Why October is the Month of the Holy Rosary

The feast of the Holy Rosary was established by Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Catholic fleet over Islam at Lepanto, October 7, 1571.  The victory was attributed to the direct intervention of the Blessed Mother, through the prayers of the Holy Rosary.

The power of the Rosary and the courage of the Catholic navies obtained a historic triumph over the Turks, and saved Christendom from the advancing Turkish power.

Today, we desperately need Our Lady’s intervention through the Holy Rosary to turn back the moral, spiritual and physical threat we face as a nation.

Our Lady will overcome all these threats if we turn to Her in confident prayer and courageous action, just like She saved Christendom in 1571


To order a FREE prayer card with the "15 promises of Our Lady to those who say the Rosary" or "The Five First Saturdays Devotion", call toll-free 1-888-317-5571.
To help spread the Fatima message or have a Fatima Visit in your home, call toll-free 1-888-460-7371 or contact America Needs Fatima by clicking here.

What Our Lady Said at Fatima on October 13, 1917

Written by Antonio A. Borelli

October 06, 2011

The Sixth and Last Apparition — October 13, 1917 As on the other occasions, the seers first saw a bright light, and then they saw Our Lady over the holm oak. Lucia: What does Your Grace wish of me? Our Lady: I wish to tell you that I want a chapel built here in my honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue to pray the Rosary everyday. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes. Lucia: I have many things to ask you: if you would cure some sick persons, and if you would convert some sinners... Our Lady: Some yes, others no. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins. “Becoming sadder, she added, 'Let them offend Our Lord no more, for He is already much offended.' Then, opening her hands, Our Lady shone the light issuing from them onto the sun, and as she rose, her own radiance continued to be cast onto the sun.” At that moment, Lucia cried, “Look at the sun!” Once Our Lady had disappeared in the expanse of the firmament, three scenes followed in succession, symbolizing first the joyful mysteries of the Rosary, then the sorrowful mysteries, and, finally, the glorious mysteries. Lucia alone saw the three scenes; Francisco and Jacinta saw only the first. The first scene: Saint Joseph appeared beside the sun with the Child Jesus and Our Lady of the Rosary. It was the Holy Family. The Virgin was dressed in white with a blue mantle. Saint Joseph was also dressed in white, and the Child Jesus in light red. Saint Joseph blessed the crowd, making the Sign of the Cross three times. The Child Jesus did the same. The second scene: This was followed by the vision of Our Lady of Sorrows, without the sword in her breast, and of Our Lord overwhelmed with sorrow on the way to Calvary. Our Lord made the Sign of the Cross to bless the people. Lucia could only see the upper part of Our Lord's body. The third scene: Finally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, crowned queen of heaven and earth, appeared in a glorious vision with the Child Jesus in her bosom. While these scenes took place, the great throng of about seventy thousand spectators witnessed the miracle of the sun. It had rained all during the apparition. At the end of the conversation between Our Lady and Lucia – when the Blessed Virgin rose and Lucia shouted, “Look at the sun!” – the clouds opened up, revealing the sun as an immense silver disk. It shone with an intensity never before seen, but was not blinding. This lasted only an instant. Then the immense ball began to “dance”. The sun began to spin rapidly like a gigantic circle of fire. Then it stopped momentarily, only to begin spinning vertiginously again. Its rim became scarlet; whirling, it scattered red flames across the sky. Their light was reflected on the ground, on the trees, on the bushes, and on the very faces and clothing of the people, which took on brilliant hues and changing colors. After performing this bizarre pattern three times, the globe of fire seemed to tremble, shake, and then plunge in a zigzag toward the terrified crowd. All this lasted about ten minutes. Finally, the sun zigzagged back to its original place and once again became still and brilliant, shining with its everyday brightness. The cycle of the apparitions had ended. 'Miracle of the Sun' Video Many people noticed that their clothes, soaking wet from the rain, had suddenly dried. The miracle of the sun was also seen by numerous witnesses up to twenty-five miles away from the place of the apparition. * * * This account is based on the book Our Lady at Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope for America and the World?

