RADIO VATICANA REPORT: Pope
Benedict XVI
celebrated Mass in Arezzo, Italy, on Sunday morning, during the first leg of a
pastoral visit to the central Italian area rich in monastic and contemplative
tradition. Following Mass, the Holy Father prayed the Regina coeli.
Below, please find the full text of Pope Benedict XVI's remarks at the Regina
coeli.
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Dear brothers and sisters.
At the conclusion of this liturgical celebration, the Marian prayer invites us to place ourselves spiritually before the image of Our Lady of Comfort, which is kept in the Cathedral.
As Mother of the Church, Our Lady always wants to comfort her children at the time of their greatest difficulties and sufferings. This City has often experienced her maternal assistance. So, today too, we commit to her intercession, all the people and families of your community which find themselves in situations of serious need.
At the same time, through Mary, we invoke from God the gift of moral comfort, so that this community, and the whole of Italy, may resist the temptation to become discouraged and, strengthened by this great humanist tradition, it may set out again on the road to spiritual and ethical renewal which can only lead to an authentic improvement in social and civil life.
In this regard, each and every one must make their contribution.
Mary, Our Lady of Comfort, pray for us.
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Dear brothers and sisters.
At the conclusion of this liturgical celebration, the Marian prayer invites us to place ourselves spiritually before the image of Our Lady of Comfort, which is kept in the Cathedral.
As Mother of the Church, Our Lady always wants to comfort her children at the time of their greatest difficulties and sufferings. This City has often experienced her maternal assistance. So, today too, we commit to her intercession, all the people and families of your community which find themselves in situations of serious need.
At the same time, through Mary, we invoke from God the gift of moral comfort, so that this community, and the whole of Italy, may resist the temptation to become discouraged and, strengthened by this great humanist tradition, it may set out again on the road to spiritual and ethical renewal which can only lead to an authentic improvement in social and civil life.
In this regard, each and every one must make their contribution.
Mary, Our Lady of Comfort, pray for us.
AFRICA : SECOAM TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
CISA REPORT:
COTONOU, May 11, 2012 (CISA) -The Symposium
of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has been urged to
promote peaceful, fair and transparent elections in the continent.
Speaking on May 10 in Cotonou, Benin where he received a delegation of SECAM officials in his office, the Chair of the African Union (AU), Dr Thomas Yayi Boni said that this was in consonance with the spirit of the AU.
The SECAM delegation had paid a visit to the AU chair to request for an Observer Status for SECAM at the AU, which he promised to put on the Agenda of the next AU Summit that would take place in Malawi in July 2012.
Dr Boni who is also the President of Benin, promised to appeal to the Heads of African States to ratify the Africa Charter on democracy, elections and good governance that SECAM has been campaigning for.
He said that taking into consideration the immense contribution that the Church has made in the development of Africa in terms of education, agriculture, health and in other socio-economic and political spheres, he saw no reason why such a legitimate request would not be granted.
President Boni stressed that the Church and the states play complementary roles in the integral development of the people of Africa.
He also noted, lack of respect for religious and political differences, good governance, democracy and free and fair elections as some of the challenges confronting Africa.
He added that these issues have contributed to the Arab Spring in some countries in North Africa and clashes in Mali, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria.
The AU chair criticized the manner in which the United Nations Security Council and the countries that form the G20 handle African affairs.
He said this has resulted in the instability of North Africa thus affecting other Sub-Saharan African countries like Mali which is still grappling with the Touareg rebel menace and Nigeria with Boko Haram.
In a press statement sent to CISA by Benedict Assorow, Director of Communications of SECAM, the AU chair said that about 90 percent of matters that are discussed by the UN Security Council and other bodies are often on or about Africa, yet Africa is not part of the decisions that are taken on her behalf.
Speaking on May 10 in Cotonou, Benin where he received a delegation of SECAM officials in his office, the Chair of the African Union (AU), Dr Thomas Yayi Boni said that this was in consonance with the spirit of the AU.
The SECAM delegation had paid a visit to the AU chair to request for an Observer Status for SECAM at the AU, which he promised to put on the Agenda of the next AU Summit that would take place in Malawi in July 2012.
Dr Boni who is also the President of Benin, promised to appeal to the Heads of African States to ratify the Africa Charter on democracy, elections and good governance that SECAM has been campaigning for.
He said that taking into consideration the immense contribution that the Church has made in the development of Africa in terms of education, agriculture, health and in other socio-economic and political spheres, he saw no reason why such a legitimate request would not be granted.
President Boni stressed that the Church and the states play complementary roles in the integral development of the people of Africa.
