May 13th marks the 100th anniversary of the
apparitions of Fatima, as well as the canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the children to whom Our Lady of Fatima appeared.
The message that was given to Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, has been interpreted in various ways during different political climates of the 20th century, but overall she is associated with the hope for world peace. In 2000 Pope Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Ratzinger)
explained,
"I would like finally to mention another key expression of the “secret” which has become justly famous: “my Immaculate Heart will triumph”. What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Saviour into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise."
Here in the archives, we have a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the crowning of Our Lady of Fatima as Queen of the World:
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"Since after long and careful consideration we have come to the conclusion that great benefits will accrue to the church if that solidly established truth were to shine forth even more clearly to all, like a bright light placed on its pedestal, we, by our apostolic power, decree and institute the feast of Mary as Queen to be celebrated throughout the entire world every year... And likewise we command that on that same day there be renewed the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, upon this there is founded a great hope that there may arise an era of happiness that will rejoice in the triumph of religion and in Christian peace. - Pius XII
PO CO16.19
1971
Archbishop Pocock Fonds |
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PO CO16.19
1971
Archbishop Pocock Fonds |
This weekend, as we remember Francisco and Jacinta, Our Lady of Fatima, and our mothers, we can say this prayer as found above:
O Mary, who performed a miracle at Fatima so that all might believe, Cause us to believe!
O Mary, who gave to the world at Fatima a message of hope, Fill us with hope!
O Mary, who offered to the world at Fatima your Immaculate Heart full of grace and love, Fill us with grace and love!
O Mary, crowned at Fatima by Pius XII as Queen of the World, Be our Queen!
O Mary, proclaimed by Pope Paul as the Mother of the Church, Be our Mother!
O Mary, who promised at Fatima a period of peace to all men, Keep your promise now! Obtain peace in our families, in our nation, in the world. Amen.