A Great Little Book: Francisco of Fatima

When America Needs Fatima first published its children’s biography of the youngest of the three little Fatima seers, Jacinto Marto, it was well received by young and old alike. Jacinta’s Story by Andrea F. Phillips continues to be in popular demand and has gone through several printings.

One question, however, has persistently been asked by many: What about her brother, Francisco? Is there a story of his life?

It is with great pleasure that America Needs Fatima now presents a short biographical profile of this Fatima seer titled A Great Little Story: Francisco of Fatima by the Portuguese Jesuit, Fr. Fernando Leite. The book features charming illustrations by TFP artist Jose Roberto Dias Tavares.

Blessed Francisco Marto.

This is not just any book about Francisco. It offers a deep spiritual lesson that will help all grow closer to Our Lady by following in the footsteps of Blessed Francisco Marto. Francisco became a heroic soul in face of grave dangers. He grew up as an ordinary child, concerned with playing and unconcerned about the greater world outside of his own.

After Our Lady appeared to him, his life was so radically transformed that his only thought was giving himself totally to Our Lady.

He became focused on the immense evil that had infected society at that time and caused the loss of so many souls in the battlefield of life.

The little boy soon possessed great sanctity. In fact, he made such rapid progress in sanctity that it was commonly agreed that in one short week he advanced as much as many saints advance in a year. His primary concern for the rest of his brief life on earth was that God not be offended and that He be glorified.

His mission after Our Lady’s apparition focused on four points:

1) A belief in his mission to console Our Lord and to offer sacrifices to save souls;
2) Approaching his mission with great seriousness and logic;
3) A spirit of sacrifice taken to heroic levels, and,
4) Continuous prayer and reflection.

The book, Francisco of Fatima can be very helpful for those who want to walk in the footsteps of Francisco. We can do this by:

1) Developing a firm belief in Catholic doctrine;
2) Taking this doctrine seriously;
3) Having a spirit of sacrifice and continuous prayer.

Following Francisco’s example, one can do more than survive the onslaughts of the enemies of one’s soul. One can obtain total victory over them, help save souls, save one’s own soul and be happy with God and all the Heavenly Court forever.

This book can be an excellent first step in following in Francisco’s footsteps.

Order your copy today by calling toll-free (888) 317-5571.

What Our Lady Said at Fatima on September 13, 1917

The Fifth Apparition — September 13, 1917

A crowd estimated at twenty thousand observed atmospheric phenomena similar to those of the previous apparitions: the sudden cooling of the air, a dimming of the sun to the point where the stars could be seen, and a rain resembling iridescent petals or snowflakes that disappeared before touching the ground. This time, a luminous globe was noticed which moved slowly and majestically through the sky from east to west and, at the end of the apparition, in the opposite direction. The seers saw a light, and, immediately following this, they saw Our Lady over the holm oak.

Our Lady: Continue to pray the Rosary to obtain the end of the war. In October, Our Lord will also come, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus, to bless the world. God is pleased with your sacrifices, but He does not want you to sleep with the ropes; wear them only during the day.

Lúcia: They have requested me to ask you for many things, for the cure of some sick persons, of a deaf-mute.

Our Lady: Yes, I will cure some, others not. In October, I will perform a miracle for all to believe.

"And rising, she disappeared in the same manner as before."

* * *

This account is based on the book
Our Lady at Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope for America and the World?

Pilgrims See Sun Halo at Fatima on May 13

On Friday, May 13, as is customary, a multitude of pilgrims were praying in Fatima, Portugal, to honor the first apparition of Our Lady at that great shrine.

At noon, which is the time that Our Lady appeared at Fatima on May 13, 1917, a beautiful solar halo appeared in the sky and was evident to all. The phenomenon was also noted by many Portuguese newspapers together with pictures of the event.

This is significant. Friday’s solar halo reminds us of the miracle of the sun that took place in Fatima on October 13, 1917, the date of the sixth and last apparition of Our Lady at Fatima.

Find out more about what Our Lady said at Fatima on May 13

This connection raises the question that even one of the area newspaper noted: Was Friday’s solar halo a sign from Our Lady?

