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The Story of Fatima, A New Historical and Devotional Résumé of Fatima. by Fr. Joseph Cacella, Imprimatur 1949

The Story of Fatima, A New Historical and Devotional Résumé of Fatima. by Fr. Joseph Cacella, Imprimatur 1949

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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
370 views84 pages

The Story of Fatima, A New Historical and Devotional Résumé of Fatima. by Fr. Joseph Cacella, Imprimatur 1949

The Story of Fatima, A New Historical and Devotional Résumé of Fatima. by Fr. Joseph Cacella, Imprimatur 1949

Uploaded by

OrsonRodrigues
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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You are on page 1/ 84

A Hew hicctopieal and Devotional

Resume of Fatima
By Rev. Joseph CoeeUa
HOW TO MAKE A NOVENA TO
OUR LADY OF FATIMA

g
There is no hard and fast rule as to the
jj

I method to be followed in making this novena. I

|
The only thing that is essential is to say at
j
least five decades of the Rosary every day for =
|
I nine days in succession. If you say Lve decades |

jj
each day, then on the first day you should |
l meditate on the Joyful Mysteries, on the second I

|
day the Sorrowful Mysteries, and on the third j
i day the Glorious Mysteries. Then for the next =

|
three days of the novena, repeat in the same |
i order, and again, on the last three days. In
j
! this manner you have said the whole Rosary
will I

j|
(fifteen decades) three times in making the no-
jj

vena.
^ In pages of this booklet will be found
other
j
meditations on each and all of the fifteen mys- i
j
! teries. It would be well to follow these thoughts I

|
for your meditation on the mysteries, unless jj

: you have other meditations that you prefer.


*
All who can do so should go to Holy Com-
j
|
munion frequently, daily if possible, when making =

1 the novenas. Make spiritual Communions every J


day, for spiritual Communions are a great means
j j
! of keeping the soul lovingly united to God. “

i:

The indulgence for making a novena in honor jj

of Our Lady of the Rosary is an indulgence of c


j
I five years once each day for nine days and a |
j plenary indulgence when the novena is com-
|
;
pleted. Every time you recite five decades of I

the Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sac-


j jj
~ rament exposed on the altar or reserved in the =

1 tabernacle, you gain a plenary indulgence. This


j
* indulgence can be gained by all the faithful on |
I the usual conditions of making confession and |
receiving Holy Communion. The confession may
| |
! be made within eight days before or after the !

|
Rosary visits, and confession every two weeks
j
j
may suffice for the obligation of confession, c

1 Holy Communion may be received the day be- |


fore or eight days after the visits.
|
DEDICATION

HIS EMINENCE
FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN

*
For the many kindly acts of and courtesy,
friendship, this little dedicated to
brochure is

a devoted friend, writer, poet, soldier, Arch-


bishop —
our beloved
FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN
i
r-

VI/

Nihil Obstat:
JOHN A. GOODWINE, J.C.D.
Censor Librorum

Imprimatur:
* FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN
Archbishop of New York

The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official


declarations that a book or pamphlet is free
of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is

contained therein that those who have granted


the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the
contents, opinions or statements expressed.

VI/

t
TABLE OF CONTENTS
'

<|

'
The Place and the Participants .. 1 ,

Angelic Reparation 1 'i

|
Second Angelic Apparition 3
,
Third Angelic Apparition ..... 3 /
1

The Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima -

First Apparition - 6 'i

i
Second Apparition — 7 1

i
Third Apparition — 8 ^
1

The Frustrated Apparition .. 10 1

,
The Fourth Apparition 11 /
i
The Fifth Apparition 11
i
The Sixth Apparition 12 i,

The Great Miracle - The Solar Prodigy 13 i

|
The Multiple Vision .. 15 1

(
Recapitulation 16 /
'
The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 17 i,

The Great Promise 17 'i

(
Conditions for Making the Five First Saturdays 18 1

i
What Are You Doing About Fatima?. 19 ij

Now Let us Consecrate Ourselves to (

|
Our Blessed Mother 19 '•

Commentary :. 20 [

The Message of Penance 21


The Message of the Rosary 22 ...
>

i
Popes and the Rosary 23
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary 24 i.

Let Us Do Penance 27 ....


'•

Let Us Recite the Rosary Every Day 29 /


Reparation to Mary's Immaculate Heart 32 i

Our Treasure - The Rosary 35 (

Meditation of the Mysteries of the Rosary 38-44


Litany of Our Lady of Fatima 45
The Holy Father Speaks 46 i,

(Continued on next page)


TABLE OF CONTENTS - (continued)

The Holy Father Speaks Again. 47


New Mass oi the Immaculate Heart 49-51
Fatima and the Eternal City 52-54
The Crowds at Fatima 55
The Wonderful Cures 56
Mary's Great Promise 57
Portugal Crowns Our Lady of Fatima 58-59
Promoter 60
Do You Know 62-63
Do Not Hesitate 64
Prayer and Sacrifice 65
Self-Destruction or Survival — 66-67
The Careless Majority - 68
Now is the Time to Pray for Peace 69-70
Fatima and Reparation... — 71-72
The Block Rosary 73-74

;
REPORT ALL FAVORS RECEIVED
!;
THRU THE INTERCESSION OF
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
INTRODUCING OUR NEW BOOK
“THE STORY OF FATIMA” !

1
Dear Friend in Our Lady of Fatima: 1

Another and important phase of the 1

Message of Fatima is being brought to \

!;
you, in this compilation, that of the devo- ;
1

tion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. ,

i| I have spent many


lung months on 1

this compilation, that nothing but the ,

!|
best for the Immaculate Heart would
1

be brought to you. This has entailed !

!|
severe and numerous inconveniences and 1

sacrifices, which are humbly offered in <|

reparation to the Immaculate Heart of 1

!;

Mary — Our Lady of Fatima. !

\\
For your convenience, the compila- 1

tion contains exercises for public and !

!|
private use, as well as many suitable
|
prayers for the devotion. Short medita- |

!
tions on the Mysteries of the Rosary
are given to better enable you to make |

!
the First Saturdays. 1

I; Sincerely yours in the Immaculate '

Heart, i|

Rt. Rev. Msgr Joseph Cacella. j

it/

Please pray for the success of my |

\ humble work.
l, — —
|
PRAY THE ROSARY
THE STORY OF FATIMA
By Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Cacella

PLACE: Fatima, Portugal


PARTICIPANTS: An Angel, Lucy and her
cousins, Francis and Jacinta.

The beginning of the won-


derful story of Fatima goes
back to the second year of
World War I (1914-1918).
And these wondrous events
to be related herein occur-
red in a place adjacent to
the village of Fatima in the
diocese of Leiria, Portugal,
about 60 miles distant from
Lisbon. Here lived three
little children :Lucy, and
her cousins Francisco and
Jacinta, the Future Seers of
Fatima.
It is 1916, and the world . r .

is in the throes of World


War I. It was a war of
devastation, destruction and death. The sins
of a modern world had become too great and
had provoked Divine Justice. But Mary, Our
Mother, moved with pity, interceded with her
Divine Son. She deigned to visit this war-
stricken world, to admonish and warn it that
it must return to God.

ANGELIC REPARATION
Ever solicitous for the welfare of her earth-
ly children, Mary wished to prepare the way
for her apparitions by sending an Angel to
the scene that she had elected to visit. The

1
intended scene of her visitations was Fatima.
Thus, in the second year of the first World
War, the future Seers of Fatima were attend-
ing to the sheep of their parents on a nearby
hill called Cabego. They could neither read nor
write, but they knew their prayers through
the constant teachings of truly Christian par-
ents.
On this spring day as the noon-day Angelus
bell tolled, they knelt, as was their custom,
and recited the Rosary. A violent gust of
wind caused them to raise their heads, and
they beheld a beautiful white cloud approach-
ing. Suddenly it assumed a human form, re-
sembling a statue of snow, which the sun
made transparent, like crystal. As the form
drew nearer, the children recognized it to be
a young man of superhuman beauty. It was
the Angel of Peace — the advance guard of
Our Blessed Mother’s apparitions with her
Message to the world.
The Angel calmed the frightened children,
telling them not to be afraid: “I am the Angel
of Peace”, he said, “Pray with me.” Then
kneeling, he placed his forehead on the ground,
repeating the following prayer three times:
“MY GOD I BELIEVE, I HOPE, I LOVE
THEE. I ASK PARDON FOR THOSE WHO
DO NOT BELIEVE, NOR ADORE, NOR
HOPE, NOR LOVE THEE.”
Rising the Angel said: “PRAY THUS, THE
MOST HOLY HEARTS OF JESUS AND
MARY WILL ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE
TOUCHED BY YOUR PRAYERS.” The An-
gel then disappeared.
Subject to a supernatural impulse, the chil-
dren imitated the Angel, and repeated the
words that they had heard him say. So im-
pressed were they, that they remained pros-
trated in prayer for many hours. This appari-
tion was kept a strict secret by the children.

2
It remained a secret until it was revealed by
Sister Lucy a few years ago.
SECOND ANGELIC APPARITION
In July or August of 1916, as the three shep-
herd chidren were playing near the well in
Lucy’s Garden, the Angel suddenly appeared
to them saying: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING
HERE? PRAY, PRAY MUCH! THE HOLY
HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY HAVE
DESIGNS OF MERCY ON YOU... CONTIN-
UALLY OFFER UP PRAYERS AND SAC-
RIFICES TO THE LORD.”
Lucy then asked the Angel how they would
make sacrifices, to which he replied: “YOU
CAN MAKE SACRIFICES OF ALL THINGS.
OFFER THEM IN REPARATION FOR ALL
THE SINS THAT OFFEND GOD, AND BEG
OF HIM THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS.
IN THIS WAY, TRY TO DRAW DOWN
PEACE UPON YOUR COUNTRY. I AM ITS
GUARDIAN ANGEL, THE ANGEL OF POR-
TUGAL, ABOVE ALL, ACCEPT AND BEAR
ALL THE SUFFERINGS WHICH THE LORD
WILL WISH TO SEND TO YOU.”
The Angel then disappeared. From that
moment, Lucy, Francis and Jacinta under-
took to offer to the Lord all that they could
suffer for His sake. Their favorite penance
was remain prostrated for hours, repeating
to
the Prayer of the Angel.

THIRD ANGELIC APPARITION


A
few months later, probably about the end
of September or the beginning of October,
the three shepherds were tending their flock
at the foot of the Cabego hill. Having par-
taken of a modest lunch. They started to say
the Rosary, and repeat the Angel's prayer.

3
Suddenly they found themselves surrounded
by a wonderful brightness, and the Angel ap-
peared to them for the third time.
The Angel held in his hand a Chalice, above
which was a Host. From the Host drops of
blood were flowing. Leaving the Chalice, and
Host mysteriously suspended in the air, the
Angel knelt beside the children and made
them repeat the following prayer three times.”
“MOST HOLY TRINITY, FATHER, SON,
AND HOLY GHOST, I ADORE YOU PRO-
FOUNDLY! I OFFER YOU THE MOST
PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD, SOUL AND
DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
PRESENT IN ALL TABERNACLES OF THE
WORLD, IN REPARATION FOR ALL THE
OUT RAG ES WHEREWITH HE HIMSELF
IS OFFENDED, THROUGH THE INFINITE
MERITS OF HIS SACRED HEART, AND
THE INTERCESSION OF THE IMMAC-
ULATE HEART OF MARY, GRANT ME
THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS.”
Rising the Angel gave the Host to Lucy,
and the contents of the Chalice he divided be-
tween Francis and Jacinta, saying: “RECEIVE
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS
CHRIST, CRUELLY OUTRAGED BY UN-
GRATEFUL MEN, ATONE FOR THEIR
CRIMES AND CONSOLE YOUR GOD.”
Prostrating himself on the ground, the An-
gel repeated the prayer: “MOST HOLY
TRINITY, ETC.” The children remained pros-
trated, the Angel having disappeared, and
continued to repeat over and over again the
Angel’s prayer. It was Francis that first re-
covered from the ecstasy. Realizing that
evening was fast approaching, the children
decided to return home. And deep in their
hearts they kept these events a sacred secret.
It is evident that these angelic apparitions
were but an orientation and preparation for

4
the great and wondrous events that were to
follow in the apparitions of Our Lady of Fa-
tima in 1917. Assuredly they directed the
three children in prayer against future as-
saults of that impious modernistic movement
— communism — which professes “not to
believe, nor adore, nor hope, nor love.”

