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Fatima and World Peace (Catholic / Orthodox Caucus)
The Catholic Thing ^ | September 8, 2013

Posted on 09/08/2013 5:55:25 AM PDT by NYer

The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 in the midst of World War I and at the outset of the Soviet “October Revolution” have had long-range historical effects.

The prelude to the Fatima apparitions was the appearance in the spring of 1916 of an angel, who identified himself as the “angel of peace” to three Portuguese children: Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. The angel appeared to them again in the summer, telling them that heaven had “designs of mercy” and teaching them to offer prayers and sacrifices. He appeared a third time in the fall, offering the children the Eucharist.

The appearances of Our Lady began on May 13, 1917, and continued on the thirteenth of each month – except August, when the children were imprisoned and threatened with execution. On August 19, Our Lady appeared in a different location and promised the children that she would perform a miracle on October 13, so that all might believe.

The miracle turned out to be what Thomas Aquinas classified as the highest class of miracle – an event absolutely impossible according to nature. In this instance, it was gyrations of the sun, moving up and down three times, witnessed by 70,000 persons in Fatima and neighboring villages, and reported in newspapers.

Historical changes began almost immediately. Physicist and theologian Fr. Stanley L. Jaki, who traveled to Portugal to undertake a thorough scientific investigation of eyewitness accounts and depositions regarding the “miracle of the sun,” observes in his book, God and the Sun at Fatima:

The day after the miracle of the sun Portugal’s history began to change in the voting booths, though at that time nobody could see the ultimate portent of this.  What, one may ask, if Portugal had fallen the prey of the plans of Lenin who described Lisbon as the most atheistic capital in the world? He would not have watched Lisbon so closely, had he no designs about it. What would have happened to Spain [during the Spanish Civil War], with Portugal already in the Communist camp? And what would have become of France, ruled by a “Popular Front,” if the entire Iberian Peninsula had turned into an outpost of Moscow?

In addition to effects on the Iberian peninsula, prophetic messages for people in the twentieth century were also conveyed in three “Secrets” Our Lady confided to the children, which were later revealed by the surviving witness, Lucia.

The First Secret consisted of a vision of Hell, followed up by the warning that wars were caused by sin, that “sins of the flesh” were the most frequent cause of entering Hell, and that God wished to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to save sinners from everlasting perdition.


     Fatima, 1917

The Second Secret was a warning about the coming of World War II, and the spread of Soviet Communism, followed by requests for personal consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Communions of reparation on five First Saturdays of the month, and consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart by the pope and bishops. Our Lady warned that failure to do this would result in Russia spreading its errors throughout the world, and the persecution of Christians. But she added that the pope would eventually do the consecration and Russia would be converted.

In the Third Secret, released by the Vatican in 2000, Our Lady did not speak. The three children witnessed a panorama of the future sufferings of Christians and the pope, and heard an angel holding a flaming sword over the world, shouting “penance, penance, penance”!

After his investigation, Fr. Jaki concluded that Fatima is arguably the most important event of the twentieth century, a providential sign for an era that was to witness so many incredible acts of inhumanity and immorality.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II, in conjunction with bishops throughout the world, consecrated Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (The assassination attempt on JPII occurred on May 13, 1981, and he visited Fatima for beatification of two of the children on May 13, 2000 – the bullet that failed to kill him, according to Church authorities, fit perfectly into a crown on a statue of Mary there.)  In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union took the world by surprise.

Some Fatimists have been disappointed about the lack of individual conversions in Russia. But Our Lady spoke of the conversion of a country. Signs in post-1989 Russia are many: Orthodox Christians number 60 million, including the president and prime minister. According a 2009 National Geographic article:

In 1987 there were only three monasteries in Russia; today there are 478. Then there were just two seminaries; now there are 25. Most striking is the explosion of churches, from about 2,000 in Gorbachev's time to nearly 13,000 today.

What still remains is the reunion of “sister churches” of Orthodoxy with the Roman rite, towards which significant steps have been made since Vatican II. Possibly, this achievement would “close the circuit” and bring about a miraculous change in Christianity and the world.

Russia is no longer spreading its errors around the world, and persecuting Christians. But Christians are still being persecuted at the hands of Islamist militants shouting “Allahu Akbar,” who now present great obstacles, not only to democracy, as discussed in a previous column, but to world peace.

Why did Our Lady not mention this threat, when she warned of world wars and the persecution of Christians? It was not necessary, since we have had adequate warning from Our Lord himself, who prophesied: “The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God” (John 16:2).

The requests of Our Lady at Fatima – consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, reparation on five First Saturdays, and penance – still offer us the only sure roadmap to peace.


