Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (OLOF), the day our Blessed Mother first appeared to three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. There are many sites that discuss this beautiful story in full, which at the time was reported by both the Christian and secular media. Since this Marian apparition occurred less than 100 years ago, I thought it would be interesting to revisit the compelling messages Mary gave for mankind and contemplate how they could be integrated into our prayers for the family.
Distilling the messages of OLOF, she had 3 directives.
PRAY the rosary for Peace
SACRIFICE /Make Acts of Reparation - for the conversion of sinners
CONSECRATE YOURSELF (to Jesus) through the Immaculate Heart of Mary
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Luke 1:28
Everyone has a friend or family member that they secretly hope will convert. Have you offered any sacrifices/acts of reparation to the Lord on their behalf?
Is there peace in your heart, in your household, in your life? Pray the rosary**.
Not so sure? Need some guidance? Rely on whom Jesus depended on while on earth. His Heavenly Father and His Blessed Mother. Ask Mary to guide you into Jesus’s Holy Will, so that all that you do may be pleasing to our Father in heaven.
As you pray for families, remember that we should pray in our actions as well as our words.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
** http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm
