OUR LADY OF FATIMA'S

"PEACE PLAN FROM HEAVEN" OUR LADY OF FATIMA'S "PEACE PLAN FROM HEAVEN"

Six times, from May through October Nihil Obstat: of 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary ap­ FINTAN G. WALKER, PH. D. peared to three little shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal, to give to the world Censor Librorum a "peace plan from Heaven." Today, the world is fiUed with hate, strife and greed. Humanity is threatened with atomic war, Imprimatur: with its accompanying suffering, misery, + PAUL C. SCHULTE . death and destruction such as has never Archbishop of Indianapolis been seen before ln the entire history of mankind. The only hope for averting these dis­ January 15, 1950 asters lies in the fulfillment, by a sufli­ cient number of people, of the requests made by the Mother of God at Fatima. These simple requests, if heeded in time, will eliminate all wars, cure the mental and spiritual ills of mankind, and will bring about a lasting, peaceful mode of life that will lead all to Heaven and Tenth Printing, August 1951 eternal happiness with Almighty lJ.od. The "peace plan from Heaven" forms the only hope for true peace in the world today.

1,000,000 copies printed. Part I - THE STORY OF FATIMA On a cool spring. day ·in 1916, Lucy dos Table of Contents Santos, age 9, and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marta, ages 8 and 6 respectively, took their parents' sheep to pasture in a place not Part I - The Story of Fatima 5 far from their homes· in the mountain viliage of Fatima, Portugal, about 90 miles north of Lisbon. It started to drizzle, and the children Part II - Subsequent Important Events 14 sought shelter in a nearby cave. Suddenly across the field, a white globe of light ap­ Part Ill- Fatima and the United States peared, moving over the open space toward the and the Future 19 cave. The three children stared in awe as they saw in the center of the light a beautiful Part IV- Putting the Peace Plan Into young man in flowing white garments. Action 24 The stranger began to speak: ''Fear not_. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Kneeling on the ground, he bowed low and recited this prayer three times, with the chil­ dren repeating it after him: "0 my God, I (NOTE: Parts ! ·and II are based upon the believe, I adore, I hope and I love You. I ask book "The Children of Fatima" by Mary. pardon for those who do not believe, do not Fabyan Windeatt, and published by The Grail.) adore, do not hope and do not love You." In mid-summer, as the children were to­ gether, the angel came again, and said, "Pray! Pray a great deal. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs on you. Offer The cover picture is a photograph of Jose Ferrara prayers and sacrifices continually to the Most Thedim' s statue of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Our Blessed Mother appeared during the June High. Make everything you do a sacrifice, and apparition to the Children of Fatima. It was on this occasion that she showed the children her Im­ offer it as am act of reparation for the sins by maculate Heart, and begged that the world make which God is offended, and as a petition for reparation for its sins. the conversion of sinners. Bring peace to our country in this way . . . I am the Guardian Angel of Portugal. Accept and bear with sub- 5 mission all the sufferings the Lord will send lightning cut the air-then another. Fearing yau." a storm, the children quickly gathered the The angel came again in the fall of that sheep to get them home. Then their glances same year, this time bearing a golden chalice fell upon a small holm-oak tree directly in in one hand and a Host above it in the other. their path. A dazzling light hovered over the The amazed children noticeq that drops of topmost branches, when-wonder of wonders­ blood were falling from the Host into the what should they behold but the form of a chalice. Presently, the angel left both sus­ lovely lady standing atop the tree in the light, pended in mid air and prostrated himself on her feet hidden in a shimmering cloud. She the ground, saying this beautiful prayer: "Most was like the. angel, only far more beautiful. Holy Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit­ She wore a long white dress, and the mantle ! adore you profoundly. I offer you the most over her head and shoulders reaching to her precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of feet was edged in burnished gold. Her hands Jesus Chris·t, present in all the tabernacles of were joined before her breast, and from the the world, in reparation for the outrages, right hand hung an exquisite rosary of white sacrileges and indifferences whereby He is of­ pearls. As Lucy later described her, "She was fended. And through the infinite merits of His a lady more brilliant than the sun." Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart After telling the children not to be fright­ of Mary, I beg of you the conversion of poor ened, the vision said: "/ come from Heaven. I sinners." want you to come here at this same hour on the Such was the prelude to one of the most re­ 13th day of each month until October. Then markable messages ever to be given from I will tell you who I am and what I want." Heaven to earth- the "peace plan" of Our She also told them to say the Rosary every Lady of Fatima. day, and to bear all the sufferings God would send them. THE LADY MORE BRILLIANT THAN THE SUN In June the Lady appeared again. There were about 70 people present, though only the On Sunday, May 13, 1917, slightly more than children could see the apparition. She told the a year after the angel's first visit, the children youngsters that many souls go to hell because were pasturing their flocks as usual. This time they have no one to pray and make sacrifices they were in a rather barren hollow, known as for them. She said Francisco and Jacinta the Cova da Iria (Hollow of Irene), which was would soon leave the world for Heaven. Hold­ about a mile from their homes. It was noon ing out her heart, surrounded by thorns which of a clear, sunny day, when suddenly a flash of pierced it from all sides, Our Lady told Lucy: 6 7 terror. All were on fire within and without "God wishes you to remain in the world for their bodies, and neither devils nor damned some time because he wants to use you to es­ souls seemed able to control their movements. tablish in the world the devotion to my Im­ They were tossing about in the flames like maculate Heart. I promise sal1mtion to those fiery coals in a furnace. There was never an who embrace it, and their souls will be loved instant's peace or freedom from pain. by God as flowers placed by myself to adorn Looking with compassion at the pale and His throne." trembling little ones, the vision spoke to them: "You have seen hell, where the souls of poor THE CHILDREN SEE HELL sinners go. To save them, God wishes to es­ During her appearance in July, Our Lady, tablish in the world the devotion to my Im­ maculate Heart. If people do what I tell you, in answer to Lucy's plea, promised that in many souls will be saved and there will be October she would work a great public miracle peace." so that all might believe and know who she was. Again the Mother of God told the chil­ VISION FORETELLS OF WORLD WAR II dren to sacrifice themselves for sinners, and to AND COMMUNISM say many times, especially when making a sacrifice, this prayer: "0 my Jesus, I offer· "The war (Firs·t World War, then raging) this for love of Thee, for the conversion of is going to end. But if people do not stop of­ poor sinners, and in reparation for all the sins fending God, another and worse one will begin committed agains·t the Immaculate Heart of in the reign of Pius the Eleventh. When you l'Yiary." shall see a night illuminated by an unknown As she spoke these words, Our Lady light, (January 25, 1938), know that this is stretched out her hands, and bright rays came the great sign that God gives you ·that He is forth which seemed to penetrate into the going to punish the world for its many crimes earth. All at once the ground vanished, and by means of war, hunger and of persecution the children found themselves standing on the of the Church and the Holy Father. brink of a sea of fire. As they peered into this "To prevent this, I shall come to ask the con­ dreadful place, the terrified youngsters saw secration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart huge numbers of devils and damned souls. The and the Communion of Reparation on the five devils resembled hideous black animals, each first Saturdays. If my requests are granted, filling the air with despairing shrieks. The Russia will be converted and there will be damned souls were in their human bodies and peace. If not, she will scatter her errors seemed to be brown in color, tumbling about throughout the world, provoking wars and constantly in the flames and screaming with 9 8 persecu·tions of the Church. The good will be More than 30,000 people were present in martyred, the Holy Father will have much to September, and saw a shower of mysterious suffer, and various nations will be destroyed ... white petals fall to within 10 feet of the " ... But in the end, my Immaculate Heart ground before dissolving into the air. Many will triumph, the Holy Father will consecrate also saw the globe of light bearing the Lady, Russia to me, Russia will be converted, and a come and rest atop the tree, and the branches certain period of peace will be granted ·to the bend as though someone were standing on world." The Lady asked that this message be them. Later, they saw the cloud depart into kept secret until she gave permission to reveal the east, from whence it had come. it. As a favor to yourself and to Mary, please 70,000 GATHER FOR PROMISED MIRACLE stop and read again-but slowly-the entire By now, all Portugal was stirred by the last two sections from the vision of hell. They , events taking place at Fatima, suddenly the concern your future and that of the world. most important spot in the land. Particularly THE CHILDREN ARE JAILED were the newspapers interested, especially in The apparitions rapidly were creating so the statement that a great miracle was to take much excitement that the atheistic civil au­ place. Many reporters and photographers thorities became alarmed. At the next sched­ were on hand to record the events, or to prove uled appearance of the Lady, August 13th, that the statements were nothing more than though more than 15,000 people were