He also noted, lack of respect for religious and political differences, good governance, democracy and free and fair elections as some of the challenges confronting Africa.
He added that these issues have contributed to the Arab Spring in some countries in North Africa and clashes in Mali, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria.
The AU chair criticized the manner in which the United Nations Security Council and the countries that form the G20 handle African affairs.
He said this has resulted in the instability of North Africa thus affecting other Sub-Saharan African countries like Mali which is still grappling with the Touareg rebel menace and Nigeria with Boko Haram.
In a press statement sent to CISA by Benedict Assorow, Director of Communications of SECAM, the AU chair said that about 90 percent of matters that are discussed by the UN Security Council and other bodies are often on or about Africa, yet Africa is not part of the decisions that are taken on her behalf.
AUSTRALIA : BISHOPS APPEAL ON NORTHERN TERRITORY
ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY REPORT:
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
8 May 2012
Australia's Catholic bishops and religious have
appealed to Federal Senators not to pass "Stronger Futures Northern Territory
2011 Bill" which would see the Territory's controversial "Intervention" policy
extended for a further 10 years.
"We urge the Federal Government to abandon this legislation and develop strategies based on trust and respect which will promote collaboration with the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory in decision-making relating to their future," said Archbishop Philip Wilson and Sister Anne Derwin rsj, in a statement issued on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA).
Their call to the Government joins a growing number of voices calling on the Government to halt the legislation which was passed by the Lower House in February this year.
"We need to listen to the Aboriginal people. They are asking for their rights as human beings and citizens of this country to be respected. Deep spiritual and cultural issues must be paramount to any legislation. It is imperative the Government work in partnership with Aboriginal people over the long term rather than rely on quick fixes if lasting change was to be achieved.," Archbishop Wilson and Sr Anne Derwin said.
The ACBC
and CRA have joined widespread condemnation of the Government's Stronger Futures
Bill which would see the controversial Intervention begun under the Howard
Government in 2007, expanded and continued for at least another 10
years.
Opponents of the Bill include former PM, Malcolm Fraser, the Uniting Church of Australia, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, NATSICC (the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Catholic Council), ACSJC (the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council) as well as musicians, Paul Kelly, Neil Murray and Archie Roach.
Last Friday, the three musicians dedicated Jimmy Little's iconic song, Blackfella Whitefella to the "Stand for Freedom" campaign against the Stronger Futures Bill when they performed at the memorial concert for the acclaimed Australian singer at the Sydney Opera House.
Jimmy Little died early last month aged 75 and his memorial concert before 2500 people was not only a time to remember one of Australia's most beloved performers but a rallying cry against the any extension or expansion of the Government's controversial Intervention policy.
But perhaps the
strongest opposition to the Bill has come from the Yolnu Makarr Dhuni, an
assembly of eight nations in the Western, Central and East Arnhem Land areas of
the Northern Territory. Not only has the Yulnu Nations Assembly rejected the
Government's proposed Bill but has asked all NT Traditional Owners to refuse to
participate in any land lease negotiations and approvals for exploration
licenses until the Stronger Futures legislation is thrown out.
These leases would cover coal, iron ore and all minerals on their land, says Graeme Mundine, executive officer of Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.
"In refusing to continue with negotiations and approvals for exploration licenses, the Yolnu Nations are clearly stating they have had enough of being pressured to agree to things that negatively impact their communities," Graeme says. "Their language, cultures and law are increasingly under threat as interventionist policies combined with the relentless push to mine Aboriginal Land place more and more pressure on communities."
The Government's Interventionist policy now retitled and
expanded under the "Stronger Futures" legislation was established to address
violence and alcohol abuse in Aboriginal communities. But the Government's heavy
handed tactics which includes quarantining welfare payments, were made with
little consultation with Aboriginal elders and the communities themselves, and
have led to accusations of racial discrimination and an abuse of human rights by
the World Council of Churches, Amnesty International and the United
Nations.
"The Government seems to have its head in the sand over the Stronger Futures legislation," says Graeme Mundine, pointing out that the Senate Community Affairs Committee's inquiry into the Bill, received more than 450 submissions opposing the legislation together with a petition signed by more than 35,000 people as part of the Stand for Freedom Campaign.
"The Government is ignoring all this informed opposition and instead is pushing its own agenda through flawed legislation instead of committing to a real partnership with Aboriginal people to develop sustainable solutions," he says.
Graeme was on hand last Friday at Amnesty International's
NSW Centre in Chippendale for the launch of the sequel to the highly-regarded
"This is What We Said" and "Walk with Us" series, which gives voice to the views
of Aboriginal people living under the Northern Territory Intervention, or NTER
(Northern Territory Emergency Response) as it is often known.
