Dear Friends,
I am writing this column on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The message of Fatima is just as important today as it was 109 years ago. Mary invited the children to whom she appeared — and therefore all of us — to do three things: pray, especially the Rosary; repent and turn away from sin; and offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world.
Her message was simple, direct, and timeless. In many ways, the world of 1917 was not all that different from our own. There was war, fear, confusion, political unrest, and a tendency to push God to the margins. Sound familiar?
Yet Mary did not come to frighten people. She came as a mother calling her children back to her Son. At Fatima, heaven reminded the world that true peace will never come through politics, wealth, power, or technology alone. True peace comes only through Jesus Christ.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Fatima is that Mary gave ordinary people ordinary spiritual practices: pray the Rosary, go to confession, make sacrifices, and stay close to the Eucharist. Holiness is not reserved for theologians or mystics. It is found in daily faithfulness.
Fatima also reminds us that while sin is real, so is God’s mercy. No one is beyond His grace.
In a world filled with anxiety, division, and noise, Our Lady still points us toward prayer, repentance, and trust in God. The world needs the message of Mary at Fatima now as much as ever.
May Our Lady of Fatima pray for us, protect our families, deepen our faith, and always lead us closer to her Son.
God bless you all!
Fr. John
Act of Entrustment to Mary, Virgin of Fatima
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, with renewed gratitude for your motherly presence we join in the voice of all generations that call you blessed. We celebrate in you the great works of God, who never tires of lowering himself in mercy over humanity, afflicted by evil and wounded by sin, to heal and to save it.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother this act of entrustment that we make in faith today, before this your image, beloved to us. We are certain that each one of us is precious in your eyes and that nothing in our hearts has estranged you. May we allow your sweet gaze to reach us and the perpetual warmth of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace; bless and strengthen every desire for good; give new life and nourishment to faith; sustain and enlighten hope; awaken and animate charity; guide us all on the path to holiness.
Teach us your own special love for the little and the poor, for the excluded and the suffering, for sinners and the wounded of heart. Gather all people under your protection and give us all to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
*By Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Square on October 13, 2013
Dear Friends,
I am writing this column on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The message of Fatima is just as important today as it was 109 years ago. Mary invited the children to whom she appeared — and therefore all of us — to do three things: pray, especially the Rosary; repent and turn away from sin; and offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world.
Her message was simple, direct, and timeless. In many ways, the world of 1917 was not all that different from our own. There was war, fear, confusion, political unrest, and a tendency to push God to the margins. Sound familiar?
Yet Mary did not come to frighten people. She came as a mother calling her children back to her Son. At Fatima, heaven reminded the world that true peace will never come through politics, wealth, power, or technology alone. True peace comes only through Jesus Christ.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Fatima is that Mary gave ordinary people ordinary spiritual practices: pray the Rosary, go to confession, make sacrifices, and stay close to the Eucharist. Holiness is not reserved for theologians or mystics. It is found in daily faithfulness.
Fatima also reminds us that while sin is real, so is God’s mercy. No one is beyond His grace.
In a world filled with anxiety, division, and noise, Our Lady still points us toward prayer, repentance, and trust in God. The world needs the message of Mary at Fatima now as much as ever.
May Our Lady of Fatima pray for us, protect our families, deepen our faith, and always lead us closer to her Son.
God bless you all!
Fr. John
Act of Entrustment to Mary, Virgin of Fatima
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, with renewed gratitude for your motherly presence we join in the voice of all generations that call you blessed. We celebrate in you the great works of God, who never tires of lowering himself in mercy over humanity, afflicted by evil and wounded by sin, to heal and to save it.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother this act of entrustment that we make in faith today, before this your image, beloved to us. We are certain that each one of us is precious in your eyes and that nothing in our hearts has estranged you. May we allow your sweet gaze to reach us and the perpetual warmth of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace; bless and strengthen every desire for good; give new life and nourishment to faith; sustain and enlighten hope; awaken and animate charity; guide us all on the path to holiness.
Teach us your own special love for the little and the poor, for the excluded and the suffering, for sinners and the wounded of heart. Gather all people under your protection and give us all to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
*By Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Square on October 13, 2013
Dear Friends,
I am writing this column on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The message of Fatima is just as important today as it was 109 years ago. Mary invited the children to whom she appeared — and therefore all of us — to do three things: pray, especially the Rosary; repent and turn away from sin; and offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world.
Her message was simple, direct, and timeless. In many ways, the world of 1917 was not all that different from our own. There was war, fear, confusion, political unrest, and a tendency to push God to the margins. Sound familiar?
Yet Mary did not come to frighten people. She came as a mother calling her children back to her Son. At Fatima, heaven reminded the world that true peace will never come through politics, wealth, power, or technology alone. True peace comes only through Jesus Christ.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Fatima is that Mary gave ordinary people ordinary spiritual practices: pray the Rosary, go to confession, make sacrifices, and stay close to the Eucharist. Holiness is not reserved for theologians or mystics. It is found in daily faithfulness.
Fatima also reminds us that while sin is real, so is God’s mercy. No one is beyond His grace.
In a world filled with anxiety, division, and noise, Our Lady still points us toward prayer, repentance, and trust in God. The world needs the message of Mary at Fatima now as much as ever.
May Our Lady of Fatima pray for us, protect our families, deepen our faith, and always lead us closer to her Son.
God bless you all!
Fr. John
Act of Entrustment to Mary, Virgin of Fatima
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, with renewed gratitude for your motherly presence we join in the voice of all generations that call you blessed. We celebrate in you the great works of God, who never tires of lowering himself in mercy over humanity, afflicted by evil and wounded by sin, to heal and to save it.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother this act of entrustment that we make in faith today, before this your image, beloved to us. We are certain that each one of us is precious in your eyes and that nothing in our hearts has estranged you. May we allow your sweet gaze to reach us and the perpetual warmth of your smile.
Guard our life with your embrace; bless and strengthen every desire for good; give new life and nourishment to faith; sustain and enlighten hope; awaken and animate charity; guide us all on the path to holiness.
Teach us your own special love for the little and the poor, for the excluded and the suffering, for sinners and the wounded of heart. Gather all people under your protection and give us all to your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
*By Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Square on October 13, 2013