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation


(300 days indulgence)

5
THE APPARITIONS OF OUR LADY
OF FATIMA
PLACE: Fatima, Portugal
PARTICIPANTS: A Beautiful Lady from
Heaven, Lucy and her cousins, Francis
and Jacinta
THE FACTS
The events just related occurred during the
second year of World War I. As the world
struggled through a third year of devastation,
destruction and death, His Holiness Pope
Benedict XV issued an earnest appeal for a
world crusade of prayer to Our Blessed Moth-
er. The appeal was issued on May 5, 1917.
Heaven heard and answered this appeal in a
truly wonderful manner, just eight days after
it was issued.

FIRST APPARITION
It is noonday, May 13,
1917. The three shepherd
children, Lucy, Francis and
Jacinta, were tending their
parents flocks at the Cova
da Iria, Fatima, and had
just completed reciting
their Rosary as was their
daily custom, learned
through the teaching and
training of truly Chris-
tian parents, when sudden
flashes of lightning gave indications of a
storm. The children prepared to shelter the
sheep in a nearby cave. Suddenly, another
flash of lightning, brighter than the first
brought them to a standstill, frightened and
trembling. On the foliage of an evergreen
6
oak tree there appeared a “Beautiful Lady”,
all luminous and more resplendent than the
sun. With a gesture of motherly kindness
she assured: “FEAR NOT, I COME FROM
HEAVEN, COME HERE ON THE 13TH OF
EACH MONTH, IN OCTOBER I WILL TELL
YOU WHO I AM AND WHAT I WANT.
CONTINUE TO SAY YOUR ROSARY DE-
VOUTLY AS YOU HAVE JUST DONE.”
The “Beautiful Lady” — Our Blessed Moth-
er— Our Lady of Fatima, insisted on the rec-
itation of the Rosary. She even instructed the
three shepherd children on how to say the
Rosary properly. The Rosary is very dear to
the Heart of Mary.

SECOND APPARITION
JUNE 13, 1917 — The
Beautiful Lady again ap-
peared to the children as
she had promised. She
asked them to return on
July 13, and again insisted
on the recitation of the
Rosary every day. She
revealed that she would
soon take Francis and Ja-
cinta, but that Lucy would
have to remain longer on
earth and God would use
her to establish the devotion to the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary throughout the world.
As before, the Heavenly Lady extended her
hands and brilliant rays shone forth from
them. In front of her, to the right, the chil-
dren saw a heart surrounded with thorns, and
they understood that the Immaculate Heart
of Mary was demanding penance and repara-
tion. The apparition lasted about ten min-
utes, when the Lady disappeared.

7
THIRD APPARITION
JULY 1917. — The
13,
Heavenly Vision appeared
for the third time to the
children, at the appointed
time and place. Again for
the third time she insisted
on the recitation of the Ro-
sary every day, saying:
“YOU MUST RECITE ..

THE ROSARY EVERY..


DAY.”
“CONTINUE TO COME
EVERY MONTH, IN OCTOBER I’LL TELL
YOU WHO I AM AND WHAT I W ANT, AND
I SHALL PERFORM A GREAT MIRACLE
SO THAT THE WHOLE WORLD MAY BE-
LIEVE YOU.”
Our Lady then confided a secret to them, a
part of which Lucy, now a Carmelite Nun
has revealed, and which concerns the devo-
tion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Con-
tinuing Beautiful Lady said: “WHEN
the
MAKING SACRIFICES YOU MUST SAY,
OH JESUS, IT IS FOR LOVE OF YOU,
AND IN REPARATION FOR THE OFFEN-
SES COMMITTED AGAINST THE IMMAC-
ULATE HEART OF MARY.’”
The Lady from Heaven then opened her
hands and a great ray of light seemed to
pierce the ground. The children beheld a
great fire, in which were plunged black and
burning demons and souls in human form,
resembling live, transparent coals. Lifted up
into the air by the flames, the demons and
souls fell back on all sides, like sparks in a
conflagration, with neither weight nor bal-
ance. The children could hear their screams i

of pain and despair, which made them shud-

8
der. The devils were distinguished from hu-
man beings by their forms of horrifying and
disgusting animals.
The three children were terrified by the
vision of hell, and they would have probably
died of horror had they not already been as-
sured by the Lady that they were going to
heaven. After the vision of hell, the Lady
revealed to the children a secret, a part of
which is as follows: “YOU HAVE SEEN
HELL WHERE SOULS OF POOR SINNERS
GO. TO SAVE SINNERS, OUR LORD WISH-
ES TO ESTABLISH IN THE WORLD DE-
VOTION TO MY IMMACULATE HEART.
IF THEY DO WHAT I TELL YOU, MANY
SOULS WILL BE SAVED AND THERE
WILL BE PEACE.”
Then the Lady from Heaven, continued:
“THE WAR IS ALMOST OVER (World War
I). BUT IF PEOPLE DO NOT STOP OF-
FENDING GOD, ANOTHER WAR, FAR
WORSE THAN THIS ONE, WILL OCCUR
DURING THE NEXT PONTIFICATE.
“WHEN YOU SEE A NIGHT LIGHTED
UP BY A BRILLIANT UNKNOWN LIGHT,
YOU WILL KNOW THAT THIS IS THE
PUNISHMENT OF THE WORLD BY WAR,
FAMINE, AND PERSECUTIONS AGAINST
THE CHURCH AND THE HOLY FATHER
IS AT HAND.
“TO PREVENT THIS, I SHALL COME TO
ASK, FIRST, FOR THE CONSECRATION
OF RUSSIA TO MY IMMACULATE HEART,
AND, SECOND, TO ASK FOR HOLY COM-
MUNIONS ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF
THE MONTH IN REPARATION FOR SEN. ...

‘IF THE WORLD WILL LISTEN TO MY


REQUESTS, RUSSIA WILL BE CONVERT-
ED AND THERE WILL BE PEACE. IF NOT,
ERRORS WELL BE DISSEMINATED OVER
9
THE WORLD, CAUSING WARS AND PER-
SECUTIONS AGAINST THE CHURCH.
MANY GOOD PEOPLE WILL BECOME
MARTYRS THE HOLY FATHER WILL
;

HAVE MUCH TO SUFFER; SEVERAL NA-


TIONS WILL BE WIPED OUT.
“BUT, FINALLY MY IMMACULATE
HEART WILL TRIUMPH, RUSSIA WILL
BE CONVERTED AND AN ERA OF PEACE
WILL BE CONCEDED TO HUMANITY.”
She cautioned the children to keep these
matters a secret, and said: “WHEN YOU
RECITE THE ROSARY, SAY AT THE END
OF EACH DECADE: “O MY JESUS FOR-
GIVE US OUR SINS, PRESERVE US FROM
THE FIRE OF HELL, AND BRING ALL
SOULS TO HEAVEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE
WHICH MOST NEED YOUR HELP.” (1)
Then the Heavenly Lady disappeared.
(1) This ‘post-decade’ prayer has been in-
dulgenced by the Bishop of Leiria, for his
diocese, one hundred days each time.

THE FRUSTRATED APPARITION


The news of these heav-
enly visits to the children
was being spoken of public-
ly. The Civil Administrator
of Ourem definitely anti-
caused the three
clerical,
childrento be kidnapped,
and kept them imprisoned
after the date set for the
till
next apparition —
August 12. Even under the
threat of tortures and death in boiling oil, the
children refused to reveal the secret confided
to them by the Lady from Heaven.
Meanwhile, an assemblage of people, esti-
mated at eighteen thousand, had gathered at

10
Cova da Iria, the scene of the expected ap-
parition. While there, their attention was
drawn to a white cloud usually seen at the
other apparitions. It waited a little while
and then disappeared. The assemblage, hear-
ing of the kidnapping and imprisonment, was
indignant. Defeated in his purpose, the Ad-
ministrator was forced to release the chil-
dren.

THE FOURTH APPARITION


The Seers did not
little
expect to the Lady
see
from Heaven until the fol-
lowing month. They were
sad and disappointed not
to have been able to keep
their appointment. They
returned to tending their
flock. On Sunday, August
18, 1917, they were caring
for the sheep at Valinhos.
Suddenly she appeared to them and complain-
ed of the action of the civil authorities, stating
that the miracle planned for October 13 would
be less spectacular on that account. She ex-
horted the children to recite the Rosary every
day and to keep their appointments for the
following months.
Continuing to urge the children to practice
prayer and penance, the Blessed Lady said:

PRAY, PRAY VERY MUCH, MAKE SAC-
RIFICES FOR SINNERS, REMEMBER
THAT MANY SOULS ARE LOST BECAUSE
THERE IS NO ONE TO PRAY AND MAKE
SACRIFICES FOR THEM.”
THE FIFTH APPARITION
September 13 1917. Again the Lady from

11
Heaven insisted on the daily recitation of the
Rosary. She renewed her promise to work
a great miracle on October 13. She said that
Saint Joseph and the In-
fant Jesus would be there
too, and that Our Lord
would bless the world.
The Lady from Heaven
added that the Blessed
Mother would also appear
as Our Lady of the Dolors
and Our Lady of Mt. Car-
mel. This was the short-
est conversation held dur-
ing the apparitions. The
Lady, having completed her mission, depart-
ed.
A
Vicar General was present incognito at
this apparition. He saw the white cloud that
heralded the arrival of the Lady from Heav-
en; also the miracle in the form of a show-
er of white flowers, which, on coming near
the earth, vanished without touching it. A
repetition of this miracle at a later date was
seen by the Bishop of Leiria.

THE SIXTH APPARITION


As wasto be expected, news of the miracle
announced for the sixth and final apparition
of Our Lady on October 13, 1917, caused a
flurry of excitement all over Portugal. For
days before, all roads and byways were
thronged with people using all modes of con-
veyance, while crowds of people traveled on
foot. Over 70,000 persons were gathered at
Fatima on October 13, 1917, to see the ful-
fillment of the Beautiful Lady’s promise to
work a stupendous miracle. The great day
dawned disappointingly. It was raining. The
day was cold and dismal. Yet, the assembled

12
Crowd was not to be dismayed. The Rosary
was continually recited. There was an attitude
of sacrifice and piety.
Shortly before noon the
children arrived, dressed in
their best clothing. Noticing
that the crowd was using
umbrellas, Lucy cried out:
“Put down your umbrellas.”
Why she said this, to this
day, she does not know.
Looking up to the sky she
said: “She is coming.”.
For the sixth and final
time at Fatima, the Beau-
tiful Lady appeared to the
three shepherd children.

“I AM THE LADY OF THE ROSARY”


As soon as the Beautiful Lady, appeared,
Lucy asked her whom she was and what did
she want: “I AM THE LADY OF THE RO-
SARY”, she answered. And again, as in the
other apparitions, she insisted on the daily
recitation of the Rosary.
Giving the Message of Penance, the “LADY
OF THE ROSARY” said: “MEN MUST
AMEND THEIR LIVES, AND ASK PARDON
FOR THEIR SINS, MEN MUST NO LONG-
ER OFFEND OUR LORD WHO IS AL-
READY TOO MUCH OFFENDED.”
The Lady of the Rosary indicated her desire
that a Chapel be built in her honor at Fatima.

THE GREAT MIRACLE - THE SOLAR


PRODIGY
October 13 1917. As the apparition was
about to end Our Lady of the Rosary pointed
to the heavens. Lucy cried out: “Look at

13
the sun”. Seventy thousand pilgrims raised
their eyes to look at the sky. As if by magic,
the rain ceased and the sky became dear and
blue. The sun shone forth in all its brilliance,
dazzling the perplexed pilgrims. Our Lady of
Fatima was about to fulfill her promise. The
SOLAR PRODIGY was on. The sun trembles,
shakes, makes abrupt movements and then
starts to spin giddly on its axis, like a wheel
of fire.
As the sun spun on its axis, huge shafts
of multi-colored rays of light —
blue, red,
green, violet —
beamed —
on the upturned
faces of the multitude, and on the rocks and
trees, giving a fantastic tint to the surround-
ings.
The spectacular feat, which lasted four min-
utes, held the assemblage spellbound. It
eased as suddenly as it had begun, as if to
give the crowd a rest. Again for a second and
third time the sun repeated this extraordin-
ary performance, which was also witnessed
by persons located as far as twenty-five miles
distant.
This wonderful miracle had disposed the
hearts of those who had witnessed it to greater
fervor and devotion. Yet, the miracle was far
from over —
the culminating point of this
great spectacle was about to come.
In the midst of this fantastic and spectac-
ular dance of light and color, the sun left its
place in the firmament, tumbled from side to
side, and plummeted toward the earth and the
assembled pilgrims, emitting increasing rays
of heat. Finally it stopped short in its fall
and climbed back to its place in the sky, zig-
zagging, as when it had descended, and re-
sumed its normal brilliance.
Cries of faith and repentance were heard
on every side, as the terrified throng thought
that the end of the world was nigh. Cries

14
of: “GOD, MV GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME.”
were heard, while others on bended knees im-
plored God for forgiveness of their sins.

