On this day, in the year 1917,
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three young peasant children from Aljustrel, a hamlet of the township of Fatima, Portugal. She identified Herself to them as "
The Lady of the Rosary". Sixty three years earlier in 1854, in a tiny grotto where pigs were taken in Lourdes, France, “something white in the shape of a girl” - “a pretty young girl with a
rosary over her arm” - appeared to another young peasant girl. She called Herself "
The Immaculate Conception". In the case of Our Lady of Fatima, on the day of Her final appearance, almost 70,000 people witnessed
The Miracle of the Sun.
70,000 people in a time of limited telephone use, no television, and no internet.
Her message to all these children - and to us - was clear. Penance and Prayer.
Do we need more proof? We know the love our Father has for us, by sending His Mother with messages to the most humble among us. Penance and Prayer. It is not a sad message... but it is a serious message, wrapped in Her beauty, wrapped in Her love.
Follow Her message. She has given us the answer sheet to the most important tests each of us will face. Penance and Prayer. Pray the Rosary tonight. Offer it up for those suffering. Teach your children to do it. One day, they will do it for you.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Ashman