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Our Lady of Fatima – Her Prophecies and Warnings Remain as Essential as Ever!
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 10-12-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 10/13/2015 8:08:21 AM PDT by Salvation

Our Lady of Fatima – Her Prophecies and Warnings Remain as Essential as Ever!

October 12, 2015

fatima

This week on October 13 and 14th I am in Fatima. Such a profound apparition occurred there, and so accurately prophetic of our times!

Our Lady’s warnings of the consequences if we did not pray and convert have proven to be sadly accurate. She warned of another, more terrible war (World War II). She spoke of great lights in the sky that would serve as a final warning before the terrible war. (They appeared all over Europe just before Hitler invaded Poland, in the form of a stunning display of the Aurora Borealis.) She said that Russia would spread her errors, that the Church would have much to suffer, and she warned of a pope who would be struck down.

A final and belated prophecy from Fatima seems to have come in the form of a letter written by Sister Lucia to Cardinal Carlo Caffara. He had written to her asking for her prayers as he had been commissioned by Pope John Paul II to establish the Pontifical Institute for the Studies on Marriage and the Family. The year was 1981. According to Cardinal Caffara, she wrote back with the following:

[T]he final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Don’t be afraid, she added, because anyone who operates for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be contended and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. And then she concluded: however, Our Lady has already crushed its head. [*]

Thus, from Fatima comes one accurate prophecy after another. Here we are today, locked in a terrible battle over the most basic units of any civilization: families and the marriages that form them. Fatima, the great prophecy of our time and a summons to sobriety and prayer!

Something else that has always intrigued me about Fatima is the name of the town itself. Fatima is a town bearing the name of the daughter of Mohammed; this is so stunning! Why of all places would Mary appear there? Is it just coincidence? If you think so, you have not pondered that everything about the apparition of Fatima is prophetic.

The great Archbishop Fulton Sheen, in his book The World’s First Love, reflected on its significance and posed a few questions. Please note that the book was written in 1952 and therefore some of the spellings are not the modern ones. Here are some excerpts:

The Koran, which is the Bible of the Moslems, has many passages concerning the Blessed Virgin. First of all, the Koran believes in her Immaculate Conception, and also, in her Virgin Birth … The Koran also has verses on the Annunciation, Visitation, and Nativity. Angels are pictured as accompanying the Blessed Mother and saying, Oh Mary, God has chosen you and purified you, and elected you above all the women of the earth. In the 19th chapter of the Koran there are 41 verses on Jesus and Mary. There is such a strong defense of the virginity of Mary here that the Koran in the fourth book, attributes the condemnation of the Jews to their monstrous calumny against the Virgin Mary.

Mary, then, is for the Moslems the true Sayyida, or Lady. The only possible serious rival to her in their creed would be Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed himself. But after the death of Fatima, Mohammed wrote: Thou shalt be the most blessed of women in Paradise, after Mary. In a variant of the text Fatima is made to say; I surpass all the women, except Mary.

This brings us to our second point; namely, why the Blessed Mother, in this 20th Century should have revealed herself in the significant little village of Fatima, so that to all future generations she would be known as “Our Lady of Fatima.” Since nothing ever happens out of Heaven except with a finesse of all details, I believe that the Blessed Virgin chose to be known as “Our Lady of Fatima” as pledge and a sign of hope to the Moslem people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her divine Son too.

Evidence to support these views is found in the historical fact that the Moslems occupied Portugal for centuries. At the time when they were finally driven out, the last Moslem chief had a beautiful daughter by the name of Fatima. A Catholic boy fell in love with her, and for him she not only stayed behind when the Moslems left, but even embraced the Faith. The young husband was so much in love with her that he changed the name of the town where he lived to Fatima. Thus the very place where our Lady appeared in 1917 bears a historical connection to Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed.

Missionaries, in the future will, more and more, see that their apostolate among the Moslems will be successful in the measure that they preach Our Lady of Fatima. Mary is the advent of Christ, bringing Christ to the people before Christ himself is born. In any apologetic endeavor, it is always best to start with that which the people already accept. Because the Moslems have devotion to Mary, our missionaries should be satisfied merely to expand and develop that devotion, with the full realization that our Blessed Lady will carry the Moslems the rest of the way to her divine Son. She is forever a “traitor,” in the sense that she will not accept any devotion for herself, bit will always bring anyone who is devoted to her to her divine Son.

A beautiful reflection by Archbishop Sheen and one we can surely hope will come to pass! Relations are much tenser between Christians and Muslims today than in 1952. But Fatima is the apparition that just keeps prophesying.

