The Great Promise of Our Lady of Fatima

    The Great Promise of Our Lady of Fatima

 

 

Our Lady appeared at Fatima in 1917  to three little children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, to warn the world, but also to bring a message of hope: “Finally my Immaculate Heart will triumph!”

Picture taken in Coimbra, Portugal, Sister Lucia’s Memorial Museum

In 1925  Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia, rested one hand on Lucia’s shoulder, while in the other hand she held a heart surrounded with thorns. Then Our Lady said to Lucia:

“Look, my daughter, at my Heart surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude… You, at least, try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who on the first Saturday for five consecutive months,

1. go to Confession,
2. receive the Holy Communion
3. recite five decades of the Rosary
4. keep me a company for 15 minutes while meditating of the mysteries of the Rosary, with intention of making reparation.”

This is how the Five First Saturday devotion came about. Our Heavenly Mother gave it to Sister Lucia, encouraging the faithful to pray the Rosary more and more, meditating on it and receiving the Sacraments of the Confession and the Eucharist.

Let’s not forget that Our Lady and Our Lord Jesus are hurt every single moment by countless sins. 

We encourage you to start this devotion, it is fine and purifying for our soul, and it helps to console Our Heavenly Mother. 

Remember this divine formula: 5 First Saturdays= Confession+ Mass & Eucharist +Rosary & 15.min Meditation+Intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The ‘Urgency of the Hour’ during the Jubilee Year of Mercy

The ‘Urgency of the Hour’ during the Jubilee Year of Mercy

Last month’s article in the Catholic Voice sparked a chain of support from members of the Legion of Mary, Alliance of the Two Hearts and many others wanting to help to spread more intensely the Fatima message during 2016 / 2017. One lady from Northern Ireland sponsored our Five First Saturday ad in the Fermanagh Herald. Other newspapers contacted us seeking to put the Five First Saturday ad in seven leading local newspapers around the country. At times like this, we wish we knew somebody who won the lotto. On the 13^th February 2016, we received an email from Sr Lucia’s private doctor, Dr Branca Paul from Coimbra in Portugal and she says: “Please keep going with all your hearts doing your best, working in “GOD´S FARM”. We have to be patient and persevere in our lives”. With this encouragement, we wish to share some more insight into the writings left behind by Servant of God Sr Lucia.

13^th February 2005

On this date 11 years ago, Sr Lucia passed away to her eternal reward. Dr Branca Paul and the Carmel sisters in Coimbra Portugal asked us after her death to double the efforts to spread the Five First Saturday and daily Rosary devotions. Servant of God Sr Lucia stated, “Whether the world has war or peace depends on the practice of this devotion, along with the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is why I desire its propagation so ardently, especially because this is also the will of our dear Mother in Heaven.”.

Six years ago, we both personally witnessed Pope Benedict XVI on the 13^th May 2010 in Fatima praying before the statue of Our Lady and making the following request “May the seven years which separate us from the Centenary of the Apparitions hasten the expected Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the Glory of the Most Holy Trinity”. Are we witnessing the fruits of the Holy Father’s prayer unfolding before us, when on the 12^th February 2016,  after 1000 years, Pope Francis and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church met for the first time in Cuba to open the way for unity and world peace?

No matter what happens in the future, Our Lady still requires our corporation and is ready to assist us in this great battle for souls. Our Lady is inviting each one of us to enter with joy and immense hope into the secure refuge of Her Immaculate Heart and promising us that in the end Her Immaculate Heart of Mary will Triumph. The Rosary and the Five First Saturday devotions are all interlinked to help expediate the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

 

Five First Saturday Devotion

Why did Our Lady ask for the Five First Saturday devotion? Our Blessed Lord answered that question when He appeared to Sr. Lucia. He explained that it was because of the five offenses and blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, namely:

(1) blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception,

(2) against her perpetual virginity,

(3) against the divine and spiritual maternity of Mary,

(4) blasphemies involving the rejection and dishonouring of her images, and

(5) the neglect of implanting in the hearts of children a knowledge and love of this Immaculate Mother.

Our Lady of Fatima requested the daily Rosary and Five First Saturday devotion. “If what I ask is done, many souls will be saved.” Since Her request is largely ignored, we continue to witness many wars and persecutions of the Church, including the Holy Father. The good are being martyred and various nations are annihilated. (The daily Rosary and the Five First Saturday devotion bring graces for the individuals, families, Bishops and Priests, religious and for each nation).

The role of the Priest and the Laity 

The key elements of the Five First Saturday devotion are captured with the story of the child Jesus appearing to Sr Lucia only emphasises the urgency of the Five First Saturday devotion for our time. What makes this devotion so beautiful is that Our Lady invites her beloved priests to promote it in the parish. Without the priests, three components of this devotion cannot take place namely: Confession, Mass and Holy Communion. Our Lady wisely incorporated the priests in this grace filled devotion to protect Her flock, just like Our Lady did over 2000 years ago for the first apostles.