THE MULTIPLE VISION


Meanwhile, as the pilgrims were being en-
tranced by the great miracle of the Solar
Prodigy, the three shepherd children, Lucy,
Francis and Jacinta were witnessing a mul-
tiple vision. This multiple vision took place
near the sun, as it was performing its spec-
tacular feat, a feat which was not recorded in
any observatory and was not therefore of the
natural order.
The first of these visions witnessed by the
children of Fatima was a distinct representa-
tion of the Holy Family, Our Lady was garb-
ed in white with a mantle of blue; St. Joseph
in white, held the Child Jesus, dressed in
bright red, on his arm.
Lucy alone saw the next vision of Our Lady
of Sorrows without the sword in her breast,
and beside her stood her Divine Son. With
a look of pity on His Countenance, He raised
His hand to bless the world.
Next, Our Lady appeared as Our Lady of
Mount Carmel, crowned as Queen of Heaven.
On her knee was the infant Jesus.
Here we might ask the question: Why did
Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary,
appear under these aspects in the multiple
vision. We may answer that she wished to
impress more deeply on the minds of the
faithful the mysteries of the Rosary. The
scene of the Holy Family recalls the Joyful
Mysteries. The scene of Our Lady of Sorrows
represents the Sorrowful Mysteries, whereas
Our Lady of Mount Carmel reminds us of the
Glorious Mysteries.

15
:

RECAPITULATION
Beautiful Lady — Our Blessed Mother
—The
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, had
her promise.
fulfilled She had returned on
October 1917; she had told her name —
13,
“I AM THE LADY OF THE ROSARY”; she
had delivered her Message — “PENANCE,
DAILY ROSARY, and DEVOTION TO HER
IMMACULATE HEART”; and she had con-
firmed her message by an outstanding and
stupendous miracle before a multitude of 70,-
000 persons.
Let us recall the various parts of the three
fold Message of Our Lady of Fatima :PEN-
ANCE: “MEN MUST NO LONGER OFFEND
OUR LORD WHO IS ALREADY TOO MUCH
OFFENDED MEN MUST AMEND THEIR
. . .

LIVES AND ASK PARDON FOR THEIR


SENS.”
DAILY ROSARY: “I AM THE LADY OF
THE ROSARY YOU MUST RECITE THE
. . .

ROSARY EVERY DAY.”


IMMACULATE HEART DEVOTION
“OUR LORD WISHES THAT THE DEVO-
TION TO MY IMMACULATE HEART BE
ESTABLISHED IN THE WORLD ... I
SHALL COME TO ASK FOR THE CONSE-
CRATION OF. RUSSIA TO MY IMMAC-
ULATE HEART AND OF REPARATION
ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE
MONTH, IF MY REQUESTS ARE GRANT-
ED RUSSIA WILL BE CONVERTED AND
THERE WILL BE PEACE ...”
Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima,
continued: “OTHERWISE, AN IMPIOUS
PROPAGANDA WILL SPREAD ITS ER-
RORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, RAIS-
ING UP WARS AND PERSECUTIONS
AGAINST THE CHURCH, MANY WILL BE
16
:

MARTYRED, THE HOLY FATHER WILL


HAVE TO SUFFER MUCH, SEVERAL NA-
TIONS WILL BE WIPED OUT BUT IN . . .

THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL


TRIUMPH.”
THE TRIUMPH OF THE IMMACULATE
HEART OF MARY
WHEN WILL THE IMMACULATE HEART
OF MARY TRIUMPH? Sister Lucy answers
“WHEN A SUFFICIENT
that question thus:
NUMBER SACRIFICES AND
IS MAKING
COMPLYING WITH THE RECOMMENDA-
TIONS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA.”
WHAT ARE THOSE RECOMMENDA-
TIONS? They are threefold: PENANCE
DAILY ROSARY, AND DEVOTION TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.
PENANCE: An amendment of life by way
of fidelity to daily duty — offering of sac-
rifice.
ROSARY: Daily recitation of the Rosary,
especially the Family Rosary.
DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE
HEART OF MARY: Personal Consecration
and Communion of Reparation on the first
Saturday of the month.

THE GREAT PROMISE


Associated with the devotion to the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary is the devotion of FIVE
FIRST SATURDAYS. To those who will
practice this devotion Our Lady has made
what is known as the GREAT PROMISE, as
follows
“MY CHILD, BEHOLD MY HEART SUR-
ROUNDED WITH THE THORNS WHICH
UNGRATEFUL MEN PLACE THEREIN AT
17
EVERY MOMENT, BY THEIR BLASPHEM-
IES AND INGRATITUDE, YOU, AT LEAST
TRY TO CONSOLE ME AND TELL THEM
THAT I PROMISE TO HELP AT THE HOUR
OF DEATH, WITH THE GRACES NECES-
SARY FOR SALVATION, WHOEVER, ON
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF FIVE CON-
SECUTIVE MONTHS, SHALL CONFESS
AND RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, RE-
CITE FIVE DECADES OF THE ROSARY
AND KEEP ME COMPANY FOR FIFTEEN
MINUTES WHILE MEDITATING ON THE
MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY, WITH THE
INTENTION OF MAKING REPARATION
TO ME."

CONDITIONS FOR MAKING THE FIVE


FIRST SATURDAYS

1. CONFESSION. Confession may be made


eight days prior to or after the First Sat-
urday, provided that Holy Communion is
received in the state of grace.

2 COMMUNION. Holy Communion to be


.

received on the first Saturday of five con-


secutive months.

2 . ROSARY. Recitation of five decades of


the Rosary.

4. MEDITATION. Meditation on one, sev-


eral or all of the Mysteries of the Rosary for
a period of at least fifteen minutes’ dura-
tion.

5. All these exercises must be offered up


with the intention of making reparation to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

18
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT FATIMA
RESOLVE HERE AND NOW
1. AN AMENDMENT OF LIFE:
Let sinners amend their lives.
Let the good strive to become better.
Let the better strive to become perfect.
Let the perfect aspire to and seek sanctity.

2. DAILY ROSARY:
Recite the Rosary every day.
Encourage the FAMILY ROSARY in your
home.
Strive to get others to recite the Rosary
every day.
3. PRACTICE THE DEVOTION TO THE IM-
MACULATE HEART OF MARY:
Consecrate yourself, your home, your work
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Receive
Holy Communion on the first Saturday of
the month, in reparation to the Immaculate
Heart.
Practice the devotion of the FIVE FIRST
SATURDAYS.
NOW LET US CONSECRATE OURSELVES
TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER
MyQueen and my Mother; to thee do I
offer myself without reserve; and to give
thee a mark of my devotion I consecrate to
thee during this day my eyes, my ears, my
mouth, my heart, my whole person.
Since I belong to thee, O my good Mother,
preserve and defend me as thy property and
possession.
In temptation say immediately:
My Queen and my Mother, remember that

19
I belong: to thee;preserve and defend me as
thy property and possession.
An indulgence of 500 days. (S C. Ind. Aug.,
5, 1851. S. P. Ap., Nov. 21, 1936).

COMMENTARY
The Triple Message of Fatima: Penance, Daily
Rosary and Devotion to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary
In reading the Story of Fatima two things
must be carefully distinguished: the Prodigies
and the Message of the Blessed Virgin.
The MESSAGE OF OUR LADY constitutes
the object or the end of her apparitions. The
PRODIGIES are only the means of proving
the heavenly origin of her message.
Probably what strikes us most is the unique
Solar Prodigy used to awaken our dormant
faith. Of course the important thing to re-
member is that we must put the recommenda-
tions of Our Lady into practice — faithful
practice — as well as spreading the saving
,

news of Fatima to everyone, everywhere.


Let us therefore summarize the MESSAGE
of FATIMA. Its Message is threefold consist-
ing of the MESSAGE OF PENANCE, the
MESSAGE of the ROSARY, and the MESS-
AGE of the DEVOTION TO THE IMMAC-
ULATE HEART OF MARY. In so doing we
will understand what Our Blessed Mother,
Our Lady of Fatima, requires of each and
everyone of us. To quote the words of the
illustrious Cardinal Schuster of Milan: “If vve
comply with these demands, Our Lady of Fa-
tima promises us the cessation of the war,
the return of Russia to Catholic Unity, and
the beginning of a new era of apostolate and
conquest for the Catholic Church.”
In the following chapters we shall set forth

20
thetriple MESSAGE OF OUR LADY OF
THE ROSARY OF FATIMA: PENANCE,
DAILY ROSARY, AND DEVOTION TO THE
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.
Let us study it fervently, lovingly and de-
voutly, and by faithfully practicing it, and
spreading it around us, we will more effica-
ciously draw down the blessing of God on
ourselves, our families, our country and the
world.
THE MESSAGE OF PENANCE
As we have seen in the Angelic Prepara-
tion of the three children, the Angel asked for
prayers and sacrifices in reparation for the
sins of the world, and to obtain
the conversion of sinners.
The insistent, ever-recurring
content of each apparition empha-
sized PENANCE. Our Blessed
Mother emphasized the importan-
ce and the necessity of an amend-
ment of life. She said: ‘MEN
MUST AMEND THEIR LIVES,
AND ASK PARDON FOR THEIR
SINS.” And again in a more sor-
rowful tone she added: “MEN MUST NO
LONGER OFFEND OUR LORD, WHO IS AL-
READY OFFENDED TOO MUCH.” This
shows that we must not only repent of our
sinsand expiate them faithfully but we must
seek to change our lives for the future and
break completely with sin, which grieves God
and draws down on us His castigation and
punishment.
This repeated demand for penance by Our
Lady made a deep impression on the chil-
dren. So great was this impression that they
entered an era of penance far beyond their
years. Lucy, the sole surviving member of
the three Seers of Fatima, says: “That which

21
has remained most deeply imprinted on my
heart is the request of our Heavenly Mother,
begging us to no longer offend God Who is
already offended too much. ,,
Even Jacinta, the youngest of the three
shepherd children of Fatima, says: “Oh, if
men only knew what eternity is, how they
would make efforts to amend their lives.”
Continuing, Jacinta added: “The sins of the
world are too great. The sins which lead most
men to hell are the sins of the flesh. Oh
men must do penance! If they amend their
lives, Our Lord will still pardon the world,
but if they do not, the chastisement will come.”
The avoidance of sin, which presupposes a
great and everlasting sacrifice at every mo-
ment of the day, is to be a part of our daily
duty. These sacrifices we must offer up for
the conversion of sinners. Thus, those of us
religious or laity, who shirk our duties, are
to that degree retarding the triumph of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Mary has told the world that the triumph
of her Immaculate Heart would be a sign of
the conversion of Russia, and of world peace.
To accomplish that triumph a sufficient num-
ber must make sacrifice and fulfill her de-
mands. PENANCE is one of her requests.
Let us do penance.
THE MESSAGE OF THE ROSARY
In each of the apparitions at Fatima, six
in all, Our Lady was insistent upon the daily
recitation of the Rosary. She made her ap-
pearance with a Rosary hanging from her
hand. On the occasion of the Solar Prodigy,
she was pleased to designate herself as: “I
AM THE LADY OF THE ROSARY.” Over
and over again she insisted on the daily rec-
itation of the Rosary, saying: “YOU MUST
RECITE THE ROSARY EVERY DAY.”
22
In the days of yore, the Rosary was used to
advantage in times of peril that threatened
civilization. Again, Mary has come to Fatima
to warn mankind of impending evil — and
to help us to avoid this evil she recommends
the daily R,osary. She has asked us to add
an ejaculation at the end of each decade of
the Rosary. It is sometimes referred to as
the “Post-decade prayer”. This ejaculation
is: “O my Jesus forgive us our sins. Save
us from the fire of hell, and lead all souls
to heaven, especially those who have most
need of your help.”
The FAMILY ROSARY is a very effective
means of uniting the family. “Where there
are two or three gathered together for My
sake, there am I in the midst of them.” The
FAMILY ROSARY raises the family unit to
a supernatural level. It unites the parents
and children in devout prayer. It is the prac-
tical way to unite and strengthen the family
life, weakened by the modem way of living.
It is an anti-dote to the godless ideology that
is sweeping the world.

