God, in His great mercy, wished to save us from these miseries through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother. Our Heavenly Mother revealed at Fatima a plan of hope for this world which continues to plunge headlong toward its destruction.

So, on May 13th, 1917 the children were playing their games, building castles out of rock in the field. Suddenly they saw a flash of light. Believing it to be lightning, even though the sky was clear, the children gathered the sheep and started for home. They took refuge under a tree about a hundred yards away. They saw a flash of light again. They began running, going about a hundred yards further when suddenly they saw, standing over a small holmoak tree, a Lady dressed in white more brilliant than the sun. She said, "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you! I am from Heaven. I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour. Then I will tell you who I am, and what I want. 
Lucia asked if the three of them would go to Heaven. The Lady said they would except that Francisco would have to say many Rosaries first. Lucia asked about two of her friends who had died. The Lady responded that one was in Heaven but the other would be in Purgatory until the end of the world. The Lady went on to say, "Do you wish to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings that He may please to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and to ask for the conversion of sinners?" Lucia responded, "Yes" for all three of them. Then the Lady said, "Then you will have much to suffer. But the grace of God will be your comfort." With this, the Lady opened Her Hands and enveloped the children in light. Moved by an inward impulse, they fell to their knees praying,

"O most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament."

Again the Lady spoke saying, "Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war" 
[World War I].

IT'S SIGNIFICANT

The Marian apparitions at Fatima have not merely been approved by the Church: due to their prophetic nature, they have been given a place of prominence over all other apparitions. Like O'Neill said, even though it's been 100 years, "the messages of Fatima are as relevant today as they were in 1917,"

Over a century after the apparitions, Our Lady’s appearance at Fatima remains an event of the greatest importance in the life of the Church. Pope Francis, who dedicated his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, honored the centenary with a historic visit to the site of the Marian apparitions on May 13th, 2017.

In summary, the main message of the apparition of our Lady of Fatima is enshrined in the Gospel of Mark. 1: 15
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.

Peace ✌️ be with you.

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

Internet References
1. www.goodcatholic. com
2. www.catholicnewsagency. com
3. www.ewtn. com

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