Almost eight months had passed since the last apparition of the Angel. Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta continued to practice what the Angel had taught them, praying and offering sacrifices to the Lord. It was there, at the Cova da Iria, with one exception, that the Blessed Virgin under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary appeared on six occasions in 1917, and a seventh time in 1920 (to Lucia alone).
At that moment the First World War raged in Europe, introducing mankind to the most savage forms of warfare seen to that date. It was in that context that heaven condescended to earth to provide the antidote to the moral and social evils of the world – the message of Fatima.
Leading their flock out from Aljustrel on the morning of the 13th of May… “we saw another flash of lightening, and a lady dressed in white, shining brighter than the sun, giving out rays of clear and intense light, just like a crystal goblet full of pure water when the fiery sun passes through it. We stopped astounded by the Apparition. We were so near that we were in the light that encircled her, or which she radiated, perhaps a meter and a half away [4-5 feet].
Please don’t be afraid of me, I’m not going to harm you. Lucia responded for all three, as she would throughout the apparitions. “Where are you from?” I come from heaven. Still, Lucia felt no fear. The Lady’s presence produced in her only gladness and confident joy. “And what do you want of me?” I want you to return here on the thirteenth of each month for the next six months, and at the very same hour. Later I shall tell you who I am, and what it is that I most desire. And I shall return here yet a seventh time. “And shall I go to heaven?” Yes, you will. “And Jacinta?” She will go too. “And Francisco?” Francisco, too, my dear, but he will first have many Rosaries to say. The children remained kneeling in the flood of this wondrous light, until the Lady spoke again, mentioning the war in Europe, of which they had little or no knowledge. Say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war. http://ewtn.com
Let’s take advantage of the time we have to heed this call now and Pray the Holy Rosary!
Recent Comments