The phenomenon of solar halos is explained by science. However, what science cannot explain (and this is not science’s role) is why this solar phenomenon took place at Fatima on May 13, at the very time and on the same day that Our Lady appeared at Fatima.

Find out more about what Our Lady said at Fatima on May 13

Article originally published by Devotos de Fatima:

http://www.adf.org.br/home/2011/05/13-de-maio-em-fatima-halo-solar-impressiona-multidao/

The Fatima Seers Help You Have the Best Lent Ever

by Dr. Jose Maria Alcacid

Lent, that time of the liturgical year when Holy Mother Church calls on Catholics to fast and abstain from meat in the spirit of penance and self-denial, also encourages the faithful to meditate on the dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this penitential exercise, Our Lord Jesus Christ serves as our supreme model- He led the way of mortification by denying Himself sustenance for forty days and forty nights in preparation for the commencement of His public ministry. He, who has most tender compassion for humble and repentant sinners, assures us, “I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.” Luke 5:32. And in a supreme act of immolation, Our Lord offered Himself in sacrifice for our salvation and accepted His suffering humanity for the redemption of the world.

Fatima and the Need for Suffering

In light of the above, how are we to model our Lenten practices in the spirit of the Fatima message?

1. During Lent, Fatima’s constant theme of prayer, penance and amendment of life becomes ever more relevant in our daily lives.

Nowadays, many are accustomed to the conveniences that technological progress provides. Fast food, TV dinners, cell phones, ATM’s, express delivery, Internet, email, on-line shopping, etc – modern inventions that fuel that frenetic desire to get things done quickly and easily. Everything comes at one’s fingertips at one’s beckoning. And voila! The recurring mantra jumps out, “I want it and I want it NOW.” In short, no fuss, no delay; period!

• The appeal of the Seven Capital Sins

In a fast paced world as such, instant gratification is the rule. Sadly, it also opens the door wide to sin and vice. The myriad of ads that one watches or reads these days appeal in more ways than one to the seven capital sins. A new facial anti-wrinkle cream flatters a 50-year-old’s vanity; a luscious and tantalizing food product feeds one’s gluttonous tendencies; the Jones’ new car spur’s one envy; an exotic perfume wakes up ones passion and lust; a sales pitch for faster delivery service mitigates one’s anger over a previously botched job; and so it goes down the line.

• Our Ruling Passions

From another vantage view, each individual suffers from a ruling passion or vice that dominates all others and, frequently causes one to fall from grace. Be it pride or sensuality, intemperance, a loose tongue or what not, we know, more or less, our own weaknesses. Thankfully by the grace of God, Lent offers the opportunity for one to tackle this or that defect through serious reflection, prayer and the practice of mortification.

Would it burden us much if we cease to be creatures of comfort starting this Lenten season and mortify our senses for the good of our souls? Let us turn to the children of Fatima for inspiration and courage.

2. Exemplary models of penance and sacrifice

The Angel of Portugal taught the children the virtue of asking pardon for evildoers through prayer and offering sacrifices. He impressed upon them the compelling need to make reparation for the insults, sacrileges and indifference committed against the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lady of Fatima consistently asked the children for prayers of reparation and sacrifice for poor sinners which culminated in the vision of hell that had a profound and lasting effect on them. Having seen the horrors and torments of everlasting infernal fire, the seers were transformed into heroes of mortification and penance.

• A belt of rope as self torment

The children devised innovative ways as they see them fit to observe mortified lives. Lucia found a rope one day and suggested it to be cut into three pieces so each of the seers could wear them continuously around their waists. This they practiced with such zeal that it bothered them in their sleep. Pleasing at it was to God, Our Lady had to intervene later and asked them to remove them at night.

• Suffering Hunger

Francisco thought it a good sacrifice to give their lunches to the sheep and in later days to poor children they met along the way. Thus they fasted much like in the spirit of austere monks. They thrived admirably on acorns from holm oak and oak trees, pine nuts, roots, berries, mushrooms and other things harvested from the roots of pine trees.