Five First Saturday Devotion role of the priest is to:    

1. Hear Confession: The confession can be made eight days before or after the First Saturday, provided that Holy Communion is received in the state of grace and that it should be offered in reparation.
2. Offer Mass and Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer the Mass in reparation to Our Lady.

Five First Saturday Devotion role of the laity is to:

1. Go to confession, attend Mass, receive Holy Communion and recite the Holy Rosary and to do 15-minute meditation:-To comply with the request of Our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and said properly while meditating. Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be present when she said “…those who keep me company….”.

To those who faithfully follow Our Lady’s requests for the Five First Saturdays, she has made a wonderful promise: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.”.

After completing the Five First Saturdays, one may continue the devotion simply to console the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. A tender love of Our Blessed Mother will lead one to do all he/she can to make reparation for the sins which pierce Her Immaculate Heart.

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The Daily Rosary  

For six months from May to October, on the 13^th day in 1917, the Virgin Mary invited us to recite the daily Rosary, in which the three children would be made humble witnesses to the heart of God in a long-suffering World War I at that time.

The life of Sr Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, the little shepherds of Fatima, is a love story of grace and mercy from Heaven to all of humanity. The heavenly peace plan for the world was given to three children to spread the power and beauty of the Most Holy Rosary.

The Carmel Nuns in Coimbra recently shared the following insight with us.“The spontaneous reply by Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco in 1917, which ‘the Lady welcomed as the first fruits of Her Message, that is confirmed by the Virgin with an immense light that penetrated the innermost parts of the three children, making them see themselves in this light that was God. This light, in which they receive in June 1917 will also prepared them to receive the secret that was revealed in July 1917: in a succession of images unveiled by the Lady, the children understood that God is not indifferent to our human history; that sin is indifferent to the heart of God; that God’s heart is still merciful and is always in search of humanity entangled in their terrible events.”

One hundred years later pilgrims come to Fatima in hope and turn their gaze to Our Lady of the Rosary. This is, and should be the refuge of millions of human suffering. Today the world continues to rage wars and there is the gigantic struggle of good against evil. This is how the 20^th century came to be known.

Those of us who are open to receive the light from the heart of God are invited by Our Lady to join in the daily Rosary, the Five First Saturday devotion and by offering their sacrifice in reparation of sin. What each nation needs in the 21^st century is God’s Grace and Mercy.

Pope Francis and the ‘Urgency of the Hour’  

We  recall in the Holy Scriptures how Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach a warning and a message of repentance to the very sinful people of that city, boldly preaching “Forty days and the great city of Nineveh will be destroyed”. To their great credit, together the Ninevites fasted and repented of their sins and “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not carry it out”. [Jonah 3: 1-10]

For our time, Pope Francis has issued from (8^th December 2015 to 20^th November 2016) the Jubilee Year of Mercy for the whole world. This special occasion is normally celebrated every 25 years in order to allow each generation to experience at least one during their lifetime. This time the special year was called nine years earlier than required indicating ‘the urgency of the hour’ for the Mercy of God. After being elected Pope, Francis said “Mercy is the best thing we can feel; it changes the world.” In this regard, Pope Francis is following the path of Jonah, asking us all to repent, repair our lives and do penance. One of the central messages of Fatima according to Servant of God Sr Lucia is summarised in the last words of Our Lady in Fatima on 13^th October 1917, “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because He is already so much offended”.

Like the Ninevites, all nations need to contemplate the mystery of mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives. Pope Francis suggests for the Jubilee Year to invocate Jesus with a short prayer “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You.” or “Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner”.

Pope Francis has also granted the Jubilee Indulgence for those who do corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisioned, bury the dead, and also those who do spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill and pray for the living and the dead.

St Faustina:

Taken from her diary, Saint Faustina reminds us what God wants for our time.  To Saint Faustina Kowalska Jesus told her: “In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My Mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish suffering mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy”. (#1588)…..“I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation” [Diary of St. Faustina, # 1160]

An open invitation

We encourage Irish Bishops, Priests and various religious groups like the Legion of Mary, Alliance of The Two Hearts, World Fatima Apostolate and Marian Movement of Priests to double their efforts to spread the Five First Saturdays and daily rosary devotions during the Jubilee Year of Mercy / 100^th anniversary of Fatima in 2016 / 2017. We invite the laity to promote and display the Five First Saturday devotion in their community, so that God’s graces and mercy is more widely known and loved.