POPES AND THE ROSARY


From the voice of the Sovereign Pontiffs
has come much praise in favor of the daily
recitation of the Rosary. Since the time of
St. Dominic more than fifty Popes have rais-
ed their voice on behalf of the Rosary. Pope
Leo XIII above all has repeatedly explained to
the Church the supreme importance of the
Rosary, with an insistence so pressing that
he has been styled “THE POPE OF THE
ROSARY.”
It is unique in the annals of the Church
to see the same Pope speaking to the faith-
ful on one single subject — THE ROSARY
— in twelve encyclicals and almost as many
decrees and apostolic constitutions.

23
And other Popes have since preached the
necessity of the Rosary. Pope Pius has X
said: “The Rosary is the most beautiful and
the most rich in graces of all prayers, it is
the prayer that touches the Heart of the Moth-
er of God . and if you wish peace to reign
. .

in your homes, recite the Family Rosary.”


And in support of the weighty authority
of the voice of the Popes come the wondrous
events of Fatima. Consider the apparitions
of Fatima, with their words and prodigies.
Recall the great day —
October 13, 1917 —
when Our Blessed Mother was pleased to
reveal herself and designate herself as “I
AM THE LADY OF THE ROSARY,” in proof
of which she caused the incomparable Solar
Prodigy.
May we heed the Message of Fatima and
practice the daily recitation of the Rosary.
Wherever possible may we practice the Fam-
ily Rosary, the second condition laid down by
Our Blessed Mother for bringing this world
out of the chaos in which it is struggling.

DEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE


HEART OF MARY
On the occasion of the third apparition —
July 13, 1917 —
an occasion that may well
go down in history as an epoch-making event,
Our Lady said to Lucy:
“OUR LORD WISHES THAT DEVOTION
TO MY IMMACULATE HEART BE ESTAB-
LISHED IN THE WORLD.”
A
reading of the account of the third appari-
tion, completed by that of the secret of Fa-
tima, will quickly show that the devotion to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary holds an im-
portant place in the Message of Fatima. Re-
call, in the third apparition, the occasion of
the terrifying vision of hell, that Our Lady
24
said: “YOU HAVE JUST SEEN HELL
WHERE POOR SINNERS GO. TO SAVE
SOULS OUR LORD WISHES TO ESTAB-
LISH IN THE WORLD DEVOTION TO MY
IMMACULATE HEART. IF PEOPLE DO
WHAT I TELL YOU, MANY SOULS WILL
BE SAVED AND THERE WILL BE PEACE.”
She added: “ I SHALL ASK FOR THE
. . .

CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA TO MY IM-


MACULATE HEART, AS WELL AS A COM-
MUNION OF REPARATION ON THE FIRST
SATURDAY OF THE MONTH. IF MY RE-
QUESTS ARE HEEDED RUSSIA WILL
BE CONVERTED AND THERE WILL BE
PEACE, OTHERWISE AN IMPIOUS PROP-
AGANDA WILL SPREAD ITS ERRORS
THROUGH THE WORLD, RAISING UP
WARS AND PERSECUTIONS AGAINST
THE CHURCH. MANY WILL BE MARTYR-
ED, THE HOLY FATHER WILL HAVE TO
SUFFER MUCH, SEVERAL NATIONS WILL
BE WIPED OUT BUT IN THE END MY
. . .

IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.”


Our Lady has asked for the Consecration
of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. She has
specified the manner of this consecration, in
that it is to be made by the Holy Father to-
gether with all the Bishops of the world on
a specified date. In the meantime the Mess-
age of Fatima must be spread to everyone,
everywhere, so that a sufficient number of
the faithful will be able to partake in this
solemn ceremonial with intelligence and de-
votion.

We must participate in this devotion by


consecrating ourselves Immaculate
to the
Heart of Mary. Consecration means one’s
desire to honor Mary, to belong to her and to
obey her. A simple ejaculation would suffice:

25
Immaculate Heart of Mary, I consecrate my-
self to thee.”
of the devotion of the FIRST
The practice
SATURDAYS consists of the following exer-
cises, performed with the intention of con-
soling the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and
making reparation to it for the outrages and
blasphemies of which it is the object on the
COMMUNION
part of ungrateful mankind: 1
OF REPARATION on the FIRST SATUR-
DAY OF THE MONTH. 2. THE ROSARY.
3. REPARATION PRAYERS: SOME SAC-
RIFICES FOR THE INTENTION.
Associated with the devotion to the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary is the devotion of the
FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS. This beautiful
and efficacious devotion is outlined in detail
on another page.
Thus, we exhort you to spend your time
in practicing and spreading this beautiful de-
votion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and
Mary’s other Fatima requests, because the
peace and salvation of the world depend upon
it. Mary’s Immaculate Heart will triumph
only, as Sister Lucy has told us “WHEN A
SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IS
FULFILLING OUR LADY’S REQUESTS.”
One of these requests is the establishment of
theDEVOTION TO THE IMMACULATE
HEART OF MARY

26
LET US DO PENANCE
TRUE it is that many
people, imbued with the
paganistic ideas of our
times, never give a
thought to their last end.
All they appear to be in-
terested in is the material things
of life. They no longer regard this
life in the true Christian manner,
in so far as it pertains to eter-
nity. And these conditions will
steadily grow worse unless we do
something about them.
It was to this end — to awak-
en our dormant sense — that Our
Blessed Mother deigned to appear
at Fatima, to warn the world of
its impending castigation. To the three little
shepherd children of Fatima she spoke about
God, eternity, the salvation of souls, eternal
happiness, the terrible consequences of sin in
this life and in the hereafter, and the great
necessity for prayer and penance, if we desire
eternal happiness in the next life.
We must regard the Message of Penance
of Our Lady of Fatima as a confirmation of
the Church’s teaching, which in our own times
preaches penance as she has always done
throughout the ages. Holy Mother Church
cries out in a loud voice: “REPENT! BRING
FORTH THEREFORE FRUITS WORTHY
OF PENANCE.” And again may we quote the
words of John the Baptist: “DO PENANCE,
FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT
HAND.” (Matt. IV 17).
Penance is a detestation of sin, sorrow for
having offended God, and a firm resolution to
sin no more. Penance is the means of satis-

27
fying for the injury which sin does to the all-
good and just God.
Our Lord, by dying on the Cross, paid the
debt contracted by all our sins, and has sat-
isfied Divine Justice. He offered a sacrifice
of infinite value. The pardon of sin which
God grants to us when we have true sorrow
for our sins still leaves us with a part of ex-
piation which we must supply ourselves.
The effect of penance is to detach us from
sin and make us more wary and vigilant in
the future. It is an efficacious remedy to
heal the remains of sin and to reform those
vicious habits, contracted through an evil life,
which are so opposed to the practice of virtue.
Christ Himself has told us: “If anyone will
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross and follow Me.” (Matt. XVI, 24.)
As Christians we cannot relieve ourselves of
the obligation of suffering in union with
Christ. The crosses and numerous trials and
tribulations of life are so many occasions for
us to carry the cross and to satisfy for our
sins. Too, Divine Justice can be satisfied by
our imposing on ourselves voluntary penance
and mortifications.
Unfortunately, the subject of mortification
is but a source of annoyance to many. Even
the very mention of voluntary mortification,
sacrifice, and austerity seems to make them
recoil, let alone the thought of faithfully put-
ing them into practice. The problems of the
world would be simplified if only all would
understand that they have a serious and sol-
emn obligation to follow Jesus Christ by
carrying the cross.
Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima
has told us: “MANY SOULS GO TO HELL
BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE TO MAKE
SACRIFICES FOR THEM.” These words
28
imply the unwillingness on the part of some
who do not want to suffer, and who do not
want to understand that they have a solemn
duty to perform. To remind us of that duty
Our Blessed Mother deigned to appear six
times at Fatima to the three shepherd chil-
dren, Lucy and her cousins Francis and Ja-
cinta. All the members of Christ’s Mystical
Body are united by a wonderful union. The
prayers and sacrifices of all of us would surely
‘'have a wonderful response if they were united.
There never was a more opportune time than
now for the serious consideration of this part
of Our Lady’s recommendations: “MEN MUST
AMEND THEIR LIVES, AND ASK PAR-
DON FOR THEIR SINS MEN MUST NO
. . .

LONGER OFFEND OUR LORD, WHO IS


ALREADY OFFENDED TOO MUCH. These ,,

were her words at Fatima.


Let us be on guard against sin and cease to
offend God. Let us bring about a true conver-
sion by sincere penance. This is necessary if
we wish to avoid a continued and further
chastisement from the hand of God. Will we
hearken to the admonition and recommenda-
tion of the Mother of God —
Our Lady of
Fatima ?
“Now, therefore,”saith the Lord, “be con-
verted to Me with all your heart, in fasting
and in weeping, and in mourning” (Joel XI
12 ).
LET US RECITE THE ROSARY
EVERY DAY
History — Church history —
reveals to us
the efficaciousness of the Rosary. In the con-
version of individuals, communities and na-
tions which is brought about by the grace of
,

God, the Rosary plays an important part. The


Rosary is the favorite prayer of Our Blessed
Mother, the Mediatrix of all graces. It is

29
the prayer that the Mother of God recommend-
ed on the occasion of every apparition at Fa-
tima. Indeed, Our Blessed Mother, on the oc-
casion of the sixth and final apparition, was
pleased to designate herself “THE LADY OF
THE ROSARY.”
The extraordinary publicity which she wish-
ed given to her apparitions and the wondrous
prodigies that were performed in confirma-
tion of her heavenly Message are proof enough
that her Message was intended for the whole*
world and not for a chosen few. Her Mess-
age of the Daily Rosary was intended for
each and every one of us. We must regard
it as a personal message direct from the
Blessed Virgin to each of us individually.
The Rosary is a prayer which is as simple
as it is beautiful. It is a prayer that can be
recited every day without inconvenience. It
is a prayer that takes but a few minutes to
recite. Should you find it too long, or your
position or condition does not permit you to
recite the five decades at once, you can recite
a decade at a time throughout the day.
The Rosary may be said at any time of the
day. Please do not wait until it is late at
night and you are tired and too sleepy to
recite it properly. Many spiritual advantages
are lost through the improper recitation of
the Rosary. Rather say it early just after
you get up, or divide it by saying a decade
now and again throughout the day, as is con-
venient.
You can say your Rosary anywhere. There
is no specified place in which the Rosary
should be recited although more indulgences
are gained when it is recited in a church
where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or
reserved in the Tabernacle. You can say your
Rosary on your way to and back from work.

30
God dwells in the very midst of your heart
when you are in the state of grace. It is
very easy to say a few Hail Marys on your
beads, which you can and should carry in
your pocket.
To pray at various times and in different
places may seem out of place to you. Yet
it is well to give such a practice very serious
thought. You will soon realize that this
good practice will bring you much comfort
and happiness. You do not need solitude to
pray. You can pray even in the busy street
if you but put your mind to it. You can and
should pray wherever the opportunity affords
itself. You can make your work pray for
you. You can recite your Rosary, or a few
decades off and on during the day. These
short prayers will not retard your work. They
will even make your work all the easier and
more pleasant. The recitaton of the Rosary
throughout the day will console you in all
your trials and tribulations, renew your store
of patience, keep you in good spirit and bring
a smile to your lips.
Do not feel alarmed at being told to say
prayers with your work. If you only knew
the good that you can accomplish through
such a practice you would not hesitate a mo-
ment in putting this into action. While it
is recommended that you pray anywhere and
everywhere, you are not asked to display an
indiscreet piety; rather, you are urged to con-
sider the fact that prayer should be a part
of your very self and life. You are asked to
lift up your heart and soul to God at all times
and in all places.
Is it a waste of effort to ask you to recite
the Rosary every day? The daily recitation
of the Rosary is one of the recommendations
of the Mother of God, Our Mother, Our Lady
of Fatima. The Rosary must have a very
31
special importance and power, because Our
Blessed Mother, the Mother of God, deign-
ed to designate herself “THE LADY OF THE
ROSARY”, and she took the pains to teach
the threelittle children of Fatima how to
recite the Rosary properly.
Since the days of St. Dominic all the Saints
and Holy Mother Church have shown a de-
voted love for the Rosary. Our Lady has
made the Rosary one of the conditions for
the peace of the world. Let us heed her recom-
mendation, and as of yore, the Rosary will be
the means of bringing peace and serenity to
the world, which is now in a state of chaos.
“OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF FA-
TIMA, PRAY FOR US.” - (300 days indul-
gence).