TOPICS: Catholic; Moral Issues; Orthodox Christian; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: fatima; jpii; wwii
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1 posted on 09/08/2013 5:55:25 AM PDT by NYer
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To: Tax-chick; GregB; Berlin_Freeper; SumProVita; narses; bboop; SevenofNine; Ronaldus Magnus; tiki; ...

Catholic ping!


2 posted on 09/08/2013 5:55:46 AM PDT by NYer ( "Run from places of sin as from the plague."--St John Climacus)
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To: NYer

“... an angel holding a flaming sword over the world, shouting “penance, penance, penance”!”


3 posted on 09/08/2013 6:07:25 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: NYer

I have made a pilgrimage to Fatima and it is a very moving place. I don’t know how to explain it very well, but it FEELS significant and holy.


4 posted on 09/08/2013 6:08:52 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia
I hope that when Pope Francis consecrates the World to the Sacred Heart of Mary, he makes special mention of Russia.

That is why Mary specifically asked to be done.

5 posted on 09/08/2013 6:11:17 AM PDT by mware
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To: mware

http://www.ipadre.net/2013/08/pope-francis-to-consecrate-the-world-will-it-include-russia/


6 posted on 09/08/2013 6:24:14 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: mware; La Lydia
I hope that when Pope Francis consecrates the World to the Sacred Heart of Mary, he makes special mention of Russia.

In a quotation written by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict) he says, "Sister Lucia personally confirmed that this solemn and universal act of consecration corresponded to what Our Lady wished “Sim, està feita, tal como Nossa Senhora a pediu, desde o dia 25 de Março de 1984”: “Yes it has been done just as Our Lady asked, on 25 March 1984”: Letter of 8 November 1989). Hence any further discussion or request is without basis.".

Go back and reread the above article which explains how christianity has grown in Russia since the consecration offered by JPII. If anything, we need prayers now for the Middle East and the west.

7 posted on 09/08/2013 6:36:25 AM PDT by NYer ( "Run from places of sin as from the plague."--St John Climacus)
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To: NYer

Agree.


8 posted on 09/08/2013 6:38:24 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: NYer
I just re-discovered Garabandal on YouTube. It seems to be Fatima, part II. Conchita is still living. There is a fascinating interview with her on YouTube.

Interview (Part 1 of 4) starts at 6:30. Background material from 0:00-6:30.

9 posted on 09/08/2013 6:44:46 AM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas (Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas
“No human, natural or preternatural agency can destroy the Church or Christian civilisation;
when evil becomes unbearable to the individual who trusts God, or to society, God will work a miracle if necessary to overcome it”
--Fr Gerald Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times (1941)

-------------

The Warning and the Miracle

-------------

Garabandal’s Prophecy About Communism

-------------

   Jesus, someone mentioned some time ago to me that you will
give no more signs, You said it to the Pharisees; he said this when I
said that this guidance (message) is from You.

   Vassula, when I said this to the Pharisees I meant My miracles of
the time I was in flesh and among them; condemning Me now, for it is
to condemn My Heavenly Works, shows how arid and closed their
hearts have become; My signs will never end; My Presence will be felt
in the world and I will continue to show Myself in signs;
   believe, believe O men of little faith, do not distort My Word, for
what have you to say about Fatima; are you dreading to believe that I
am the One who gave you this sign? O men of little faith, what would
you not declare rather than accept that Heaven’s signs are from Me!
love my My Works, accept My Works; believe, believe in Me, I, who am
Infinite Wealth and Mercy; My signs are so that all men see that Love
has not forgotten you; Love has not withdrawn and glories in His
Glory; Love is among you, never leaving you;

~Jesus, May 28, 1987 True Life in God
10 posted on 09/08/2013 7:17:44 AM PDT by GBA (Staying small in our obamanation: Romans 1:18-32)
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To: NYer

Ratzinger has lied repeatedly about Fatima and the Secrets.


11 posted on 09/08/2013 7:19:45 AM PDT by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

Other point of view on Garabandal:

http://www.unitypublishing.com/Apparitions/Garabandal2.html


12 posted on 09/08/2013 7:25:16 AM PDT by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: steve86

There are numerous books on Fatima which explain that Sr. Lucia said the consecration was not done properly: Russia only, in union with all the bishops of the world. It has sometimes been done (Russia) without the bishops, the world consecrated in union with the bishops, and various other commbinations, but never exactly as Our Lady requested.

In addition, Pope John XXIII emphatically did not release the Third Secret in 1960 as Sr. Lucia said Our Lady requested. He claimed the Secret was “not for our time.”

There is a lot of mis-information out there about Fatima. The bottom line is that Our Lady said that after the Consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, there would be a period of peace. I don’t see peace anywhere!

Russia’s Errors = Communism. Communism has spread throughout the world and it is now infecting our own country. This should be proof enough that the Consecration hasn’t been done properly.


