Behold Thy Mother

A Publication of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Ghost Spring/Summer 2017 Volume 19 Issue 56

100th Anniversary of Fatima 1917-2017 Issue #2

Veni Sancte Spiritus per Mariam! Missionary Sisters of the Holy Ghost P.O. Box 589 • Veradale, WA 99037

Dear Readers, We promised you, at the beginning of this year, that we would continue to take you through different aspects of the message of Our Lady of Fatima, “The time since we celebrate, during 2017, 100 years since she first came to Fatima, Portugal. She pleaded with mankind to heed her past warnings, to begin for now to amend their lives, dress modestly, make reparation, study their doubting faith and pray the family each and every day. Fatima She appeared during the reign of His Holiness, Benedict XV and is over, continued giving messages to the eldest seer, Sr. Lucia into the reign of His Holiness, Pope Pius XI, but it was not until the reign of His Holiness, Pope now Pius XII, that all doubt was removed from these apparitions, and in 1950, is the time for He spoke those famous words that launched the Crusade of Fatima, “The time for doubting Fatima is over, now is the time for action.” He was so action.” sure of the message of Fatima, that He said to the Master General of the Dominicans, “Tell your religious that the Pope’s thinking is contained in Pope Pius XII the Message of Fatima.” August, 1950 While the message was young, Pope Benedict XV urgently asked all of the Christian people to beg the Virgin Mary to obtain the peace of the world, and to solemnly entrust the task to Her alone. As time went on, Pope Pius XI wished to read all the results of the Canonical Process of Fatima, so that He would be personally acquainted with Our Lady’s apparitions. He then granted a partial indulgence to those who individually visited the Shrine Intentions for: and prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father, and a plenary indulgence, once a month, to those who went there in a group. After all of this, still Morning Offering May: That all the members of the there were those who doubted the authenticity and contents of this message, (In the spirit of Holy Slavery) Church Militant may grow in so it took Pope Pius XII to tell the world to cease doubting Fatima. O Jesus, through the Immaculate fervor in the practice of their holy In this issue, we hope to share with you a glimpse into what Pope Pius XII Heart of Mary, in reparation for my faith. did in order to make sure this message was known and lived. Due to His sins, I offer Thee all my prayers, June: The universal reign of the intense promotion of Our Lady’s Peace Plan from Heaven, which was works, joys and sufferings of this Sacred Heart of Jesus, our King, comprised, in part, of the Holy Rosary, Modesty and Consecration to Mary’s day and of my entire life, for all the intentions of Thy Most Sacred Immaculate Heart, He is known, to this day, as “the Pope of Fatima,” “the through the spread of devotion to Heart, in union with the Holy Pope of Peace! Mary, our Queen. Sacrifice of the Mass validly and licitly offered this day throughout July: The preservation of the My prayers and the prayers of our Sisters are with you. We thank you for the world, the infinite graces and your prayers and for your support. purity and modesty of our youth merits thereof to be dispensed in during the summer months. accord with Thy Divine Will for the In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, salvation of souls, the conversion August: The conversion of of sinners, and the special intention recommended for this month: sinners, and reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Behold Thy Mother is published three times a year. Subscription rates are $16.00 per year within the United States. Foreign rates, $22.00 per year. 3 2 Heaven’s Plan Eugenio Pacelli at the Fr. Eugenio age of six, and Pacelli Fr. Eugenio becomes, Pacelli, on His the day of his Excellency, priestly Bishop ordination, Eugenio April 2, 1899 Pacelli bishop, a cardinal, and the Peter, becoming the 262nd Holy Father, Himself, creat- pope of the Roman Catholic May 13, 1917 ing the means He needed, to Church, taking the name of become Mary’s messenger, Pius XII, until His death in Everything in our life is a Eugenio was born into a and proclaim to the world, 1958, He worked tirelessly part of the wonderful and family which, for most of the “The time for doubting for Holy Mother Church, and stupendous plan of Almighty nineteenth century, was in Fatima is over, now is the for His Heavenly Mother God. Each person we meet, service to the Holy See. time for action!” Mary, even creating a feast God had a purpose for On Easter Sunday, April 2, On the very day God for Mary’s Immaculate Heart allowing our paths to cross. 