The latest publication, "NT Consultations Report 2011: By Quotations" is a record of what was said by Aboriginal people during 10 Government consultations with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory last year. Despite taking no official recordings of these consultations, the Government's Stronger Futures legislation is purportedly based on these consultations and the direct wishes of the Aboriginal people.
But the transcript record of what was actually said, which is revealed in this latest document published by Concerned Australians, shows a different story entirely, says Graeme pointing out that not only is there a "surprising consistency of views across all the transcripts which give us a direct understanding of what Aboriginal people asked of the Government but shows their desire for an end to the Intervention."
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
8 May 2012
Any legislation should be based on trust and
respect with
Aboriginal people directly involved in any decision-making
Aboriginal people directly involved in any decision-making
"We urge the Federal Government to abandon this legislation and develop strategies based on trust and respect which will promote collaboration with the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory in decision-making relating to their future," said Archbishop Philip Wilson and Sister Anne Derwin rsj, in a statement issued on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA).
Their call to the Government joins a growing number of voices calling on the Government to halt the legislation which was passed by the Lower House in February this year.
"We need to listen to the Aboriginal people. They are asking for their rights as human beings and citizens of this country to be respected. Deep spiritual and cultural issues must be paramount to any legislation. It is imperative the Government work in partnership with Aboriginal people over the long term rather than rely on quick fixes if lasting change was to be achieved.," Archbishop Wilson and Sr Anne Derwin said.
THE ACBS and CRA have joined widespread
condemnation
of the Government's Stronger Futures Bill
of the Government's Stronger Futures Bill
Opponents of the Bill include former PM, Malcolm Fraser, the Uniting Church of Australia, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, NATSICC (the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Catholic Council), ACSJC (the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council) as well as musicians, Paul Kelly, Neil Murray and Archie Roach.
Last Friday, the three musicians dedicated Jimmy Little's iconic song, Blackfella Whitefella to the "Stand for Freedom" campaign against the Stronger Futures Bill when they performed at the memorial concert for the acclaimed Australian singer at the Sydney Opera House.
Jimmy Little died early last month aged 75 and his memorial concert before 2500 people was not only a time to remember one of Australia's most beloved performers but a rallying cry against the any extension or expansion of the Government's controversial Intervention policy.
Archbishop Philip Wilson urges Federal
Senators
to reject Stronger Futures Legislation
to reject Stronger Futures Legislation
These leases would cover coal, iron ore and all minerals on their land, says Graeme Mundine, executive officer of Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.
"In refusing to continue with negotiations and approvals for exploration licenses, the Yolnu Nations are clearly stating they have had enough of being pressured to agree to things that negatively impact their communities," Graeme says. "Their language, cultures and law are increasingly under threat as interventionist policies combined with the relentless push to mine Aboriginal Land place more and more pressure on communities."
Graeme Mundine Executive Officer of
the Australian Catholic Ministry supports calls
for an end to the Intervention
the Australian Catholic Ministry supports calls
for an end to the Intervention
"The Government seems to have its head in the sand over the Stronger Futures legislation," says Graeme Mundine, pointing out that the Senate Community Affairs Committee's inquiry into the Bill, received more than 450 submissions opposing the legislation together with a petition signed by more than 35,000 people as part of the Stand for Freedom Campaign.
"The Government is ignoring all this informed opposition and instead is pushing its own agenda through flawed legislation instead of committing to a real partnership with Aboriginal people to develop sustainable solutions," he says.
Sister Anne Derwin RSJ
of Catholic Religious
Australia joins Bishops
calling for halt to Stronger
Futures legislation
of Catholic Religious
Australia joins Bishops
calling for halt to Stronger
Futures legislation
The latest publication, "NT Consultations Report 2011: By Quotations" is a record of what was said by Aboriginal people during 10 Government consultations with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory last year. Despite taking no official recordings of these consultations, the Government's Stronger Futures legislation is purportedly based on these consultations and the direct wishes of the Aboriginal people.
But the transcript record of what was actually said, which is revealed in this latest document published by Concerned Australians, shows a different story entirely, says Graeme pointing out that not only is there a "surprising consistency of views across all the transcripts which give us a direct understanding of what Aboriginal people asked of the Government but shows their desire for an end to the Intervention."
EUROPE : POPE BENEDICT XVI APARTMENT FOR RENT
THE LOCAL REPORT: A flat near Bonn said to have
been the former residence of Pope Benedict XVI is up for rent. Despite this
distinction, there has been a surprising lack of interest from Catholic pilgrims
in the property, according to a newspaper report.It is 95 square
metres, has four rooms, and a balcony, the new-build flat on the outskirts of
Bonn is up for rent at the going rate for the area. At first glance, it is a
rather ordinary apartment, reported Der Spiegel magazine on
Friday.