waiting lies. in the Cova, the atheistic mayor of Ourem, On the days preceding October 13th, all under whose jurisdiction Fatima belonged, had roads led to Fatima, with people coming from the children kidnapped and placed in jail. In all parts of the land in any form of trans­ spite of his threats to have them burnt alive portation they could find. Many walked for in boiling oil, the children refused to reveal miles over the rough fields. It rained all the the secret given to them. Fearing violence night of the 12th and the morning of the 13th. from the people, the mayor released Lucy and By noon, more than 70,000 had crowded into her cousins the next day. Near the village of the Cova. Standing in mud up to their ankles, Valinhos on August 19th, the Lady appeared they huddled together under umbrellas, seek­ to the children again. She told them she was ing protection from the relentless rain as they greatly displeased at the action of the mayor. prayed their rosaries. As a result, the miracle promised for October Shortly after noon the Lady arrived for her would not be as impressive as originally final appearance. She told the children: planned. "I am the Lady of the Rosary. I have come to 10 11 warn the faithful to amend their lives and to Virgin, protect us," cried a third. All were ask pardon for their sins. They must not of­ on their knees in terror, asking pardon for fend Our Lord any more, for H e is already too their sins. Just when it seemed that the ball grievow~ly offended by the sins of men. PeoplP. of fire would fall upon and destroy them the must say the Rosary. Le·t them continue say­ miracle ceased and the sun resumed its normal ing it every day." place in the sky, shining forth as peacefully as ever. THE SUN WHIRLS IN THE SKY When the people arose from the ground, cries of astonishment were heard on all sides. As the Lady was about to leave, she pointed Their clothes, which had been soaking wet and to the sun. Lucy excitedly repeated the gesture muddy, now were clean and dry. Many of the and the people looked into the sky. The rain sick and crippled had been cured of their had ceased, the clouds parted, and the sun afflictions. shone forth, but not in its usual brilliance. In­ stead, it appeared like a silver disc, pale as THE CHILDREN ENJOY SPECIAL VISIONS the moon, at which all could gaze without straining their eyes. Suddenly, impelled by While the miracle of the sun was taking some mysterious force, the disc began to whirl place, the children alone were privileged to in the sky, casting off great shafts of multi­ witness several remarkable visions in the colored light. Red, green, blue, yellow, violet, heavens. As our Lady had promised, St. the enormous rays shot across the sky at all Joseph had come with the Holy Family and angles, lighting up the entire countryside for he had blessed the world. Then, Our Lady many miles around, but particularly the up­ appeared as the Mother of Sorrows, accom­ turned faces of those 70,000 spellbound people. panied by her Divine Son, who also blessed the After three minutes the wonder stopped, but world. Finally, Lucy had seen the Blessed was resumed again a second and a third time Virgin Mary, dressed in the brown robes of -three times in all in about 12 minutes. It Our Lady of Mount Carmel,· crowned as queen seemed that the whole world was on fire, with of heaven and earth, holding a brown Scapular the sun spinning at a greater speed each time. in her hand, with her infant Son upon her Then a gasp of terror rose from the crowd, knee. However, in none of these visions had for the sun seemed to tear itself from the any of the figures spoken to the children. heavens and come crashing down upon the Truly, it had been a great day for Portugal. horrified multitude. "It's the end of the world," The reporters, many of whom had come to shrieked one woman. "Dear God, don't let me scoff, gave long and detailed accounts of what die in my sins," implored another. "Holy had taken place, while the newspapers pub- 12 13 lished many photographs of the great crowds "If the government of a country leaves the and of the children. Although these were re­ Church in peace and gives liberty to our holy leased to the entire world (copies on file in religion, it will be blessed by God." U. S. Congressional Libra;y), few ·people out­ "Tell everybody that God gives graces side Portugal paid any attention to these through ·the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tell events, and newspapers in most other coun­ them to ask graces from her, and that the tries ignored the story completely. Heart of Jes·us wishes to be venerated together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ask them * * * * * ·to plead for peace from the Immaculate Heart Part II- SUBSEQUENT IMPORTANT EVENTS of Mary, for the Lord has confided the peace of the world to her." As the Blessed Mother had promised, Fran­ cisco and Jacinta soon joined her in Heaven. OUR LADY APPEARS WITH CHRIST CHILD The little boy died from the flu in April 1919, TO SISTER LUCIA and his sister from pleurisy in February 1920. Before she died, little Jacinta revealed some In 1921, upon the advice of the Bishop of little known but remarkable statements made Leiria-Fatima, Lucy entered a convent