1899, he was ordained a chose for His Mother to in 1945, and issuing an ex Only in eternity will we fully priest, and said his first Mass appear, for the first time, to cathedra proclamation understand why things the following day, at the the three shepherd children, defining the dogma of her happened the way they did altar of “Salus Populi Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, Assumption in 1950. in each and every day of our Romano”. The title “Salus May 13, 1917, He also This great man of God, life. Populi Romano”, (Protectress planned, for His beloved son, was not only to become one Such is also the way God and Health of the Roman Eugenio, to be raised to the of the greatest Holy Fathers works with those He has People) is a Roman Catholic Sacred Bishopric! in the History of the Catholic great plans for in life. title associated with the His Holiness, Pope Church, but He was to be the Eugenio Maria Giuseppe venerated image of the Benedict XV, consecrated Fr. instrument Heaven used, to Giovanni Pacelli, was such a Blessed Virgin Mary in . Pacelli as bishop in a special bring Catholics to their one that God, from all eter- She is enshrined within the ceremony in the Sistine senses, regarding the great nity, planned to be the herold Borghese Chapel of the Chapel, and at the same message of Fatima! of His Mother’s great mes- Basilica of Saint Mary Major. time, elevated him to the Today, Pope Pius XII is sage at Fatima, Portugal, in This priest was to go on in rank of archbishop. known as, “the Pope of 1917. God’s plan, to become a From 1939, when he Fatima”, and the “Pope of ascended the Throne of Peace”. 4 5 The Pope who The Holy Father gave associated himself Fatima with the closing to celebrations of the the Jubilee of Fatima, by consecrating World! the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

orbi the name of Our Lady of delegate to Fatima, to repre- Excerpts from: Fatima in an Apostolic Letter sent, as he said, “Our own Fr. John A Hardon, S. J. addressed to the Portuguese person at the shrine of the Review for Religious Bishops, but published for the Virgin of Fatima, to act in whole world.” (Da Cruz, Our own name, and to preside with Our Fatima owes its present vocations to the missions, he Fatima, 1949, 99). authority”(A.A.S.., 43, 781). popularity in the Church wrote in 1940, “Let the On October 31, 1942, the Cardinal Tedeschini, very largely to the interest faithful, when reciting the Holy Father associated him- archpriest of St. Peter’s and encouragement of Pope Rosary so strongly recom- self with the closing celebra- Basilica, was the papal legate Pius XII. Although the mended by Our Lady of tions of the Jubilee of Fatima, who assisted at the Fatima bishops of Portugal had Fatima, not omit to address by consecrating the world to celebration on October 13, authorized the cultus of Our an invocation to the Blessed the Immaculate Heart of 1951, when more than a Lady of Fatima in 1930, and Virgin in favor of missionary Mary, as Our Lady of Fatima million pilgrims came to the Pius XI made an implicit vocations” (Osservatore, June had requested. And in the Portuguese shrine. reference to the “extraordi- 29, 1940). This was so signifi- same year he extended the In his own radio message nary benefits with which the cant that the Portuguese Office and Mass of the Im- to the pilgrims, the Holy Blessed Virgin recently fa- Hierarchy in 1942 were able maculate Heart to the Uni- Father emphasized one vored” Portugal, it was Pius to say, “We are happy to see versal Church appointing the practical aspect of the mes- XII among the who the Supreme Authority of 22nd of August as the feast sage of Fatima which de- first explicitly referred to the Vicar of Jesus Christ day. serves to be better known: Fatima in a formal papal evoke thus the testimony of He then sent, for the the Family Rosary. “The document. Pleading for more Fatima, and proclaim Urbi et second time, an official 6 7 The , that beautiful Mountain, spoken of by Isaias the Prophet, will be in eclipse.

Virgin Mother’s insistence XII, tells us the power of that on the recitation of the Rosary when he said, “We family Rosary,”he said, esteem the Rosary to be the “was meant to teach us that most suitable and efficacious the secret of peace in family means to obtain the help of life lies in imitating the God. The flowers of the virtues of the Holy Rosary never perish.” Family.”(A.A.S., 43, 801). What powerful words He continued, “There is no coming from the heart of the surer means of calling down Holy Father, giving us, his God’s blessing upon the spiritual children, the incen- family than the daily recita- tive to do as Our Lady re- tion of the Rosary.” quested, and pray the Rosary Again, in his , daily. His words and ex- , he pro- ample brought the Fatima moted what Our Lady of message alive. Fatima asked for, the daily In her later years, Sister Rosary, when he said, “May Lucia, the eldest seer of the beads of the Rosary be in Fatima, stated, “There is no the hands of all.” problem, I tell you, no matter “Fatima owes its present popularity in the Yes, Our Lady of Fatima how difficult it is, that we Church very largely to the interest and asked us to pray the Rosary cannot solve by the prayer of encouragement of Pope Pius XII.” every day for world peace, the Holy Rosary.” and His Holiness, Pope Pius 8 9 Cardinal Pacelli, the Future Pope of Fatima, a Tireless Voice for Our Lady and Her Most Holy Rosary

Significantly, the 13th of October, the anniversary of the final Excerpts from: apparition at Fatima, the day she revealed herself as, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. “The Lady of the Rosary”, Review for Religious is one of the chief pilgrimage days at Einsiedeln.