So when landlady Zofia Ahren placed an advert on various internet portals offering her flat up for rent, she made the most of the building’s unique selling point – its consecrated former inhabitant.
A plaque in the entrance says the Holy Father rented an apartment in the block for four years between June 1959 and May 1963 while working at the University of Bonn.
Zofia may have been spurred on by the sale of Pope Benedict’s old Golf in 2005, which went for more than €180,000 in 2005.
Whilst it’s documented that Pope Benedict did live in the building, Zofia admitted she isn’t entirely sure which of eight flats in the block had been home to the current pontiff.
"Whether it was this flat or one of the others, no-one knows anymore," she told a reporter from Der Spiegel who visited the flat on Friday. "I‘ve no idea whether he stood here once or not," she added.
Since the story was picked up by the Bonn edition of the tabloid Express newspaper last Monday, Zofia has been inundated with calls and visits from journalists - but few serious potential tenants, she told Der Spiegel.
The Local/jlb
So when landlady Zofia Ahren placed an advert on various internet portals offering her flat up for rent, she made the most of the building’s unique selling point – its consecrated former inhabitant.
A plaque in the entrance says the Holy Father rented an apartment in the block for four years between June 1959 and May 1963 while working at the University of Bonn.
Zofia may have been spurred on by the sale of Pope Benedict’s old Golf in 2005, which went for more than €180,000 in 2005.
Whilst it’s documented that Pope Benedict did live in the building, Zofia admitted she isn’t entirely sure which of eight flats in the block had been home to the current pontiff.
"Whether it was this flat or one of the others, no-one knows anymore," she told a reporter from Der Spiegel who visited the flat on Friday. "I‘ve no idea whether he stood here once or not," she added.
Since the story was picked up by the Bonn edition of the tabloid Express newspaper last Monday, Zofia has been inundated with calls and visits from journalists - but few serious potential tenants, she told Der Spiegel.
The Local/jlb
ASIA : PHILIPPINES : ARCHBISHOP DU INSTALLED IN PALO
UCAN REPORT:
The post was vacated by Archbishop Jose Palma when
he was named prelate of Cebu last year.
At least 1,000 people including Archbishop Guiseppe Pito attended the installation rites this morning in a ceremony that local journalist Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros called the “grandest so far in recent years.”
Archbishop Du was born on October 18, 1954 in Cebu City and was ordained a priest on June 1, 1979. He became a bishop in 1998.
Palo was created as a diocese on November 28, 1937 and was elevated as an archdiocese on November 15, 1982.
The archdiocese covers the province of Leyte, which is being served by around 150 diocesan priests and 20 religious. It has a population of about 1.7 million, 80 percent of whom are Catholics.
SOURCE: UCAN NEWS
At least 1,000 people including Archbishop Guiseppe Pito attended the installation rites this morning in a ceremony that local journalist Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros called the “grandest so far in recent years.”
Archbishop Du was born on October 18, 1954 in Cebu City and was ordained a priest on June 1, 1979. He became a bishop in 1998.
Palo was created as a diocese on November 28, 1937 and was elevated as an archdiocese on November 15, 1982.
The archdiocese covers the province of Leyte, which is being served by around 150 diocesan priests and 20 religious. It has a population of about 1.7 million, 80 percent of whom are Catholics.
SOURCE: UCAN NEWS
AMERICA : CHILE : NUNCIO IN CELEBRATION - 300 YEARS OF FIEST DE OLOS INDIOS
Agenzia Fides report - The Apostolic Nuncio in Chile,
Archbishop Ivo Scapolo, along with the Archbishop of Puerto Montt, His Exc. Mgr.
Cristián Caro, presided the celebration of 300 years of the "Fiesta de los
Indios". They came to the Calbuco island on a boat of the Navy to celebrate the
feast in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the island. There
was a large crowd in Calbuco, led by the priest and the mayor, waiting for them.
The solemn Eucharist was followed by the procession with the Blessed Sacrament,
then a moment of celebration during which local authorities gave a "poncho" to
the Nuncio, in gratitude for his presence. According to the note from the
Chilean Episcopal Conference to Fides, the Apostolic Nuncio, in the homily of
the Mass, said inter alia that "the sword of St. Michael the Archangel must
remember the weapons with which the Christian must always struggle: prayer,
unity and love."
