b'MARIAN WISDOMTHE IMPORTANCEof FATIMAOur Lady of Fatima sent a message of peace and hope for the whole worldBy Father Quentin Hakenewerth, SMW our is important for Mary is important for The final angelic apparition was in the fall of 1916.hateverMarianists. So, all of the apparitions of the The angel taught the children a prayer centered on theBlessed Mother resonate with the Society of Eucharist and the conversion of sinners. Through theMary and friends. angels three visits, the children were instructed in theWhen the Great WarWorld War Iengulfed the ways of prayer, reparation, intercession and suffering,world,GodsenthisMotherasOurLadyofFatimawith and the power of the Eucharist. They put into practicea message of peace and hope for the whole world. all the angel had taught them and were ready for theOn the eighth day of Pope Benedict XVs novena to first visit of their Blessed Mother the next year.the Queen of Peace, Mary appeared for the first time in The first apparition of Mary was on May 13, 1917.Fatima,Portugal,onMay13,1917.Withdivinewisdom, All three children saw Our Lady, but only Lucia andshe appeared to three children: Lucia Santos (10), Jacinta could hear her. Lucia was the only one whoFrancisco Marto (9), and Jacinta Marto (7), who tended actually spoke to the Blessed Mother; they spokesheep daily. As Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians, about heaven, purgatory, and the childrens missionGod chose the lowlyof the world, those who to suffer as reparation for sin and for the conversioncount for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who of sinners. Were they willing to accept? They said,are something (1 Corinthians 1:28) to spread his Yes. The Virgin Mary told them: Then you aremessage to the world. going to have much to suffer, but the grace of GodFatherQuentinHakenewerth,SMSheappearedtothemfivemoretimes,onthe13thof will be your comfort.each month, through October 13, 1917. Her messages Alight from Our Ladyof prayer (especially the Rosary), sacrifice, conversion, enveloped them and con- I am the Ladyandworldpeaceresonateasmuchtodayastheydidthen. soled them greatly. The of the Rosary.God prepares well for His important interventions Blessed Mother made Continue alwaysintheworld,andsuchisthecaseinFatima.In1916,the another request of them: to pray the Rosaryyear before the Marian apparitions, an angel appeared Pray the Rosary every every day.three times to the three youngsters in Portugal to set day to obtain peace forthe stage for the apparitions of Mary. the world and the endThe angel first appeared to the trio in the spring of the war.of 1916 and asked them to pray the Pardon Prayer: As might be expected, Lucias mother and sistersMy God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you! did not believe her, but Lucia insisted it was theI ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not truth. In fact, no one except the father of Franciscoadore, do not hope, and do not love you. and Jacinta, Ti Marto, believed the children. LuciaThe second angelic apparition was in the summer of was so hurt that she did not want to go back to the1916. The angel said: Pray very much! The hearts of Cova da Iria, where the apparition had occurred.Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you. Offer But she was so drawn to it that she could notprayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High. stay away.4Call1.800.348.4732'