Miracle of the Sun at Fatima…
As we prepare to mark the 96th anniversary of the miracle of the sun at Fatima on Sunday 13 October, it might be useful to ponder the fact that such a momentous miracle has occurred in our times, not least because it is now, sadly, commonplace for Catholics to present Fatima as merely a warning against the immorality of our times. Key components in the Message of Fatima are omitted and these “ecumenical” / “party line” Catholics make no mention of the fact that atheists and freemasons converted to Catholicism on the spot as a result of witnessing the miracle of the sun – the first time in the entire history of the Church that a miracle has been foretold to the day and the hour, and witnessed by 70,000 people – and others up to 17 miles or so away.
One reader recently opined that a simple bullet-point list of facts about Fatima would be very useful to remind us all of the essential Fatima facts. We found one at http://www.fatima.org and we’re reproduced it below, for ease of reference.
Essentially, however, this thread is to afford an opportunity for you to share your thoughts with us about the incredible miracle of the sun: why has it not been broadcast more widely by the news media? School RE programmes? Historians? Theology Professors? And – most importantly – if you have a miracle story of your own to tell – especially if you are a convert to the Faith (those are always wonderful miracle stories) let’s hear from you.
TEN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FATIMA
1. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA?
The Message of Fatima consists of a number of precise predictions, requests, warnings and promises concerning the Faith and the world which were conveyed by the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children–Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco–in a series of apparitions at Fatima, Portugal from May to October 1917.
2. WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA?
You should believe the Message of Fatima because:
(1) It was confirmed by an unprecedented public miracle, the Miracle of the Sun, which occurred at precisely the moment Lucia said it would. More than 70,000 people, including Masons, communists and atheists, saw the sun, contrary to all cosmic laws, twirl in the sky, throw off colors and descend to earth. The event was reported in newspapers around the world, including the New York Times.
(2) All of the Popes since the Fatima Miracle have recognized that the Message is authentic. Several Popes have gone to Fatima in person, including Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. John Paul II said at Fatima in 1982 that “the Message of Fatima imposes an obligation on the Church.”
(3) Many other miracles have been performed by God authenticating the Fatima Message as coming from Him, not only at the time of the Miracle of the Sun, October 13, 1917, but down the years to the present day, miracles of conversions and cures which science cannot explain by natural means.
(4) The Message of Fatima accurately predicted world events, which proves that it is a true prophecy.
3. WHAT DID THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA PREDICT?
The Message of Fatima accurately predicted in 1917 all of the following events which came to pass:
(1) the end of World War I;
(2) the emergence of Russia as a world power which would “spread its errors (including Communism) throughout the world … raising up wars and persecutions against the Church”;
(3) the election of a Pope who would be named Pius XI;
(4) the waging of a second World War following a strange light in the night sky.
The Message of Fatima also predicted that if the requests of the Virgin Mary at Fatima are not honored, many souls will be lost, “the Holy Father will have much to suffer”, there will be further wars and persecutions of the Church and “various nations will be annihilated.” The annihilation of nations predicted at Fatima has not yet occurred, but many fear that it will soon happen, given the growing immorality and corruption of the world.
4. WHAT DOES THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA REQUEST?
At Fatima Our Lady said that God wished to establish in the world devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady said that many souls would be saved from Hell and the annihilation of nations averted if, in time, devotion to Her Immaculate Heart were established principally by these two means:
(1) the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Pope together with the world’s bishops in a solemn public ceremony, and
(2) the practice or receiving Holy Communion (and other specific devotions of about 1/2 hour in duration) in reparation for the sins committed against the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months–a practice known to Catholics as “the First Saturday” devotion.
5. HAVE THESE REQUESTS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA BEEN HONORED?
No, not entirely. A number of the Faithful practice the “First Saturday” devotion, but Russia has yet to be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a solemn public ceremony conducted by the Pope together with the world’s Catholic bishops.
In 1982 the last surviving Fatima seer, Lucia, who is now a cloistered nun living in Coimbra, Portugal, (Ed: Sister Lucia died in 2005) was asked if an attempted consecration by Pope John Paul II had sufficed. She replied that it did not suffice, because Russia was not mentioned and the world’s bishops had not participated. Another attempted consecration in 1984 likewise did not mention Russia or involve the participation of many of the world’s bishops, and Sister Lucia stated immediately afterwards that this consecration, too, had failed to meet Our Lady’s requirements.
