Today is the one hundredth anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, Portugal. The miracle was witnessed by a reported 70,000 people. This miracle was predicted by Our Lady in advance, hence why there were so many witnesses. The miracle was a confirmation that Our Lady was indeed appearing to three village children as they claimed. All three are now canonized saints. There is much written about the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal, and it is worth spending a bit of time learning what Our Lady asked in these visitations. Her requests are still applicable for our time.
It is interesting to note that much of these requests (and other aspects of the Fatima message) were “silenced” throughout the post-Vatican II era through the 80’s, 90’s and even up until today. I am thinking of the fact that it would startle most “moderns” that Our Lady showed the three children (all under the age of ten) a vision of Hell, a place where “poor sinners go”. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke of Hell in the Gospels, and warned us to do all in our power to avoid it. Jesus Christ was sent into the world, was Incarnated in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in order to save us from Hell. God is so loving and good that He desires for us to be with him forever, sharing in the Beatific Vision, and has given to us the Roman Catholic Church and the sacraments, with their life giving grace, to assist us in getting there. Our Lady showed Hell to the Fatima children in order that they would pray for sinners, especially for those who have no one to pray for them. Our Lady loves sinners. Her Immaculate Heart is a place of refuge for sinners where she loves and mother them, and leads them to her Son. That is why, if you find that you are a sinner (as we all are), do not lose hope, but place yourself in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and consecrate yourself to her loving care.
May Our Lady of Fatima pray for us.