board­ by Our Lady at Fatima. Here are some of ing school to learn to read and write. Later them: she became a nun in the order, a Sister of St. "More souls go to hell because of sins of the Dorothy, whose Motherhouse was at Tuy, flesh than for any other reason." Spain. ''Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much." One day, while Lucy (now Sister Lucia) "Many marriages are not good,· they do not was kneeling in prayer in the convent chapel please Our Lord and are not of God." (December 10, 1925), the Blessed Mother and "Pries·ts must be pure, very pure. They the Christ Child appeared to her with a new should not busy themselves with anything ex­ and wonderful message for souls. The first to cept what concerns the Church and souls. The speak was the Christ Child, who said: "Have disobedience of priests to their superiors and pity on the heart of your Mo!1t Holy Mother. to the Holy Father is very displeasing to Our It is covered with thorns with which ungrate­ Lord." ful men pierce it at every moment, and there "The Blessed Mother can no longer restrain is no one to remove them with an act of repa­ the hand of Her Divine Son from striking ·the ra·tion." world with just punishment for its many Holding in her hand a heart encircled with crimes." sharp thorns, Our Lady then said to Sister 14 15 Lucia: "My child, behold my heart surrounded vealed. A few years ago, Sister Lucia wrote with the thorns which ungrateful men place down this secret, placed it in an envelope, therein at every moment by their blasphemies which was sealed and given to the Bishop of and ingratitude. You at least try to console Fatima to be opened in 1960. General opinion me. Announce in my name that I promise to is that this secret contains threats of disasters assist at the hour of death with all the graces more terrible than anything else predicted at necessary for salvation, all those who, on the Fa tim a, and these will come to pass unless first Saturday of five consecutive months, go enough people grant Our Lady's requests for to Confession and receive Holy Communion, re­ penance; the Rosary; the five First Saturdays; cite the Rosary, and keep me company for a and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of quarter of an hour while meditating on the Mary. mysteries of the Rosary with the intention of On the night of January 25, 1938, Sister making reparation to me." Lucia stood at her convent window and saw an ominous red glow that lit the entire sky. -SISTER LUCIA'S SECRET This light was seen throughout all Europe and Africa and part of America and Asia. Scien­ Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia in 1927, tists tried to explain it as a most unusual this time giving her permission to· reveal the Aurora Borealis. But Sister Lucia knew that first two parts of the message of Fatima: the it was the great sign foretold by Our Lady visions of the angel; the promise to take the July 13, 1917, that the punishment of the children to Heaven; the vision of hell; the pre­ world was at hand. Several weeks later, Hitler dictions of another war, martyrdom for Chris­ invaded Austria, striking the match that was tians, the destruction of nations, the. persecu­ to set the world aflame. (Thus began another tion of the Church and of the Holy Father, and worse war in the reign of Pius the and the spread of Communism. All this had Eleventh as predicted by the Mother of God previously been kept secret. at Fatima.) In 1929, Our Lady came once again. She completed the promise made on July 13th to ECCLESIASTICAL APPROVAL FOR THE come and ask for the consecration of Russia MESSAGE OF FATIMA to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Communion ol Reparation on the First Satur­ The Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, after 13 years days. If men fulfilled her requests, Russia of thorough and careful investigation, released would be converted and there would be p2ace. in 1930 his pastoral letter stating that the There is still an unknown part of the revelations at Fatima were worthy of belief message of Fatima that has never been re- by the faithful. Today, in the place where the 16 17 Blessed Mother appeared to the children as they pastured their sheep, there is now a mag­ Part Ill- FATIMA AND THE UNITED STATES nificent Shrine, where, annually, millions of and the Future people come to pay homage to the Queen of Not much ~as heard about Fatima in the Heaven and earth. United States until World War II began, and Pope Pius XII, on October 31, 1942, person­ particularly until the consecration by the Holy ally consecrated the world to the Immaculate Father in 1942. Since that time, a steady Heart of Mary, with special reference to Rus­ stream of new literature has been made avail­ sia. Not long after, he instituted throughout able on the subject. Many excellent books have the universal Church, the feast of the Im­ been written; pamphlets printed in the mil­ maculate Heart of Mary, which is celebrated lions; lectures and sermons delivered; articles everywhere in the world on August 22nd each published in many magazines and newspapers; year. plays and radio dramas enacted-all about the Finally, on May 1, 1948, Pope Pius XII remarkable apparitions of Our Lady at Fati­ issued a special