REPARATION TO MARY’S
IMMACULATE HEART
We know that the word devotion answers
to that of devotedness, a vowing of one’s self,
the consecration of one’s self. There is no
stronger word than that of devotion to in-
dicate the disposition of heart which makes
one ready to do everything, even to suffer,
for the one to whom one is devoted.
Just as the devotion to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus is a special devotion to Christ, so the
devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is
a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother —
Our Lady of Fatima. The object of the devo-
tion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the
entire person of Mary, is called by theologians
the total object. It is distinguished from the
direct or proximate object. The direct mater-
ial object is the real, physical Heart of Mary
— the Heart of flesh. It is the same Heart,
the living and loving Heart of Our Blessed
Mother; the same Heart that loved us so in-

32
tensely during her sojourn on earth; the same
Heart that beat in her breast at the moment
of the Incarnation; the same Heart that sup-
plied the precious blood from which Jesus
was formed; the same Heart that was rent
with grief and sorrow as she stood at the
foot of the Cross; the same Heart that now
reigns gloriously in Heaven, lovingly watch-
ing over the welfare of her children on earth.
There is another object, called the spiritual
object, and this is the ardent and almost in-
finite love of the Mother of God, symbol-
ized by her Immaculate Heart. Herein lies
the reason why we honor the Immaculate
Heart of Mary. Being a symbol of love, it
signifies in a special manner Mary’s love for
mankind. Theologians tell us that when we
venerate Mary’s Immaculate Heart, we should
not consider it as a separate, inanimate and
insensible part of the body of the Blessed
Virgin, but rather as inseparably united with
her soul and person. It is not, then, only the
Heart of Mary that we honor in this devo-
tion, but the entire person of Mary, under
the aspect of a most loving Mother.
Devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart is
not an end in itself. It is the means to an
end. Mary does not want our love and our
hearts for herself but for Jesus. She wants
us to love her only that she may teach us
how to love Jesus.
The best means of showing love for the
Immaculate Heart of Mary is by living a good
Catholic life. To love Mary’s Immaculate
Heart one must refrain from heaping insults
upon that loving Heart. A sinner heaps in-
sults upon the Immaculate Heart of Mary
when he commits sin. How well the three in-
nocent children of Fatima understood this,
when in the vision they saw the Immaculate
Heart of Mary surrounded with thorns. They

33
understood that this indeed was the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary, wounded by the sins of
ungrateful mankind.
Mary’s Immaculate Heart demands repara-
tion and atonement. Mary asked for this rep-
aration on several occasions during her ap-
paritions at Fatima. Surely, one can readily
understand that if one loves the Immaculate
Heart it will pain him to see that Heart so
little loved, so often forgotten, reviled and
insulted.
Consolation is gladly accepted in sorrow
and sadness. Such consolation we give to
Mary’s Immaculate Heart when we make rep-
aration for all the injuries and insults heap-
ed upon her by thoughtless and ungrateful
mankind. She asked the children to console
her; She asked for personal consecration and
for Communion of Reparation on the First
Saturday of the month. In addition, she
made the GREAT PROMISE for those who
would practice the devotion of the Five First
Saturdays.
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
is another one of the conditions laid down by
Our Blessed Mother — Our Lady of Fatima
— for the return of the world to Jesus through
her — through her Immaculate Heart.
Cardinal Cerejeira, Cardinal Patriarch of
Lisbon, speaking on the Immaculate Heart of
Mary said: “We believe that the apparitions
of Fatima, open a new era, that of the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary. What has taken place
in Portugal is of the miraculous order. It is
a forshadowing of what the Immaculate
Heart of Mary is preparing for the world.”

34
YOUR TREASURE - THE ROSARY
In ages of trouble and tribula-
all
tion theChurch has turned to Mary yv
for aid and comfort. One of the fll
great and most potent weapons that /Z-v
we have outside of the Holy Sac- uFJl
rifice of the Mass is Mary’s Ro- gyj
sary. Wv
The Rosary our treasure. Many
is
do not realize the great treasure jl'
they possess in the Rosary. They *
go through life fingering and praying their
beads without ever taking the trouble to dis-
cover for themselves the full richness and
beauty of this universally beloved devotion to
Our Lady. It is to remind the faithful of the
efficacy of this great treasure, our Rosary,
that we pen these few words.
The Rosary as recited in the popularly ac-
cepted sense (five decades) is not strictly
speaking, the complete Rosary. It is really
one-third of it. However, in order to gain
most of the indulgences attached to this
beautiful devotion, it is sufficient to recite a
one-third part (five decades) of the Rosary.
The Rosary can be defined as vocal prayer
joined with meditation. It is important to
keep this definition in mind since this for- ,

mula is absolutely necessary for the proper


recitation of the Rosary and the gaining of
the indulgences attached to it.
There are two essential prayers in the Ro-
sary: The Our Father and the Hail Mary. The
other prayers —
the Apostles Creed, the Glory
be to the Father and other prayers are pious
and commendable additions, but they are not
essential to the completeness of the Rosary.
It is well to note that for the purpose of gain-
ing the indulgences, the recitation of Our
35
Fathers and Hail Marys must be of vocal
nature, even though inaudible. The prayers
must be definitely pronounced, whether aloud
or in a whisper. Only those with organic
speech defects are exempted from this rule.
The second essential part of the Rosary,
without which it is not complete, no matter
how many Our Fathers or Hail Marys are
said, is the meditation on the mysteries of
our Redemption. These mysteries are fifteen
in number, and they are divided into three
groups of five each. The Joyful, the Sor-
rowful, and the Glorious Mysteries. In pray-
ing the Rosary, we meditate on each of the
mysteries in turn as we complete each sec-
tion of ten Hail Marys.
While it is not obligatory to comply with
it, the prevailing custom
is to recite the Joy-
ful Mysteries on Mondays and Thursdays, the
Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fri-
days, and the Glorious Mysteries on Wednes-
days and Saturdays. The mysteries said on
Sunday generally vary with the Church
Season. The Joyful Mysteries are recited from
the first Sunday of Advent to the last Sun-
day of Advent, the Sorrowful Mysteries from
the first Sunday of Lent to Easter Sunday
(exclusive), while from Easter Sunday to the
first Sunday of Advent (exclusive) the Glo-
rious Mysteries are recited.
Our Lady of Fatima on the occasion of her
second apparition to the three shepherd chil-
dren (June 13, 1917) requested that the follow-
ing ejaculation be recited after each decade
of the Rosary:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
Save us from the fire of hell!
Lead all souls to heaven
Especially those who have most need of your
help.

36
The Bishop of Leiria has granted an in-
dulgence of one hundred days each time for
the recitation of this ejaculation in his diocese.
Holy Mother Church is not severe in her
rule about each mystery being meditated upon
throughout the actual decade. She realizes
that some people find it difficult to concen-
trate so long on one subject. Hence she has
decreed that it is sufficient to have a loving
respect for the mystery under consideration,
in order to gain the indulgences. At least
the mystery under consideration should be
brought to mind at the beginning, during, or
at the end of the decade.
The Rosary is one of the most richly in-
dulgenced devotions of the Church. Space
does not permit the enumeration of all the
indulgences attached to the correct and de-
vout recitation of the Rosary. Of course it
should not be necessary to remind Catholics
that they must be in the state of grace to
gain any indulgence attached to the Rosary,
or any other devotion. Our Lady of Fatima
in her personal appearances at Fatima was
insistent on the daily recitation of the Ro-
sary. She was pleased to call herself “THE
LADY OF THE ROSARY.”
Thus, you will realize that your Rosary is
your treasure, and you must cherish it and
recite it every day, meditating upon the mys-
teries of our redemption.

37
MEDITATION ON THE MYSTERIES
OF THE ROSARY
JOYFUL MYSTERIES
1. The Annunciation
Let us contemplate, in this
mystery, how the Angel Ga-
briel saluted Our Blessed
Lady with the title, Full of
grace, and announced to her
that she was to become the
Mother of Our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us adore the Son of
God hidden within the womb
of Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, and be-
seech of Him the virtue of humanity.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.

Ejaculation:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
Save us from the fire of hell, and
lead all souls to heaven, especially those
who have most need of your help.
2. The Visitation

Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how


the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from
the Angel that her cousin St. Elizabeth had
conceived, went in haste to the mountains
of Judea to visit her, and remained with her
three months.
Let us adore the Son of God, inspiring His
most Holy Mother to visit her cousin Saint
Elizabeth, and beseech Him to grant unto us
the virtue of charity to our neighbor.

38
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

3. The Nativity
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of
her delivery was come, brought forth Our
Redeemer Jesus Christ, and laid Him in a
manger because there was no room for Him
in the inn at Bethlehem.
Let us adore the Son of God, born in a
poor stable, of a Mother whose only treasure
was her virginal purity, and let us beseech of
Him the grace of purity of soul and body.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys, Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

4 The Presentation
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how~
Our Blessed Mother, on the day of her Pur-
ification, presented the Child Jesus in the
Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to
God with great devotion, received Him into
his arms.
Let us adore the Son of God, presented
in the Temple to His heavenly Father by the
hands of Mary, and let us beg that our hearts
be freed from the desire of all earthly things.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple


Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
the Blessed Virgin Mary, after having lost,
without any fault of hers, her beloved Son in
Jerusalem, sought Him for the space of three

39
days, and at length found Him the third day
in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors,
discoursing with them, being then of the
age of twelve years.
Let us adore the Son of God, who left even
His own most tender Mother, when the glory
of His heavenly Father called Him, and was
found by Mary sitting in the midst of the doc-
tors. Let us beg Our Lord for an ardent
zeal to instruct ourselves in our holy faith,
and to bring others to the knowledge of it.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES


1. The Agony in the Garden
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
Our Lord Jesus Christ was so afflicted for us
in the Garden of Gethsemani that His Body
was bathed in a sweat of blood, which ran
down in great drops upon the ground.
Let us adore Our Lord Jesus Christ in the
Garden, accepting all the horrors of His most
cruel Passion, whereby the soul of His most
tender Mother was so bitterly afflicted, and
let us beg that in all things, however painful
and hard, we seek only the will of God.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

2 . The Scourging at the Pillar

Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how


Our Lord Jesus Christ, delivered up by
Pilate to the fury of the Jews, was most
cruelly scourged at a pillar.
Let us adore our Lord Jesus Christ, en-
during for our sake that most cruel scourg-

40
mg, by every stroke of which the most ten-
der Heart of Mary was torn. Let us beg of
Him the spirit of mortification.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

3. The Crowning with Thorns


Let us contemplate in this mystery, how
the cruel ministers of Satan plaited a crown
of sharp thorns, and most cruelly pressed it
on the sacred head of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us adore Jesus our King, crowned in
derision with a crown of thorns; the sight of
which increased yet more the grief of Mary.
Let us ask the grace to overcome human re-
spect.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

4. Jesus Carries His Cross


Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
Our Lord5. Jesus Christ, being sentenced to
death, bore with the most amazing patience
the cross which was laid upon Him for His
greater torment and ignominy.
Let us adore Our Lord Jesus Christ bowed
down beneath the burden of His cross in Sight
of His most tender Mother, resolved to drink
with Him the same cup of bitterness. Let
us ask of Him the spirit of meekness and
patience.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

Jesus Dies on the Cross


Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
41
Our Lord Jesus Christ, having come to Mount
Calvary, was stripped of His clothing, and
His hands and feet were cruelly nailed to the
cross, on which He died, in the presence of
His most afflicted Mother.
Let us adore Our Lord Jesus Christ, fin-
ishing, by His death on the cross, the great
work of our redemption. Let us ask of Him,
through the tears of His most sorrowful Moth-
er, the spirit of holy compunction.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES


1. The Presentation
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
Our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing glorious-
ly over death, rose again on the third day,
immortal and impassible.
Let us adore Our Divine Saviour, the glori-
ous Conqueror of death, and let us ask of
Mary by the joy which filled her soul at the
resurrection of her Divine Son, to obtain for
us the triumph of Jesus and Mary within our
hearts.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

2. The Ascension
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
Our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after His
resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended
by Angels, in the sight, and to the great ad-
miration, of His most holy Mother and His
Apostles and Disciples.
Let us adore Our Divine Saviour, ascend-

42
ing into heaven to prepare a place for us.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
3.
Ejaculation.

The Descent of the Holy Ghost


Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
Our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated at the
right hand of God, sent, as He had promised
the Holy Ghost upon His Apostles, who after
the Ascension, returned to Jerusalem, and
continued in prayer and supplication with the
Blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the fulfill-
ment of His promise.
Let us adore Our Divine Saviour, sending
from above the Holy Spirit; let us ask of
Mary, whom He has appointed to dispense
His graces, to obtain for us the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

4. The Assumption
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
the glorious Virgin after the resurrection of
her Divine Son, passed out of his world unto
Him, and was assumed into heaven, accom-
panied by the holy Angels.
Let us adore Our Divine Saviour, receiv-
ing His gracious Mother into the bosom of
His glory, and let us ask her to obtain for
us the desire of perfection.
Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to
the Father.
Ejaculation.