In answer to the call by Pope Francis, The Call to Fatima team is available to give parish presentation on Fatima in 2016. Sr Lucia’s books / DVD’s are also available srluciacalltofatima@gmail.com or by phone + 353-87-2229135 Blog www.thecalltofatima.wordpress.com

 

Spiritual Exercises for Lent:Day 18

Spiritual Exercises for Lent:Day 18

Prepare well for the Confession. Frequent Confession is like a shower for your soul, cleansing you completely, giving you healing and freedom from sin. Frequent Confession is like a petrol for your soul, it keeps you going through the rough roads of our lives. Sacrament of the Reconciliation is a superb grace. It is a big “SORRY” said to our Father in Heaven every time we do wrong, every time we fail or disappoint God, every time we fail to keep His Commandments.

A guide  for good confession:

• If you need help especially if you have been away for some time simply ask the priest and he will help you by “walking” you through the steps to make a good confession.
• Be truly sorry for your sins, ask God for the Holy Spirit to help you to examine your conscience, best way is to go through 10 Commandments and see if you kept them or not.
• Remember that it is really Jesus who gives you forgiveness through priest
• Always tell the priest your state of life: married or single, priest or religious, under religious vows or promises

Click on the link and print 1page PDF document and use it as a guide for How To Make a Good Confession: ConfessionGuide2

Confession of Saint Patrick

Confession of Saint Patrick

“I, Patrick, a sinner, am the most uncultivated and the least of all the faithful, and am held in contempt by many. Yet, though I am imperfect in many things I wish my brethern to know what manner of man I am, that they may be able to understand the desire of my soul: to render somewhat to the Lord for His so great benefits.

…I was brought captive to Ireland- I was at that time about sixteen years of age and I paid no heed to the living God. I was brought captive with so many thousands of persons according to our deserts, because we turned away from God and kept not His Commandments, and were not obedient to His priests, who admonished us about our salvation.

I was as a stone lying in a deep mire but He that is mighty came and in His mercy lifted me, and indeed raised me up again and placed me on the top of the wall.

In the land of my captivity I sought Him in earnest- and there I found Him. The love of God and the fear of Him increased more and more, and my faith grew. In a single day I prayed as often as a hundred times, and by night almost as frequently, even while I was in the woods and on the mountain.

…But He knows that exceedingly do I desire to drink of His chalice- yet may it never happen to me from my God that I should ever lose His people…

I beseech whosoever shall have deigned to look at this document, which Patrick, the sinner, unlearned as is manifest, wrote in Ireland.

Let no one ever say that it was I in my ignorance who did whatever little I have done or taught, that is pleasing to God. Let it be most truly believed that it was the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die”.

Prayer to St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland 

Most glorious Saint Patrick,
Bishop and Confessor,
chosen by the Almighty to be the Apostle of Ireland,
we, the children of those to whom you preached the Faith of Christ,
never to be renounced,
hail you as the wonderful instrument of God’s mercy
for the obtaining of our eternal salvation.

Most glorious Apostle and Patron of our island,
submit to the Almighty our every temporal and spiritual want,
that through your intercession,
we may be relieved, in all our necessities through life,
and when called from this world to the glory of God,
we may, to your honour,
be found worthy of the faith that is within us,
and of eternal salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.

                                                Amen.

Confession- Gift from God himself

         Confession- gift from God

 

“Lead all Souls to Heaven”, Our Lady of Fatima 1917

National Fatima Conference 2010

The National Fatima Conference took place in University College Cork on 30^th October 2010 in Boole No.4. The conference theme “Lead All Souls to Heaven” was a direct response to Pope Benedict’s letter to the Irish people to pray, meditate and repent and follow the word of God and His commandments. It was a full day event starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. The organisers The Call to Fatima team who produced the double award film documentaries based entirely on Sr Lucia’s writings has the approval of the Fatima Shrine, Carmel of Coimbra and supported by the Vatican. The conference was free admission with prior booking requirements and free car park space was made available.

The conference was attended by 400 people from county Cork, Co. Limerick, Co. Meath, Co. Roscommon, Co. Mayo, Dublin, Co. Kerry, Co. Kildare, Belfast, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Wicklow, Co. Waterford, Co. Tipperary, as well as people from England, Australia, Latvia and Slovakia. A special free gift packages was presented to every person at the entrance, which included the hymn sheet, prayer sheet to Blessed Jacinta and Francisco, Sister Lucia and to the Most Holy Trinity + the Five First Saturday devotion, the Brown Scapular, the Rosary Beads, pencil and a white napkin for the Farewell song in honour of Our Lady (Fatima tradition). The Catholic Voice provided 400 free newspapers.