encyclical letter to all the ma. bishops, priests and laity throughout the world. In addition, a small delicately carved wooden Following is part of the text from that letter: image of Our Lady of Fatima, called the " ... And even as Our predecessor of immortal "Pilgrim Virgin," has been touring the United memory, Leo XIII, at the dawn of the States for many months. Millions of Ameri­ twentieth century saw fit to consecrate the cans have become familiar with Our Lady's whole human race to the Most Sacred Heart of requests as a result of the widespread publicity I esus, so We have likewise, in the guise of given the tour. representative of the whole human family However, in spite of all this, it is evident which He redeemed, desired to dedicate it in that out of all the millions who hear, only a turn to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin few take the message to heart and put it into Mary. practice in their daily lives. Each passing day brings additional proof, with a more complete It is our wish, consequently, that whenever fulfillment of the dire predictions made by Our the opportunity suggests itself, this consecra­ Lady at Fatima in 1917. Already we have tion be made in the various dioceses as well as fought World War II; less than 5 years later in each of the parishes and families. And We American soldiers were dying in Korea; na­ are confident that abundant blessings and tions have been destroyed; there has been much favors from Heaven will surge forth from this famine and bitter persecution; and Commu­ private and public consecration ..." nists now rule some 800 million people, (about (Signed Pope Pius XII) 60% of world's population)-all because men 18 19 refuse to amend their lives and give up sin. 3. By a conservative -estimate, more than This is particularly true in our country, one million abortions are performed in the where men hear for a while, and then return United States each year, over 98% of to their former evil ways, as a frank look at them among married women. life in the United States will reveal. 4. Prostitution, juvenile delinquency, sex crimes, and immorality in general have LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES increased to an alarming degree since the While those on the side of Almighty God and last war. Much of this has been caused His Blessed Mother try to spread her "peace by the indecent fashions worn by modern plan from Heaven," the forces of evil are women today, and much of the filthy meeting with even greater success in their ef­ propaganda reaching Americans through forts to draw men into sin-and Our Lady the movies, television, radio, newspapers, said at Fatima that "Wars are a punishment and particularly through the overwhelm­ from God for sin." ing torrent of indecent literature which Everywhere in this country there has been has deluged us the past several years. All a tremendous increase in divorce, birth control, of this is designed as part of an organ­ abortions, immorality, paganism, materialism ized campaign to break down morality and secularism. Recently the Holy Father among our young people everywhere. said: "The greatest sin of our generation is G. Money, material possessions, fame and that it has lost all sense of sin." power have become the "god" worshipped How true these words are becomes apparent by millions of Americans today-a man's when the statements of Jacinta concerning im­ success in life now being measured by morality are recalled, and we see that in the what he has, not by what he does. It United States: · little matters how he gets what he has. 1. One out of every three marriages ends in 6. Too many men and women now are turn­ divorce, with resultant broken homes, ing to drink instead of to God for the misery for children, etc. solution of life's problems. As a result, 2. Advocates of birth control-insisting that they create an even greater problem for children are a burden and not a blessing themselves, their families, and all with -are successfully inducing millions of whom they come into contact. young couples to use contraceptives, and 7. Worst of all, there is an organized at to live in mortal sin from the day they tempt, which is coming out into the ope1. are married. They say in effect that God more all the time, to deny the existence can create life but cannot provide for it. of God, and to destroy Him in the minds 20 21 I I'

of the youth of our country. The coins prepare for suffering even worse than the of our nation ( proclaim: "In God we · deluge; which wiped out the whole human race Trust"-yet, in 1948 the Supreme Court except for Noah and his family; for suffering through the McCollum case ruling ban­ worse than all the wars and disasters that · ished in effect the name of God from most have been the long history of mankind. of o·ur public schools. Yes, this is what the future holds for ' All of these and many other crimes are· cal­ America and the world-suffering such as culated to bring down the wrath of God upon · :rrankind has never seen, unless a sufficient us, in the form of suffering, persecution and number of people still can be found willing to an atomic war that may well be the end of our grant .the requests of Our Lady of Fatima. civilization. IS THERE ANY HOPE?