• Suffering Thirst

On one occasion, Lucia and the other two children, while suffering from severe thirst, decided to forego drinking from a jar of water that Lucia fetched from a nearby house and poured it instead into a hollow in a stone for the sheep to drink.

• Self-Inflicted pain

On other occasions, they would hit their own legs with nettles, "so as to offer to God yet another sacrifice."

Such were the edifying examples of mortification the child seers practiced because of their deep understanding of the urgent necessity of acts of reparation and sacrifices to appease Divine Justice and to mitigate the injuries perpetrated against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Let us take all these to heart and apply them to our own situation keeping in mind the widespread decadence corroding the moral well-being of our contemporary times. It is undeniable that much penance and prayers are needed to atone for all these transgressions. One needs just to open the newspaper or watch the nightly news to find proofs.

3. Adopting realistic resolutions appropriate for our condition and times

The messages revealed in the apparitions to the three Portuguese children by the Angel of Portugal and the Queen of Heaven and Earth all speak of the gravity of the sins and crimes of mankind - a tragedy that begs for serious and resolute atonement and conversion to appease the wrath of God. To avert a terrible chastisement, Our Lady asks men to pray ardently for the conversion of sinners and to offer many expiatory sacrifices.

• A sense of urgency and a call to action

We must take this warning with utmost seriousness and immediacy. It is a standing message for our times directed to all men.

The seers of Fatima responded to this call by making heroic acts of penance and reparation for they fully grasped the meaning of appeasing Divine wrath. Let us follow their lead and reconcile the Fatima message with the real moral crisis staring at us blankly.

• No easy way out

What has been written here so far would be put to waste if our intellect fails to change our mentality and move our will to make steadfast resolutions. If the service of God consisted only in fulfilling certain obligations, devotional practices and prescribed prayers compatible to a life of ease and comfort, then the Church would be flooded with new-found saints.

But such is not the case. Sadly, it is our human nature to shun sufferings, to avoid pain and to be self-satisfied with whatever little progress we gain in the spiritual life. Let us shed our false optimism. Let us cast our tepidity and lukewarm spirit. With a changed mentality, let us replace our misconceptions with a sincere abiding sorrow for our sins.

• Carrying the Cross

Take heart in the Divine counsel, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.

The cross is the embodiment of the Gospel and the glorious standard of a true Christian. And by carrying our cross, we must humble ourselves and look at ourselves as our greatest enemy; with whom we ought to wage a continual war for the rest of our lives.

The current situation and the message of Fatima place the above reflections in a different perspective. Whatever self denial or sacrifice we choose to practice, we must perform with humility and prudence. Lent or otherwise, we must imbue ourselves with a lasting penitential spirit in face of the unabated moral chaos besetting mankind for, indeed, we are in extraordinary times!

And lastly, let us turn Our Lady for inspiration, strength and fortitude, always hoping in Her promise at Fatima, “Finally, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Scenes from Florissant Rosary Rally

Some scenes from the Public Square Rosary Rally at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Florissant at the intersection of Dunn Rd. and West Florissant.

The Miracle of the Sun

Our Lady’s Fool

In 17th century France, there was a young man who rejected the world and gave everything to the Blessed Mother. He was considered a fool by the worldly minded.

He was persecuted, maligned and physically attacked by heretics, hoodlums and libertines.

The worst persecution, however, came from lukewarm Catholics. Most tragically, he was often silenced by the Church hierarchy and clergy. Eventually, he was banned from every diocese in France, except two.

Finally, he was poisoned. He died in 1716, at the age of 43.

His name is Saint Louis de Montfort.

The Rosary was his favorite prayer, which he preached with special vigor and great fruit.

For example, around the turn of the eighteenth century in Rennes, France, a family named D’Orvilles presented him a problem.

Mr. D’Orvilles complained that his house adjoined the city square where much sin and immorality took place. He said young people would come there at odd hours, sin and make so much noise that they would distract those in his household during the Rosary.

He asked the saint, “What could be done about this?”

