“What do you want of me?”
“Shall I go to heaven too?”
“And Jacinta? ...
And Francisco?”
[Our Lady]: “He will go there too, but he must
say many Rosaries.”
“Is Maria das Neves in heaven?”
[Our Lady]: “She will be in purgatory until
the end of the world (...she was between 18
and 20 years of age).
“Are you willing to offer yourselves to God
and bear all the sufferings He wills to send
you, as an act of reparation for the sins by
which He is offended, and of supplication for
the conversion of sinners?”
“Then you are going to have much to suffer,
but the grace of God will be your comfort.”
[Children]: “O most Holy Trinity, I adore
Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the
Most Blessed Sacrament!”
“Pray the Rosary everyday, in order to obtain
peace for the world, and the end of the war.”
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See Lucia’s disposition of heart -ready to do God’s Will, ready to serve. Here we can examine
our own motive for doing things.
Lucia’s makes known her deepest desire. She doesn’t ask useless or curiosity-seeking
questions. Where do the thoughts and desires of our hearts gravitate?
She doesn’t think only of herself, nor of her salvation alone.
Why did Our Lady add that Francisco must say many Rosaries? Is it perhaps that boys find
themselves up against many more temptations than girls? Is this not what gives them more
opportunities to climb to greater heights? More temptations give more occasions to practice virtue.
She doesn’t forget to ask about her friends recently departed. See her concern for the
salvation of souls, esp. those she was associated with.
The age of this girl and the severity of the punishment gives us grave matter to consider. If
she was this young and seems to have only barely escaped hell, this should give us cause to
ponder our own life and what we have accumulated throughout the years. This is another
reminder of the need to pray and sacrifice for the souls in purgatory, as well as gaining
indulgences to avoid hell and purgatory ourselves.
Here Our Lady comes to offer the antidote for the ills that bring on conditions such as what
happened to Amelia and that brought on the war that was raging at that time (World War I).
This question is NOW being asked of you by Our Lady in your hearing.
(pause and consider it)
“ALL will travel the road of suffering, but not all will accept it. Temporary pleasures and avoid
ance of crosses will only bring greater sufferings in this life and in the next. We are invited to
accept them in the present moment and rise above the temporary discomfort or hardship
with the comfort of knowing that God’s Will is being done. We are not facing it alone.
With the words “the grace of God will be your comfort,” Our Lady permeated the children with
that very light that came from Her, which made them feel the comfort of His grace. It came
from Mary because She lived this life totally. She communicates it to us and permits us to par
ticipate in it when we are obedient. It is the self-giving love of the Holy Trinity. This is the
Source of Eternal Life. It is revealed, yet hidden, in the Blessed Sacrament.
“By praying the Rosary daily, coupled with sacrifice, this hidden mystery of Eternal Life will peace
begin to unfold and be revealed. It is the secret in obtaining peace for the world.
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REFLECTION & RESOLUTION: Our Lady unites in Herself God to man, heaven to earth, soul to body, the First to the Second Great Commandment.
The two become one. There is no division in Her. She loves God in Himself and God in souls. God is glorified in Her and She is glorified in God.
By continuing to pray the Angel prayers and the daily Rosary, in union with Mary, let us extend our thoughts toward every person. Let every moment
become a personal encounter with God. In this way, we can make the most of our everyday opportunities, and not lose anything that is given us.
[Brief period of silent reflection]
Discussion
Examination of last month’s resolutions
Apostolic resolution
Resolution in brief: Continue to pray the Angel prayers and the Rosary daily. Offer yourself, united to the Eucharistic Sacrifice, adoring God in prayer and sacrifice,
saving souls, living in union with Mary.
Act of Consecration
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