WHAT OF ~HE FUTURE No matter how late the hour, so long as these threatened disasters have not yet struck, It is sin that is destroying the w~rld today. there is still hope of averting them if enough Since not enough people are willing to grant people will amend their lives and do what God the requests of Our Lady at F'atima and give asks. We read in the Old Testament · (Jonas, up sin, what · does the future hold in store for 3rd Chapter) that Almighty God sent Jonas us? the prophet to warn the people of Nineveh that In April, May and June of 1946 the Blessed in 40 days their city would be destroyed. Upon Virgin Mary is reported to have appeared to receiving the news, the king immediately pro­ an 18 year old girl by the name of Barbara claimed· fasting and abstinence, told the people Reuss, in Germany, giving her many terrible to. don sackcloth and ashes, to do great pen­ messages to be made known to the world. The ance and to give up the evil and iniquity in gist of these messages is: "The world will have their hearts-and they did. Almighty God was to drain the cup of God's wrath to the bitter pleased, and at the end of 40 days Nineveh dregs for the countless offenses committed was still standing. God had spared the city against His Divine Heart." There are increas­ because enough reparation had been made. - ing signs that the days of God's justice and We also read in the Old Testament (Gene­ wrath may soon be upon us. sis, 18th Chapter) that God would have spared A few months after the close of the last the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had war-the bloodiest in all history-Our Holy there been found 10 just .people in them. Father warns: "Men must prepare themselves Today, Almighty God will spare the world, . for suffering such as mankind has never seen." or even the United States, from the horrible The Vicar of Christ indicates that we must punishment predicted for us if, proportionate- 22 23 ly, the "10 just" can be found willi:t:J.g to make reparation-willing to follow the "peace plan the occasion of sin; and to accept with submis­ from Heaven." sion all the suffering sent to us. We should make everything we do a sacrifice, and in of­ * * * * * fering it to God should say this prayer: "0 Part IV - PUTTING THE PEAC E PLAN my Jesus, I offer thi-s for love of Thee, for the . INTO ACTION conversion . of poor sinners, and in reparation for all the sins committed against the Im- History has recorded as having taken place, ', maculate Heart of Mary." many of the terrible disasters predicted by the Mother of God in 1917. These things cannot THE DAILY ROSARY be undone. But we still have our futures Our Lady pleaded and insisted that men ahead of us. They can be happy futures, filled must say the daily Rosary. Reparation holds with peace if we live our lives according to back the hand of God from striking the world Our Lady's requests. in just punishment for its many crimes. The These requests: 1) penance and reparation; Rosary is like a sword or weapon the Mother 2) the daily recitation of the Rosary; 3) the of God can use to cut down heresy and the five First Saturdays; and 4) consecration to forces of evil. It is most powerful, and many the Immaculate Heart of Mary form the . times has saved the world from situations as "peace plan from Heaven"-our only hope. bad as, if not worse than, the one facing us today. PENANCE AND.REPARATION A few centuries ago, the Turks were over­ By penance, Our Lady explained that men running all Europe, and seemed on the verge of wiping out Christianity. When all seemed must amend their lives, giv~ up their easy lives of sin, ask pardon for thPir sjns, and make lost, Pope Pius V organized a Rosary. Crusade. reparation to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and The Christian soldiers literally went into bat­ Mary so grievously offended by the sjns of tle with swords in one hand and rosaries in men. the other. · At Lepanto one of the greatest By reparation, Our Lady means; 1) offering military upsets in all history took place. The sacrifice to a tone for our sins ; 2) fulfilling little Chrlstian fleet, very greatly outnum­ our daily duties to the best of our abilities; bered, defeated the mighty Turldsh Armada 3) accepting the rooponsibilities of our state and Christianity was saved-all through the power of the Rosary. in life; 4) obeying the Commandments of God. The sacrifice Our Lord requires of each of Today, we are threatened on all sides by us is that sacrifice necessary to avoid sin and Communism. But the Blessed Virgin Mary