Our Lady of Fatima asked Archbishop Pacelli stopped at hood under the patronage of was his constant companion. for the daily recitation of her the shrine of the “Mother of Mary. During his four weeks visit in Rosary, and Cardinal Pacelli Graces”in Einsiedeln, in the Rated as one of Italy’s the United States in 1936, he never missed an opportunity Swiss canton of Schwyz. outstanding orators, as covered something like 8,000 to not only speak of the Originated by St. Meinrad in priest, bishop and cardinal, miles, mostly by plane. Later Mother of God, but especially the ninth century, Einsiedeln Pacelli was much in demand, a stewardess delcared that to spread devotion to her has attraced pilgrims from all particularly for panegyrics she had never seen a passen- most Holy Rosary. parts of Europe, numbering and memorial addresses. His ger who used his typewriter After eighteen years in the upwards of 200,000 annually. devotion to the Rosary and so continually as Cardinal priesthood, Pacelli was The miraculous state of the love for Our Lady, made Pacelli. He interrupted His appointed by Benedict XV to Blessed Virgin originally set Mary the frequent topic of work periodically only to say the nunciature of Munich, up by St. Meinrad is the his sermons. In fact, the his beads. and entrusted with the object of their devotion. Mother of God filled a promi- Biographers of the future delicate mission of mediating Significantly, the 13th of nent role in his sermon Pope Pius XII, record that his a peaceful settlement in the October, the anniversary of theme, and was often the devotion to the Blessed Virgin war between Germany and the final apparition at Fatima, main subject of his talks. can be traced to the earliest the allies. At the same time the day she revealed herself One of his most famous days of his boyhood. He and he was chosen Titular Arch- as, “The Lady of the Rosary”, sermons as cardinal is still his brother Francesco at- bishop of Sardes, and conse- is one of the chief pilgrimage remembered, a sermon in the tended ginnasio classes in a crated by Pope Benedict days at Einsiedeln. Arch- Church of S. Luigi dei privated school on the Via himself. bishop Pacelli wished to begin Francesi on “Our Lady of a de’Ginnasi, near the Jesuit In route to his new post, his episcopate, like the priest- Happy Death.” The Rosary Church of the Gesu in Rome. 10 11 A stewardess delcared that she had never seen a passenger who used his typewriter so continually as Cardinal Pacelli. He interrupted His work periodically only to say his beads. Quotes from some of the great sermons of Next to the tomb of St. With this beautiful trust His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, Ignatius, on the Gospel side, and love for his Heavenly The Pope of Fatima is the chapel of Madonna Mother, no wonder then, on della Strada, built around the when she said at Fatima, “I picture of Our Lady to which am the Lady of the Rosary” The Most Holy Rosary St. Ignatius was specially and “Pray the Rosary every devoted. day for world peace”, that he “May the beads of the Rosary Before and after school took this to heart and contin- be in the hands of all.” hours, young Pacelli used to ued, to the end of his life, go into the Gesu and pour singing the praises of the “We esteem the Rosary to be the most suitable out his heart in prayer before most Holy Rosary, and the and efficacious means to obtain the help of God. the miraculous image. Some- importance that this power- The flowers of the Rosary never perish.” times he stayed so long that ful prayer played in the lives he was late in coming home. of each and every Catholic. But his mother never worried “We put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for This comes out clearly in his about him. “I suppose he is the healing of evils which afflict our times.” outstanding encyclical, with the Madonna della “” Strada again,”she would say. , on “There is no surer means of calling down Once she asked him what he the Recitation of the Rosary, God’s blessing upon the famiy than was doing in the chapel all which he wrote one year the daily recitation of the Rosary.” the time. “I pray and tell after he delcared that the Mary everything.”he an- time for doubting Fatima swered simply.” was over! 12 13 surrounded by an immense many snares are the souls of multitude of the faithful, We so many of Our sons submit- solemnly proclaimed the ted in those areas to make Assumption into Heaven of them reject the Faith of their the Virgin Mary, body and fathers, and to make them soul. break, most wretchedly, the The recollection of these bond of union which links things comes back pleas- them to this Apostolic See! antly to Us and encourages Nor can We pass over in Us to trust firmly in Divine silence a new crime to Mercy. However, at present, which, with utmost sorrow, We do not lack reasons for We want earnestly to draw profound sorrow which not only your attention, but torment and sadden Our the attention of the clergy, of paternal heart. parents, and even of public Ingruentium Malorum You know well, Venerable authorities. We refer to the Brethren, the calamitous iniquitous