On 13 May 1917, around midday, Our Lady appeared to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, who were pasturing their sheep in a hollow, known locally as the “Cova da Iria”. (C Barthas, “The Virgin of Fatima”, Madrid, 1963) The Blessed Virgin asked the children to return there on the thirteenth of each month for the next six months.
Her message to them speaks of penance for sins, about saying the Rosary, and consecration of the world to her Immaculate Heart. Each time the beautiful Lady appeared to the children she asked them to say the Rosary every day.
She also taught them a prayer to say often in which they would offer God the events of their lives, especially many small mortifications: ‘O Jesus, this is for love of you, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the offences made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’
“Mary came to awaken men’s consciences, illuminate the authentic meaning of life, call men to conversion from sin; and to spiritual fervor. To inflame souls with the love for God and with charity towards their neighbor. Mary came to help us because many, unfortunately, do not wish to accept the invitation of the Son of God to return to their Father’s house.
“From her sanctuary at Fatima Mary renews even today her maternal and urgent petition: conversion to Truth and Grace; return to the life of the sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist; devotion to her Immaculate Heart, accompanied by a spirit of penance.” (John Paul II, “Angelus”, 26 July 1987)
“The message of Fatima is, in its basic meaning, a call to conversion and repentance, as in the Gospel ... The Lady seems to have read with special insight the ‘signs of the times’, the signs of our age. The call to repentance is a motherly one; at the same time strong and decisive.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily at Fatima”, 13 May 1982)
In the Gospel the words ‘repent’ and ‘penance’ (cf Mk 1:15) appear repeatedly. Jesus begins his mission asking for penance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17)
‘Penance’ signifies conversion of the sinner, and stands for internal and external actions aimed at making reparation for sins committed. (cf L Bouyer, “Penitence” in “Dictionary of Theology”, Barcelona, 1983)
Mary reminds us that without penance man does not receive the Kingdom of her Son; without penance man is in the kingdom of sin. In Our Lord’s own words, without penance “all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3).
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:221-4
Last appearance of Jesus before His Ascension
Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table and clearly demonstrates it was for the ‘Apostles alone’, whose number was reduced by the apostasy of Judas.
Jesus desired to share the last moments of his glorious life on earth, as he had done before his death. By sitting at table, the greatest sign of intimacy among friends, he gave on both events a proof of his love.
Why did he love them so? Because first, they were to aid him in the work of our salvation, his Father “... gave them” (Jn 17:6); second, they had “... left all things, and followed” (Mt 9:27) him; third, they were destined to labor and suffer more for him than the others.
The apostles and disciples will soon be forever deprived of their Divine Master’s sensible presence. This thought naturally made them sorrowful. To reassure and console them, Jesus declared, “Behold, I am with you all days, even to the end of the world” (Mt 28:20).
Jesus Christ is with us nowadays as God and Man: by his bodily presence in the Blessed Sacrament and more intimately than before his Ascension. He was only in one place at a time. Now he is everywhere, wherever there is a tabernacle. Then he could only communicate by entering men’s houses, sitting with them at table. Now he communicates by entering our hearts, becoming our food, and incorporating himself with us.
The apostles, fully aware of their ignorance and weakness were discouraged at the prospect of the difficulties ahead of them. To revive their fainting hearts, Jesus promised them a speedy outpouring of his Holy Spirit: “Stay in the city till you be endowed with power from on high.” (Lk 24:49) They then became changed men.
It is good to be deeply conscious of our insufficiency; but we must never let this thought deject us. If we are tempted to discouragement we must instantly turn to Jesus, and confidently invoke the aid of the Holy Spirit. He will hasten to enlighten and strengthen us.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp266-8
` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `
Mary’s hidden life with Jesus
“I like to go back in my imagination to the years Jesus spent close to his Mother, almost the whole of his life on earth. ... as a little child, cared for by Mary who kisses him and plays with him. ... growing up before the loving eyes of his Mother and of Joseph ... What tenderness and care Mary and the Holy Patriarch must have shown towards Jesus, during his childhood, silently learning so much from him.
"Their souls would become more and more like the soul of that Son, who was both man and God. This is why his Mother, and after her, St Joseph, understand better than anyone the feelings of the heart of Christ, and the two of them are thus the best way, ... the only way, to reach the Saviour.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 281)
Let us offer our Mother: ‘The effort of doing our ordinary work well, on time, with competence and finesse.’
Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p308
Assasination attempt on Pope John Paul II: On this day in 1981. (John Paul II, “Witness to Hope”, 440)
• Dedication of Our Lady of Martyrs, called the Rotunda, at Rome by Boniface IV in the year 608. This temple was called the Pantheon, because it was dedicated to all the gods of paganism. — Beda, lib. ii„ History of England.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Dedication of Our Lady of Martyrs, Rome (608). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Martyrs. Rome 608. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Martyrs. Rome; Lisbon. 608. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Martyrs (Lisbon, Portugal). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Mary appears to Théresè of Lisieux. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• “Nossa Senhora” / Our Lady of Fatima. Portugal. 1917. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Fatima. Lisbon, Portugal 1917. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Fatima. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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