Memoirs of the author concerning The HISTORY of the BLUE ARMY Dm/l côlâhop Memoirs of the author concerning The HISTORY of the BLUE AR M Y by John M. Haffert - ' M l AMI International Press Washington, N.J. (USA) 07882 NIHIL OBSTAT: Rev. Msgr. William E. Maguire, S.T.D. Having been advised by competent authority that this book contains no teaching contrary to the Faith and Morals as taught by the Church, I approve its publication accord­ ing to the Decree of the Sacred Congregation for the Doc­ trine of the Faith. This approval does not necessarily indi­ cate any promotion or advocacy of the theological or devo­ tional content of the work. IMPRIMATUR: Most Rev. John C. Reiss, J.C.D. Bishop of Trenton October 7, 1981 © Copyright, 1982, John M. Haffert ISBN 0-911988-42-4 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be repro­ duced or transmitted in any form or by any means, elec­ tronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This Book Dedicated To The Most Rev. George W. Ahr, S.T.D., Seventh Bishop of Trenton — and to The Most Rev. John P. Venancio, D.D., Second Bishop of Leiria - Fatima and Former International President, The Blue Army of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Above: The Most Rev. John P. Venancio, D.D. (left), and the Most Rev. George W. Ahr, S.T.D. (right), at the dedication and blessing of the Holy House, U.S.A. on August 22, 1973. At the time of the dedication, Bishop Venancio was the Ordinary of the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima and International President of the Blue Army, and Bishop Ahr was the Ordinary of the Diocese of Trenton. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 SISTER LUCIA AND THE PLEDGE....................................... 1 1) Blessed Nuno relic opens door; 2) The Bishop and the Secret; 3) The Blue Army pledge is written; 4) First Saturdays; 5) Lucia herself; 6) Frightening responsibility 2 DIFFICULT BEGINNING........................................................ 13 1) Father Lord’s advice; 2) Meeting with Sr. Lucia; 3) The pledge; 4) March of Pledges becomes “ Army” ; 5) Bishop Ahr saves Blue Army National Center; 6) Reinforcements arrive 3 TO THE READER....................................................................23 1) What is the Blue Army?; 2) Blue Army Cell imi­ tates children of Fatima; 3) First Saturday and Cate­ chism; 4) The Rules; 5) Problems with mentioning “ Russia” ; 6) Battle is real; 7) Relation of Blue Army to similar apostolates; 8) Victory certain; 9) Special relation of Blue Army to Legion of Mary; 10) Blue Army is “ the Fatima Apostolate” 4 THE ARMY BEGINS ITS M ARCH.......................................35 1) Bishop of Fatima approves pledge; 2) The “ March” begins; 3) Resolved: Take a Pilgrim Vir­ gin statue to Russia; 4) Statue comes to America; 5) Statue enters U.S. on December 8, 1947; 6) Pledges grow to hundreds of thousands; 7) Lucia pleased with results; 8) Sister Lucia remains as Our Lady’s messenger; 9) Her 1981 message to the Blue Army and to its leaders 5 WHO WAS THE FOUNDER?.............................................. 51 1) Important role of first Bishop of Fatima; 2) Impor­ tant role of Bishop Venancio; 3) Role of Bishop Ahr 6 MONSIGNOR HAROLD V. COLGAN................................ 59 1) Brother of Saint Maria Goretti joins; 2) Monsignor Colgan’s amazing story; 3) Forces joined 7 MONSIGNOR COLGAN’S SUCCESSORS...................... 67 I) Father Fox and Monsignor Connell; 2) Monsignor Colgan “ remains” with us iii 8 THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER AT FATIMA...............73 1) First International Secretary; 2) Center needed at Fatima; 3) First great leader in Europe—Abbe Ri­ chard; 4) “ First” Cardinal of the Church gives sup­ port; 5) Fatima Center redesigned by Russian priest; 6) Role of Saint Joseph; 7) Auditorium for special meetings 9 VATICAN II AND THE PLEDGE.........................................83 1) “ The Rosary and the Scapular will save the world” ; 2) Study of these devotions is needed; 3) How to know the Rosary; 4) The Voice of the Church: Importance of Papal pronouncements to the Blue Army; 5) Some of the most outstanding leaders within the ranks of the Blue Army 10 REW ARDS............................................................................... 95 1) Another daring Russian; 2) Padre Pio accepts; 3) Spiritual sharing with millions; 4) Our greatest privilege; 5) Sabbatine Privilege conditions realized in fulfillment of Blue Army pledge U ORGANIZATION.................................................................. 105 1) Statutes submitted to Rome in 1956; 2) Forces of division; 3) Constitution mandates elections; 4) First U.S. elections contested; 5) New elections and new Constitution for U.S. Blue Army 12 AFTER 1960: SUFFERING AND TRIUMPH................. 