campaign that the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness, Pope Pius XII conditions of our times. impious lead everywhere to on Reciting the Rosary Fraternal harmony among harm the shining souls of nations, shattered for so children. Not even the age of To our venerable brethren, and, to this end, as you long a time, has not yet been innocence has been spared, Patriarchs, Primates, know, We have from time to re-established everywhere. for, alas, there are not lack- Archbishops, Bishops, and time written letters of exhor- On the contrary, here and ing those who boldly dare to other ordinaries having peace tation. there, we see souls upset by snatch from the mystical and communion with the You know, Venerable hatred and rivalry, while garden of the Church even Apostolic See. Brethren, with what zeal threats of new bloody the most beautiful flowers, and with what spontaneous conflicts still hover over the which constitute the hope of Venerable Brethren, and unanimous approval the peoples. To this, one must religion and society. Consid- Greetings and Apostolic Christian people everywhere add the violent storm of ering this, one cannot be Benediction. have answered Our invita- persecution, which in many surprised if peoples groan tion. It has been magnifi- parts of the world, has been under the weight of the Ever since We were raised, cently testified many times unleashed against the Divine punishment, and live by the design of Divine by the great demonstration Church, depriving it of its under the fear of even Providence, to the supreme of faith and love towards the liberty, saddening it very greater calamities. Chair of Peter, We have august , cruelly with calumnies and However, consideration of never ceased, in the face of and above all, by that mani- miseries of all kinds, and a situation so pregnant with approaching evils, to entrust festation of universal joy making the blood of martyrs dangers must not depress to the most powerful protec- which, last year, Our eyes flow again and again. your souls, Venerable Breth- tion of the Mother of God the had the pleasure to behold, To what and to how ren. Instead, mindful of that destiny of the human family, when, in St. Peter's Square, 14 15 “Through your efforts, the Christian people should be led to understand the dignity, the power, and the excellence of the Rosary.”

Divine teaching: "Ask and it Mary by means of the Holy beautiful than the Lord's a longing for things immortal, shall be given to you; seek Rosary. prayer and the angelic and becomes strongly and and you shall find; knock, O Venerable Brethren, We salutation, which are the easily impelled to follow the and it shall be opened to desire that, this year, this flowers with which this path which Christ Himself you" (Luke 11, 9), fly with prayer should be offered mystical crown is formed? and His Mother have fol- greater confidence to the with such greater fervor of With meditation of the lowed. The recitation of Mother of God. There, the heart as is demanded by the Sacred Mysteries added to identical formulas repeated so Christian people have al- increased urgency of the the vocal prayers, there many times, rather than ways sought chief refuge in need. We well know the emerges another very great rendering the prayer sterile the hour of danger, because Rosary's powerful efficacy to advantage, so that all, even and boring, has on the con- "she has been constituted the obtain the maternal aid of the most simple and least trary the admirable quality of cause of salvation for the the Virgin. By no means is educated, have in this a infusing confidence in him whole human race" (St. there only one way to pray prompt and easy way to who prays and brings to bear Irenaeus). to obtain this aid. However, nourish and preserve their a gentle compulsion on the Therefore, we look forward We consider the Holy Rosary own faith. motherly Heart of Mary. with joyful expectation and the most convenient and And truly, from the Let it be your particular revived hope to the coming most fruitful means, as is frequent meditation on the care, O Venerable Brethren, month of October, during clearly suggested by the very Mysteries, the soul little by that the faithful, on the which the faithful are accus- origin of this practice, heav- little and imperceptibly occasion of the coming month tomed to flock in larger enly rather than human, and draws and absorbs the of October, should use this numbers to the churches to by its nature. What prayers virtues they contain, and is most fruitful form of prayer raise their supplications to are better adapted and more wondrously enkindled with with the utmost possible zeal, 16 17 and that it become always come back from their daily for the Redeemer blossom following your example and more esteemed and more work. It unites them piously almost spontaneously in their your exhortation should diligently recited. with those absent and those innocent hearts, while, respond solicitously to Our Through your efforts, the dead. It links all more tightly seeing, their parents kneeling paternal exhortation, uniting Christian people should be in a sweet