Dear Editor,
On May 13, the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the miraculous events that occurred at Fatima, Portugal in 1917.
In April, 1917, the United States had entered World War I. On May 5, 2017 Pope Benedict XV urged the world to invoke the Mother of Mercy (Blessed Virgin Mary) for peace. And on May 13, 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, appeared to three young sheepherds: Lucia dos Santos, age 10, and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, ages 9 and 7.
Our Lady (BVM) requested the children to meet her in the sheep pasture on the 13 of each month until October at which time, she promised, there would be a miracle, so that people would believe and pray for peace.
On October 13, 1917 the sixth apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, the Miracle of the Sun occurred before over 70,000 witnesses in the Cova da Iria and was reported by the newspapers. One newspaper reported that “the Midday Sun Danced at Fatima.” When the sun appeared to hurl towards the earth, many people were sure it was the end of the world and were terrified, but soon their world returned to normal.
At this time, as the 100th anniversary of these events approaches, many people are expecting another miracle, and many are hoping for one, believing that this time surely the whole world will listen.
At this time in our lives and in the history of the world, it seems things could never be worse: Christians and others are being murdered— decapitated even— for their faith in God; and children not yet born are being dismembered in the mothers’ womb because they are believed to be an “inconvenience” to their mothers, and their body parts sold for cash by those who murder them; elders are being encouraged to request “assisted suicide,” and told it is the merciful thing to do; and in at least four African countries people are starving to death because of drought and other nations seem not to notice the plight of their sisters and brothers of our one heavenly Father.
As the German Lutheran publication Sancta had pointed out years ago, the message of Fatima is not for the Catholic Church alone, but is meant for the whole of Christianity, indeed for the whole world.
Please be aware of this centennial event— pray for peace, and do not be surprised if on May 13 or October 13 God gives us all another “wake up call!” If he does, maybe this time all people— the whole world— will pay attention and respond with fraternal love!
—A. Patricia Bock