The "Fiesta de los Indios Caciques", well known, was born in 1712, when the indigenous of the place besieged the Spaniards of Calbuco and stole the image of St. Michael the Archangel, hiding it for 3 months in a secure place on the island of Huapi Abtao. The Jesuits asked the indigenous to return the sacred image, and they demanded in exchange for better treatment and the right to organize the party in Calbuco each year, with the celebration of a novena and a big party. The indigenous in fact much admired San Michele for the beauty of the statue and the respect which figure commanded. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2012)
The "Fiesta de los Indios Caciques", well known, was born in 1712, when the indigenous of the place besieged the Spaniards of Calbuco and stole the image of St. Michael the Archangel, hiding it for 3 months in a secure place on the island of Huapi Abtao. The Jesuits asked the indigenous to return the sacred image, and they demanded in exchange for better treatment and the right to organize the party in Calbuco each year, with the celebration of a novena and a big party. The indigenous in fact much admired San Michele for the beauty of the statue and the respect which figure commanded. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2012)
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012 - MOTHER'S DAY
May 13, 2012 - 6th Sun Easter
| Acts
10: 25 - 26, 34 - 35, 44 - 48
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| 25 | When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 46 | For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 47 | "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 48 | And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him
to remain for some days
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TODAY'S SAINT : MAY 13 : OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Our Lady of Fatima
Feast: May 13
 Information:
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Throughout the Old Testament God, in His great mercy, chose
prophets to call His people back to Him. In recent times God is sending His
Mother. One of the apparitions of the Mother of God in this century took place
in 1917 at Fatima, a little village in Portugal. Our Lady came there to warn us
of the harm we would inflict upon ourselves as a result of our sins: wars,
famines, plagues, persecution of the Church and the loss of many souls in Hell.
God, in His great mercy, wished to save us from these miseries through the
Immaculate Heart of His Mother. Our Heavenly Mother revealed at Fatima a plan of
hope for this world which continues to plunge headlong toward its own
destruction.
In 1915 an Angel appeared to four little girls, among
them Lucia de Jesus dos Santos. While saying the Rosary they saw what looked
like a cloud that was whiter than snow, slightly transparent, with a human
outline. This same apparition took place on two more occasions, leaving the
girls in a state of amazement.One year later Lucia was tending sheep with her two cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto. This time the Angel came with very distinguishable features. He said to them: "Don't be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." He then knelt and, bowing with his forehead to the ground, prayed three times: "My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg pardon of Thee for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee!" Then He said to the children: "Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications." With these words the Angel left them. The children felt so enveloped by God's Presence that they remained bowed to the ground for a long time repeating this prayer. This special atmosphere which they felt then gradually left them. Soon the three children were back to spending their days playing games together. Lucia, the oldest of the children, was born on March 22, 1907 and was the youngest of seven. Francisco was born on June 11, 1908 and Jacinta on March 11, 1910. One day, while the three were playing, the Angel visited them again and said, "What are you doing? Pray! Pray a great deal! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs for you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High." Lucia asked how they were to sacrifice. The Angel responded, "With all your power offer a sacrifice as an act of reparation for the sinners by whom He [the Lord] is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners. Thus draw peace upon your country. I am its Guardian Angel, the Angel of Portugal. Above all accept and endure with submission the suffering which the Lord will send you." Only Lucia and Jacinta heard the Angel. Francisco had to learn what he said from them. By the light of grace the children understood the value of sacrifice. They spent many hours repeating the prayer he had taught them. In Autumn of that year the Angel appeared to them again. He was holding a chalice in his hand with a Host suspended over it from which drops of Blood were falling into the chalice. Leaving the Host and chalice suspended in mid-air the Angel prostrated himself on the ground praying three times, "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly and offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners." Then the Angel arose and gave the Sacred Host to Lucia. The contents of the chalice were given to Francisco and Jacinta while he said, "Take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, horribly insulted by ungrateful men. Make reparation for their crimes and console your God." Then the Angel again prostrated himself, praying three times, "Most Holy Trinity. . .." On May 13th, 1917 the children were again playing their games, this time building castles out of rock in the field. Suddenly they saw a flash of light. Believing it to be lightning, even though the sky was clear, the children gathered the sheep and started for home. They took refuge under a tree about a hundred yards away. They saw a flash of light again. They began running, going about a hundred yards further when suddenly they saw, standing over a small holmoak tree, a Lady dressed in white more brilliant than the sun. She said, "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you! I am from Heaven. I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour. Then