bond of love, with before the majesty of God, their hearts and their voices led to understand the dig- the most Holy Virgin, who, they will learn from their with the same ardor of nity, the power, and the like a loving mother, in the very early years how great charity. If the evils and the excellence of the Rosary. circle of her children, will be before the throne of God is assaults of the wicked in- But it is above all in the there bestowing upon them the value of prayers said in crease, so likewise must the bosom of the family that We an abundance of the gifts of common. piety of all good people desire the custom of the Holy concord and family peace. We do not hesitate to affirm increase and become ever Rosary to be everywhere Then the home of the again publicly that We put more vigorous. Let them adopted, religiously pre- Christian family, like that of great confidence in the Holy strive to obtain from our served, and ever more in- Nazareth, will become an Rosary for the healing of evils most loving Mother, espe- tensely practiced. In vain is a earthly abode of sanctity, which afflict our times. Not cially through this form of remedy sought for the wa- and, so to speak, a sacred with force, not with arms, prayer, that better times may vering fate of civil life, if the temple, where the Holy not with human power, but quickly return for the family, the principle and Rosary will not only be the with Divine help obtained Church and society. foundation of the human particular prayer which through the means of this May the very powerful community, is not fashioned every day rises to heaven in prayer, strong like David Mother of God, moved by the after the pattern of the an odor of sweetness, but will with his sling, the Church prayers of so many of her Gospel. also form the most efficacious undaunted shall be able to sons, obtain from her only To undertake such a diffi- school of Christian discipline confront the infernal enemy, Son - let us all beseech her - cult duty, We affirm that the and Christian virtue. This repeating to him the words of that those who have miser- custom of the family recita- meditation on the Divine the young shepherd: "Thou ably wandered from the path tion of the Holy Rosary is a Mysteries of the Redemption comest to me with a sword, of truth and virtue may, with most efficacious means. will teach the adults to live, and a spear, and with a new fervor, find it again; What a sweet sight - most admiring daily the shining shield; but I come to thee in that hatred and rivalry, pleasing to God - when, at examples of Jesus and Mary, the name of the Lord of which are the sources of eventide, the Christian home and to draw from these Hosts, the God of armies . . . discord and every kind of resounds with the frequent examples comfort in adver- and all this assembly shall mishap, may be put aside, repetition of praises in honor sity, striving towards those know that the Lord saveth and that a true, just, and of the august Queen of heavenly treasures "where not with sword and spear, genuine peace may shine Heaven! Then the Rosary, neither thief draws near, nor for this is his battle, and he again upon individuals, recited in common, as- moth destroys" (Luke 12, 33). will deliver you into our families, peoples, and na- sembles before the image of This meditation will bring to hands" (I Kings 17, 45-47) tions. And, finally, may she the Virgin, in an admirable the knowledge of the little For this reason, We ear- obtain that, after the rights of union of hearts, the parents ones the main truths of the nestly desire, Venerable the Church have been se- and their children, who Christian Faith, making love Brethren, that all the faithful, cured in accord with justice, 18 19 friendship and collaboration. Venerable Brethren and beloved sons, while you His Holiness, Pope Pius XII entwine new flowers of warmly acknowledging a supplication by reciting your crowd, that came to Rosary, do not forget those St. Peter’s Square, holding a statue of who languish miserably in Our Lady of Fatima. prison camps, jails, and concentration camps. There are among them, as you know, also Bishops dismissed “I am the Lady of the Rosary!” from their Sees solely for having heroically defended His Holiness, Pope Pius the sacred rights of God and XII and the Bishop of the Church. There are sons, Fatima standing with the fathers and mothers, wrested statue of Our Lady of Fatima blessed by the from their homes and com- Holy Father. “But it is above all in the pelled to lead unhappy lives bosom of the family that far away in unknown lands We desire the custom of and strange climates. the Holy Rosary to be Just as We love them with everywhere adopted, a special charity and em- your usual burning zeal, will bring to the knowledge of your religiously preserved, brace them with the love of a clergy and people these Our paternal exhortations in a way and ever more father, so must you, with a which will appear most appropriate to you. intensely practiced.” brotherly love which the Feeling certain that Our sons throughout the world will Christian religion nourishes respond willingly and generously to this