6. WHAT DOES THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA WARN?
It warns that if the requests of Our Lady of Fatima for the Consecration of Russia and the First Saturday devotion are not honored, the Church will be persecuted, there will be other major wars, the Holy Father will have much to suffer and various nations will be annihilated. Many nations will be enslaved by Russian militant atheists. Most important, many souls will be lost.
7. WHAT DOES THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA PROMISE?
The Message of Fatima promises that if the requests of Our Lady of Fatima are carried out “My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will Consecrate Russia to Me, which will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to mankind.”
8. ISN’T IT TRUE THAT THE CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA WAS DONE IN 1984 AND THAT THE “FALL OF COMMUNISM” PROVES THAT THE CONSECRATION WAS EFFECTIVE AND THAT RUSSIA IS NOW CONVERTING?
No, it is not true. We know it is not true because:
(1) On March 25, 1984, after the consecration of the world, Pope John Paul II said twice that Our Lady of Fatima’s request for the consecration of Russia was not done.
(2) Soon after the attempted Consecration of 1984, which did not mention Russia or involve the participation of the world’s bishops, Sister Lucia stated it was insufficient because it did not meet the requirements specified to her by Our Lady.
(3) Since 1984 the moral and spiritual state of the world has obviously grown far worse: In the past 14 years there have been 600 million abortions, and wars have broken out all over the world. Mercy-killing and homosexual acts have been “legalized”. In Russia itself a new law has just been passed which discriminates against the Catholic Church and in favor of Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and the Orthodox churches which forcibly occupied Catholic parishes under the Communists. Thus it is clear Russia is not converted to the Catholic Faith as Our Lady of Fatima promised would happen if Her request was done.
(4) There have been very few conversions to Catholicism in Russia over the past fourteen years. In all of Russia today there are only 300,000 Catholics–much less than one percent of the Russian population. By comparison, after Our Lady appeared at Guadalupe, Mexico in the 16th Century, more than 7 million Mexicans converted from paganism to the Catholic Faith within nine years and Mexico became a Catholic country.
9. WHY IS THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY FAMILY?
The Message of Fatima is important to you and your family because it involves the salvation of souls, peace in the world and, if the requests of Our Lady of Fatima are not carried out, the consequences are the annihilation of nations and the enslavement of all mankind under militant atheists of Russia.
10. BUT ISN’T THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA JUST A PRIVATE REVELATION WHICH NO CATHOLIC HAS TO BELIEVE?
No, it is not just a private revelation. It is a public, prophetic revelation given by the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. It is not to be confused with “Revelation” or as it is also called, the Deposit of the Faith, which ended with the death of the last Apostle. But public, prophetic revelation must not be despised. The Virgin Mary’s prophecy was confirmed by a public miracle and authenticated by a whole line of Popes. Also, its predictions have come true.
So, while belief in the Message of Fatima may not strictly be required of Catholics as an article of faith, one would be very foolish to disregard such an obviously authentic message from Heaven. As St. Paul taught: “Despise not prophecies, but prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:20-21) The prophecy of Fatima has been proven worthy of belief. We should not despise it, but rather hold fast to what Our Lady told us at Fatima.
Comments (32)
Tomorrow will see Pope Francis consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/22/pope-francis-to-consecrate-the-world-to-immaculate-heart-of-mary/
How many times have Popes consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the 20th century? Yet the world’s moral and spiritual states continues to spiral downwards. Now, tomorrow will see Pope Francis consecrate the world one more time. The Pope and Bishops must consecrate Russia. And say Russia by name.
There is no need to ask Russia, or any other country for their thoughts on Consecrating Russia by name. Nor does the Pope and Bishops require the permission of Russia, or, any other country to carry out this Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
There is nothing to lose by carrying out the consecration. But, by not doing so many nations will be annihalted, many souls be be lost to hell. By not carrying out Our Lady’s request, She who is the Emissary from God when she appeared at Fatima, I think I would be more afraid of facing God Himself than when I die by not asking for that request to be carried out. Instead of showing fear of what the peoples of Russia and elsewhere would think.
Theresa Rose,
Very well said. I read a very interesting article the other day on the Huffington Post site and I notice that the Fatima Center has published a commentary on it by Christopher Ferrara – here’s the link.