It is nothing less than astonishing that Mary should appear in a town with the name of Fatima. Surely this is no mere coincidence. As Sheen points out, Heaven does nothing without purpose. It is very clear to me that we are not to pass over this detail. “Our Lady of Fatima” has a different ring to it when we consider that Fatima is more than a place; Fatima is the daughter of Muhammad and the greatest woman in Islam. “Our Lady of Fatima” sounds and feels so different when it is heard in this context of person rather than place. It is hugely significant.

It seems clear that Mary will play an important role in the years ahead as the Muslim/Christian conflict likely grows sharper. Perhaps, as Sheen notes, she will be the bridge that connects two vastly different cultures; the common mother who keeps her children talking. Right now this connection seems little pursued, even (as far as I can tell) by the Vatican.

The Guadalupe connection – I wonder, too, if the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe presents some historical parallels to our current struggle with the Muslim world. In the early 16th Century in Mexico, missionaries had made only meager progress in bringing the Aztec people to Christ. This was a combination of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the indigenous people by the Spanish soldiers, and also of the fearful superstition surrounding the Aztec gods. The people were locked in with the fear that unless they fed these gods with horrific human sacrifices, their greatest god, the sun, would no longer shine.

Into this fearful and suspicious setting entered Mother Mary. The miraculous image she left in 1531 was richly symbolic. Her face is that of a mother: gentle and compassionate, unlike the appearance of the frightening Aztec gods, who wore fierce masks. Her features seem to be both Aztec and European, two cultures combined in kindness and peace. Her attitude is one of humble prayer, so she is clearly not a god(dess). She is a merciful mother who consoles and prays for us. She is to be honored but not adored. The black band around her waist means that she is with child and offers Jesus to the people. Her message is about Him. The sun was the greatest of the Aztec gods, so by standing in front of it, Mary shows that she is greater than even their greatest god. To the Aztecs, the moon represented the god of darkness and death. That Mary is standing on the moon is a sign that these powers, too, are defeated by the Son she bears.

Mary brought the breakthrough. Within ten years, over twelve million Mexicans came to Christ and entered the Catholic Church.

This history is paralleled in many ways today in the current tensions with the Muslim World. In many Muslim lands today, conversions are few. Part of the reason for this is a strong aversion to the Western culture from which Catholicism comes. Many Muslims also hold grievances due to alleged American and Western “mistreatment.” Finally, a large factor is fear. In many parts of the Muslim world, leaving the Muslim faith is likely to get one killed. So, it is a combination of a wide cultural gulf, grievances, and fear that keep conversions low. All of this is not unlike the situation in 16th century Mexico.

Is Mary key to this? It took Mary to bridge all these similar gaps between the Aztecs and the Christian missionaries. Might Mary also be that bridge today when similar gaps divide people? Time will tell, but one of her greatest modern titles is “Our Lady of Fatima.” And then there is the crescent moon, upon which Mary stands in the image of Guadalupe. In modern times the crescent moon is the symbol of Islam. By God’s grace, and with love and humility, Mother Mary of Guadalupe was victorious in overcoming the false religion of the Aztecs.

Might this crescent moon on which Our Lady of Guadalupe stands also point to our times and the crescent moon of Islam? Might it indicate that her victories, by God’s grace, are not at an end? Perhaps we can hope that what our Lady of Guadalupe was to the Aztec people of Mexico, Our Lady of Fatima will be to the Muslim people of the world.

As always, I invite your comments and answers to my questions.

Here is “Immaculate Mary,” sung in Arabic:


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: archbishopsheen; blessedvirginmary; catholic; fatima; msgrcharlespope; ourladyoffatima; prophecies; warnings
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To: ealgeone

Jehovah is not Allah. No Christian should ever equate the two as the same.


There are many Arab Christians who would disagree with you.


261 posted on 10/15/2015 7:03:55 PM PDT by rwa265 (This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12)
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To: rwa265
>>Jehovah is not Allah. No Christian should ever equate the two as the same.<,

There are many Arab Christians who would disagree with you.

I think you are mistaken. They fully realize Jehovah and Allah are not the same.

Wow....I didn't realize how difficult of a topic this would be.

Why is it Christians understand this and catholics don't?

262 posted on 10/15/2015 7:07:34 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: HossB86

I doubt most Catholics (or evangelical papal ring kissers) have a clue what is really in their catechism. I had one tell me I was lying when I explained that Rome teaches that Jesus became a man so that he could make men gods.

Catechism of the Catholic Church Article III section 460 concludes as follows:

“The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”


263 posted on 10/15/2015 7:08:26 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
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To: Georgia Girl 2

YOU might own a Bible, but if you have read it, it is not showing. THE BIBLE tells you that God did what He did, to make Israel jealous ... unless your magicsteeringthem has erased that message given by God through Paul.


264 posted on 10/15/2015 7:12:27 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
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To: af_vet_1981
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!

You never say anything but blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!

