Hey there,
Last Sunday we honored our Mothers.
You know … the loving, caring, and nurturing women in our lives.
They’re always ready to offer advice and teach us life lessons. They want the best for us.
These are also traits of our heavenly mother, Mary.
Mary wants us all to join her in heaven. And she’s ready to help us get there any way she can.
One way she does this is to make appearances here on Earth.
The University of Dayton reports this about Marian apparitions:
During the twentieth century, there have been 386 cases of Marian apparitions. The Church has made “no decision” about the supernatural character regarding 299 of the 386 cases. The Church has made a “negative decision” about the supernatural character in seventy-nine of the 386 cases. Out of the 386 apparitions, the Church has decided that “yes” there is a supernatural character only in eight cases: Fatima (Portugal), Beauraing (Belgium), Banneux (Belgium), Akita (Japan), Syracuse (Italy), Zeitoun (Egypt), Manila (Philippines) (according to some sources), and Betania (Venezuela).
Today we commemorate one of those Marian apparitions: the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Beginning on May 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children six times over the span of six months in Fatima, Portugal.
I’ve certainly heard about Fatima over the years, but to be honest, I’ve never paid much attention to it.
There’s been some buzz about Fatima lately with a new movie coming out (the link to the official trailer is below).
So I wanted to take a deeper look. And boy, am I glad I did.
There’s so much to Fatima, beyond just the appearance of Mary.
The messages … the prayers … the predictions … the miracle. It really does read like a great Hollywood script.
Throw in the fact that two of the children died 100 years ago from a pandemic and there’s all kinds of relevance for us today.
So in this week’s issue of Genuflect, we look at what happened in Fatima in 1917, what was happening historically at that time, the messages Mary provided, the prayers Mary asked the children and us to pray, how it’s relevant to us today, and how to make a spiritual pilgrimage to Fatima beginning today. Oh, and the Fatima movie trailer … I can’t wait for the movie.
So dig in and learn more about what our heavenly Mother wants us to know about getting to heaven. Afterall, Mother knows best.
You all are in my prayers. Stay safe!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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Fatima Overview
May 13th is the anniversary of the Marian apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. In fact, there were 6 apparitions between May and October. On one occasion 70,000 people gathered to witness the event. Here’s a brief overview of the events and the 3-part secret revealed by Mary.
Our Lady of Fatima | Catholic News Agency
Fatima’s Historical Context
History buffs will enjoy this historical recount of what was going on in Portugal leading up to and following the Fatima apparitions. And it will help deepen the understanding and significance of the events to even the non-history buffs out there.
Our Lady of Fatima in Historical Context | University of Dayton
Fatima Secret
Over the course of the apparitions with the shepherd children, Our Lady shared a secret that contained three parts. Lucia recorded the secrets on paper when directed to do so by the Bishop. The third secret was sealed and its contents were not revealed until John Paul II did so in 2000. The Vatican provides more background on the events surrounding the secrets, discussions with Sister Lucia, and even an English translation of the letters.
The Message of Fatima | The Holy See
Fatima Mystery
Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory. And with all the secrecy surrounding the Fatima secret texts, it’s no wonder rumors and speculation developed about a possible yet-to-be revealed additional text. Kevin Symonds looks into this possibility.
Is There a “Fourth Secret” of Fatima? | Catholic Stand
Fatima And Pandemic
Two of the Fatima shepherd children died from a pandemic 3 years after the apparitions. These faithful children, who are now canonized Saints, are an example for us as we live through a pandemic 100 years later.
Fatima’s Shepherd Children Versus The Coronavirus | Aleteia
Why Children?
At Fatima, Mary delivered messages about penance, war, hell … some pretty heavy topics. Why did she choose three children to disclose these messages? Marge Fenelon has a theory that’s probably right. I wonder if it also has to do with people’s willingness to listen to children without locking them up in an asylum?
Why Did Mary Appear to Children at Fatima? | National Catholic Register
Fatima’s Importance Today
103 years is a long time. So why should we care today about the events in Portugal so long ago? What possible relevance could the messages there have for us today? Turns out there’s plenty. Here are 8 actions Our Lady asks of us today.
Our Lady of Fatima’s Importance Today | Franciscan Media
The Daily Rosary
At Fatima, Our Lady told Lucia and her cousins to pray the Rosary every day for world peace and to end the war. That was likely the only reason they needed. But for the rest of us, Sister Lucia provides several reasons why we should all pray the Rosary daily.
Fatima’s Sister Lucia Explains Why The Daily Rosary is a ‘Must’ | National Catholic Register
How to Pray The Rosary
Here’s a handy guide to praying the Rosary that includes all the Divine Mystery reflections, the Fatima Prayer, and the two prayers at the end that Pope Francis wants us to pray to end the Coronavirus pandemic.
How to Pray The Rosary | The Rosary Boutique
Fatima Prayer
In the July apparition, Our Lady shared with the children the Fatima Prayer, asking this to be prayed at the end of each decade of the Rosary. Here’s more about the interesting history of this special prayer.
The Fatima Prayer | Learn Religions
Spiritual Fatima Pilgrimage
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is closed now due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But don’t let that stop you. We are all invited to take a spiritual pilgrimage. On the Shrine’s site, you’ll find a Fatima Pilgrimage novena. Click to open the PDF for each of the nine days, beginning today. And place a lit candle in your window each night.
#PILGRIMBYTHEHEART | Shrine of Fatima
Fatima Movie
Soon the miraculous events of the Fatima apparitions will come to life on the silver screen. Watch the official movie trailer here. And let’s hope we can all go to a movie theater soon to watch it!
Fatima | Fatima The Movie
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