I will tell you who I am, and what I want. And afterwards I will return here a seventh time." (Our Lady appeared at the holmoak a total of six times. To this day there are only conjectures about when the seventh apparition took or will take place.) Lucia asked if the three of them would go to Heaven. The Lady said they would except that Francisco would have to say many Rosaries first. Lucia asked about two of her friends who had died. The Lady responded that one was in Heaven but the other would be in Purgatory until the end of the world. The Lady went on to say, "Do you wish to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings that He may please to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and to ask for the conversion of sinners?" Lucia responded, "Yes" for all three of them. Then the Lady said, "Then you will have much to suffer. But the grace of God will be your comfort." With this the Lady opened Her Hands and enveloped the children in light. Moved by an inward impulse, they fell to their knees praying, "O most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament." Again the Lady spoke saying, "Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war" [World War I]. Up to this point the visions of the children remained secret. This time Jacinta told her mother about her experience. News spread quickly around the village exposing the children to ridicule and disbelief. On June 13th Our Lady appeared again at the same spot, known as the Cova da Iria, and said to the children, "I want you to come here on the thirteenth day of the coming month and to recite five decades of the Rosary every day." Lucia asked if the Lady would take them to Heaven. The Lady responded that Jacinta and Francisco would be taken soon. But Lucia would have to remain to help establish in the world devotion to Her Immaculate Heart. Lucia began to cry thinking she would be left all alone. Our Lady comforted her by saying She would not forsake her. Then the children saw a Heart in Our Lady's right hand with thorns encircling It. They understood that this was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, for which reparation had to be made. On July 13th crowds began to gather for the apparition. This time Our Lady said, "I want you to come here on the thirteenth day of the coming month, and to continue to say five decades of the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary to obtain the peace of the world and the end of the war. For She alone will be able to help." Lucia asked for a miracle to prove Her appearances to people who doubted. The Lady responded, "Continue to come here every month. In October I will tell you who I am and what I wish, and will perform a miracle that everyone will have to believe. . . Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: `O Jesus, it is for Thy love, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'" With these words light streamed from the Lady penetrating the earth. The children saw demons and people immersed in a sea of fire. From them came shrieks and groans of despair. Our Lady then said, "You see Hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If they do what I will tell you, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace. The war is going to end. But if they do not stop offending God, another and worse one will begin in the reign of Pius XI. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that is the great sign God gives you that He is going to punish the world for its crimes by means of war, of hunger, and of persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this I come to ask the consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays. If they listen to my requests, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. If not she will scatter her errors through the world, provoking wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer [Jacinta later had more visions concerning a future Pope's suffering], various nations will be annihilated. In the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to Me, and it will be converted and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal the dogma of the Faith will always be kept. Do not tell this to anyone. Francisco, yes, you may tell. [This became known as the secret, only part of which is disclosed here] When you say the Rosary, say after each Mystery, `O my Jesus, pardon us and deliver us from the fire of Hell. Draw all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need.'" The governor of the area was a former Catholic turned Mason who was very set against the Church. On August 13th he offered to take the children to the apparition site in his carriage. Once they got inside he kidnapped them. He locked them in a room of his house. The next day he took them to the Town Hall. The children were questioned. He was especially interested in the "secret" which the Lady told them. The children would not tell him. Finding that he was getting nowhere he threw them in jail. After they spent a short time in the jail he questioned them again. At one point the governor threatened to throw them in boiling oil. Even this failed. He kept them locked up overnight at his house. The next day he questioned them again. Finally, seeing that his efforts were useless, he released them. On August 19th the Lady appeared to the children in a different place. She said, "I want you to continue to go to Cova da Iria on the thirteenth day and to continue to recite the Rosary every day. In the last month [October] I will perform the miracle so that all shall believe. . . Pray, pray a great deal, and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to Hell because they have no one to sacrifice and pray for them." Lucia asked the Lady what to do with the money that the crowd had left at the Cova da Iria. She said some should be used for a procession on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the rest should go for the support of the chapel which the people would build. On September 13th the crowd had grown so much that the children could barely make their way to the apparition site. That day Our Lady said, "Continue to say the Rosary to bring about the end of the War. In October Our Lord will come also, and Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus, to bless the world. . ." October 13th was a