Today we have a new post which we offer as an example of how Sister Lucia’s attempts to make known Our Lady of Fatima’s message were obstructed from the start. Sister Lucia had urged Bishop da Silva to establish the devotion of the First Saturdays of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for some years, and he had responded with vague promises. From Frere Michel’s The Whole Truth About Fatima, Vol. II, we see how the Church authorities disobeyed Our Lady even while appearing to obey.
Bishop da Silva had several reasons for passing from promises to action. First, there was the painful trial of bad health which had dangerously threatened him in July of 1939. Then there was the declaration of war on September 3, which may have led to fears that perhaps Portugal also might, in spite of itself, get sucked into the war. Finally, there was the promising dawn of the new pontificate, which gave some reason to believe that the Holy Father might be more favourable to Fatima.
During the pilgrimage of September 13, Bishop da Silva decided to inform the thousands of pilgrims at the Cova da Iria of the devotion of reparation on the five first Saturdays of the month. Shortly afterwards, he published it in Voz da Fatima.
Bishop da Silva wrote to Sister Lucia shortly after to inform her. He was clearly pleased at having finally accomplished this act, which had been requested by the seer for over ten years:
“On September 13, on the occasion of the homily of the Mass for the sick, I made public the devotion of the five first Saturdays, in the sanctuary. And in the October issue (of Voz da Fatima) an article on the same subject has been published recommending it. Since the review has a large circulation (about 380,000 copies), I can say that this devotion is now known not only in Portugal, but in many foreign regions as well.”
“May God deign to accept our reparation, however small and poor it be, for the offences which give sorrow to the Heart of His Mother, the Most Holy Virgin Mary.”
The news brought great joy to Sister Lucia; however, there was some regret as well. After reading the article in the Voz da Fatima, she was pained to see that Our Lady’s requests were not explained with complete exactness. In a letter dated December 3, 1939, she opened up to Father Aparicio:
“His Grace says that the meditation can be done during the recitation of the Rosary. I have already received a letter from Father Gomes to ask me my opinion, since Our Lady’s words seem to indicate that the meditation may be done separately.
“I did not want to answer without asking His Grace, the bishop. His Excellency answered me that he did this to make it easier for people to practice this devotion, for ordinary people are not used to meditating and don’t know how to do it. Since Holy Church allows several obligatory prayers to be said during Mass (such as the penance given in confession, etc), and since the precept is satisfied in this way, he says the same thing is true in this case.”
“However , for whoever is able, the more perfect thing is to do each thing separately.”
Of course! And how can we not deplore the watering down of Our Lady’s requests, which were already so simple and condescending, considering the wonderful promises attached to them?
If the faithful do not know how to meditate, does not their Heavenly Mother desire to teach it to them, and give them a taste for it through these fifteen minutes spent in Her company, so as to console Her outraged Heart, overwhelmed with bitterness by so much ingratitude on the part of Her children?
Another cause for regret is that Bishop da Silva’s act was still not the official episcopal approval, promised since 1928. The bishop had contented himself with recommending the devotion of reparation during the course of his sermon on September 13. Writing in the October issue of Voz da Fatima, the Vicomte of Montelo (Canon Formigao) had mentioned this fact. But the article published in this same issue to recommend and explain this devotion, although written by Bishop da Silva himself – besides being awkward and inexact on several points – was anonymous!
I have also been misled by writers I respected who advised that the meditation may be part of one’s First Saturday Rosary, and so I hope that with this little article we can more correctly follow Our Lady of the Rosary’s true intentions. I also felt the need to post this in response to those who have countered my assertion regarding the Church’s non-compliance with the First Saturdays devotion, by citing the example of Portugal. In point of fact, the requested devotion of First Saturdays of Reparation was never officially established within the Church.
Many “experts” who oppose the Message cite the supposed impossibility of the Pope and Bishops Consecrating Russia, that is, the political and ecumenical complexities, but there is no reason that the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, cannot institute this simple devotion within his own Church. It is his to lead, after all. Disobedience to Our Lady of the Rosary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, did not begin with Pope Francis. No, not at all, for her message was resisted by the very popes and bishops to whom it was addressed, from the very beginning.
And now, dear readers, what are we to do? Well, we could just stay stuck in the mire of the ongoing scandals caused by Pope Bergoglio and those who follow him. But that is a bleak and futile option. Again, I suggest that we return to Our Lady’s message at Fatima and accept that it is only ourselves that we can change – and we in fact, are powerless to change even ourselves until we take up our Rosaries with renewed humility and ask Our Blessed Mother to help us, teach us the mysteries in this lifeline to our Lord Jesus Christ, our only hope of salvation.
Thank you for reading! I hope you will pass along to others if you find this helpful, and please, pray for our priests!
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Open your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only: and He will free you from the hands of your enemies. With all your heart return to Him, and take away from your midst any strange gods” (I Kings 7:3)
✝︎ Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
✝︎ Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Viva Cristo Rey!
✝︎ St. Joseph, protect us, protect our families, protect our priests.
✝︎ St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
