OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN

http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/OLISLAM.HTM ^ | September - October 2001 | Fr Ladis J. Cizik, Blue Army National Executive Director

[Diago]

OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN
Fr Ladis J. Cizik, Blue Army National Executive Director

Islam Islam is an Arabic word that can be defined as "to make peace." Islam is the religion founded by Mohammed, which considers the Koran as its holy book. In addition, Islam accepts the New Testament of the Christians and the Old Testament of the Jews as Divinely inspired works. Followers of Islam are known as Muslims (also: Moors, Turks, and Moslems) and, just as Jews and Christians, believe in only one God. Yet, over the centuries, Muslims have engaged in tremendous wars with Christians and Jews. It would seem that there is little hope for peace. However, Heaven's Peace Plan, involving Our Lady, is evidenced at Fatima, Portugal as well as other places around the world.

Fatima

The Moors once occupied Portugal. The village of Fatima was given the Islamic name of the well-loved Princess of the nearby Castle of Ourem. She died at an early age after marrying the Count of Ourem and converting to Catholicism. Baptized with the Christian name of Oureana, she was named at birth "Fatima," like many other Moslem girls, in honor of the daughter of Mohammed. Of his daughter, Fatima, the founder of Islam, Mohammed, said: "She has the highest place in heaven after the Virgin Mary."

It is a fact that Moslems from various nations, especially from the Middle East, make so many pilgrimages to Our Lady of Fatima's Shrine in Portugal that Portuguese officials have expressed concern. The combination of an Islamic name and Islamic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great attraction to Moslems. God is writing straight with crooked lines, as we will see. Fatima is a part of Heaven's Peace Plan. It is hope for the world.

The Koran

In the Koran, the holy name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is mentioned no less than thirty times. No other woman's name is even mentioned, not even that of Mohammed's daughter, Fatima. Among men, only Abraham, Moses, and Noah are mentioned more times than Our Lady. In the Koran, Our Blessed Mother is described as "Virgin, ever Virgin." The Islamic belief in the virginity of Mary puts to shame the heretical beliefs of those who call themselves Christian, while denying the perpetual virginity of Mary. Make no mistake about it, there is a very special relationship between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Moslems!

The Holy Land

The Holy Land has been a real battleground between the Islamic peoples and Christianity over the centuries. Evidence of this are the numerous churches and basilicas that have been built by the Church, destroyed by, the Moslems, rebuilt by Catholic Crusaders, leveled again by the followers of Islam, and so on over the course of history. However, there is one remarkable exception: the Basilica of Saint Anne in Jerusalem.

The Crusaders built this church and named it in honor of the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Crypt of St. Anne's Basilica, a statue of the Infant Mary is venerated on what is believed to be the exact spot where Our Lady was born. Their great reverence for Our Lady precluded the Moslems from destroying her birthplace. The foundation for Heaven's Peace Plan at Fatima, Portugal, can be found in the Land of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spain

As the Moslems swept through Spain in the 8th century, a great religious treasure was buried for safe-keeping in the earth, high in the Estremadura Mountains. It was a much venerated statue of Our Lady holding the Divine Child Jesus that was a gift of Pope Gregory the Great to Bishop Leander of Seville. After the overthrow of Moorish occupation, the image was uncovered in the year 1326, subsequent to a vision of Our Lady to a humble shepherd by the name of Gil. Our Lady's very special statue was enshrined in a nearby Franciscan Monastery next to the "Wolf River."

The Moslems, during their Spanish occupation, had actually named the river. The Islamic term for Wolf River is "Guadalupe" (Guada = River; Lupe = Wolf). Hence, the famous Catholic image in Spain has been known, since the 14th century, by the Islamic name of "Our Lady of Guadalupe."

Mexico

In the fullness of time, we can be sure that Almighty God knew that the Islamic religion would pose a serious threat to Christianity. God also knew that the Spanish missionaries would face grave resistance in the "new world" from the mighty Aztec Indians. The Aztecs worshipped an evil stone "serpent god" that demanded human sacrifice. It was extremely difficult to win souls for Christ from these bloodthirsty savages. However, with God all things are possible. Our Lady appeared to a humble Aztec Indian convert by the name of Juan Diego in 1531. When asked her name by Juan Diego, at the request of the local bishop, Our Lady's response, in the Aztec language, included the words "te coatlaxopeuh" (pronounced: "te quatlasupe") and meant "one who crushes the head of the stone serpent."

