FT Chapter 5 (Beginning of Mary’s School)
School is now in session. I know it is summer, but May 13, 1917 began the school of Mary. She comes on the eighth day of the novena for end of the “Great War” (Fatima for Today, 41). Mary appears to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. Mary, Our Mother, comes to the children and she is very, very beautiful. To describe her does not even come close to the reality, she just radiates the love of God.
Mary’s first words to the children are: “’Do not be afraid. I will do you no harm’” (Fatima for Today, 42). It is not every day that a heavenly visitor comes and it is definitely out of the ordinary. I would probably be a little fearful if it happened to me. What a gentle thing to say, such a Motherly thing! Like any kid Lucia asks where she is from (Heaven) and “’What do you want of me’” (Fatima for Today, 43)? Mary tells them to return on the 13th of each much for six months (Fatima for Today, 43). That seems pretty simple. But the conversation continues, Lucia asks if they would go to heaven, our Lady says yes (Fatima for Today, 43). Lucia, being a little curious asks about a couple of people that have died, Our Lady responds that one of them is in purgatory until the end of the world (Fatima for Today, 44). Wow, I can’t imagine that. But this is not the only time I have heard this. There are other times that Our Lady has appeared and said the nearly the same thing.
The lesson continues, Our Lady asks them: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners” (Fatima for Today, 44)? I would have probably answered: NO, but that is not what the children respond. They are willing to suffer. WOW!!! Our Lady responds “’Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort’” (Fatima for Today, 45).
Our Lady finishes the apparition with this request: “’Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war’” (Fatima for Today, 46). The Rosary is our school, in it we learn to be in relationship with God. The Rosary is a great weapon for peace. We need to pray our Rosary daily!!! Our Lady asks this and she never asks anything that is not in accord with the will of God.
The apparition is finished but the children begin to suffer because family and friends don’t believe them. I can only imagine having this Heavenly vision and then people don’t believe. It would be frustrating and irritating.
July 13, 1917 happens and the children are at prayer and Our Lady appears again. In the course of the apparition she tells Lucia that she needs to learn to read (Fatima for Today, 50). Our Lady says to Lucia “’Later I will tell you what I want’” (Fatima for Today, 50). If I were Lucia, I would be asking her to tell me now, but she does ask if all three of them will go to heaven. Our Lady answers: “Yes, I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart” (Fatima for Today, 51). Lucia is getting her answer about what she is to do, but the message is clear that Jacinta and Francisco will not be with her for much longer. There is good news that all of them will go to heaven. I know I would be excited to her that. But I wouldn’t want to be alone either. Our Lady finishes by saying to Lucia: “No, my daughter. Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God” (Fatima for Today, 52). In other words, Lucia will not be alone without her cousins; she will have Our Lady with her.
In all the messages of Fatima, Our Lady reminds the children to pray the Rosary. We need to pray our Rosary daily for PEACE!!!