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Young Hearts: The holy death of Jacinta and the 1918 Flu

St. Jacinta Marto endured a prolonged and painful illness that led to her death on the night of Feb. 20, 1920, in the Estefania Hospital in Lisbon. Only a night nurse, Aurora Gomes, was present in the ward that evening, but when questioned, she could not recall any details of the young seer’s death, nor anything about the child herself. As Our Lady foretold, Jacinta died alone, far from her relatives and friends, due to complications arising from the Spanish Flu pandemic, which swept around the world between Jan. 1918 and Dec. 1920.

Matthew Scarince February 20, 2026

Lent Calls Us to Selfless and Sacrificial Love

On February 14th we celebrated Valentines Day. The greeting card industry has enshrined this as the day when we emphasize romantic affection. It is beautiful to especially acknowledge spouses and those with whom we have a romantic connection. Love is in the air as they say, but true love can be better found when we explore and remember the saint after whom this day is named. St. Valentine was martyred for the Faith on February 14th, offering an act of pure love, not romantic love. I mean no disrespect to the industry that thrives on the promotion of these secular days. My father owned a gift and hobby shop when I was a child, and Hallmark cards were a big seller for him. Living in a committed marriage, however, brings the selfless love of sacrificial care together with the romantic in a lasting relationship. I find that my love for my wife has grown over the years as long-term care and common experiences define our relationship.

David M. Carollo February 19, 2026

Lucia Gives Us a Pathway for Lent

Lent is a time for us to reflect on our relationship with God, repair those things that keep us from Him and turn back to Him if we have been away. Faith is the gift that allows us to trust in God and to follow His commandments as a sign of our love for Him. In her book, “Calls” from the Message of Fatima, which has been described as a “catechism of Fatima,” Sister Lucia gives us a pathway to meet God every day, but especially during penitential seasons.

Barb Ernster February 18, 2026

These Times call for Greater Sacrifice and Reparation

As Lent approaches, one begins to let go of the celebratory Christmas season and all the feasting that comes with it and settle into a

Barb Ernster February 5, 2026

Can the fulfillment of Our Lady’s request for the First Saturdays Devotion in this Extraordinary Marian Jubilee Year bring about a lasting peace?

The call of Fatima is more urgent than ever today. As an apostolate we have been charged with disseminating this call for fidelity in an age of apostasy. Ponder for a moment what the world would look like if Our Lady’s call for adherence to the laws of God and respect for civility had been followed in 1917. The peace and stability that only God can provide would rule the day. Instead, confusion about the very nature of the human person and the dehumanization which always precedes conflict is overbearing. The constant upheaval that defines our world today is a product of our insistence on following our own path and not the lead of God. Today society is in a desperate state as we set on the brink of global war and uncertainty. Suicide rates are on the rise as desperation, the most powerful tool of the devil, is prominent among those who do not see the hope that God shows us. People are judged by a secular vision which sees only their apparent usefulness and not their intrinsic human dignity; thus suicide, abortion and euthanasia are easily rationalized.

David M. Carollo January 29, 2026

Members of the World Apostolate of Fatima from many countries gathered for an International Congress

The World Apostolate of Fatima held an international theological-pastoral congress on “The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary”, Dec. 5 – 7,

Barb Ernster January 2, 2026

Celebrate This Christmas United to Her Immaculate Heart

In these last days of Advent let us join Our Lady in anticipation of the birth of the Savior. She trusted that the words given

David M. Carollo December 18, 2025

Found in the Eucharist

By Michaelyn Hein Months have passed since I last wrote a single word. I have struggled to name the reasons. Despite searching for a thread

Matthew Scarince December 15, 2025

Establish the First Saturday Devotion in Your heart

Centenary anniversaries offer the Catholic faithful a chance to seek spiritual renewal, revitalize devotion, review historic moments, make a pilgrimage and connect with the saints

Barb Ernster December 10, 2025

The Promise of Devotions: Not Just Checking a Box

There are many devotions that have promises connected with them. One popular example is the recitation of the prayer of St. Gertrude for the deceased, especially during the month of November. It is said that 1,000 souls are released from purgatory each time it is prayed. Likewise, whenever we pass a cemetery, we offer this prayer for the holy souls: “Eternal Father, I offer thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus in union with all the Masses said throughout the world today for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church for those in my home and within my family, Amen”. While we cannot guarantee the release of these suffering souls or the conversion of sinners, we nevertheless continue to pray and to hope.

David M. Carollo November 26, 2025