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
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or Phone Toll Free: 866-513-1917

For the most part this has been a spirited discussion. That is very much in the protestant tradition. For the most part its been Catholic Bashing. And that is very much in the Protestant Tradition.

Tom there has been a discussion of scripture and its meaning..disagreement is different than "bashing"

If you say A and I say prove it and you present a scripture and I present a different one..that isnt "bashing".

We have honest disagreements..discussing them is honorable..as long as it isnt "personal" name calling it is in the best tradition of debate and free speech

I think you guys are wrong..that is no a "bash" it is my opinion..you think I am wrong ,that is your opinion.

If you dont want to discuss it OK...but dont go running home crying that the means "proddy" (as we have been called a few posts back)...is beating you up!

I should state the real reason why I reject Foxe's Book. Yes, there were executions for heresy under Mary's reign in England. However, "no sooner had the Catholic Government in England ceased to put Protestants to death for heresy, then the Reformed Christians who succeeded it in power gave themselves over to the horrid business of hunting down witches. The legal establishment of this superstition went hand in hand with the 1559 settlement, and Protestant Marian exiles took a principal part in it. The martyrologist, Foxe, was largely responsible for spreading the horrid notions from which sprang frightful cruelties through the rest of this and the next centuries - barbarities especially associated with the more extreme forms of Protestantism."

In Scotland, where Calvinism was dominant, some eight thousand "witches" were burnt between 1560 and 1600, in a country with a total population of a million at most; the number hanged in England is unknown: but it is declared by those who have studied the subject to be certainly "enormous." In comparison with these forgotten innocent victims, the number of heretics killed under Mary is a mere handful. And to all this, we must add that the killing of people for religion, under a new penal code which made Catholic priesthood and the saying of Mass "treason," went on until the time of Charles II, though it was sometimes covered by "political" accusations of a type resembling those brought against Christian victims "behind the Iron Curtain."

There are ghosts in all our closets. Have you checked yours lately?

"I would actually have more respect for Rome if she had maintained her earlier position that as THE Church anybody outside of her could not obtain salvation. But, like so many things, she has revealed herself as a wide gateway. By taking the position that she has, she is essentially saying that membership in THE Church is unimportant."

1) I don't thing your points are accurate. 2) I definitely know they aren't clear, concise, or coherent. 3) Even if the Catholics are all wet, its not that big of a deal to me. I've been wrong once or twice myself. As I said before, they are entitled to a few boneheaded moves. 4) On second thought, you might be right. I just read a story about Muslims attacking Christians throughout the Middle East. Apparently, they are only attacking non-Catholics. Those darn Catholics just can't be trusted.

#272. Show proof that the KJV Proddy comic book bible contributed to the making of America. Go to ebible.com, and see what they say about the KJV (cult-like following full of typos) and the New American Bible (Roman Catholic - very accurate).

At the time of the American Revolution, the KJV was in full use. Remember, too, that there were only a few Catholics around. Here are a few quotes from some of our Founding Fathers:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ! For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperty and freedom of worship here." Patrick Henry

"It is the duty of nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor." George Washington

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were... the general principles of Christianity... I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that these general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God." John Adams, 2nd Pres. of the U.S.

"The American Revolution is based on God, Christ and the Scriptures." Alexis DeToqville -- Philosopher and historian from France. DeToqville also said that what made America good could be found in her churches (ca. 1832)

MOTTO of the American Revolution: "No king but King Jesus!"

In 1893, I believe (can't remember the case name), the U.S. Supreme Court said that this was a Christian nation. They based their opinion on not one, not five, not ten, but 87 precedents. "We could have cited more," they wrote but thought 87 prededents were enough.

On Judgement Day you KJV advocates will find out you have been duped by a spiteful and ignorant Proddy king. When I worked for the FBI back in the '60's, my best friend from 3rd grade was a Catholic (my mother tried to raise me as a Christian Scientist but I refused) and she also worked for the Bureau. We went to a bible meeting one night and both of us became born-again. Both of us admitted we were sinners and in need in a savior. We claimed Jesus Christ as our savior and both of us felt the exact same experience - inexplicable cleanness, wholeness and overwhelming joy. If we weren't saved that night, I don't know what we were. On Judgment Day, my friend (still Catholic) and I will give King James your regards. BTW, what does "Proddy" mean?

miss print

. Both of us admitted we were sinners and in need in a savior.

