Tuesday 13 May 2008

Our Lady of Fatima

This morning we kept the memorial of Our Lady of Fatima.

From 13th May to 13th October 1917 Our Lady appeared at Fatima (Portugal) to three children; Lucia, Fracisco and Jacinta. On each occasion Our Lady asked them to say the Rosary and do penance for the offenses made to her Immaculate Heart.

John Paul II in his homily at Fatima on 13th May 1982 said, 'The message of Fatima is, in its basic meaning a call to conversion and repentance, as is the Gospel .... The Lady of the message seems to have read with special insight the 'signs of the times', the signs of our age. The call to repentance is a motherly one, and at the same time it is strong and decisive.'

The Gospel reminds us many times to 'repent and do penance' Mk 1:15; Jesus begins his public life asking for penance. 'Repent for the Kingdom of God is 'at hand'. Mk 4:17

Today we can ask ourselves how often do we use the Sacrament of Confession? Do we make little acts of repentance for our own sins and those of the world? Do we try and say the Rosary better in this month of May?

'O my Jesus, forgive us our sins ...'

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