very rainy day. Yet this did not keep believers and non-believers from coming to witness the miracle the Lady had promised. Some estimated the crowd at around 70,000. The Lady came at noon and Lucia asked Her, "What do You want of me?" She responded, "I want to tell you to have them build a Chapel here in My honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Let them continue to say the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes." Lucia asked Our Lady if She would grant some requests given to her by the people. Our Lady said, "Some yes, others no. It is necessary that they amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. Let them offend Our Lord God no more, for He is already much offended." As Our Lady ascended from their sight She opened Her Hands and pointed toward the sun. The children then saw in the sky three tableau of the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Then the Holy Family appeared. St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus blessed the crowd three times. Next only Lucia saw Our Lady of Sorrows beside Her Suffering Son Who also blessed the crowd. Finally the children saw Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Infant Jesus upon Her knee. The crowd, on the other hand, saw something very different. The people stared at the sun which started dancing in the sky. Then it whirled rapidly, emitting flames of fire which reflected many different colors upon the earth. Finally it appeared to be plummeting from the sky toward the crowd which frightened the people very much. Some thought it was the end of the world. Then the sun reversed its direction and returned to its normal position in the sky. As the people regained their senses they noticed still another miracle. Although it had been a very rainy day now the ground and even their clothes were dry. The public apparitions ceased but the children, from time to time, would still see Our Lady. Toward the end of October, 1918, Francisco and Jacinta became ill with influenza. On April 4th, 1919 Francisco died of this disease. He had spent the remainder of his short life in prayer and penance. He was often seen praying before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Francisco, with great insight for his young age, talked about "the hidden Jesus" in the tabernacle. Jacinta's agony would last longer. She offered up heroic sacrifices during her illness. She developed pneumonia and then pleurisy. She was taken to a hospital at Ourem. After two months she returned home with an incision in her chest. A doctor on pilgrimage visited Jacinta and said she should go to the children's hospital in Lisbon. So mother and child set out on the journey. In Lisbon they stayed for a few days at an orphanage run by a Franciscan nun, Mother Godinho. Mother Godinho had an opportunity to converse with Jacinta. Jacinta told her that war is the punishment for the sins of mankind. If people would repent Jesus would save the world but if they did not He would punish it. She talked about the importance of Confession, that it was a Sacrament of mercy and that it was necessary for salvation. Jacinta mentioned the great charity we must have, even for the wicked, and that we should never speak ill words about anyone. She emphasized the value of patience and that it would bring us to Heaven. Jacinta said that many people were in Hell due to the sins of the flesh. She prophesied that certain women's fashions would be introduced which would be very offensive to Our Lady. When Jacinta was at the hospital in Lisbon the doctors talked about performing an operation. She said that it would all be in vain because she was going to die. She even had someone write to Lucia informing her of the day and hour of her death. Mother Godinho continued to converse with her. Jacinta prophesied other incidents about certain people and these later came true. Because of her weakened state only a local anaesthesia could be given for the operation. They removed two ribs and left an open wound in her chest the size of a fist. She suffered very much but never complained. Four days before her death Our Lady came and took all her pains away. On February 20th, 1920, she died. Fifteen years later her body was moved to a cemetery at Fatima and was found still whole and incorrupt. A small chapel was built by the people to Our Lady. In 1922 a bomb destroyed this chapel. Another bomb placed at the holmoak above which Our Lady stood during the apparitions did not explode. Many years later a great shrine to Our Lady of Fatima was built which included a hospital, convent and retreat house. In 1921 the Bishop, due to the numerous pilgrims who came to see Lucia and her family, told Lucia to attend the school of the Sisters of St. Dorothy near Oporto where she would be unknown. At the school the Mother Superior changed her name to Maria of the Sorrows. Lucia was told not to speak about the apparitions. In 1925 Lucia joined the Sisters of St. Dorothy. On December 10, 1925, Our Lady, with the Child Jesus beside Her, appeared to Sister Lucia in her room. She was holding out Her Heart surrounded by sharp thorns. Both asked for reparation to be made to the Immaculate Heart. Our Lady promised to assist with all the necessary graces for salvation at death those who would make the Five First Saturdays. That is, those who, for five consecutive first Saturdays of the month, would go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, recite the Rosary and spend fifteen minutes meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary, all with the intention of making reparation to Her. (Later Our Lord said that Confession could be on another day as long as one receives Holy Communion in the state of grace.) On May 29, 1930 Our Lord explained to Sr. Lucy that the five Saturdays were in reparation for: 1. Those who deny the Immaculate Conception. 2. Those who deny Our Lady's virginity. 3. Those who deny Our Lady's Divine maternity and that She is the Mother of all mankind. 