“Make a niche in the façade of the wall that overlooks the square,” replied Saint Louis de Montfort. “Put a statue of Our Lady there, and pray the Rosary in front of her.”

“In the public square?” replied Mr. D’Orvilles.

“In the public square right in front of the image of Our Lady,” instructed the saint.

The day following the completion of the niche, Mr. D’Orvilles, his family and all the servants from his household, prayed the Rosary in the public square. His wife lead the mysteries while he stood guard with a whip to keep the aggressions of young hoodlums at bay.

While praying, many carriages went through the public square, and some friends even called out to him inviting him and his wife to party. At first he was tempted to hide his Rosary beads in his hand, but he conquered himself and held the Rosary high so that all could see that he was at prayer.

A strange thing happened. After saying the Rosary daily for some time, the public square Rosary became a curious attraction.

“People came in crowds to pray, as if some great church ceremony were taking place, and soon, the disorders in the square ceased.”*

Much of what happened in Rennes, France, is happening in America today.

The response to the Public Square Rosary Rally has been excellent.

On October 16th, 5,800 Rosaries will be prayed in public because every city in the United States and in the world is in need of conversion.

Our Lady revealed at Fatima that God wishes to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the solution for the world’s sins and impurity.

America Needs Fatima is inviting every Catholic to give public testimony to our divine faith by joining the Public Square Rosary on October 16th.

That’s the way to be part of the “Divine solution” that Our Lady gave us at Fatima.

This story of the D’Orvilles family is one of many examples where the power of the Rosary helped to transform public opinion.

America Needs Fatima is trying to use the power of the Rosary as Saint Louis recommended on a national scale. In every city and town in America.

On our Web site, you’ll find more details on the Public Square Rosary Rally on October 16, 2010.

Our Lady asked for prayer, penance and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners. The Rosary is the prayer. Standing in a public place is the penance and sacrifice.

Together we can repeat history for the sake of America and help accelerate “The Triumph of My Immaculate Heart!” for the greater glory of Our Lady.

Let’s be Our Lady’s fools too.

Thank you, and may God bless you!

---

* Adapted from Eddie Doherty, Wisdom’s Fool (Bay Shore, N.Y., Montfort Publications, 1993), 214.

Fatima Visits on the Last Frontier

Written by Richard Lyon

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 14:51

Our Lady of the Snows This July, America Needs Fatima sent a volunteer to the 49th State. As the Alaskan motto fittingly states, it was also our “Last Frontier,” the only state where we had not conducted home visits with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. On previous personal trips, I spent most of my time visiting relatives and the principal natural beauties, with which Alaska abounds. This trip, since I was traveling on my own and visiting a few homes that were only accessible via dirt roads, I was struck by the frontiersman character of the people. This aspect was further driven home when, during the first week of my stay, I went out from the motel where I was staying (located about a half hour outside of Anchorage) to pray a rosary one morning around 11:00, when a neighbor warned me that a rogue brown bear had been seen just a few minutes before down the same road. According to available data—which is scarce—Alaska is one of the least religious states of the union (along with Washington and Oregon), with fewer than 40% of the population (700,000) attending church regularly. It is unclear if the research upon which this data is based takes into consideration that not everyone lives within driving distance of a church. Whatever the case, Catholicism is still the largest single denomination, as it is in our country as a whole. One of the many groups who received a visit of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in their Alaskan home. Most of the visits were scheduled in the Anchorage area. There were anywhere between one (the first visit) and seventy-five people in attendance, with the largest attendance being at a church and a convent, both of which featured perpetual adoration chapels. Visits were also held in Fairbanks, where we had a particularly warm reception; many people came to more than one visit, with one lady attending four! It was touching to see that almost every single host had provided a beautiful floral arrangement for Our Lady, particularly roses. It was touching to see that almost every single host had provided a beautiful floral arrangement for Our Lady. Since it had been years since I had participated in this particular activity, I was surprised that the overwhelming majority of attendees, while familiar with the Fatima message in general, did not know the content of the third part of the Fatima secret, revealed in 2000. In fact, I only recall a handful of people who had heard of it prior to our presentation. Unfortunately, the weather was predominantly overcast during my stay. I stopped by Denali National Park on the ways to and from Fairbanks, but I was not able to see “the high one” as Mt. McKinley is known in the native language. While the cooler weather was quite a reprieve from the successive heat waves that swept the “lower 48” during that month, most locals pointed out that attendance would probably have been higher any other season. Alaskans like to get out during the summer months, with the abundance of daylight. Others also pointed out that they knew of others who would have liked to host Our Lady, if they had had more advance notice. Hence, while pleased to have served Our Blessed Mother by bringing Her Fatima message to hundreds of Alaskans, we are already making plans for another expedition to the Last Frontier.