13 posted on 09/08/2013 7:32:47 AM PDT by nanetteclaret (Unreconstructed Catholic Texan)
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To: NYer
Fatima and World Peace (Catholic / Orthodox Caucus)The Controversy Over the Third Secret: Objections and Responses [Catholic Caucus]
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
Pontificate of Pope Francis to be consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 2013 (Cath Caucus)
Francis' Petrine Ministry Consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima (CATHOLIC CAUCUS)
Fatima Shrine recalls Pope Francis' sponsorship of the Pilgrim Image of the Virgin of Fatima
Cardinal Bergoglio wrote to Fr. Gruner about Fatima [Catholic Caucus]
After Venezuela's election results 2 words come to mind: Fatima's Prophecy

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in the Heart of the Gulag Archipelago
Archbishop Loris Capovilla has "reservations" about Fatima and Marian devotion in general
Not 2012 But 2017!
On Fatima anniversary, Fr. Apostoli sees ... overtaking the West (Catholic Caucus)
Fatima, A Grace for Mankind [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
High resolution pictures of the miracle of the sun
Pope Benedict XVI and the 'Third Secret' of Fatima (surprisingly fair article)
Bishops must rediscover their role as fathers, declares Benedict XVI from Fatima
Half a million attend the Pope's Fatima mass
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Half a million pilgrims join the pope for a Mass in Fatima [VIDEO]
Pope: We Would be Mistaken to Think That Fatima’s Prophetic Mission is Complete
Pope Benedict XVI's Homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
Holy Father's Address at Fatima Shrine
A Marian Offense for Benedict XVI
Vatican cardinal: There is no fourth secret of Fatima
Discourse No. 4.1 Pope Entrusts and Consecrates Priests to Our Lady of Fatima
Pope Benedict XVI in Portugal – Discourse No. 4 Homily Vespers with Clergy and Religious
Benedict brings 'Marian Cool' to fevered Fatima devotion
Daily Marian Prayer And Image [DEVOTIONAL]
Papal Visit to Portugal: Text of the Secret of Fátima with Commentary

Papal Visit to Portugal: Apparitions of Our Lady [of Fatima]
Papal Visit to Portugal: Apparitions of the Angel
Papal Visit to Portugal: The Fatima Children
Papal Visit to Portugal: History of Portugal
Benedict XVI’s presser on plane to Portugal, clerical crisis and “third secret” (Catholic Caucus)
Fatima debate: Some say 'third secret' is still secret
The Third Secret (of Fatima) - Did The Pope Lie?
Fatima. The "Secret" Revealed (Catholic Caucus)
Is There Missing Text Of The Third Secret?
Top Ten Scientific Explantions of Miracle of Sun at Fatima (Catholic Caucus)
Fatima and the Theology of the Body: Part II
Fatima and Akita
Fatima and the Theology of the Body: Part I
The Story of Fatima -- Part 2
The Story of Faitma -- Part 1
Pius XII Saw "Miracle of the Sun" [Catholic Caucus]
Sister Lucia's Beatification Process to Begin ( Pope Waves 5-Year Waiting Period)
The faithful remember miracle of Fatima, Thousands gather in Washington Twp. on 90th anniversary
Giant new church at Fatima shrine
Fatima: Case Closed

Sister Lucia's Last Moments
Rosary Rallies Planned for Fatima Anniversary [Catholic Caucus]
Sister Lucia's Unpublished Writings Released - Visionary Reflects on Marian Apparitions
Fatima Statue Due at Vatican to Mark a Fateful Day 25 Years After Attempt on John Paul II's Life
Last Fatima child buried in final resting place (Sr. Maria's remains transferred to Fatima)
Our Lady of Fatima, ‘counterrevolutionary’ and ‘ecumenical’
Papal praise at Sister Lucia's funeral
Sr. Lucia, Fatima...
No More Secrets," Visionary Said in 2001 (Sr. Lucia Confirmed Russia Consecrated to Mary)
Mystery Fatima: Death of Lucia Accents Famed Secrets & Area's Hidden History
Sister Lucia, last remaining witness of Fatima apparitions, dies at 97
Mourning for Fatima seer (Portugal declares day of mourning)
Virgin Mary Child Dies (Lucia of Fatima)
LAST OF CHILDREN WHO CLAIMED TO SEE VIRGIN MARY DIES AT 97
Sister Lucia, last remaining witness of Fatima apparitions, dies at 97
SISTER LUCIA RIP
Last child who claimed to see "Virgin Mary" dies
Litany of Our Lady of Fatima
Third Secret of Fatima is not fully revealed.
Our Lady of Fatima, May 13

