OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN

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.

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.

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 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.

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."

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.

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.

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
Website: http://www.bluearmy.com
E-mail: service@bluearmy.com
or Phone Toll Free: 866-513-1917

That must really stick in your craw. 1,600 years of persecution, and those danged Baptists are still here.

The difference is that Catholics are not up in arms about the presence of Baptists. There are no Catholic websites dedicated to proving that Baptists are evil, or trying to control the world. I've never met a Catholic who said: "I really hate those Baptists, they aren't REAL Christians". I don't know what your personal hangup is with RC, but it smells like spiritual juvenilism. If ye love Christ, focus on that most important thing, for then you shouldn't have time left over to hate those who love Christ under a different roof.

"The difference is that Catholics are not up in arms about the presence of Baptists."

It must be so nice to live in your cozy secluded little world. It hasn't been that many years ago (even after Vatican II) that Roman Catholic priests in Mexico and Central America were persuading their parishoners to persecute Baptist missionaries.

After a few centuries of persecution, we Baptists have learned to be leery of anything related to Rome. We recognize that it would only require a small change in RC policy to return to the "good old days".

Note: I normally stay far away from these Protestant vs. Catholic threads. However, AquinasFan's earlier comments were too much for this Baptist to ignore. They really were that bad.

You seem to have difficulty understanding that the doctrine of the trinity is implicit in Scripture rather than explicit. This fact is the cause of the christological controversies.

Unless you link your complaint to specific statements I will never have a clue what you are talking about. And I would say that the Trinity is fairly clearly revealed in the Word for those who are mean to see it.

Perhaps you would also be kind enough to provide the definition that you are using...

I don't see God asking Mary anything. It looks to me like the angle was sent to explain what was going to happen.

You are inferring then that Mary was raped by God, because the Gospel according to the Bard says that she had no choice in the matter.

The words you left out are the most important.

Be it done unto to me according to Thy Word.

At that very point Mary became the co-Creator of the Son.

I'd be a little concerned if I were you to be talking about Somebody's mother that way.

I think the question is WHO was wearing that armour and wielding that sword when the canon was established. Unless you are a lot older than I am, that was not you or I but the early Church.

The Word of God, established by God from before the foundation of the World:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.

What possible "authority" do you think that the Council of 393 A.D. gave to the Word which preceeded forth from the mouth of God?

I think the question is WHO was wearing that armour and wielding that sword when the canon was established.

Why God, silly! He still wields the sword:

And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the breast with a golden girdle. His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as though they burned in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword, and His countenance shone as the sun shineth in his strength.
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last. I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and of death.

But this does nothing to change the fact that I [Woody] have all authority necessary to wear the full Armor of God:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

In fact, as a saint, I have this honor:

For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand ...
this honor have all His saints. Praise ye the LORD!

Notice, that the sword is in the mouth of God, but the hand of the saint.

In addition to above, the more I read this kind of anti-catholic bashing rhetoric, the more I realize who you guys resemble. OSAMA When catholics start a thread which contains faith beliefs that you don't share, why is it that you guys are there ready to pontificate your subjective beliefs and interpretations of the Bible and the faith handed down to us? It would be much more courteous to go and rant on a different thread. Maybe a different forum. I see nothing free about your republic

Tom do you share the belief that you have some mystic connection to Islam based on the fact that you both venerate Mary?

For the most part this has been a spirited discussion. That is very much in the protestant tradition..

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Interesting aside.

Catholics consider Our Lady of Guadelupe to be the patroness of the unborn. Her feast day is the very day the the Supreme Court came issued its decision which gave Bush, a right to life advocate, the Presidency and Gore, a supporter of baby-killers, lost the election.

A coincidence?

Also, that Nahuatl word, of which Guadelupe is a corruption means "who crushes the serpent's head", not "who crushes the stone serpent's head".

You are inferring then that Mary was raped by God, because the Gospel according to the Bard says that she had no choice in the matter.
The words you left out are the most important.
Be it done unto to me according to Thy Word.
At that very point Mary became the co-Creator of the Son. I'd be a little concerned if I were you to be talking about Somebody's mother that way.

I would be more worried talking about the Lord of Lords as you just have! You words are intended to be outragous and are an offense to God!
Mary was acknowledging something you seem not to understand,the Sovereignity of God.God had selected her.He didnt ask for her "permission" ,the word is submission..she submitted to the will and plan of God. She was overcome by His grace,"no" was never an option for her..any more than it is for any man or woman that has been drawn by the grace of God.
He knew what her answer would be.

As for Mary being the "co creator"...go ask Jesus what that means

Matthew 12
47 Someone said to Him, ""Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.''
48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, ""Who is My mother and who are My brothers?''
49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ""Behold My mother and My brothers!

Those who hear and obey are His mother and brothers and sisters..

#265 You conveniently left out the next verses.

I didn't leave anything out. It was you who originally stated What part of Luke 1:26 - 35 didn't we understand, so I posted them. Since your arguement for those verses didn't hold water, you now want to say I left out the next verses. Well, lets see:

Luke
1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Since the original train of thought dealt with Mary being ASKED by the Angel (or God), I still don't see it in the following verses. Exactly where does this occur?

Still looks to me like the Angel informed Mary what was going to happen...

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