Speakers: Fr Michael Maher SM spoke about the obedience and to follow the Pope and the Church during these hard times. Sister Angela Coelho, Vice Postulator for the Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco’s cause spoke in detail about the two little shepherds before and after the apparitions of Our Lady, as well as their characters and concerns during their life. The second talk of Sr Angela was on the devotion to the Five First Saturdays, as Our Lady requested to Sister Lucia in 1925. Thomas McCormack, the producer/ director of the film “The Call to Fatima” spoke about the Message of Fatima in reference to his film and Sister Lucia’s last book “Calls from the Message of Fatima”. All talks were exciting and very inspiring, according to many people who came and expressed their thoughts.

The day started with the Rosary, following talks, followed by the Angelus and the Brown Scapular enrolment by Fr Michael Maher. Father beforehand explained the meaning/ history and importance of this sacramental. The conference atmosphere was created by the beautiful singing of soprano Louise Irvine and her brother on keyboard Christopher Irvine, involving all in Fatima and Marian hymns.

The stage was enriched by Our Lady’s statue and the statues of 3 little shepherds brought from Co. Kerry by John and Patricia Heaphey.  Faithful could also participate in the Eucharistic Adoration, that was available all day in a special room. The Eucharistic Adoration was organised and supported by Perpetual Adoration Group, who carry out such work all over Ireland by John Howard and his team of dedicated supporters. A special Fatima gallery of 150 A4 photographs was displayed for the students and visitors for the first  time upon entrance. The National Fatima Conference had a coverage in the Catholic Voice and The Universe in England.

The conference’s break was between 12.30pm and 2pm for lunch, Confessions and Adoration. “How to make a Good Confession” leaflets were displayed at the entrance to the Confessions room. Many people used a great opportunity once again to reconcile with Our Lord. The day was supported by volunteers, who guided people to their seats, helped with the registration and handout material.

The Fatima Conference concluded with the Holy Mass, which was the highlight of the day. Before the Holy Mass Fr Michael Maher brought the Most Holy Sacrament to the conference hall for the 30 minutes Eucharistic Blessing. The Franciscan brothers of the Most Holy Trinity Church helped to set up the Mass requirements and provided the altar cloths, chalices, wine and hosts for the Mass. During the Mass everyone was consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, entrusting themselves to her guidance and care. This act of consecration was lead by Father Maher to renewed devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. An the end of the Mass the faithful were waiving goodbye to Our Lady with their white napkins singing the hymn “O Fatima, Farewell!” After the National Fatima Conference, people were inquiring about the next venue to bring this conference to various Dioceses in 2011.

Some of the feedback by those who attended:

“We were delighted to be of help to you at your Conference, which was a wonderful experience. Thank God it was such a success!”  (Eileen & Chris Rush)

“Congratulations on organising such a wonderful day on Saturday – many people have been inspired by The Call To Fatima and we were delighted to have attended.  (Kim Murphy)

“ Everything went so well for the conference all thanks to your team you had behind you! Our Lady must be very happy!!!”  (Louise Irvine)

 

 

 

THE NATIONAL FATIMA CONFERENCE CORK 30th OCTOBER 2010

National Fatima Conference to be held in Cork

The first ever National Fatima Conference to be held in Ireland is scheduled to take place in UCC Cork on 30^th October 2010. The conference is being organized by the Call to Fatima group and follows a successful invitation to RTE Nationwide to cover a half hour story of the Pope’s visit to Fatima which was broadcast on 12th May 2010.

The programme generated a renewed interest in the Fatima message and the conference has been organized in response to that call. The conference has the blessing and support of the Bishop of Cork and Ross John Buckley and the theme of the conference will be: “to lead all souls to Heaven” Our Lady of Fatima 1917. Among the speakers and those attending will be Bishop John Buckley, Fr. Michael Maher SM , Dr Branca Paul- Sr Lucia’s private doctor and  Sr Angela, Vice-Postulator for the Canonization Cause for  Blessed Francisco and Jacinta. There will also be music from Louise Irvine and Cork’s own Nancy Long. Mass will be celebrated at 4.30PM and there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the conference. Confession, The Rosary and Brown Scapular enrolment will also take place during the day. The conference is open to all Catholics, including students, religious groups, communities, doctors/ nurses and the organisers hope that many young people will feel encouraged to attend and discover for themselves the message of Fatima. Space will be limited and those interested in attending are advised to apply before the end of July in order to secure a place.

Registration is free. Please open an application form attached, fill it in and email it to info@eurofinancegroup.ie or  post it to The National Fatima Conference, 32 Manor Street, Dublin 7, Ireland by 31st August 2010.

Application form for the National Fatima Conference

Message of Fatima on Highland Radio

Interview on Highland Radio with film producer Thomas McCormack, part I

The Call to Fatima producer’s interview on Highland Radio, Part II

To obtain Sister Lucia’s books in combination with award winning film The Call to Fatima, go to official website http://www.thecalltofatima.com/