To Juan Diego and his fellow Aztecs, this revelation had great meaning, coupled with the miraculous image of Our Lady standing on top of a "crescent," the symbol of this evil serpent god. A tidal wave of conversions to Catholicism ensued. However, Bishop Zumarraga, who was from Spain, made what was no doubt a "heavenly mistake" that one day may lead to the mass conversion of Moslems. To the Bishop's Spanish ears, Our Lady's Aztec name of "Te Quatlasupe" sounded just like the name of the revered Madonna from Spain with the Islamic name, "Guadalupe." Hence, the bishop named the Mexican Madonna "Our Lady of Guadalupe." It is interesting that the "crescent" is also the symbol for Islam and that America's Shrine to Our Lady has an Islamic name.

Battle of Lepanto

On October 7, 1571, a great victory over the mighty Turkish fleet was won by Catholic naval forces primarily from Spain, Venice, and Genoa under the command of Don Juan of Austria. It was the last battle at sea between "oared" ships, which featured the most powerful navy in the world, a Moslem force with between 12,000 to 15,000 Christian slaves as rowers. The patchwork team of Catholic ships was powered by the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Knowing that the Christian forces were at a distinct material disadvantage, the holy pontiff, St. Pope Pius V called for all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory.

We know today that the victory was decisive, prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe, and evidenced the Hand of God working through Our Lady. At the hour of victory, St. Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: "The Christian fleet is victorious!" and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.

What you may not know is that one of three admirals commanding the Catholic forces at Lepanto was Andrea Doria. He carried a small copy of Mexico's Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle. This image is now enshrined in the Church of San Stefano in Aveto, Italy. Not many know that at the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spain, one can view a huge warship lantern that was captured from the Moslems in the Battle of Lepanto. In Rome, look up to the ceiling of S. Maria in Aracoeli and behold decorations in gold taken from the Turkish galleys. In the Doges' Palace in Venice, Italy, one can witness a giant Islamic flag that is now a trophy from a vanquished Turkish ship from the Victory. At Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome, close to the tomb of the great St. Pope Pius V, one was once able to view yet another Islamic flag from the Battle, until 1965, when it was returned to Istanbul in an intended friendly token of concord.

The Rosary

At Lepanto, the Victory over the Moslems was won by the faithful praying the Rosary. Even though they had superior numbers, the Turks really were overmatched. Blessed Padre Pio, the Spiritual Father of the Blue Army, said: "The Rosary is the weapon," and how right he was!

The Battle of Lepanto was at first celebrated liturgically as "Our Lady of Victory." Later, the feast of October 7th was renamed "Our Lady of the Rosary" and extended throughout the Universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1716 (who canonized Pope Pius V in 1712).

And with that we are back to Fatima, Portugal where Our Lady, when asked her name, said: "I am the Lady of the Rosary." At Fatima, Our Lady taught us to pray the Rosary every day. Heaven presented its peace plan at Fatima and truly gave us hope for the world. Conversions were promised at Fatima: the conversion of sinners; the conversion of Russia; and what also appears to be the conversion of Islam. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

Taken from:
Soul Magazine
© 2001 The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, U.S.A., Inc.
September - October 2001, page 6
For subscription information:
The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, U.S.A., Inc.
PO Box 976
Washington, NJ 07882-0976
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E-mail: service@bluearmy.com
or Phone Toll Free: 866-513-1917

[RobbyS]

Maybe you are thinking of the deadend that Calvin went into because he went far beyond what Augustine proposed.

[RobbyS]

Don't give us all the credit. The Greeks also believe that these were heretical sects. The most persistent strain,however, as been gnosticism, which dates from the time of the Apostles, if not from before, and has tried to highjack the Gospel.

[Aquinasfan]

Perhaps CCWoody is thinking of the Orthodox Church

You're kidding, right?

[Aquinasfan]

You could pick-up a copy of Foxe's Book of Martyrs to get a record of their existence.

At least you have a sense of humor.

As far as a name, street address, or telephone number, may I suggest that you look in your local Yellow Pages, under the heading: "Churches, Baptist".

In Scripture, Jesus tells us to ultimately settle our disputes in the Church. Since the Baptist Church wasn't around two thousand years ago, Jesus could not have been speaking of the Baptist Church.

In fact, the only Churches that have been around since Pentacost are the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches.

[RobbyS]

I cannot recall making such a proposal. Where are you reading this? If you are saying that Jesus Christ is God, and if Jesus is "true God and true man," what does that mean? How can God, who does not change, "become " man, who does change?

[RnMomof7]

If you are saying that Jesus Christ is God, and if Jesus is "true God and true man," what does that mean? How can God, who does not change, "become " man, who does change?

Woody didnt say God doesnt change,God said it

Mal.3:6For I [am] the LORD, I change not;.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Robby...Jesus is God..and God never changes they are one in substance and purpose..and are unchanging.

[RobbyS]

Woody doesn't see the difficulties in the doctrine of the Trinity. We can see that Scripture, or the facts given in Scripture, imply it, but others may read those Scriptures, and not see it. The Arians, after all, refused to accept the Nicene decision because they said that the Creed contained words that were not Scriptural.