From my meditations of yesterday (from the KJ21, BTW):

And behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and began to wash His feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee who had bidden Him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is who toucheth him, for she is a sinner."
And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have something to say unto thee." And he said, "Master, say on."
"There was a certain creditor that had two debtors. The one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
And when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?"
Simon answered and said, "I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And He said unto him, "Thou hast rightly judged."
And He turned to the woman and said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house: Thou gavest Me no water for My feet, but she hath washed My feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Thou gavest Me no kiss, but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss My feet.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment.
Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
And He said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven."

We're called bigots,losers,Catholic bashers,and doomsayers everytime we dare to challenge the teachings of the self proclaimed authority of scripture.

We have to understand that the Catholic church has been around for 2000 years.They have Apostolic succession. They have Sacred Tradition to back up their claims. It doesn't matter that Marian theology is not mentioned in the bible, Catholic tradition and the early fathers are proof enough. Any honest Catholic will tell you that their tradition is on the same level as scripture. We have to understand that the Word of God is not enough, we need the traditions of man to see the whole picture. If you don't believe this they can show you quotes from people that lived 2000 years ago that agree with them. The early fathers had to be right because, well, because they heard all this before it got lost in translation, so to speak. The fact that they have been around for so long proves that the gates of hell did not prevail.

We see another place in history where these same claims have been made. The Pharisees claimed to have Abraham as their Father. The also claim to be the ones trusted to interpret the law. They also had Sacred tradition. Why shouldn't they? If they were here to uphold the law of Moses surely they had the right to interpret it..

" Mark 7:6-9 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." 9 And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (NIV)

They killed Jesus and threw Paul in jail for going against their teachings.

We only get called names. Count your blessing

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

The church was identifiable. It is made up of believers. The point I made was that the Church is anywhere that a group of believers gather or exist. Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, Phillipi, Ephesus, Thessalonanca, etc. Jesus wrote to the seven churches in Revelation. All of these churches had Elders in position as described in Timothy to solve the problems that came up.

These4 churches were all visible yet separate except for the fact that Jesus as the head. They did not have a figurehead in Rome as the head of the 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: "

Peter was told to wait until the Power of the Spirit came upon him. Peter stepped out in the flesh and appointed someone to replace Judas. The head of the Church, Jesus, corrected Peters mistake and gave us Paul. Peters first official act, as you see it, was a total failure. I wouldn't use this as a measure of Peters infallibility of interpretation.

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

If this is a proof of Peters "unilateral authority" please explain these verses.

" Acts 15:13-14 13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. (NIV)

Acts 15:19 19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (NIV) "

Why is it James who gives the final judgement if Peter is the head? Peter talked, James made the decision. This is the meaning of the word "Judgement" used in that verse.

" 2919 krino-

1) to separate, to put asunder, to pick out, to select, to choose

2) to approve, to esteem, to prefer

3) to be of an opinion, to deem, to think

4) to determine, to resolve, to decree

5) to judge

a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong to be judged, that is, summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it

b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure, used of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others

6) to rule, to govern

to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment

We see by this verse that it was James who had the authority. I will not argue that he was the head of the church. I will only argue that it wasn't Peter who was in this position as the Catholic Church claims. Scripture does not support it.

We have to understand that the Catholic church has been around for 2000 years.They have Apostolic succession. They have Sacred Tradition to back up their claims. It doesn't matter that Marian theology is not mentioned in the bible, Catholic tradition and the early fathers are proof enough. Any honest Catholic will tell you that their tradition is on the same level as scripture. We have to understand that the Word of God is not enough, we need the traditions of man to see the whole picture. If you don't believe this they can show you quotes from people that lived 2000 years ago that agree with them. The early fathers had to be right because, well, because they heard all this before it got lost in translation, so to speak. The fact that they have been around for so long proves that the gates of hell did not prevail.

This is why we have such a difficult time giving the gospel..Catholics have a hard time understanding that the Bible is the infallible word of God..they have given that word (infallible)to some men on some occassions so it has lost its meaning.They fight the words of God with the words of men and see both as equally valid.

It doesnt matter to them that there is no record of an event like the assumption of Mary.Could you imagine how people would have talked about it?.How Paul would have used it in the Letters to encourage the new church? But it is written no where,so when asked for the proof they will tell you ,"there is no body"(perhaps Chandra was actually assumed huh?..Or Hoffa)?

Because tradition and ancient writings have been placed on the same level as Scripture,there is no way for a man to correct the error.Only the Holy Spirit can do that

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