5. The Coronation
Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how
43
the glorious Virgin Mary was, to the great
jubilation and exultation of the whole court
of heaven, crowned by her Son with the
brightest diadem of glory, and how all the
saints rejoice with her in bliss.
Let us adore Our Divine Saviour, crown-
ing the virtues of His most holy Mother in
Heaven; let us beg her to obtain for us the
grace to love and imitate them.

Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to


the Father.
Ejaculation.

THE SALVE REGINA


Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life,
Hail,
our sweetness and our hope; to thee do we
cry, poor banished* children of Eve, to thee
do we send up our sighs, mourning and
weeping in this vale of tears; turn, then,
most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy
towards us, and after this our exile, show
unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus;
O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY
O
God, whose only begotten Son, by His
life,death, and resurrection, has purchased
for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we
beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these
mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate
what they contain, and obtain what they
promise. Through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
44
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
(For Private use only)

Our Lady of Fatima/ pray for our dear country.


Our Lady of Fatima/ sanctify our Clergy.
Our Lady of Fatima, make our Catholics more fervent.
Our Lady of Fatima, guide and inspire those who gov-
ern us.
Our Lady of Fatima, cure the sick who confide in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, console the sorrowful who trust
in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who invoke your aid.
Our Lady of Fatima, deliver us from all dangers.
Our Lady of Fatima, help us to resist temptation.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us all we lovingly ask
of you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who are dear to us.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring back to the right road our
erring brothers.
Our Lady of Fatima, give us back our ancient fervor.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us pardon of our man-
ifold sins and offences.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring all men to the feet of your
Divine Child.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain peace for the World.

LET US PRAY
O GOD of infinite goodness and mercy, fill
our hearts with a great confidence in your
dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title
of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, and
grant us hy her most powerful intercession
all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which
we need. Through Christ Our Lord. - Amen.
r& ANTONIO,
Cardinal Patriarch
LISBON, 1928.

45
THE HOLY FATHER SPEAKS
Here is a copy of the letter, received from the Holy
See, by which His Holiness Pope Pius XII during his
glorious reign imparted to you his “SPECIAL APOS-
TOLIC BENEDICTION”, if you are promoting the cause
of Our Lady of Fatima.

Vatican City, May 30, 1947.


Segreteria Di Stato
Di
SUA SANTITA
No. 155174

Dear Father Cacella:

It is my pleasing duty to ack-


nowledge the receipt of the two
copies of the book “Our Lady of
Fatima” and of the February number of St.
Anthony’s Visitor” which you so kindly for-
warded recently for the Holy Father’s accept-
ance.
His Holiness deeply appreciates the senti-
ments of loyal filial attachment to His August
Person which prompted you to place these in-
teresting volumes at His disposal, and He
would have me assure you of His paternal
gratitude for your thoughtful filial gesture.
Praying that Almighty God may continue to
bless the zealous efforts you are making
to spread devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, the
Sovereign Pontiff lovingly imparts to you and
to your collaborators at St. Anthony’s Welfare
Center His Special Apostolic Benediction.
Gladly availing myself of this occasion to
assure you of my high esteem and regard, I
remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
J. B. MONTINI, Subst.

Rev. JOSEPH CACELLA,


St. Anthony's Welfare Center,
443 East 135th Street,
New York 54, N. Y.
THE HOLY FATHER SPEAKS AGAIN
Pope Pius XII, during his glorious reign
made his customary appeal for prayers to the
Blessed Virgin in May of 1948, and this ap-
peal he made more emphatic by issuing an
Encyclical on the subject. To his earnest
exhortation to all Christians to “crowd around
the altars of the Mother of God” and implore
the gift of “mutual, fraternal and complete
peace among all nations, and the longed-for
harmony among all social classes,” he joined
the admonition that they add to their pray-
ers “resolutions for Christian renewal and
salutary works of penance.” For, he said,
“our prayers are more readily welcomed by
the Most Blessed Virgin when they are not
merely fleeting and empty words, but the out-
pouring of hearts adorned with the required
virtues.”
Calling attention to his dedication of the
whole human race to the Immaculate Heart
of Mary on October 31, 1942, the occasion of
the Fatima Jubilee Celebration, he added: *TT
IS OUR WISH THAT WHEREVER THE
OPPORTUNITY SUGGESTS ITSELF, THE
CONSECRATION BE MADE IN THE VAR-
IOUS DIOCESES AS WELL AS IN EACH
OF THE PARISHES AND FAMILIES, AND
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT ABUNDANT
BLESSINGS AND FAVORS FROM HEAVEN
WILL SURGE FORTH FROM THIS PRI-
VATE AND PUBLIC CONSECRATION”
(Auspicia Quaedam, 5-l-’48). The Holy Fa-
ther has set the example for us by consecrat-
ing his own diocese and the City of Rome to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Surely, with
him we are in excellent company.
This consecration does not impose new obli-
gations on a Christian. It is repara to ry and
supplicatory like the Act of Consecration to

47
the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a devotional
consecration, and in no way affects the title
of a parish or diocese.
DIOCESES have been consecrated in various
ways. The consecration brings blessings but
entails no canonical effects or ritual. The
bishop’s intention to consecrate will naturally
find expression in the public reading of the
Act of Consecration. The reading of the Act
acquires dignity and authority if performed
by the bishop from the throne during some
solemn function such as a Solemn Mass.
Circular letters from the Chancery effectively
prepare the faithful to share locally, in these
services, with intelligence and devotion.
PARISHES should first spread the MESS-
AGE OF FATIMA. Sermons from the altar
and parochial society activities will facilitate
this. Booklets or leaflets, such as the one
you are reading, should be distributed gratis.
Then at a well attended religious service the
priest may read aloud the Act of Consecra-
tion, either alone or together with his flock.
FAMILIES may consecrate themselves by
reciting a short ejaculation —
“Immaculate
Heart of Mary, we consecrate ourselves to
thee.” If more formality is desired one of the
parochial priests may be requested to assist
at the consecration.
Thus the call from the Holy Father Pope —
Pius XII —
the Pope of Peace the Pope —
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
God wishes it —
Our Blessed Mother re-
quests it —
Our Holy Father asked it.

N. B. - Certificates of Consecration of families to the


Immaculate Heart of Mary, artistically desianed in
four colors and suitable for framing, are available from
Saint Anthony Center.

48
NEW HASS OF THE IMMACULATE
HEART
August 22nd

Introit, Hebr. 4,16. Let us go therefore with


confidence to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace in season-
able aid.
Ps. 44.2. My heart uttered a good word: I
speak my words to the king.
V, Glory be to the Father.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who in the Heart


of the Blessed Virgin Mary hast prepared a
worthy dwelling for the Holy Spirit: merciful-
ly grant that as we devoutly observe the feast
of the same Immaculate Heart, we may merit
to live according to thy Heart. Through Our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same
Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Epistle, Eccli. 24.23-31. As the vine I have
brought forth a pleasant odor; and my flow-
ers are the fruit of honor and riches. I am
the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of
knowledge and of holy hope. In me is all
grace of the way and of the truth, in me is
all hope of life, and of virtue. Come over to
me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with
my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above
honey, and my inheritance above honey and
the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlast-
ing generations. They that eat me, shall yet
hunger, and they that drink me, shall yet
thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not
be confounded; and they that work by me,

49
shall not sin. They that explain me shall have
life everlasting.
Gradual, Ps. 12.6. My heart shall rejoice
in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord who
giveth me good things; yea I will sing to the
name of the Lord the most High.
V. Ps. 44.18. They shall remember thy name
throughout all generations. Therefore shall
people praise thee forever, yea forever and
ever.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 1,46-41. My soul
doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour. Alleluia.
In votive masses after Septuagesima, the
following is substituted for the Alleluia and
its V.
Tract. Prov. 8,32-35. Now therefore, ye
children, hear me; Blessed are they that keep
my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and
refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth
me and that watcheth daily at my gates, and
waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that
shall find me, shall find life, and shall have
salvation from the Lord.
Gospel, John 19.25-27. At that time, there
stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and
his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and
Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had
seen his mother and the disciple standing
whom he loved, he said to his mother; Woman,
behold thy son. After that, he said to the
disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that
hour, the disciple took her to his own.

The Creed
Offertory, Luke 1.46-49. My spirit rejoiced
in God my Saviour; because he that is mighty
hath done great things to me, and holy is his
name.
Secret. Offering to Thy divine majesty, O
50
Lord, the Immaculate Lamb, we beseech Thee
that the divine fire, which ineffably inflamed
the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may
inflame our hearts. Through the same lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Communion: John 19.27. Jesus said to His
Mother: Woman behold thy son. After that
He said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.
And from that hour, the disciple took her to
his own.
Postcommunion: Refreshed with Thy divine
sacraments, Oh Lord, we humbly implore that
being freed from present dangers through the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the
feast of whose Immaculate Heart we have
celebrated with solemn rite, we may obtain
the joys of eternal life. Through Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reign-
eth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost.
God, world without end. Amen.

51
FATIMA IN THE ETERNAL CITY
Pope Consecrates the World to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
We now come to the effect
produced by all these events
at Fatima in ecclesiastical
circles in Rome, always ex-
tremely reserved in mat-
ters of this kind.
In reply to a report of the
Portuguese Bishops, Benedict
XV wrote on April 29th, 1918,
that he had always hoped
that the depressing situation
of the Church in Portugal was only passing,
because the ardent devotion of that country
to the Immaculate Conception merited for it
an extraordinary aid from the Mother of God.
It is beyond doubt that these grave words of
the Holy Father alluded to the great events
of Fatima, which were then occupying all
minds in Portugal.
On November 1st, 1926, the Apostolic Nun-
cio at Lisbon came spontaneously to Fatima,
where after praying and addressing the people,
he granted 200 days indulgence.
On January 21st, 1927, the Sacred Con-
gregation of Rites granted to the Sanctuary
of Fatima the indult of the Mass of Our Lady
of the Rosary.
On May 13th, 1928, the first stone of the
Basilica of Fatima was blessed in the presence
of a crowd of 300,000 pilgrims. A
description
of this great pilgrimage, published in the
“Osservatore Romano” on June 13th, 1928, was
the subject of much comment.
More significant still is the personal act
of Pope Pius XI, who, on January 9th, 1929
at the audience of the Portuguese Seminary

52
in Rome, was pleased to offer to each sem-
inarist two pictures of Our Lady of Fatima.
On December 8th of the same year, Pius XI
wished to bless personally at the Vatican
the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, sent from
Portugal for the Portuguese Seminary in
Rome. Short of giving a definite judgment,
the Sovereign Pontiff could not have manifest-
ed in a more expressive manner his opinion
and his good will towards these events of
Fatima. It is also known that Pius XI wish-
ed to read all the acts of the Canonical Pro-
cess of Fatima in order to acquaint himself
personally with such an extraordinary mar-
vel.
On May 13th, 1930, the Portuguese Semin-
ary in Rome celebrated the anniversary of
the first apparition of Fatima, and the Sacred
Congregation of Rites granted it the indult
of celebrating the Mass of Our Lady of the
Rosary under the rite of a double of the first
class.
On October 1st, 1930, the Sacred Peniten-
tiary granted to the faithful who visit individ-
ually the Sanctuary of Fatima and pray for
the Pope’s intention, seven years indulgence,
and to those who make the Pilgrimage in a
group, a plenary indulgence once a month.
As has been said above, it was on October
13th of that year that His Lordship the Bish-
op of Leiria was to promulgate his Pastoral
Letter approving officially the Apparitions
and cult of Our Lady of Fatima, and it will
be observed that these indulgences granted
at Rome on October 1st came just in time to
prepare minds to receive with entire con-
fidence the proximate episcopal approbation,
which the Holy See has thus discreetely sup-
ported.
Pius XII, in his Apostolic Letter ‘Saeculo
exeunte octavo,” of June 13th, 1940 addressed

53
to the Bishops of Portugal to develop the
Portuguese missions, said also “ Let the
. . .

faithful, when reciting the Rosary so strong-


ly recommended by Our Lady of Fatima, not
omit to address an invocation to the Blessed
Virgin in favor of missionary vocations.” And
at the end of the letter: “God will then bless
this holy crusade (of the Missions) and the
chivalrous Portuguese people, under the aus-
pices of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima,
the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, who obtain-
ed the victory of Lepanto.”
In their collective Pastoral Letter of 1942
the Portuguese Bishops wrote on this sub-
ject: “We are happy to see the Supreme Au-
thority of the Vicar of Jesus Christ evoke
thus the testimony of Fatima and proclaim
Urbi et orbi the name of Our Lady of Fa-
tima in an Apostolic Letter addressed to the
Portuguese Bishops, but published for the
whole world.” -

On erecting in Mozambique, in 1941, the


new diocese of Nampula, the Holy See gave
it officially as Patroness Our Lady of Fa-
tima (A. A. S. 33 (1941), 16).
On the occasion of the celebration of the
25th Anniversary of Fatima, The Osservatore
Romano of Sunday. May 10th, 1942, publish-
ed eight large columns in folio with illustra-
tions, on the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fa-
tima.
On May 13, 1942, was issued, also from the
Vatican Press, the 4th edition of Fr. Fon-
seca’s book: “Le Meraviglie di Fatima”, with
the Imprimatur of the Vicar-General of Va-
tican City.
On October 31st, 1942, His Holiness Pius
XII associated himself with the closing cele-
brations of the Jubilee of Fatima; and in his
radio message to the Portuguese nation made

54
the consecration of the world, and of Russia
in particular, to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. (*)
Quite true, neither the Apparitions nor the
message of Fatima are articles of Faith, and
the infallibility of the Church is not involved
in any of the acts we have just recounted.
But without giving any dogmatic judgment,
the Holy See could not have manifested in a
more expressive manner its opinion and good-
will towards the events of Fatima. And since
the visible Head of the Church, after an exam-
ination of the documents, believes in the real-
ity of these Apparitions, and recommends the
devotion of Our Lady of Fatima, let us fol-
low him; with him we are in excellent com-
pany.

