Our Lady of Fatima, May 13

5.13.02

[Coleus]

"I Am of Heaven" The First Visit, May 13, 1917

The flash of light that commenced the first apparition looked like lightning to Lucy. She told her younger companions, Francisco and Jacinta, that they should hurry home and take with them the flock of sheep they were tending, before a thunderstorm began.

A second flash of light soon followed, and this time, the children suddenly saw a Woman standing on a small holm-oak, only a few feet away. She seemed to Lucy to be about 18 to 20 years old, wearing a white gown embroidered with gold. She radiated brilliant clusters of light, and Her face was supernaturally beautiful.

Sister Lucy's fourth memoir gives this account of the opening dialogue with Our Lady:

"Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm."

"Where is Your Grace from?"

"I am of Heaven."

Sister Lucy asked what was wanted from her.

"I have come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the 13th day, at this same hour.

"Later on, I will tell you who I am and what I want.

"Afterwards, I will return here yet a seventh time."

On the subject of Heaven, Sister Lucy then asked:

"Shall I go to Heaven too?"

"Yes, you will."

"And Jacinta?"

"She will go also."

"And Francisco?"

"He will go there too, but he will have to say many Rosaries."

The Virgin then gave a glimpse of Her purposes when She asked the children:

"Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the conversion of sinners?"

When they indicated their willingness, the Virgin told the children:

"Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort."

The memoir then describes the extraordinary effect as Our Lady opened Her hands, radiating "a light so intense ... its rays penetrated our hearts and the innermost depths of our souls, making us see ourselves in God ... more clearly than we see ourselves in the best of mirrors."

Then, moved by an interior impulse which was communicated to them, they fell on their knees and said together:

"O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee. My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament." The first moments passed, and Our Lady added:

"Recite the Rosary every day in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war."

Lucy asked whether the war would still last a long time, or if it would soon end.

"I cannot tell you yet, as I have not yet told you all that I want."

At the end of their conversation Our Lady began to rise serenely, going up towards the east until She disappeared in the immensity of the sky. The light which surrounded Her seemed to open a path for Her among the stars, and for this reason the children said sometimes that they had seen Heaven opening.

"…After having taken our lunch and said our prayers, we began to see, some distance off, above the trees that stretched away towards the east, a light, whiter than snow, in the form of a young man, transparent, and brighter than crystal pierced by the rays of the sun. As he drew nearer, we could distinguish his features more and more clearly. We were surprised, absorbed, and struck dumb with amazement. On reaching us, he said: "Do not be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Kneeling on the ground, he bowed down until his forehead touched the earth. Led by a supernatural impulse, we did the same, and repeated the words with we heard him say:

(PARDON PRAYER) " My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You.!" Having repeated these words three time, he rose and said: "Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications." Then he disappeared…"

FIRST APPARITION OF OUR LADY - May 13, 1917

"…in the Cova da Iria….we saw what seemed to be a flash of lightning." "… …there before us on a small holmoak, we beheld a Lady all dressed in white. She was more brilliant than a crystal glass filled with sparkling water, when the rays of the burning sun shine through it."

"… ‘ Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm. … I am from heaven. … I have come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the 13th day, at this same hour. Later on, I will tell you who I am and what I want. Afterwards, I will return here yet a seventh time’ " "Shall I go to heaven too?" " ‘Yes, you will.’ " "And Jacinta?" " ‘She will go also.’ " "And Francisco?" " ‘He will go there too, but he must say many Rosaries.’ "

" ‘Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?’ " "Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort.’" "…we fell on our knees, repeating in our hearts:

( EUCHARISTIC PRAYER) "O Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the most Blessed Sacrament!" "… Our Lady spoke again: ‘’Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war.’ "

[sneakers]

EWTN airs “Life if Worth Living” once or twice a week. Can’t remember which nights. You can look up the EWTN schedule. I’ve watched the show several times. It’s excellent!

[FightThePower!]

Repent!