4. Those who cause children to have indifference, contempt or hatred toward Our Lady. 5. Those who commit outrages against Holy Images of Our Lady. In 1927, at the Convent in Spain to which she was transferred, Lucia, in a vision, received permission to reveal two parts of a three-part secret which she received from Our Lady at the Cova da Iria during the July 13th apparitions: the vision of Hell and the urgent need for devotion to the Immaculate Heart. The third part of this secret was given to the Bishop and later was given to the Pope. Sr. Lucia asked that it not be made public before 1960. This part of the secret has never been made public. In 1929, during Lucia's weekly Thursday Holy Hour between 11 P.M. and midnight, she saw a cross of light appear above the altar. On the cross was Jesus Crucified. From Our Lord's wounded side and His face drops of Blood fell onto a Host, then into a chalice below, which were suspended in the air. From the left arm of the cross large letters reading "Grace and Mercy" made of what appeared to be water ran down upon the altar. On the top of the cross was the image of the Eternal Father. Before Him was a dove of light representing the Holy Spirit. Beneath the right arm of the cross was Our Lady of Fatima with Her Immaculate Heart in Her left hand. In the midst of this vision Our Lady made a request for the Pope to consecrate the world to Her Immaculate Heart in union with all the Bishops of the world, making a special mention of Russia. This request was brought to the attention of the Pope. Our Lord told Sr. Lucy He wanted this consecration so that, by Our Lady's triumph, devotion to the Immaculate Heart would spread throughout the whole Church placing it beside the devotion to the Sacred Heart. Our Lord said that the Holy Father would make the consecration but it would be late. He added that the Immaculate Heart would save Russia. World War II began just as predicted by Our Lady of Fatima. In 1938 unusual lights appeared in the sky which, according to Lucia, was the sign promised by Our Lady before God's punishment of the world. Shortly thereafter the war began with the annexation of Austria by Hitler during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI. In 1942, Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart. He did not, however, do this in union with all the Bishops. Our Lord told Lucia that He was pleased with this act although incomplete according to His desire. Because of it He promised to end World War II. But the conversion of Russia would not take place. Some people thought, based on the example of the Fatima children, that the sacrifices requested by Our Lady were too great for them to perform. In 1943 Our Lord told Sr. Lucy that the penance He now desired was the fulfillment of one's duties in life and the sacrifices required in the observance of His Law. This type of penance was possible for everyone. In 1944 the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was put on the Church Calendar to be celebrated on August 22nd. After Vatican II the Church Calendar was revised changing the celebration of August 22nd to the Saturday following the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which is always the Friday after the Feast of Corpus Christi. In 1946 John M. Haffert, a great promoter of the Brown Scapular, asked Sr. Lucy to help him formulate a Fatima message pledge which people could make. In 1947 Msgr. Colgan, inspired by the Fatima messages, began the Blue Army. A little later he met John Haffert who told him about the Fatima Pledge. Fr. Colgan appointed him to spread the Blue Army in the U.S. The Blue Army became the greatest apostolate for promoting the messages of Fatima. In 1948 Sr. Lucia entered the Carmelite convent in Coimbra, Portugal. Later she took for her religious name Sr. Maria of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In an interview with John Haffert that same year Sister said the most important request of Fatima is the fulfillment of one's daily duty. Praying the Rosary aids one in doing this. The First Saturdays help one to free oneself from sin and renews the commitment to fulfill one's daily duties. Two years later in another interview with John Haffert Sister explained that wearing the Brown Scapular is also part of the Fatima message. It is a sign of one's consecration to the Immaculate Heart. Russia continued to spread her errors all around the world, fulfilling Our Lady's prophecies. An attempt was even made on the life of Pope John Paul II on May 13th, 1981. The Holy Father believed that Our Lady of Fatima saved his life. This led him to see that the only way to save the world from atheism was the consecration requested by Our Lady of Fatima. On March 25, 1984, the Holy Father consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. According to Sr. Lucia this consecration was accepted by Our Lady. The result was the peaceful fall of Communism a few years later. Certainly we see the mercy of God in the Fatima apparitions. God really wishes to have mercy on the whole world. He forewarns us of evils which will befall us, by our own fault, if we do not return to Him. He gives us His Mother to help us and guide us. Had we responded to His grace World War II would never have happened, Russia would have been converted sooner and the world would have peace. It is evident that we have not lived the Fatima messages as we should. How patient God has been with humanity! God wishes all people to save their souls. Because we are all part of God's family His mercy allows us to make reparation for the sins of others. This not only consoles God for their offenses but can bring about the conversion of the offenders. If wars and punishments come upon the earth it is still God's mercy. By allowing these events He wishes sinners to turn to Him with a purpose of amendment and say, "My Jesus, mercy." And those in the state of God's grace, some lukewarm in their love of God and neighbor, are brought to greater fervor and more detachment from the passing things of this world. God is our Father. He doesn't want us to suffer. But sometimes it is necessary for the salvation of many souls. Let us respond to Our Lady's messages by living God-centered lives and by fulfilling the requests of Our Lady of Fatima, the fulfillment of our daily duty and the keeping of God's Commandments, making the Five First Saturdays, wearing the Brown Scapular as a sign of our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and praying the Holy Rosary every day! |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/O/ourladyoffatima.asp#ixzz1ukKNti6M
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