Stories of miracles are always fascinating – the comment posted by Chrisis on another thread recently, showing the workings of God in his life to date, is one example of the kind of miracles we often forget ARE miracles. I’m looking forward to reading more of these on this thread, although commentary on the Consecration is, of course, welcome as well.
John Paul II said at Fatima in 1982 that “the Message of Fatima imposes an obligation on the Church.” Mmmm, that’s a good one. Why didn’t you fulfil your obligation? Why didn’t you consecrate Russia. I’ve had endless arguments with friends who say it happened in the 1980s. John Paul consecrated the world, not Russia explicitly, and not all the Bishops were present.
Under the predictions section, all of these came true. However, the last one has been fraught with controversy. ‘(4) the waging of a second World War following a strange light in the night sky’. All over the Nothern hemisphere, witnessed as far a field as California, Eastern Russia and Nothern Africa, million saw a huge Aurora Borealis. Coincidence? Sceptics say that the apparition was wrong because the war began in 1939, not under the reign of Pius XI, but in fact the War did begin under Pius XI. Hitler occupied the Rhineland in 1936, Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938, Mussolini invaded Abyssinia in 1935, and Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China proper in 1937. Our Lady was right because these were events leading up to the war led by the three Axis powers.
With regards to the Miracle of the Sun, Auguste Meessen, a professor at the Institute of Physics, Catholic University of Leuven, looking directly at the Sun can cause phosphene visual artifacts and temporary partial blindness. He has proposed that the reported observations were optical effects caused by prolonged staring at the sun. Meessen contends that retinal after-images produced after brief periods of sun gazing are a likely cause of the observed dancing effects. Is that why the Miracle began before the people started looking? Eugenio Pacelli, later Pius XII said he saw it in the Vatican gardens
I’m mostly Italian, but my maternal grandmother was Irish. She was not a Catholic, and she had never been Baptized. She was pretty, spunky, and somewhat adventurous, a would-be aviatrix (her instructor was killed with another student in a plane crash).
My mother taught her some Catechism and introduced her to the rosary but my grandmother never made any attempt to convert. She liked to pray the rosary and she also had a great respect for the Pope at the time, Pope Pius XII. My mother didn’t know what else to do for her so she just continued to pray the rosary for her conversion.
One day my grandmother was sitting in her garden alone. She had just finished praying her rosary and she was sad because Pope Pius XII had just died. She had a rose bush that she had bought and planted years before but it had never bloomed, not once. She was a good gardener and had tried everything but it just wouldn’t bloom. She was looking at the rose bush, thinking of the Pope and not knowing any better she asked for a sign from God. She said, “If Pope Pius XII is in heaven please make my rose bush bloom.”
The very next morning she looked out the window and the entire bush was covered with pretty white and gold flowers. She was soooo excited! She ran to tell everyone, my mother, my grandfather, the neighbors!
Everyone came to see my grandmothers rose bush. But the flowers were not roses! They were small, white and gold (papal colors, everyone said) and they had a very pretty fragrance. No one knew what kind of flowers they were, so they took clippings to the florists and anyone who might know and no one had ever seen them before. It made a very big impression on my grandmother and soon after she went to my mother and told her that she wanted to be a Catholic. She went for instruction and was Baptized a Catholic. My mother (who prayed the rosary, all 15 decades everyday of her adult life) always said, “I prayed for her conversion for fifteen years and then SHE came to ME.”
We always had a portrait of Pope Pius XII on our wall.
3 Littleshepherds,
It is amazing how much power there is in praying the rosary. Even more your grandmother’s request for a sign from God about Pope Pius XII. Do you know if anyone found out what those white and gold flowers were? Our Lady made sure that your grandmother received the graces needed to ask for instruction to the Catholic faith and be baptised, and it was all down to the rosary.
I am sure I have mentioned this story on another thread before. Many years ago a Jesuit priest told my father of one of his brother priests who had gone out on a sick call. After leaving the recipient of the sick call and making his way home, he felt compelled to go a particular house he was passing. The landlady answered the door and was glad to see, though no one had sent for the priest, and she directed him upstairs to the room where a very ill lady was.