(*) It is interestincr to note that Rome has quite re-


cently given a very striking proof of its desire to pro-
mote the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
by extending the Office and Feast to the Universal
Church. (V, O. M).

The Crowds of Fatima


Fatima is situated in a mountainous region
at a distance of about ten miles from the
railway station in the plains. In spite of this
pilgrims come in great numbers, because for-
getting their own comfort, they come to pray,
to do penance, and to ask for health of soul
and body.
These pilgrimages take place especially on
the 13tli of each month. This day chosen by
Our Lady of the Rosary for Her Apparitions
has become in Portugal, a holy day; and as
people receive Holy Communion on the First
Friday and the First Saturday of the month,
so also on the 13th in honor of Our Lady of
Fatima.
In winter pilgrims are less numerous: 2,000,

55
3.000 sometimes 5,000. The numbers increase
very much in summer, during the months of
the Apparitions, reaching one, two, three hun-
dred thousand and more, especially at the
two great national pilgrimages on May 13th
(the first Apparition), and October 13th.

The Wonderful Cures


At the fifth and sixth Apparitions, Our
Lady of the Rosary of Fatima had promised
to heal sick persons and hear our prayers.
She has not broken her word.
On the very day of the Great Solar Prodigy
a wonderful cure took place among the crowd.
The number of these cures continued to in-
crease until as at Lourdes, Hospital, a Bureau
of Medical Examination, stretcherbearers etc.,
had to be established at Fatima. The Medical
Bureau at Fatima registers an average of
2.000 sick per year. But the majority of the
sick do not register. Evidently miracles are
rare, and not all sick are cured. But all, or
almost all, receive great moral strength, and
the inestimable grace of bearing with resig-
nation and merit the cross Divine Providence
has imposed on them.
The official organ of the Sanctuary — ‘‘The
Voice of Fatima” —has already registered
about 1,000 cures of all types of diseases;
tuberculosis, blindness, meningitis, ulcers of
every kind, fractures, Pot’s disease, etc. Many
of these cures are truly wonderful and an
account of them can be read in the books
recommended.
MARY’S GREAT PROMISE AT FATIMA
THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS
“Behold my Heart, surrounded with the
thorns which ungrateful men placed therein
at every moment by their blasphemies and
ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me
and tell them that I promise to help at the
hour of death, with the graces needed for sal-
vation, whoever, on the First Saturday of five
consecutive months shall:

1. Confess and receive Holy Communion


2. Recite five decades of the Rosary
3. And Keep me Company for fifteen min-
utes while meditating on the fifteen
mysteries of the Rosary.
4. With the intention of making repara-
tion to me.

NOTE: - The Confession may be made in the

8 days before or after Communion. The Ro-


sary may be recited at any convenient time
of the day, and the fifteen-minute meditation
may be made at any time of the day, either
on all the mysteries as a whole or on one
special mystery. The Rosary and meditation
may be combined by thinking on each mys-
tery a few minutes before or after reciting
the decade. Asermon for the occasion may
be substituted for the meditation.

Plenary indulgence of each First


Saturday observance

57
PORTUGAL CROWNS OUR LADY
OF FATIMA
Pope Pius XII addressed nigh on a
million Pilgrims

Nearly one million pilgrims attending the


celebration of the Coronation of Our Lady of
Fatima, were greeted in an address by His
Holiness Pope Pius XII on May 13th, 1946
over the facilities of the Vatican Radio.
His address was in Portuguese, and solely
spiritual in nature. “None can remain neu-
tral in this struggle” he said in his 15 minute
Message to the Pilgrims of Fatima.
His Holiness was represented at the cere-
monies by His Eminence Cardinal Masella, as
Apostolic Delegate. The Apostolic Delegate
met the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, clergy
and High Government officials at the his-
torical monument at the Convent of Batalha
dedicated to Our Lady of Victory.
Here at Fatima amid solemn ceremonies
the act of the Coronation of Our Lady of
Fatima took place, on the 29th anniversary
of the First Apparition at Fatima, where
pilgrims to the number of almost one million
were aggregated. The ceremonies commenced
at 10 o’clock a. m.. and were followed by an
address of His Holiness Pope Pius XII, on a
devotion that was very dear to his heart — the
devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.

58
r* 7
PORTUGAL CROWNS OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Pope Pius XII addresses nigh on a Million
Pilgrims

May 13, 1946

His Holiness was represented at the ceremonies


by His Eminence Cardinal Masella.
The crown is valued at half million dollars.
The women of Portugal donated their jewels as a
gift to Our Lady of Fatima.
PROMOTER
Sodality of Reparation to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary

WHAT IS A PRO M O T E R ?

Generally speaking A PRO-


MOTER is a person who will
devote his or her time, ener-
gy and talent for the ad-
vancement and preference of
a certain cause. In this case,
the cause is none other than
the spread and propagation
of the self-chosen devotion of
Blessed Mother herself as re-
vealed to the three shepherd
children at Fatima in 1917.
Thus a PROMOTER’S call
is clear. It is the delivery of
the “MESSAGE OF FATIMA” to everyone,
everywhere. Especially is it the inculcation
of the “MESSAGE OF FATIMA” in our chil-
dren, so that they will be in a position to carry
it on to posterity.
MESSAGE OF
‘THE FATIMA” is the de-
REPARATION
votion of TO THE
IMMAC-
ULATE HEART OF MARY, though the daily
recitation of the Rosary, especially the Fam-
ily Rosary, and the Five First Saturdays.
This devotion is very dear and close to the
Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mother, and as
such must be a very potent one.

it/

60
DOES BLESSED MOTHER MEAN ANY-
THING TO YOU? Isn’t she worth a little
sacrifice? Thus any person who procures at
least five (5) signed promises that those per-
sons will recite the Rosary (five (5) decades)
daily will be deemed a PROMOTER, and as
such will be entitled to all the spiritual
benefits accruing therefrom. PLEASE NOTE
that the signed Promise does NOT bind un-
der pain of sin, and may be omitted should
extenuating circumstances prevent the recital,
or cause undue hardship. However, it may be
resumed when these conditions have been
removed. Those who sign a promise or pledge
will have their names inscribed on a special
roster, better known as the “GOLDEN BOOK”
which is deposited at the original Shrine at
Fatima in Portugal.
Sincerely yours in Our Lady of Fatima,
Rt. Rev. Msgr. JOSEPH CACELLA

61
DO YOU KNOW
1. Do you know that this was a war of RET-
RIBUTION?
2. Do you know WHY? — We ignored the
MESSAGE OF FATIMA.
3. Do you know that you can HASTEN THE
PEACE ?
4. Do you know that you can bring about a
JUST AND LASTING PEACE?
5. Do you know that you can save SOULS?
(conversion of sinners)
6. Do you know that you can REDEEM souls ?
(souls in Purgatory)
7. Do you know that you can SAVE LIVES?
(cessation of war)
8. Do you know that you can increase the
FERVOR OF SOULS ?
9. Do you know that you can HELP others?
All these you can and may do, if you but
discover the MESSAGE OF FATIMA it —
is for everyone everywhere. It must be
delivered to them. The MESSAGE OF FA-
TIMA is the devotion of REPARATION TO
THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
through the Daily Rosary (5 decades), es-
pecially the FAMILY ROSARY and the Five
First Saturdays. It may be a little incon-
venient for you, and I am sure it is but sure-
ly Blessed Mother is worth a little sacrifice.

PROMOTERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED


Will you Help the Cause of Blessed
Mother?

Blessed Mother needs promoters for this


She is asking you. Will
beautiful devotion.
you refuse? TODAY —
NOT TOMORROW
IS THE TIME, BECOME A PROMOTER TO-

62
DAY. Booklets and literature in abundance
for Promoters.

Spiritual Benefits of a Promoter

All Promoters will share in all Masses


celebrated at Saint Anthony’s as well as in
all devotions and novenas in honor of Our
Lady of Fatima. Mass will be celebrated on
the 13th of May, June, July, August, Sep-
tember and October, for the Special inten-
tions of all Promoters.

Praying for a cure of his baby girl

6 ;
DO NOT HESITATE
AN INVITATION TO SPIRITUAL
MOBILIZATION
Now that you know the MESSAGE OF
FATIMA and the means to carry out the rec-
ommendations contained therein — WHAT
ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
The answeris simple and plain — accede
to the request of the Mother of Jesus, Our
Mother, Our Lady of Fatima, by becoming a
Promoter for the more widespread and more
rapid diffusion of the MESSAGE OF FA-
TIMA to everyone, everywhere.
Help to hasten the triumph of the Immac-
ulate Heart of Mary by putting into faithful
practice her recommendations given at Fa-
tima in 1917, namely — PENANCE, DAILY
ROSARY AND DEVOTION TO HER IM-
MACULATE HEART.
THEN, SPREAD THE SAVING NEWS OF
FATIMA TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE.
When a sufficient number shall be making
sacrifices and complying with the requests of
Our Blessed Mother, then —
and only then
— will the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph,
bringing about the conversion of Russia and
peace to this world —
a peace which the
world itself cannot give.
Our Holy Father Pope Pius XII during his
glorious reign wrote us words of encourage-
ment on this beautiful apostolate. He —
Christ’s Vicar on earth spoke for Christ.
Hence, his words to us carried the Message
of Christ Himself, bringing with it the seal of
approval from the Holy See that our work
is not only pleasing to Christ’s Vicar but to
Christ Himself.

64
. .

PRAYER AND SACRIFICE

In 1917 the Mother of God repeatedly asked


for “Prayer and Sacrifice” now or else . . .

here is the price you have had to pay in re-


fusal! (1) Another World War, more terrible
than the first within the Pontificate of the
next Pope, (2) many good people will be mar-
tyred, (3) many nations will be annihilated,
(4) Communism will spread its errors through-
out the world. Men did not “cease offending
God,” the prophecies are all accomplished
facts ... an atomic World War III (with a
prelude in Korea) stares us in the face and
still we refuse to sweat to save shedding of
blood. Obeying her requests now would bring
about the fulfillment of a definite promise:
“Russia will be converted and there will be
peace.” The “sweat” process she demands, so
slight and insignificant compared to the tre-
mendous saving in blood and destruction. Yet
worried families find it so inconvenient to get
together fifteen minutes a day to recite the
rosary or go to Communion once a month on
the First Saturday. Such a burden to get out
of the house for an hour such a tremendous . . .

sacrifice to give up a date or a favorite radio


or television program . such a horrible both-
. .

er to go to church on a balmy spring night . .

such a . . .Oh well


! think it over! Either
. . .

we are not interested in the possibility of


another war, or . we have no faith, no
.

courage, to understand simple facts! Sweat


it out now and avoid bloodshed in the
future! Refuse and ... we have only ourselves
to accuse. We can’t blame God! Certainly . .

(through His Mother) He has given us plenty


of warning!