[RnMomof7]

The doctrinal language of various churches is a problem Robby.I think Woody has as good an understanding of the Trinity as St.Partick *grin*....or you or I do...it is a Mystery.We just search for words to define God,His substance and person...and there are no words.

So very smart men get together to make some up..that is theology.

Protestants do not all use the same words and they sure dont use Catholic words..the only common base we have is scripture..

The problem with that is as Protestants we see all truth there..you draw on the writings we would not consider inspired ..so the fight begins.

I just popped into the never ending..Geeeeeeeeee 8 or 9 months and they are still discussing stone vs rock...

[RobbyS]

I agree about the mystery of it all , but what does you do when someone says, He was NOT God, or he was NOT man? Someone had to get up and answer heretics like Marcion when he concocted his own canon, and the only way to do this was to defute him by proposing a true canon. Someone had to do this to defeat a false theology built on that canon. Theology is built on controversy. Unfortunately it descends into rancor, and, sadly, even murder, and, when the state gets involved, worse than murder.

[CCWoody]

If you are saying that Jesus Christ is God, and if Jesus is "true God and true man," what does that mean? How can God, who does not change, "become " man, who does change?

A simple question so I can understand your position: Is Jesus Christ Almighty God?

[CCWoody]

and the only way to do this was to defute him by proposing a true canon.

Funny, I tend to rely on the sword of the Spirit.

[RobbyS]

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, begotten not made

[RobbyS]

Funny, I tend to rely on the sword of the Spirit.

Funny, that can means one of many things.

[RnMomof7]

I agree about the mystery of it all , but what does you do when someone says, He was NOT God, or he was NOT man?

Did Woody say Jesus was not God? Did he say Jesus was not man?

[Joshua]

"Matthew 18:16-18 "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." "

Are you saying that a church to be valid must have a specific name? Try "Believers"

This is the meaning of the word "Church" in the scripture you quoted in both Strongs and Thayers

" 1577 ekklesia (ek-klay-see'-ah); from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): KJV-- assembly, church.

1577 ekklesia-

a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly

a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating

b) the assembly of the Israelites

c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously

d) in a Christian sense:

1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting

2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, to observe their own religious rites, to hold their own religious meetings, and to manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake

3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body

4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth

5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven "

I don't see Rome our Catholic in there

[Joshua]

"There is so much good in our country and in this world, its important to not let the clouds of dispair cloud our vision. "

Christians are viewed as mindless dolts who need a fictional God to lean on.

homosexuals are given the same status, in some terms, as marriage.

40 million children aborted.

Sexully transmiited disease at an all time high.

Children born out of wedlock at an all time high.

Divorce rates near 50 percent.

Crime rates up

And the words God and Jesus not to be used in any function funded by the state(Taxpayers, many of whom are Christians) so we don't upset little Susie the Atheist.

What color are the clouds in your world?

[RobbyS]

I don't think he appreciates the fact that during those first centuries how many men looked at the Scriptures, or portions of Scripture and said such things. The effect was to spread confusion. If we look at Chistianity in the 7th Century, probably a minority followed "orthodoxy". Among the barbarians, the Arians still were dominant; Elsewhere we see the Monophysites and the Nestorians and other groups in great numbers. Then along came Islam, which initially was regarded as still another Christian heresy.

[The_Reader_David]

Of course I was kidding. I added that Athonite smiley:
:-)===

[Aquinasfan]

I don't see Rome our Catholic in there

No, you don't. You don't see "Baptist" either. Or even "Christian." In fact, Christ's Church isn't named in Scripture.

Nevertheless, there are two scriptural passages that you need to reconcile. The first is that Christ establishes His Church. I don't think you can argue with that, although we might disagree on what that Church is.

The second scriptural passage that must be reconciled is the following:

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

We see from this second passage that Christ cannot be speaking of an invisible Church or a Church that cannot be readily identified. Why? Because Jesus doesn't modify the noun, "church." He assumes that his followers know the church of which he is speaking. Which of course must be His Church.

Now, this church must be readily identifiable. How could Jesus recommend that two people appeal their case to an invisible church?

**************

There are other signs of Church hierarchy and visibility in Scripture. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter determines that Judas' apostolic office should be filled:

(Acts 1:19-21) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take."

(Psalm 109:5-8) "And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office."

Note that succession is part of the definition of the word "office." So from these verses we see that the Peter establishes apostolic succession (bishops).

(Note also that Peter is exercising his infallible interpretation of scripture here. No one objects to Peter's unilateral exercise of authority.)

[Aquinasfan]

Of course I was kidding.

Whew. You had me worried there for a second. ;-)