Our invitation, We its beneficent influence may and enkindles, join with Us penetrate without obstacle impart, from the fullness of Our heart and as an evidence of before the altar of the Virgin Our favor and an augury of heavenly graces, to each and the hearts of men, the social Mother of God and recom- classes, and the avenues of every one of you, to the flock entrusted to each of you and mend them to her motherly particularly to those who, especially during the month of public life so as to join people heart. She doubtlessly will, among themselves in broth- October, will devoutly recite the holy Rosary according to Our with exquisite sweetness, intentions, Our Apostolic Blessing. erhood and lead them to that revive in their hearts the prosperity which regulates, hope of eternal reward and, Given in Rome, at St. Peter's, the 15th day of September, preserves, and coordinates We firmly believe, will not the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, in the the rights and duties of all fail to hasten the end of so without harming anyone much sorrow. Year 1951, the 13th of Our pontificate. and which daily makes for We do not doubt that you, Pope Pius XII greater and greater mutual O Venerable Brethren, with 20 21 perfect model of these vir- Pius XI in 1930, and solidi- The Pope of Fatima, tues. fied by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, Pope Pius XII saw in this Pius XII. They wrote their Puts movement, a great means to own version of the modesty His Seal spread the message of mod- standards in the 1950’s esty that Our Lady of Fatima which were condemned by on came to give to the world. Pope Pius XII. Our Lady of Fatima’s His Holiness said, “Mainly Pope Pius XI said, “We Request through sins of impurity do recall that a dress cannot for the forces of darkness subju- be called decent which is Modesty gate souls.” This was the cut deeper than two fin- same message that was given gers’ breadeth under the pit Excerpts from: by Our Lady of Fatima, in of the throat, which does Official Handbook of the similar words, “The sins that not cover the arms at least Purity Crusade lead most souls to hell are the to the elbows, and scarcely of Mary Immaculate sins of the flesh.” reaches a bit beyond the What Our Lady warned knees. Futhermore, dresses Our Lady of Fatima tolic Blessing to the Purity about came true. Immodesty of transparent material are lamented that “Certain Crusade of Mary Immaculate, became rampant. improper.” fashions will be introduced and on May 11, 1955, He Fr. Kunkle said, “Follow- To the request to modify that will offend Our Lord extended it, “to the members, ing a general breakdown of and change these stan- very much...” to their Directors and Mod- modesty, impurity has be- dards, Pope Pius XII re- After declaring that the erators, to their families and come the ruling passion of plied on September 14, time for doubting Fatima loved ones, and to all who the world. It is like a spiri- 1956, “Theologians... do was over, in August of 1950, further their laudable move- tual cancer slowly eating not carry on their work Pope Pius XII wasted no time ment for modesty in dress away the spiritual life of through divine right, but to approve and promote and and behavior.” souls. It has brought the through delegations of the what Our Lady asked for, by The Marylike Crusade was world to a brink of another Church, and hence remain writing His Encyclical on the initiated by Reverend Bernard Sodom and Gomorrha, this subject to the vigilance and Rosary, Ingruentium A. Kunkle, pastor of St. time on a worldwide scale. authority of the legitimage Malorum, in 1951. He then Cecilia’s Parish in Bartelso, To this, His Holiness, Pope Teaching Authority... So signed His approval, and Illinois, on the feast of the Pius XII stated, “We are the decisive factor in gave His Apostolic Blessing, Immaculate Conception, facing the threat of the knowing the truth is not to a cause that would launch December 8, 1944. greatest catastrophe since the ópinio theologorum; a worldwide crusade to This crusade was founded the deluge.” (opinion of theologians) fulfill Our Lady of Fatima’s to promote chastity and Many bishops and theolo- but the ‘sensus request for modesty. modesty through the imita- gians fought the standards of Ecclesiae’(the mind of the On July 14, 1954, His tion of Mary, our Queen and modesty that were laid out Church). To reverse the Holiness imparted His Apos- “Mother Most Chaste,”as the by His His Holiness, Pope matter would be making 22 23 Theologians practi- cally the ‘magistri Magisterii; (Supreme Teaching Authority) which is obviously an error.” And again on November 8, 1957, His Holiness very clearly stated that the 1930 standards could not be changed when He stated, “Times and customs may change, but God’s laws never change or become outmoded. Neither does Quotes of concupiscence His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, change. There al- The Pope of Fatima, ways exists an on absolute norm to be pre- again, begging parents and served, no matter how broad teachers to live and promote Modesty in Dress and changeable the relative the