Why Does the Cardinal not Protest Same-sex "Marriage" in the Land of Fatima?

Our Lady at Fatima spoke about these things and the great crisis inside the Church.
LISBON (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Portuguese Parliament has given an initial approval to a bill that will institutionalize "homosexual marriage" after encountering little resistance from the nation's Catholic bishops and the country's "right-wing" Social Democratic Party (PSD).

The text of the legislation denies that homosexual couples will be permitted to adopt children.

The Parliament also voted to deny a petition by over 90,000 Portuguese for a national referendum on the topic. The referendum has been advocated by pro-family groups and would likely yield a negative result for "homosexual marriage," given that a plurality 49% of Portuguese oppose the idea.

The populist opposition to the socialists, the Social Democrats, offered only weak opposition to the bill, proposing alternative civil union legislation for homosexuals that did not use the term "marriage".

The overwhelming pro-gay vote followed reports in the Portuguese media that the Cardinal Archbishop of Lisbon, Jose Policarpo, had made a "pact of silence" with the government.

The cardinal, who openly supports legal privileges for same-sex couples in conflict with Vatican teaching, is also a close confidant of Portugal's socialist prime minister, Jose Socrates.

Although Policarpo has clearly stated his opposition to "homosexual marriage," he has spoken little about in the weeks leading up to the vote, even refusing to respond to reporters' attempts to elicit his opinion about the legislation.

Days before the vote, Policarpo stated publicly that he had instructed parishes not to participate in the petition drive for a national referendum on the issue, further weakening the opposition to the bill.

The article above comes from www.LifeSiteNews.com.

Same-Sex "Marriage" in the Land of Fatima?

LISBON, Portugal, December 18, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Portugal's Socialist government will seek to legalize same-sex "marriage," they announced yesterday.

At a news conference, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira said the government will be putting forward a new bill that would strike current references to marriage as being between a man and a woman from Portuguese law. The proposal, he said, will likely be presented for debate in the Assembly of the Republic, the country's sole legislative chamber, in January.

While same-sex "marriage" is opposed by the opposition Social Democratic Party and other right-leaning parties, the Associated Press reports that the bill is "almost certain" to pass because the government is backed by all left-leaning parties, which form a majority in Parliament.

If passed, the bill must then be approved by President Anibal Cavaco Silva, who has the power of veto. While it has been reported that Silva opposes same-sex "marriage," he also supposedly opposes abortion, even though he approved the liberalization of Portugal's abortion law in 2007. Should he veto, Parliament could potentially override his decision.

The true definition of marriage was upheld in July by Portugal's Constitutional Court, which ruled 3-2 against two homosexual women seeking to challenge the law. They made their challenge on the grounds that Portugal's constitution forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation. The court responded, however, that the constitution does not state that same-sex "marriage" must be allowed.

The government's move follows a January announcement from Prime Minister Jose Socrates that he would seek to legalize same-sex "marriage." His comments provoked a strong reaction from the largely Catholic country, even from members within his own party.

"This is the moment for the PS, in its national congress, to affirm its desire to propose to Portuguese society the right to civil marriage for people of the same sex," he said.

Mario Soares, a founder of the Socialist Party and former Portuguese President, came out publicly against Socrates, saying that "homosexual marriages are complicated questions of conscience ... but there are certain radicals who want to move forward [with it] to show that they are leftist."