265 posted on 10/15/2015 7:14:35 PM PDT by WVKayaker (On Scale of 1 to 5 Palins, How Likely Is Media Assault on Each GOP Candidate?)
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To: ealgeone

catholics exhibit a lot of magic thinking. That is also a characteristic of most democrats. So it is no wonder so many catholics vote straight democrat.


266 posted on 10/15/2015 7:15:36 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
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To: MHGinTN

doh!


267 posted on 10/15/2015 7:16:05 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: MHGinTN

Yeh Okaaay! Sure! You bet! Right on! :-)


268 posted on 10/15/2015 7:17:05 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Georgia Girl 2
Coming in a close second in ignorant statements is the part where Jesus tried to make Israel jealous. I officially nominate you for a Golden Globe for best bullchitter in the religious fiction category. Fascinating :-)

Apparently you are one of those Catholics who doesn't own a bible...

Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Apparently God is the 'bullchitter' as well, eh???

269 posted on 10/15/2015 7:17:15 PM PDT by Iscool (Izlam and radical Izlam are different the same way a wolf and a wolf in sheeps clothing are differen)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Bless your poor little heart, would you like for me to bring the passage from Paul’s letters to your attention, so you can stop making a fool of yourself?


270 posted on 10/15/2015 7:18:09 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
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To: .45 Long Colt

Here is section 460 in full:

460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”: “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.” “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”


271 posted on 10/15/2015 7:18:25 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
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To: rwa265

Well actually it doesn’t matter what the Arabs want to believe about Allah....the fact still remains that Allah is not the God of the Bible by any means.


272 posted on 10/15/2015 7:18:31 PM PDT by caww
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To: Iscool
She won't read the following verse, either. Ignorance is not a defense God will honor:

Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

273 posted on 10/15/2015 7:21:28 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
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To: ealgeone
You know, I don't know why this is difficult for catholics to understand. But, I guess they are so wedded to the ccc being more authoritative than the Word.

And it's not as tho a lot of this scripture is hard to understand...Some of it's pretty simple stuff...They apparently are convinced by their leaders that they shouldn't believe the scriptures...Even the easy stuff...

274 posted on 10/15/2015 7:21:45 PM PDT by Iscool (Izlam and radical Izlam are different the same way a wolf and a wolf in sheeps clothing are differen)
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To: rwa265
There are many Arab Christians who would disagree with you.

Arab Christians??? Arab Catholics to be sure...And they hate the Jews just as much as the muzlims do...You can't be a Christian and hate the Jews...

275 posted on 10/15/2015 7:26:43 PM PDT by Iscool (Izlam and radical Izlam are different the same way a wolf and a wolf in sheeps clothing are differen)
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To: ealgeone

I know this is going to be hard for you to believe but just because we don’t handle snakes doesn’t mean Catholics are not Christians. Seriously! :-)


276 posted on 10/15/2015 7:27:52 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: WVKayaker; ealgeone; Iscool; HossB86; metmom; rwa265; daniel1212; MHGinTN
I pray daily that another RC will reject that cult and find salvation in the name of Jesus.

They are blind and only God has the power to lift the scales off their eyes.

I know MANY former Catholics (no, they're not Catholics now) who have left the lies, deceit, empty traditions, and false teaching behind and are now pursuing a personal and real relationship with Jesus Christ.

I know VERY few people who have fallen away from a true faith and seek comfort in the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

This is not Catholic bashing. It is Catholicism bashing and it is allowed.

In fact, what I've seen today from one poster leads me to conclude that he is following a god who is significantly different from the God of Abraham. So different, in fact, that I begin to ask if there is any remarkable difference between his god and whatever other gods have been "carved out" by cults and -isms all around the world.

Despite what someone in this thread said earlier, there are people watching the charade brought on by Catholics and I KNOW that they have been convinced to leave their priests, confessionals, candles, incense, magicsteeringthem, and tradition of works-based salvation behind and now are SEEING THE TRUTH for the first time in their lives.

People like that are the only reason I even bother here anymore. I hope they see the futility of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and fly into the open arms of Jesus Christ! God bless them.

I think I just went on a rant. Should I hit "Post?"

God bless you.

277 posted on 10/15/2015 7:52:16 PM PDT by kinsman redeemer (The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
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To: kinsman redeemer

#277 to be “removed by Moderator” in 3..2.. ??
It won’t be the first time.


278 posted on 10/15/2015 7:53:33 PM PDT by kinsman redeemer (The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
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To: ealgeone
Are you saying Jehovah and Allah are the same? It's either a yes or no answer.

Nice try. That doesn't work. Tried it earlier today.

279 posted on 10/15/2015 7:57:21 PM PDT by kinsman redeemer (The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
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To: kinsman redeemer

I do not know why you included me in your rant, but I will pray for you as a brother in Christ.


280 posted on 10/15/2015 8:07:48 PM PDT by rwa265 (This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12)
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