This lady was able to make a good confession, receive absolution and extreme unction (last rites). She had fallen away from the Catholic faith, yet, continued with saying one decade of the rosary on a daily basis. Something she had learned at her mother’s knees. I am convinced that Our Lady made sure that this particular priest would go to that house, because the woman was faithful to praying that one decade of the rosary irrespective of the life she had led. One decade only, ensured a confession and absolution and the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
Our Lady is our true Mother. A pity that Popes, Cardinals and Bishops seem so afraid of the opinions of the secular world, that they would refuse to carry out one simple request that she has made for Russia to be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart.
Theresa Rose,
No one knew what the flowers were. The bush must have resembled a rose bush because my grandmother never suspected it was not and she was a good gardener, she grew many roses.
I saw them many times when I was growing up. They had pressed the flowers and put them in our family bible.
3LittleShepherds,
What a beautiful story. Absolutely inspiring. Thank you very much for posting it.
It’s sad – given that Pope Pius XII did so much for the Jews during the war, despite the propaganda to the contrary – that his cause has not progressed.
Yet, on hearing of his death in 1958, Golda Meir sent the following message: “We share in the grief of humanity. When fearful martyrdom came to our people in the decade of Nazi terror, the voice of the pope was raised for its victims. The life of our times was enriched by a voice speaking out about great moral truths above the tumult of daily conflict. We mourn a great servant of peace”.
And this …
In Tribute to Pius XII: Praise From the Jewish Community
During his lifetime, and for several years after his death in 1958, Pope Pius XII was widely praised as having been a true friend of the Jewish people, who saved hundreds of thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust. As early as December of 1940, in an article published in Time magazine, the renowned Nobel Prize winning physicist Albert Einstein, himself a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, paid tribute to the moral “courage” of Pope Pius and the Catholic Church in opposing “the Hitlerian onslaught” on liberty:
Being a lover of freedom, when the Nazi revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers, whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom: but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. Only the Catholic Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler’s campaign for suppressing the truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised, I now praise unreservedly. END. Source
Ironic, is it not, that were the office of Devil’s Advocate still in use in t he canonisation process today, Pope Pius XII would pass any scrutiny of his actions during the war. Instead, in the now well worn path of true diabolical disorientation it is the lies and propaganda about him that are, no doubt, preventing the progress of his cause.
Again, 3LittleShepherds, many thanks for sharing that lovely story about your grandmother with us.
Next please!
That is such a beautiful story. Pius XII was a great Saint. I hope that when we all get to Heaven, we will be led by our favourite Popes to the Throne of God.
Catholic convert,
On my first communion day everyone told me that whatever I asked Our Lord, He would give it to me. Before Mass my sister handed me a holy card of Pope Pius XII and told me to ask for his canonization. That’s all I asked for! I guess I was shy or something.
It must wonderful to be an adult who’s going to receive Holy Communion for the first time!
That’s very sweet. Perhaps one day Our Lord will answer your prayer. Either way, He and Pius XII would have been very pleased.
Here is a trailer for an interview with a man who runs a Fatima apostolate, ahead of the consecration of the world tomorrow. Note his emphasis on the rest of us living the Fatima message with no mention (in the trailer at least) of the Consecration of Russia. Are useful idiots useful or what? I mean, didn’t Vatican Radio think of inviting THE Fatima expert, Father Gruner, to be interviewed?
I was at the vigil Mass tonight (12/10/13) in a church that is named after Our Lady and the homily was all about the Parish Priest’s recent visit to Assisi in conjunction with Pope Francis’ visit (being named after Saint Francis). I was previously buoyed by the report, referred to by yourself Editor, in the Huntington Post that recognised that Our Blessed Mother still awaits and expects the consecration of Russia by Christ’s vicar on earth to Her Immaculate Heart and the possibility that this may be imminent. My hope has been dampened by tuning into EWTN tonight for the Mass ahead of tomorrow’s consecration of the world. The specific issue of the consecration of Russia was never mentioned, also at the vigil Mass I attended Our Blessed Lady barely got a mention. I think in Sister Lucia’s words that “Our Lady is still waiting” may require us all to re-double our efforts. We should also pray for Father Gruner who has been chosen as the champion of our cause
Chrisis,
Though the church you attended last night is named after Our Lady, I wondered if the Parish Priest mentioned Our Lady in talking of his visit to Assisi at the time of Pope Francis’ visit.