modesty standards. morals of styles may be.” In a very strong warning “Christian mothers, if only you knew the future of distress Pope Pius XII made it very He said, “The good of our and peril, of shame ill-restrained, that you prepare for your clear, that the standards of soul is more important than sons and daughters in imprudently accustoming them to live modesty drawn up by bishops that of our body; and we hardly clothed and in making them lose the sense of and theologians of the 1950’s, modesty, you should be ashamed of yourselves and of the have to prefer the spiritual did not have the Church’s harm done the little ones whom heaven entrusted to your welfare of our neighbor to stamp of approval, and care, to be reared in Christian dignity and culture.” our bodily comforts. If a Catholic women could not, in certain kind of dress consti- “Let parents keep their daughers away from public conscience, follow them. tutes a grave and proximate gymnastic games and contests: but if their daughters are In order to promote the compelled to attend such exhibitions, let them see that they message of modesty that Our occasion of sin, and endan- gers the salvation of your are fully and modestly dressed. Let them never permit their Lady of Fatima came to daughters to don immodest garb.” deliver in 1917, His Holiness soul and others, it is your spoke out time and time duty to give it up! 24 25 or new, unhesitatingly you homes. The different titles The Pope bring to them all your trust, by which you invoke Mary of Fatima, you lay before them your illustrate the infinite richness Pius XII, difficulties, your sufferings and unlimited goodness of Promotes and your hopes. Bound in- the Creature without stain, Our Lady timately to the life of your the Immaculate Virgin and of people, these statues shared Mother of God, whom the Fatima’s with you many difficulties world will never end prais- Request and agonies, and have been ing and whose goodness it for present at the magnificent will never exhaust. Consecration expansion and astounding to Her accomplishments of Catholi- TWO ASPECTS Immaculate Heart cism in your country. Each As proof of your grati- day, you pour forth your tude, you wish to make an Taken from: Consecration to Mary: prayers at their feet, gain the act of consecration to this Its Benefits and Its courage to carry on a patient glorious sovereign. Weigh Obligations struggle against all forms of well, dear sons and daugh- by Pope Pius XII evil, and receive the good of ters, the full importance of September 5, 1954 body and soul and those this act and the obligations thousands of kindnesses it involves. By putting un- Venerable brethren, dear festation of devotion to the which a Mother never ceases der Mary’s mantle your sons and daughters of Bel- Mother of God. to shower on her children. personal, family, and na- gium: The miraculous statues that Thus you have a good rea- tional activities, you ask her Since last December 8, on this day have passed over son to come in pilgrimage protection and her aid in all when We solemnly pro- the plateau of Koekelberg in from all corners of Belgium your undertakings. But you claimed the opening of the triumphant procession are an to a site that you consider the also promise her to avoid , you have en- eloquent testimony that Bel- high place of your faith and anything that could dis- thusiastically responded to gium is a Marian land. Most in national homage to gather please her and to conform Our invitation and multi- of them have received your there your most famous stat- your whole life to her direc- plied the proofs of your filial homage for many centuries, ues, representatives of the tion and her desires. The love for Mary. We are also while others have appeared other countless images scat- love of a Mother can make profoundly happy to make recently as a renewed sign of tered everywhere in your the most severe demands on Ourselves present among the living presence of Mary churches, your chapels, her children, when their you today at this great mani- among you. But whether old along the roads, in your good is at stake. She will not 26 27 tolerate the family’s honor times the crying needs—of faithful love of which God FOSTERS VOCATIONS to be harmed by their con- other social classes or other has made her the custodian? It is not to be wondered at duct. Indeed she longs for peoples. It is so easy to for- Who inspires mothers with if, in hearts specially de- them to perform brilliant get that temporal well-being the courage and patience nec- voted to her, the Queen of deeds that she may rejoice is not the principal end of essary to take care of the Virgins awakens the desire with them over their success human life and that there are countless needs of their fam- to imitate the perfection of and merits. other riches, infinitely more ily, to train their children in her love for Christ and men. Mary expects you, heirs of precious and lasting, those piety, to defend them against Following the counsels of a long tradition of fidelity in of divine charity, which the snares which a paganized the divine Master, young the service of Christ, to carry