The Catholic bishops of Portugal responded to Socrates' comments by declaring their commitment to fight the attempted redefinition of marriage. Same-sex "marriage," said spokesman Fr. Manuel Morujao, "is an offense against marriage that is, by its nature, heterosexual." The movement to create "homosexual marriage," he continued, is a "threat" to Portuguese society and is moving along "an erroneous path."

"What are we going to say to the generations coming after us?" he asked. "That they can be whatever they want? That they can choose whatever they want to be from a menu of identities?"

The article above comes from www.LifeSiteNews.com.

Fatima and the Necessity of Suffering

Written by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Francisco

Two of the three Fatima seers, Jacinta and Francisco, died young because of the need for victim souls to give necessary fecundity to Our Lady’s plan. Their lives were proof that nothing great is done without suffering.

Indeed, suffering helps those souls who are absorbed with themselves and unwilling to open up. We should see suffering as normal for man and we should practice it with courage and daring. The acceptance of sacrifice is necessary to combat the Hollywood myth of the “happy end.”

Jacinta and Francisco died as children by Our Lady’s design as she had foretold. The third seer, Lucia, lived for many more years. What was the reason why Jacinta and Francisco died so early? This was obvious for they spoke openly about it.

Jacinta

The reason was that Fatima asked people to offer up their sufferings. It called for victim souls to associate themselves with the entire mystery of Fatima, and through their sufferings and pains help bring about all the supernatural fecundity Our Lady wanted to give to the events at Fatima. . This is exactly what happened to both children who died in extraordinarily difficult and arduous circumstances that caused them much suffering.

Such sufferings are needed because when it comes to the salvation of souls, all great works of God are done with the participation of men. In general, this is only accomplished with people willing to fight, suffer and pray for God’s work to be brought to its fruition.

In other words, sacrifice is necessary. Otherwise, nothing great is done.

The importance of this principle stood out especially at Fatima. Our Lady directly intervened there by performing stupendous miracles especially the “miracle of the sun.” She did this to underscore the fact that Fatima is one of the most important if not the most important message she has ever given in history.

On that occasion and in those circumstances, Our Lady wanted the sacrifice of two souls who would offer themselves up for the fulfillment of the plan of Divine Providence. This clearly shows how the apostolate of suffering is truly irreplaceable and how it opens up the way for the Church to act upon souls.

A German painter once painted Our Lord as the Good Shepherd knocking on the door of a simple house. Afterwards someone told him: “You made a mistake, for the door has no outside knob to get in.” He answered: “That’s true, but it is not a mistake. This door symbolizes the human heart. Our Lord knocks on it, but there is no knob outside, only inside. There are certain souls that open up only to themselves and to no one else, and in that case no one can intervene, they are really closed.”

Prayer and sacrifice are precisely the way to influence this type of person. They open up to the grace and find life when they suffer and carry the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ lovingly. They come to understand how normal it is to suffer. A person acquires greatness to the degree that he suffers. The great men in history are those who bear great sufferings for the love of God.

Clearly, this includes not only passive suffering like, for example, allowing another to strike us. It also means active suffering that is, taking the initiative in find suffering. This can be done by confronting bad public opinion or overcoming human respect. In short, it means accepting suffering entirely, embracing it fearlessly and daringly, and taking the initiative to look for ways to sacrifice for an ideal. This is what it means to suffer par excellence and we should seek to do this.

The Hollywood myth of the “happy end” is a great obstacle to accepting suffering and sacrifice. Not all things turn out well in the end as in the movies.

Not everything is joy and success. Thus, we should not look at suffering as a kind of seven-headed monster that invades people’s lives uninvited. To the contrary, we should realize that everyone suffers and a life without crosses is worthless. Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort goes so far as to say that when a person does not suffer, he should ask for crosses. For a person to whom God gives no sufferings should be wary of his eternal salvation.

All this comes across very clearly in the sacrifice made by Jacinta and Francisco.

In this sense, we should frequently pray to them to ask Our Lady of Fatima to obtain for us this true sense of suffering that is indispensable for all those faithful who want to become generous and dedicated Catholics.