65
SELF-DESTRUCTION OR SURVIVAL
The world is at the cross-roads now at this
hour, and the future is very dark. Ahuge
and evil thundering destruction is threatening
us from the East. Governments are trembl-
ing in the face of this unrelenting evergrow-
ing evil thing, which threatens utterly to
overwhelm the world. Governments turn to
every human means to avert the danger, while
there is only one Power that is of any use
and that is the Power of God, to which few
Governments will turn. Men, and seemingly
good men, have been falling away from God
for many years, in an avalanche of infidelity,
such as has seldom, if ever been seen before.
Now it is not only the hour, but now it seems
to be the last hour for many nations.
We are to-day threatened with world-wide
wars, revolutions, bloodshed and hideous per-
secutions. It is as certain to come upon us
as the sun is in the Heavens, if we do not heed
Our Lady’s warning. Our Blessed Mother has
given us the certain means of preventing this
destruction and this terror. Our Lady has
done everything to call us to our senses and
warn us of our danger. Our Lady is pleading
with us for the love of Her Divine Son, for
the sake of our little babies, our children, our
old and helpless folk, our cripples, our bedrid-
den and our helpless lunatics, and all the per-
secuted people, for the sake of all that is good
and sweet, gentle and pure, to stir ourselves
to do as She has asked and to save the world
from this cataclysm of hate and horror and
unheard-of-hell, to make the little effort need-
ed to save ourselves, our country, our civiliza-
tion and the world!
Can we and dare we refuse the pleadings
of the Immaculate Heart ? No, a million times

66
no ! Everyone of us must act now and set
! !

our minds and wills to do the little asked of


us to save the world for Mary and for God!
Now indeed it is the hour, and “The sands
of time are running out as mankind faces
its moment of decision — self-destruction or
survival.” (Pope Pius XII).
Now is the Hour! May God save us in this
hour!

Our Lady said at Fatima:

“If my requests are granted, Russia will be


converted and there will be peace in the world.
If they are not, Russia will spread its errors
throughout the world, raising up wars and
persecutions against the Church, many will
be martyred, the Holy Father will have much
to suffer, many nations will be wiped out.”
To those, who embrace the devotion to her
Immaculate Heart:
“Their souls will be loved by God with a
love of predilection (that is a special love)
like flowers placed by Me before His throne!”
“I promise to assist at the hour of death
with the graces necessary for Salvation all
those who, on the First Saturday of five con-
secutive months, go to Confession and receive
Holy Communion, recite the Rosary, keep Me
company for a quarter of an hour, while med-
itating on the Mysteries of the Rosary, with
the intention of making Reparation.
Our Lady told Lucy that: Peace will come
“as soon as a sufficient number of people”
are doing as She asked.

Remember: “As soon as a sufficient number.”

67
THE CARELESS MAJORITY
The world is filled with careless people who
are victims of their own indifference. They
are difficult to reach, to arouse, and yet they
are desperately needed. Somehow they must
be made to realize that their active support
may be the added touch necessary to halt and
throw back the enemies of Christ. It won’t be
easy to get the idea home to them. But it can
be done with persistence, a steady hammering
of the main idea knocking against their skulls.
They must be made to understand first that
penance, daily rosary and “cease offending
God” are all that can save the world from
the insidious slavery of Communism.
Millions of thoughtful people are realizing
more and more that the only hope of the world
is prayer, sacrifice and “cease offending God.”
It is the careless ones, the indifferent indi-
viduals,by far in the majority, who are the
present problem. They have to be convinced
that they are wanted and needed to make an
extra sacrifice, to recite the daily rosary,
brought close to our dear Mother and she will
snap them out of their careless, thoughtless
indifferent way.
Everybody understands the crying demand
for more and more prayers and sacrifices if
this country is to be saved from the turmoil
of Europe and Asia.
You are wanted right now. Be a Promoter!

Remember: “As soon as a sufficient number.”

Literature in abundance will be sent on re-


quest —
also picture scrolls for consecration
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

68
NOW IS THE TIME TO PRAY FOR PEACE
Our Holy Father said: “The sands of time
are running out as mankind faces its mo-
ment of decision — self-destruction or sur-

Msgr. Cacella, pictured with Miss Isabel


Roseira oi Lardosa who was miraculously
cured of paralysis and tuberculosis at Fa-
tima, on May 13,1949.

vival.” Now is the hour, therefore, to pray


for peace. Peace for ourselves, for our coun-
try, and for the world. These are the prin-
cipal objectives of our appeal. Penance, and
Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

SILENT TOO LONG


The story of Fatima —
the greatest event
of our century up to the time of the proclama-
tion of the dogma of the Assumption of Our
Lady into heaven —
is now being told the
world over. Too long have we neglected it.
Too long have ALL TOO MANY been silent.
We must now intensify our efforts to publi-
69
cize Mary’s commands at Fatima and do our
best to fulfill them.
Perhaps you have some urgent request to
place before Our Lady! You may have some
perplexing problem, worry, ailment, etc. Why
not, then, seek the intercession of Our Bless-

A Sister of St. Dorothy who was completely


cured during pilgrimage to Fatima con-
ducted by Father Cacella. May 13, 1949
ed Mother —
Our Lady of Fatima? She is
tender and kind. She will answer your re-
quest if you seek her aid in the right man-
ner, with the proper disposition. Remember
her GREAT PROMISE to Lucy, the Seer of
Fatima —
the promise of the graces needed
at the time of death, to all who practice the
devotion of the Five first Saturdays. “Our
Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, pray for us.”
TO THE MOTHERS WHO HAVE BOYS
IN THE SERVICE
We
urge strong devotion to Our Lady of Fa-
tima. She alone can inspire and give them
courage. Attach a self-imposed condition to
your request. It doesn’t have to be big. She
knows we cannot offer great sacrifices.
70
FATIMA AND REPARATION
By Clarence Brissette, O. S. M.

To us, most pleasing when defeat faced


. . .

the Allies in World War II Pope Pius . . .

XII (1942) heeded one of the requests of Fa-


tima, dedicated the world to the Immaculate

Msgr. Cacella’s pilgrimaga to Fatima


May 13, 1949

Heart of Mary and established a new univer-


sal feast celebrated August 22! Feast of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary the heart of
. . .

Mary and Fatima surrounded by thorns . . .

the gospel of the Mass begins: “Now there


stood by the Cross of Jesus, Mary, His Moth-
er.” Meditation on the Sorrows of Mary . . .

“Consecration to her Immaculate Heart,” all


with the distinctive objective of making re-
paration— “cease offending God” her com- . . .

mand at Fatima to bring about the conver-


sion of Russia and consequent peace.
Just what do we mean by reparation? A
mother loses her husband or one of her chil-
71
.

dren . the rest of the family try to repair


. .

the loss by being extra attentive and more


considerate of her than usual. Friends extend
sympathy, bring flowers or have Masses said.

Blessing of the sick at Fatima

They do what they know is pleasing to the


mother. Their kindness eases pain and sooth-
es sorrow they make some sort of “repara-
. . .

tion” for the death of a loved one.


And so meditation on the Sorrows of
. .

Mary seeing the passion of her Innocent


. . .

Son’s horrible death elicits not only compas-


sion, but an intense desire not to be a guilty
part of the tragic picture. We can’t expect
to console the mother while our own hands
. . .

are stained with innocent blood! A devout


Catholic following the Via Matris (Way of
the Mother) week after week can’t help . . .

but make resolutions which will help elimin-


ate the reason for her great sorrows! Not
natural ... to apologize for an offense and
then turn around and slap the offended one
in the face!

72
1.
THE BLOCK ROSARY
We are justly alarmed about world con-
ditions. There is no help except from GOD.
The way to that help is PRAYER.
2. Our BLESSED MOTHER has made
known her wish that we say the ROSARY,
meditating on its Mysteries.

3. powerful way of saying the ROSARY


A
is for neighbors to gather in one of their homes
and recite it together. Men, women and chil-
dren should all participate. This is known
as the BLOCK ROSARY.
4. The following procedure is suggested for
the BLOCK ROSARY.
(a) Neighbors meet in rotation ONCE a
week, preferably at 7:30 p. m. as OUR BLESS-
ED MOTHER wishes to be the honored
GUEST IN ALL homes until each home has
been the place of prayer of all in the neigh-
borhood. The neighbors then return to the
first home and continue the rotation.

(b) At
the first meeting it is recommend-
ed that the Act of Consecration to the Im-
maculate Heart of Mary be said and the Act
repeated at each meeting to remind us that
we must be faithful in performing MARY’S
requests, if we wish her intercession as the
All-Powerful Mediatrix of all Graces.

(c) Recite 5 decades of the Rosary, meditat-


ing on the Mysteries. After each decade say:
“Oh my JESUS, forgive our sins; preserve us
from the fire of hell; and bring all souls to
heaven especially those which most need
your help.” In conclusion recite the Hail
Holy Queen etc., also “Queen of the Most Holy

73
Kosary, pray for us,” and “Oh Sorrowful and
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.”
(d) The intentions of the BLOCK ROSARY
are:
(a) Penance in the world.
(b) The overthrow of atheism and com-
munism.
(c) The conversion of Russia.
(d) Renewed fervor among Catholics.
(e) That there may be One Fold and One
Shepherd.

ACT OF CONSECRATION
My Queen and my Mother to thee do I
offer myself without any reserve; and to give
thee a mark of my devotion I consecrate to
thee during this day my eyes, ears, my
my
mouth, my heart, my whole person.

In temptation say immediately

My Queen and my Mother, remember that


I belong to thee, preserve and defend me as
thy property and possession.
An indulgence of 500 days.
A plenary indulgence on the usual condi-
tions, if this act of oblation is repeated every
day for a month.
S. C. Ap., November 21, 1936.

74
HOW TO MAKE A NOVENA TO
THE IMMACULATE HEART
OF MARY

A. Recite any prayers (use indulgenced pray-


ers) for nine consecutive days in any church
or your own home, before a picture or statue
of the Blessed Virgin.
B. On each of these days assist at Holy Mass,
if possible.
C. Sometime during the Novena, or at the end
of it, confess and receive Holy Communion.
D. Make every effort to spread the devotion to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

= INDULGENCES ATTACHED TO THE DEVOTION \


TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY |

I (A) All the Faithful who say the approved pray- I


ers in honor of the Immaculate Heart of =

Mary, and have the intention of continuing I


this holy practice for nine consecutive days, =

may gain an Indulgence of five years, once |


a aay.
I (B) A PLENARY Indulgence may be gained af- |
ter the Novena is finished on the usual
|
conditions of confession. Holy Communion, |
and prayers for the intentions of the Holy 1
Father.
(Pius XI. 4-29-33.) I

i SPECIAL INDULGENCES FOR THE MONTH j


OF AUGUST
I (A) All the Faithful who on any day during |
the month of August, say any approved
|
prayer in honor of the Immaculate Heart |
of Mary, or assist at any pious exercise
j
in her honor, may gain an Indulgence of |
five years.
|
I (B) Those of the Faithful who have recited the !
prayers DAILY, or DAILY assisted at some i
pious exercise with devotion, for the entire !
month may gain a PLENARY indulgence |
on the usual conditions of confession. Holy I
Communion, and prayers for the intentions I
of the Holy Father.
(Pius XI, 6-2-35)
OTHER WORKS
OH r A T I M A
By Key. Joseph Cacella

AVAILABLE FROM ST. ANTHONY'S PRESS


OUR LADY OF FATIMA. A detailed, revised
and pictorial account of the wondrous events of
Fatima. 447 pages. Price S4.00.
THE WONDERS OF FATIMA. One of the most
up-to-date books on Fatima, Illustrated. Epis-
copal Pastorals. Devotional exercises, etc. 320
pages. Price S5.00.
THE STORY OF FATIMA. A 35 MM Slide Film
in FULL COLOR. Ideal for schools, colleges
academies, clubs, etc. Price S15.00.
FATIMA and the ROSARY. A concise brochure
on the wondrous events of Fatima with devo-
tional exercises. (Donation).
THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA. Devotional exer-
cises to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (Dona-
tion).

^
JACINTA. Leaflet giving a brief account of the
life of Jacinto, one of the Seers of Fatima, who
died in the odor of sanctity. (Donation).
SODALITY OF REPARATION TO THE IMMAC-
ULATE HEART OF MARY, Rules and regula-
SENIOR and JUNIOR (Fatima Club.)
tions of the
Branches.
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA. Leaflet
of Novena prayers. (Donations)
MASS OF THE IMMACULATE HEART. Suitable
for Missals and prayerbooks. (Donation)
MARY DAYS IN AMERICA. A chronology of
Marian dates relative to the United States. (Do-
nation)
HYMN TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA. Music and
words by Rev. Joseph Cacella. Price 10 cts.

ST. ANTHONY'S PRESSS


443 E. 135th St., New York 54, N. Y.

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