can overcome these forces of evil overnight if 24 25 enough people will say the daily Rosary. little more than she asks-an:d helping to make Particularly is the Family Rosary recom­ up for those who refuse to give her anything m~nded, for "the family that prays together at all. stays together," and today our families are . In addition to assisting at the Holy Sacrifice threatened ~with break-up on all sides. of the Mass, receiving Holy Communion is the After each decade of the Rosary recite the most perfect form of reparation that can be prayer: "0 my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save offered by the layman. us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE of Thy mercy." . HEART OF MARY This consecration is the least understood, but THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS one of the most important parts of the mes­ sage of Fatima. Our Lady is looking for people This devotion consists . in 1) going to Con­ willing to become cells of prayer and sacrifice fession; 2) receiving Holy Communion; 3) re­ through consecration to her. This means citing 5 decades of the Rosary; and 4) spend­ giving' to Mary all our thoughts, words, ac­ ing 15 minutes with Our Lady meditating on tions, sufferings, possessions, and the merits the mysteries of the Rosary-all with the in- . from our good works, that she may use them tention of making reparation. as she sees fit in reparati~n for sin, . for the The Mediatrix of All Graces has promised conversion of poor sinners, and for the greater all the graces nece~sary for salvation to those love and honor and glory of God. who faithfully practice this devotion for the Personal consecration to the Immaculate First Saturday of any five consecutive months. Heart of Mary can take many fol'J:!ls. It can (NOTE: The Confession may be made under be done simply by reciting with sincerity the the usual conditions of 8 days before or after act of consecration printed further on. T4is the Holy Communion, provided the person is consecration can be renewed each day merely not in ·the state of mortal sin when he receives by saying the morning offering to the Sacred Holy Communion.) Heart of Jesus. However, the act itself The first Friday, first Saturday and first should be repeated on all important feast days Sunday of the month normally come together of the Blessed Mother. More important ·than in the same week. The Confession good for reciting the act, is to live up to the conditions one is good for the others. It is recommended which it sets forth, particularly by fulfilling that people receive Holy Communion in repa­ Our Lady's requests at Fa·tima. ·ration on all three days, giving Our Lady a One of the best forms of consecration for .the 26 27 average layman is to wear the Brown Scapular by St. Louis Grignon de Montfort. This con­ of Our Lady of Mount Carmel~ A person who sists in giving one's self as a slave and servant wears this Scapular decl~res that he or she to the Blessed Mother, so he or she can be used belongs to Mary. In return, the Mother of as an instrument of God's mercy in drawing God has promised eternal life to those who die the souls of poor sinners to the Sacred Heart wearing the mantle. When she gave the of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Scapular to St. Simon Stock and the world Mary. in 1251, the Queen of Heaven stated: "Who­ St. Louis de Montfort says that as Christ soever dies clothed in this shall never suffer came to us through Mary, He desires we come eternal fire." Wearing the Scapular serves as to Him through her. The Saint states that by a constant reminder of one's personal conse­ consecrating ourselves to the Immaculate Heart cration to Mary, and of the necessity of imi­ of Mary, we consecrate ourselves to the Sacred tating her virtues and heeding. her requests. Heart of Jesus for the two are one. All we NOTE: The Scapular Medal may be substi­ do for Mary we 'do for Jesus; all we ask of her tuted when it is impossible or impractical to we ask of Him. and Our Lord cannot refuse if wear the cloth Scapular. However, to be worn His Blessed Mother intercedes for us. validly, the person wearing the medal must In a word, to know and find Mary is to know first have been enrolled in the cloth Scapular, and find Jesus-and eternal happiness. and the medal must be blessed by a priest. It Since she desires and requests it, can we is not necessary to have the cloth Scapulars choose a more perfect form of consecration to blessed. Jesus, than through the Immaculate Heart of His Holy Mother? . Probably