make man forgetful of self in world constantly lays under men and women leave their on at the present time the order to give himself to God their feet? It is in the bosom homes and endeavor by a age-old struggle that di- and His work. The Blessed of the family, through con- life of prayer, renunciation vides good and evil. Virgin’s role is to let men stant daily contact that the and charity, to call down on glimpse a reflection of image of the parents is im- souls the graces of salvation, FIRM FAITH TO COMBAT heaven among all the cares pressed on the children, that and also to show them the MATERIALISM that chain them to this earth the experience of a Christian way by word and example. First of all, she asks you and to remind them life is transmitted. It is there We especially remember, to remain firm in faith. Even untiringly that the sufferings that a vigilant and tender not without emotion, the if you do not have to suffer of this world are not worthy presence is needed; one magnificent missionary ef- open persecution, as is the to be compared with the might say that there is the forts of Belgium, and all the sad lot of so many in other glory that God is preparing place of choice where the religious Congregations countries, you must defend for His children (cf. Rom. 8, Mother of Jesus continues the which, at the price of heavy yourselves against a materi- 18). work that was hers par excel- sacrifices, proclaim the mes- alism which little by little is lence, the motherly care of sage of Christ in Africa and invading society, its institu- CONSECRATION the Son of God, which is now in many other parts of the tions and its activities. With SANCTIFIES HOMES prolonged in the members of world. Maintain this glori- many, this materialism re- The consecration to Mary His Church. May Mary reign ous tradition which bears veals itself in the search for will sanctify your homes. in your homes, not only be- witness to the vitality of a comfortable life, fully se- Who better than the Blessed cause you have placed her your Catholicism and does cure for the morrow, but a Virgin can preserve the inti- image or statue there, but honor to the Church and Her life closed to supernatural macy and fervor of family also because you often pray divine Head! realities, to all appeal to de- affections and elevate them to her together, come to her votion, and incapable of by communicating to them for her advice and practice INSPIRES THE LAY APOSTOLATE grasping the needs—at the purity of that completely her virtues. The Blessed Virgin also 28 29 inspires the lay apostolate, ardor in their prayers, mor- in its diverse forms, in par- tifications and conquering ticular those of Marian boldness, which is fitting to associations and Catholic those who care little for their “The Action groups. For souls own personal advantages, Consecration desirous of living out the and have only in mind an Our Lady teaching of Jesus more sin- ever greater fidelity in ful- of Fatima cerely and more fully, for filling their obligations to asked for, those who burn to make it Mary. was Total known to others, in particu- Consecration lar to their fellow workers, LEADS TO CHRIST according for him who wishes to re- You have wished to con- to the store the order of justice and clude this Marian day by method of charity in social institutions assisting at Holy Mass and St. Louis and to bring to the temporal receiving Holy Communion. Marie de order of society a reflection You could not confirm more Montfort!” of the perfect harmony that effectively the promises unites the children of God, made to the Blessed Virgin. Sr. Lucia the Virgin Mary obtains the Mary has no other desire grace of the apostolate. She than to lead men to Christ, puts on their lips words that and to introduce them to the conquer without hurting heart of the central mystery and she animates them with of Christianity, that of the May Jesus, through Mary, continue to reign over your na- an ingenious zeal and a Redemption. She continues tion, your homes and in the depths of your souls. May He humble, patient, devoted to give to the Church the Son raise among you an ever greater and more ardent group of affection, without which the she brought into the world apostles, priests, religious and lay persons. May He main- apostle runs the risk of in Palestine. If she loves to tain in your country the Christian spirit in all its generosity growing tired very quickly. see her children assembled and an ever more fervent devotion toward the Blessed Vir- Nourished by a deeper un- for a stirring manifestation of gin. May you in all truth be able to repeat to her derstanding and a more faith and love, it is to lead enthusiastically the words of the beautiful hymn: “Among lively affection for their Sov- them together to the mystic us, be thou Queen!” ereign and Patroness, the Bread, symbol of unity, of As pledge of the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Marian associations will re- peace and of the eternal joy from whom We implore on you the most abundant favors, double their supernatural of heaven. We give you with all Our heart, Our Apostolic Blessing. 30 31