First Saturday and the Spiritual Motherhood of Mary
Many of you have probably heard about the movement for a fifth Marian Dogma, specifically to declare the Blessed Virgin Mary as “Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate,” and you wonder how this movement aligns with the message of Our Lady of Fatima. We know that Sister Lucia never recorded Our Lady at Fatima ever saying anything about a fifth Marian dogma, but this does not mean there are not many significant parallels to the Fatima message. Many of you might be surprised to hear that the movement for a fifth Marian dogma actually pre-dates the supernatural events at Fatima.
Anything But “Ordinary” Time
Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church, marks the end of the Easter season. Leading up to this day we completed the Novena to the Holy Spirit which began on Ascension Thursday; “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love.” Although many dioceses transferred the feast to the following Sunday, most of us began the nine-day prayer on the traditional day. This was a great preparation for the mission ratified when the Holy Spirit came upon Our Lady and the Apostles. It is the time when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and fills us with the gifts needed to carry on our mission as Catholics. On Pentecost the Church was born.
The New Totalitarianism Requires Our Urgent Response
One hundred and seven years ago today, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima in Portugal, bringing a message of urgency, laced in sorrow and concern for the condition of the world of that time.
St. Francisco: The Boy Who Died Smiling
by Barb Ernster – The holiness of St. Francisco is hidden in the stories of Fatima. Putting it together, one sees Francisco’s advancement in the spiritual life during his time on earth, primarily in his devotion to the “Hidden Jesus.” Francisco died the morning of April 4, 1919, after a six-month battle with the Spanish […]
The Moment of Truth
Holy Week is upon us, and Lent is over. The sacrifices and reflections that marked these forty days are now ending and the true purpose of this time of penance is in front of us.
Fatima’s Spirit of Sacrifice
Sacrifice as a Duty of Love As Lent continues it can be easy to lose that original spark of devotion and energy awakened in us on Ash Wednesday. Our daily sacrifices and resolutions start out strong, but keeping them becomes increasingly tiresome, a chore rather than a loving gift. It is therefore extremely important that […]
Benedict XVI and Fátima’s Prophetic Mission
by Kevin J. Symonds, M.A. “We would be mistaken to think that the prophetic mission of Fatima is complete.” Pope Benedict XVI on May 13, 2010. Pope Benedict was celebrating Mass in Fátima on May 13, 2010, when he made the above remark.[1] It was a little confusing at the time, and even Archbishop Georg […]
Lent Should Transform Us
Simon becomes Peter; Saul becomes Paul. The Cornerstones of Lent Prayer and sacrifice are the cornerstones of Lent. It is during this time that we re-evaluate our lives and strive for improvement. This should be our task every day of the year, but in this time, we are directed to a more focused effort to […]
Sister Lucia offered her painful death for the Holy Father
Sister Lucia of Fatima passed away on Feb. 13, 2005, after a long, drawn-out illness due to old age. She died just short of her 98th birthday, which would have been on March 28. Her charm and good humor lasted to the very end, even when she could not eat anything, but lupines (legume-like seeds […]
A Spiritual Stairway to Heaven: Embracing First Saturday Devotion
Written By Gene Zannetti A Heavenly Blueprint In a beautiful ray of hope, Our Lady of Fatima bestowed upon her faithful disciples a sacred gift—a heavenly blueprint for spiritual ascent. These divine directives, akin to marching orders, chart a course towards the triumph of the Immaculate Heart. At the heart of this celestial roadmap lies […]