14 posted on 09/08/2013 9:10:55 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: steve86
I trust Colin Donovan of EWTN, and this is what he had to say about Garabandal:

The history of all approved apparitions shows that the Church requires unequivocal evidence of supernaturality. This can be cures, as at Lourdes and Beauraing, or a supernatural prodigy, as at Fátima. The reason from the Church's mystical theology is that most mysticism (as both St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John of the Cross teach) is mediated by the angels (who have a created angelic nature). What the good angels can do the bad angels can imitate, so that many so-called "supernatural" phenomena are merely preternatural (above human nature, but not above the angelic nature). At Garabandal this would include the ecstasies, the ecstatic walks, the returning of rosaries and medals to the proper owners and so on. None of these things, much less the miraculous photos, rosaries turning gold etc. of more recent alleged apparitions, proves anything to the Church about the divine origin of a phenomena. In the absence of some clear supernatural proof neither the local bishop or Rome is likely to approve an apparition.

While two commissions convened by bishops of Santander, Spain, have stated that there were no phenomena which would authentic the events as certainly supernatural they did not condemn the message. In this regard, the first commission stated, "we have not found anything deserving of ecclesiastical censure or condemnation either in the doctrine or in the spiritual recommendations that have been published as having been addressed to the faithful." The bishop who called the second commission, Bishop del Val, upon retiring from office stated in an interview that the message of Garabandal was "important" and "theologically correct." Indeed, some of the prophetic elements of the message can be found in private revelations which have been approved since the initial decision on Garabandal in the 1960s. For example, the concept of a worldwide warning can be found in the Diary of Saint Faustina (Diary n.83), and both the message of Divine Mercy given to her (Diary n.1588), and that of Akita (approved by the local bishop), speak of chastisement if mankind does not ultimately repent. Similar prophetic content can be found in the writings of Elizabeth Canori-Mora and Mary of Jesus Crucified, both of whom were beatified by Pope John Paul II, as well as in prophecies given by God to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi and St. Caspar del Bufalo. Finally, the principal promoter of Garabandal, Joey Lomangino, testifies that it was Saint Padre Pio who told him the Blessed Virgin was appearing at Garabandal and he should go.

It seems, therefore, that notwithstanding the decisions of two commissions accepted by the bishops of Santander, that there are reasonable grounds for individual Catholics to find Garabandal credible. The children themselves predicted that the message of Garabandal would be approved with difficulty, but in sufficient time to spread it. Perhaps this means that the "warning" (a clearly supernatural event) must occur first for approval to be given. Given the seriousness of the times we do well to heed the message of conversion, whether proposed by Fátima or some other source such as Garabandal, Medjugorje or another, without fear, that is, with complete confidence in God's providence for us and the world. The future will take care of itself if we remain spiritually prepared for anything. This has always been the advice of the saints, anyway.

Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL


15 posted on 09/08/2013 9:26:05 AM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas (Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas
We'll have to see if Joey gets his eyesight back. All kinds of other predictions didn't pan out. I am extremely wary of Garabandal (and Medjugorje).

There is always the possibility that authentic phenomena can be mixed in with demonic tricks and illusions. These non-approved apparitions are like minefields for ordinary Catholics.

16 posted on 09/08/2013 9:52:38 AM PDT by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: steve86

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Luke 6: 37-42

Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”

James 4: 11-12

We all need to remember this.


17 posted on 09/08/2013 10:53:16 AM PDT by SumProVita (Cogito, ergo....Sum Pro Vita - Modified Descartes)
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To: SumProVita

Don’t turn a blind eye to evil, either. IMHO, permitting by silent assent a pope to be used to advance the devil’s agenda (misleading people about Fatima’s message) is worse than of what you speak.

The scriptural passages you quote were used by the “non-judgmental” generation to wreak havoc upon children raised during that period and it’s still going on today. That’s why, for example, gay coupling is seen as a fairness issue and not a moral issue by most of the young. They were told “Don’t be judgmental”, because there isn’t any such thing as absolute morality anyway.

I don’t know if I really believe that Pope Benedict lied, or it was more a matter of being used as a “tool”. Thus I really can’t judge the matter anyway. But I have no compunction about condemning the clearly evil forces in our world and neither should you.


18 posted on 09/08/2013 11:25:29 AM PDT by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: SumProVita
Also, I am about as acutely aware of “the log in my own eye” as one could be without actually being an ophthalmologist looking in the mirror..
19 posted on 09/08/2013 11:29:54 AM PDT by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: steve86
Ratzinger has lied repeatedly about Fatima and the Secrets.

Are you suggesting that Sr. Lucia also lied?

20 posted on 09/08/2013 1:04:51 PM PDT by NYer ( "Run from places of sin as from the plague."--St John Climacus)
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