Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima

Fatima, Portugal 2017

READINGS

Reading 1 Isaiah 61:9-11

Thus says the LORD:

Their descendants shall be

renowned among the nations, 

and their offspring among the peoples;

All who see them shall acknowledge them 

as a race the LORD has blessed.

I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul;

For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, 

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, 

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants, 

and a garden makes its growth spring up,

So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise 

spring up before all the nations.

Alleluia

R.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

 R.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed."He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

REFLECTION

"Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Fatima, Portugal, 2017 was my very first pilgrimage. It was a beautiful experience. We had 42 pilgrims (many families) and one Priest, our Spiritual Guide.

I learned so much about the message of Fatima; what it means to be a pilgrim; and I experienced new ways to pray. Each day we began with prayer, Mass at the Holy Sites where we saw Eucharistic Miracles and where Our Blessed Mother, Mary, Angels, Saints, and Popes visited. At the end of each day we prayed and reflected on our day's experience. I felt closer to discovering things about myself, others, and about our Lady of Fatima's requests and God's love for us.

Our Lady requested five things:

1. Make a daily Consecration to her Immaculate Heart for sinners.

2. Pray the Rosary daily.

3. Wear a blessed brown scapula and do sacrifice and penance.

4. Make reparation to her Immaculate Heart by receiving communion, after

confession, for five consecutive First Saturdays.

5. Consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for their conversion.

"Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Mother Mary was a model of complete unity with God's Will. Her "fiate" was why the Holy Trinity loved her. Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God. She said, "yes", to God and our Redeemer became incarnate to save us.

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart

from the Sanctuary prayer card

O Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to your immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total entrustment to the Lord.

By you we will be led by Christ. By him and with him we will be led to the Father. We will walk in the light of faith, and we will do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Father. With him we wish to carry his love and salvation to the ends of the earth. Under the protection of your Immaculate Heart, we will be one people with Christ. We will be witnesses of his Resurrection. By him we will be led to the Father, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, Whom we adore, praise and bless forever. Amen

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!