It does not surprise me at all that no mention was made of consecrating Russia on EWTN last night. The mere mention of consecrating Russia as Our Lady requested, seems to be very much a taboo subject. It is due to diabolical orientation. How can the Pope and Bishops consecrated Russia, when the Metz pact, otherwise known as the Vatican/Moscow agreement was signed in 1962 in which the Vatican, thereby the Catholic Church would not condemn communism in Russia and yet attend Vatican II quite freely.
Our Lady has said that the consecration will be done, but it will be done late. We are required to pray many rosaries and make many sacrifices, so that it will be done.
I am amazed I can’t find anything for the consecrated. I’ve read the ones from yesterday but I would like ones for today, especially if there is live coverage that I can ‘play again’. Does anyone have any links for today. Thanks
I’ve just received this report from the Vatican website by email.
These concluding words of the Pope in his homily are stark in their sheer brazenness:
“As we continue our celebration of the Eucharist, let us invoke Mary’s intercession. May she help us to be open to God’s surprises, to be faithful to him each and every day, and to praise and thank him, for he is our strength. Amen”
When the Pope is faithful to God’s will, expressed through Our Lady’s request for the Consecration of Russia, then I will pay attention to his exhortations to the rest of us on fidelity. Not until then.
Apologies to all papolatrists and those on the borderline. Reading through today’s Catholic papers, with Pope Francis featured by drooling writers on just about every page, those on the borderline are set to tip over at any moment into being full-blown papolatrists.
Gimme strength!
The only news I’ve read today is from Vatican Radio.
The Pope’s speech at the consecration of the world today had nothing to do with Fatima. I don’t think he even used the word! It’s astounding that he just spoke about Our Lady in the most general way. There was no mention of the Fatima apparitions at all. I heard he has met Fr Gruner. It hasn’t done him much good, obviously.
Editor,
I read through the from the Vatican website.
In Pope Francis’ homily, he mentions Naaman, the Syrian general who was told by the prophet Elisha to bathe seven times in the River Jordan, in order to be cured of leprosy. Naaman thinks that this is too simple and mundane and most likely beneath him. When asked what he had to lose by washing himself in the river, does do so, and is cured of leprosy.
Now the Pope has not mentioned Fatima at all. So too has he ignored Our Lady’s request to Consecrate Russia, specifically Russia by name. Nor, has he exhorted the Bishops to join him in this particular Consecration.
Is there such contempt of Our Lady of Fatima’s request to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, and is she a liar? What is there to lose by such a Consecration? Absolutely nothing.
Our Lady showed the three children at Fatima – hell, and it made such an impact on them, that they prayed the Rosary and offered sacrifices in reparation for all the sins of the world.
Holy Father, the time is now to make reparation for the sins of the world, and the coversion of Russia so please consecrate Russia.
Hopefully Fr. Gruner can tell us what happened. What a mystery!
I think that when Our Lord said the Holy Father will repent he really meant repent. Something will probably happen that will draw attention to Russia.
I think repent means not just a simple regret but a whole renunciation. They have been building a “unity” of false religions for 50 years. The Holy Father cannot be helping to build the cult of man. That is so disordered. They’ve been using religious liberty, ecumenism, and collegiality to to level everything off into one long boring equal horizontal nothing.
So Our Lord orders the Pope, and the Pope orders the Bishops and they exclude the protestants by asking the Immaculate Heart, and they exclude the false religions by performing an act meant to convert Russia to the Catholic Faith. All of which is public and worldwide. The consecration puts an end to whatever is meant to be the outcome of the Assisi meetings.
I do not agree that “The annihilation of nations predicted at Fatima has not yet occurred”, Many nations came under the thrall of communism after WW2 (East Germany, Poland, Hungary etc.) Chinese communists invaded Tibet and still persecute the Tibetans. Also under the European Union many nations have given up their sovereignty. European Law triumphs the law of the individual countries and countries in the EU can no longer set their own tax regimes. We may speak as if these countries still exist but they are neither independent nor sovereign.
Maybe, but annihilation sounds like total destruction of people, buildings and land. That of course sounds like you-know-what. If the devil were not having his way in the church I think he would cause just that.
John Shacklefree,
I don’t think what you describe – giving up sovereignty etc – is the same thing as nations being annihilated. I have always taken that to mean that certain nations will disappear from the face of the earth (physically) in some way.
There may be different stages here. What we have seen so far under communism could easily be described as the annihilation of nations in the sense that the nations no longer have authority over their own laws. However, as we are, according to Sr. Lucia already in the End Times, we could expect even worse in the future particularly as we move towards a one world government under the dominion of satan.
I’ve also heard people saying that they think the abortion holocaust could mean the annihilation of nations, but I tend not to agree with these interpretations. I think the word annihilation here means total and utter destruction, otherwise Our Lady would have said ‘murder of children’ or ‘enslavement’ or ‘loss of authority’ or ‘loss of sovereignty’ etc. But Our Lady said at Akita “Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.” I’ve always understood Our Lady of Fatima to have meant ‘annihilation’ in those terms.
I think Our Lady actually said that many nations will disappear from the face of the earth, of it might have been Lucy in a letter to a priest. I would need to check it but that is definitely what was said, if not by Our Lady then by Sr Lucy.
I’ve thrown in a couple of comments on the Protect the Pope blog – some of you may like to contribute as well. There is the usual defence of the indefensible by some who just cannot see how utterly nonsensical is the argument that “Russia is in the world”. Gimme – please gimme – strength!
Note, though, that it’s a moderated site so no point in writing reams in case it doesn’t get through OR write reams and copy so you can paste it here either as well or in the event it’s not published over there. Having said that, both of my comments have been posted, cough, cough…Preening…
I read the Pope’s homily and there was no mention of Fatima or of the miracle of the sun. It is just incredible. Why would he pick that particular day, that marks the miracle of the sun at Fatima and then not even mention the miracle or the apparitions? In fact, the whole homily was banal, very basic stuff about Our Lady. I’m just stunned. I wonder if they had the statue flown in from Fatima because they don’t even have a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Vatican? It certainly wasn’t because they wanted to teach about the apparitions, because not a word was said about them.
I read a translation of Pope Francis’ act of consecration yesterday. Does anyone know if he ever said, “I consecrate the world to your Immaculate Heart”? Did he ever refer to the Immaculate Heart or to the world?
I’m not sure if I read everything that was said.
3LittleShepherds,
I think he did mention the Immaculate Heart (although I’d need to read it again to be sure) but no mention of Fatima at all. I didn’t see the actual words of consecration online, just the full text of his homily. Must check it all again in due course to make sure I’ve not missed anything.
Here is the text of the consecration:
Vatican City ( AsiaNews) – In front of the image of the Virgin Mary carried to St Peter’s Square from Fatima , Pope Francis renewed the Act of consecration to Mary. ” Act we carry out with confidence, confident that each of us is precious in your sight and that nothing is alien to you”.
“We celebrate with you – he said – the mighty works of God, who never gets tired of bending over mankind, beset by evil and wounded by sin, with mercy to heal and to save it. Mother embrace with benevolence this act of entrustment that we make today with confidence, before this your image which is so dear to us. We are confident that each of us is precious in your sight and that nothing is alien to you of all that dwells in our hearts.
We are touched by the gaze of your sweet eyes and welcome the comforting caress of your smile. Safeguard our lives in your arms: bless and strengthen every desire for goodness, revitalize and nourish our faith, sustain and brighten the hope that stirs the soul and charity ; guide all of us on the path of holiness. Teach us your same love and preference for the young and the poor, the marginalized and the suffering, for sinners and those whose hearts are lost: gather all under your protection and deliver us all to your beloved Son , our Lord Jesus. ”
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope-renews-act-consecration-to-Our-Lady-of-Fatima-29263.html
I don’t see how this is even a consecration of the world. It’s just making statements about how Our Lady will help us all in various ways. There is no mention of Fatima or the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
That’s what I read. It had a slightly different translation, instead of the word entrustment they used the word consecration.
Seems that the Pope DID mention Fatima. Interesting, that the SSPX report on Dici gives a quite different – and more favourable to Pope Francis – text from that posted by other outlets, and nobody could accuse the SSPX of trying to make life easy for Pope Francis! Click here to read the Dici report
What possible reason can there be for the two different texts? Why does the Dici website alone (to the best of my knowledge) publish the “Fatima” text while elsewhere the Pope is quoted making a general statement about Our Lady? Is it possible that what others have published is a simple “homily” while they have failed to report the actual “entrustment”? But why?
Comments are closed.