the most exalted ~orm of personal consecration is for a person to renounce the world and enter the direct service of God IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH under Mary by becoming a priest or nun or · At Fatima, Our Lady promised that in the brother. This form of consecration has vary­ end her Immaculate Heart will triumph, Rus­ ing degrees, depending upon one's choice of a sia will be converted, and some time of peace secular, religious or contemplative community. will be granted to the world. That final triumph can come soon, without a TRUE DEVOTION ONE OF MOST PERFECT lot of blood being shed, if enough people will FORMS OF CONSECRATION still grant the requests made at Fatima. Or, Another excellent, but more difficult form of it can come after an atomic war, or more ter­ consecration is the practice of True Devo­ rible disasters, that may see the greater part 'tion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as preached of humanity wiped off the face of the earth. 28 29 It depends upon how many .of us are will­ ing to follow Our Lady's "peace plan from FATIMA LITERATURE ON THE BLESSED . Heaven." VIRGIN MARY: (all prices postpaid) ACT OF CONSECRATION THE FATIMA CLUB: from St. Louis Grignon De Montfort · A practical plan for adults as well as school children, enlisting their prayers as requested by I, an unworthy Christian/ renew and ratify Our Lady of Fatima. today in· thy hands, 0 Immaculate Virgin Information on this will be sent free on request. Mary/ the vows of my Baptism;/ I renounce THE CHILDREN OF FATIMA forever Satan and· all his works;/ I give my­ by Mary Fabyan Windeatt self entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Paper cover $1.00 Cloth cover $2.00 Wisdom/ that I may carry my cross after Him One of the best and most popular books on the all the days of my life/ and to be more faith­ story of Fatima. 144 pages. ful to Him than I have ever been before./ TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED In the presence of all the Heavenly Court/ I VIRGIN MARY choose thee this day for my Mother and Mis­ by St. Louis Grignon de Montfort· $1.50 tress./ As thy slave I deliver and consecrate The perfect form of consecration to the Immacu­ to thee my body and my soul/ all that I have of late Heart of Mary is explained by this great Saint. interior and exterior goods/ including all the value of my good actions, past, present and OUR LADY'S SLAVE future; I giving to thee the entire and full by Mary 'Fabyan Windeatt $2.50 right of disposing of me/ and all that belongs The life of St. Louis Grignon de Montfort and how the practice of "True Devotion to The to me; without exception/ according to thy will, Blessed Virgin Mary" came about. 201 pages. for the greater honor and glory of God in time and in eternity. Amen./ THE SECRET OF MARY by St. Louis Grignon de Montfort .25 A condensed and simplified version of the True Devotion. "If nzy requests are heard RUSSIA THINKING WITH THE ROSARY .10 Practical meditations on the mysteries of the WILL BE CONVERTED." Rosa1·y. Price 10¢ each. Quantity prices upon request. 32 pages. Words of Our Lady at Fatima. Send check or money order payable to:- THE GRAIL ST. MEINRAD, INDIANA 30 31 DO NOT THROW THIS BOOKLET AWAY HELP SPREAD OUR LADY'S PEACE PLAN When you have finished with this booklet, do not throw it away or allow it to remain idle. Give or mail it to some one-Catholic or non-Catholic-for all are interested in their futures, and in pre­ serving peace in the world. The "peace plan from Heaven" · is their only hope! Why not invest in the "peace plan from Heaven" by ordering a supply of these booklets, and giving or mailing them to your friends everywhere. Have them dis­ tributed in churches, schools, organiza- . tions, clubs, etc. In this way you may be bringing Our Lady's message to people not familiar with it. Many, if they knew about these requests, might do something about them. This will be Catholic Action at its 'best, for you will be an Apostle of Mary, help­ ing in her efforts to save humanity and the world, by spreading her "peace plan from Heaven." This booklet, "OUR LADY OF FATI­ MA'S PEACE PLAN FROM HEAVEN," one of the most complete, authentic and compact on the subject of Fatima, is be­ ing made available at the lowest possible cost for quantity distribution, in order to reach as many people as possible. 20 booklets for $ 1.00 100 booklets for $ 4.00 1000 booklets for $ 36.00 5000 booklets for $150.00 Postpaid if remittance accompanies order. Order today from THE GRAIL ST. MEINRAD, INDIANA