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: Continue reading “Bishop da Silva on the First Saturdays 1939” →