115 1 ) Could Madison Avenue help?; 2) Almost unbeliev­ able setbacks; 3) The Pope finally speaks; 4) Pope re­ fers to Fatima in the Council; 5) Collegial Consecra­ tion still to come; 6) Explanation of the 1960 Secret; 7) Pope personally goes to Fatima; 8) Bishop of Fati­ ma becomes Blue Army International President 1 3 THE BLUE ARM Y’S NAME AND PONTMAIN............. 127 1) No better name found; 2) Soviets recognize the Blue Army’s importance; 3) Our Lady’s color; 4) Pontmain Chapel in Moscow 14 IN THE DEVIL’S TRIANGLE..............................................135 1) Camille Berg: Providential man; 2) Agency ex­ panded to keep him at our side; 3) Personal re­ sources used; 4) The Columbus fleet; 5) Difficult choice! iv 15 OUR LADY OF THE AMERICAS..................................... 143 1) The mystery of Conception Island; 2) An aside: God’s goodness shown in a marvelous way; 3) Each nation’s special devotion to Mary 16 ROLE OF THE BISHOPS................................................. 149 1) Our Lord’s sweet legacy; 2) The Voice of God for us; 3) Fatima emphasizes Bishop’s authority; 4) Blue Army is diocesan-based apostolate; 5) Bishop Luna succeeds to international leadership 17 SPECIAL ROLE OF THE BISHOP OF FATIMA 159 1) Vatican approval muted; 2) Vatican rejects Blue Army link with Pro Fratribus; 3) Vatican behind scenes when Pilgrim Virgin statue comes to Rome; 4) Nothing done without Vatican approval; 5) Bishop of Fatima gives direction; 6) World flights prepare for Collegial Consecration; 7) Some Vatican officials oppose participation by Holy Father; 8) Bishops around the world intervene; 9) Holy Father re­ sponds directly 18 THE BLUE ARMY AND RUSSIA.......................................171 1) Blue Army builds Byzantine (Russian) Chapel at Fatima; 2) Major theologians come to Fatima to examine Message of Fatima in relation to Russia; 3) By 1951, conversion of Russia already begun ac­ cording to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen 19 LIBERATRIX OF RUSSIA....................................................179 1) Is it G od’s will for Blue Army to undertake great fi­ nancial burden of redeeming the Icon of Kazan?; 2) Unmistakable proof of God’s will; 3) Blue Army takes leap forward; 4) After two famous images meet at Fatima, Bishop goes to Russia! ; 5) Joy of Patriarch Athenagoras; 6) Cardinal Tisserant lives to see evi­ dence of Our Lady’s triumph in the world 20 THE U.S. NATIONAL CENTER......................................... 189 1) Prayer community comes to our National Center; 2) Special vocation of Sister Mary Miranda, C.SS.F.; 3) We prayed for a sign from God; 4) The sign is given; 5) Blessed Maxmilian and Padre Pio!; 6) As usual we turn to Saint Joseph; 7) Wonderful atmos- v phere of holiness comes to our National Center; 8) Shrine at our National Center proposed; 9) Bishop decides it should be built now 2.1 DEDICATED SOULS............................................................ 199 1) First Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; 2) Carmelite Brothers of the Holy Eucharist; 3) Handmaids of Mary Immaculate; 4) Handmaids of Mary Immaculate established at our National Center by Bishop Ahr; 5) Handmaids of Mary Immaculate administer U.S. Blue Army National Center; 6) In­ creasing participation of Felicians; 7) Significance of habit of the Handmaids of Mary Immaculate; 8) They wear the Miraculous Medal 22 SECRETARIAT IN SWITZERLAND................................. 207 1) Center in Portugal assailed by communist propa­ ganda; 2) Secretariat opens in Switzerland; 3) Fri­ bourg Shrine considered for future; 4) Significance of Bourguillon, main Scapular shrine on European continent; 5) Task of the International Secretariat; 6) Centers arise around the world; 7) Spirituality of the Apostolate deepens; 8) Major leader rises in Germany; 9) International motto adopted 2.3 PONTEVEDRA......................................................................221 1) Convent of Apparitions available; 2) Would room of apparitions be destroyed?; 3) Termites disappear; 4) Pontevedra becomes pilgrimage center; 5) Intima­ cy of Our Lady at Pontevedra; 6) Our Lord asked: “ What is being done....?” ; 7) U.S. Shrine follows as a result; 8) “ Final vision” of Fatima asks for Collegi­ al Consecration; 9) Fulfilling Our Lady’s requests for Collegial Consecration; 10) Jesus desired that His whole Church should know 2.4 SAINT JAMES AND SAINT JOSEPH...............................231 1) A “ force” drew me; 2) Furnishings of Tuy Vision given to Blue Army; 3) Project entrusted to Saint Joseph; 4) Again, Saint Joseph!; 5) Pontevedra statue of Saint Joseph now in U.S. Shrine; 6) Saint James plays major role; 7) First Pilgrim Virgin ap­ pears among pilgrims to Santiago in Pontevedra; 8) Two saints at the head of Our