Let the Earth be opened and bud forth a Savior! The Christmas Novena

Let us all pray the 

Solemn Christmas Novena

Spend five  minutes in daily prayer and contemplation to better recognize the Christ Child and more fully receive His boundless blessings. Based on the seven Great O Antiphons

Let the Earth be opened and bud forth a Savior!
O that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you!

Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one — Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia — the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” In these words, the Lord Jesus, for whose coming we prepare in Advent and to whom we address these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us. 

The O Antiphons not only bring intensity to our Advent preparations, but they bring our preparations to a joyful conclusion. Each antiphon begins with “O” and include a different Scriptural image through the Old Testament, all imploring the Messiah to come. As Elsa Chaney in Twelve Days of Christmas states, “They seem to sum up all our Advent longing as they paint  with words the wretched condition of mankind and his need of a Savior.”

May the God of peace sanctify us completely and may our spirits souls and bodies be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

V:  The Lord is our Coming King,  

R:   Let us hasten to adore Him.

December 16    First Day of Christmas Novena

BEHOLD THE KING   The Lord of the earth who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai He  is drawing near! He will come and remove from us the Yoke of  our captivity of the House of Israel, and redeem us with outstretched arm.  
R: O Come, Let us adore Him!
Say The Daily Novena Prayer below: 
The Messianic Prophecies

Click here for video of  prayer and hymn

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 17 
Today The Church begins the seven Great “O” Antiphons of the liturgy, that date back to the seventh or eighth century. These antiphons are chanted or recited at Vespers, or Evening Prayer, the Antiphon before the Magnificat. They are also the Alleluia verse at the Mass.

 O SAPIENTIA  O WISDOM,   Holy Word of God who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly with your strong and tender care  
R: Come, and teach us the way of prudence
 Sirach 24:2; Wisdom 8:1. 
Symbols: oil lamp, open book.
 Click here for video of Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

  

 December 18  

O ADONAI  O LORD AND RULER    
O Sacred Lord of  the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: 
R: Come, and redeem us with outstretched arm of your mighty hand.
 Exodus 3:2, 20:1. Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets.  
Click here for video of Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 19                                  

O RADIX JESSE  O ROOT OF JESSE, 

O flower of Jesse's stem you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples and stand as a banner of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication:  
R: Come to deliver us, and tarry not let nothing keep you from coming to our aid! 
Isaiah 11:1-3,10  Symbol: vine or plant in flower, especially a rose. 
 Click here for video of Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 20                 

O CLAVIS DAVID  O KEY OF DAVID  O Key of David, Scepter of the House of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of Heaven who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens  
R :Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. Isaiah 22:22. Symbols: key; broken chains.

Click here for video of the Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 21                     

O ORIENS  O DAWN OF THE EAST,   O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light and brightness of eternity, sun of justice: 
R: Come, and enlighten those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.  
Psalm 19:6-7.  

Symbol: rising sun.

Click here for video of the Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 22                             

O REX GENTIUM  O KING OF THE GENTILEShttps://speramusposterous.wordpress.com/2016/12/22/dec-22-day-7-solemn-christmas-novena-o-rex-gentium-o-king-of-the-gentiles-2/    King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one:

R: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.  Psalm 2:7-8, Ephesians 2:14-20. Symbols, Crown, scepter.

Click here for video of the Gregorian Chanthttps://speramusposterous.wordpress.com/2016/12/22/dec-22-day-7-solemn-christmas-novena-o-rex-gentium-o-king-of-the-gentiles-2/

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 23                                  

O EMMANUEL  GOD WITH US,  Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and Savior: R: Come to save us, and set us free, O Lord our God. Isaiah 7:14; 33:22. Symbols: tablets of stone, Chalice and Host.

Click here for video of the Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

December 24 

VENI VENI (O COME O COME EMANUEL)

V: Tomorrow He will wipe out the iniquities of the earth. 

R: And the Savior of the world will reign over us.
V: When the Sun will have arisen from the heavens in the morning sky
R: You shall see the King of kings coming forth from the Father like a radiant bridegroom from the bridal chamber!

Click here for video of the Gregorian Chant

Say the daily novena prayer below: The Messianic Prophecies

                                             

       The Messianic Prophecies

 

Daily Novena Prayer

V:  The Lord is our Coming King,  
R:  Let us hasten to adore Him.

V: Rejoice, O Daughter of Sion, and exult, O Daughter of Jerusalem.

R: Behold the Lord will come and there will be on that day a great light, and the mountains will drip with sweetness and the hills will flow with milk and honey, for the great prophet will come and he will renew Jerusalem.

V:  Behold, He who is God and man shall come forth from the house of Davis to sit upon his throne,and you shall see Him, and your heart shall rejoice.  
R: Behold, the Lord shall come, our Protector, the Holy One of Israel, bearing on His head the crown of the Kingdom.

V: And he will rule from sea unto sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth. 
R. Behold the Lord will appear, and He will not deceive: if he delay wait for him, for he will come and He will not tarry.

V:  The Lord will descend, as rain on the field. In his days  justice shall rise and an abundance of peace and all the kings of the earth shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him.  
R: A Child is born to us, and He shall be called the God of strength; He will sit upon the throne of David his Father, and he shall rule whose dominion rests upon his shoulder.

V:  O Bethlehem, city of the the most High God, out from you shall go forth the ruler of Israel, and his going forth  will be as from the beginning of the days of eternity.   
R: And he will be glorified in the midst of all the earth and peace will be upon our land when He will have come.

V: O Lord, do not tarry; do away with the offenses of Your people

R : Be mindful of us, O Lord, and visit us in Your salvation.

V: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult. Praise the Lord, O mountains!

R: Let the mountains break forth into gladness, and the hills with justice!

V: Praise the Lord, you mountains, for the Lord shall come and to the poor He shall show us his mercy.

Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh; behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia.

V: For the Lord shall come and to the poor He will show mercy.

R: Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down the Just One.  Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior. 

V:  Send forth the lamb, O Lord the ruler of all the earth, from the rock of the desert to the mountain of the daughter of Zion!  V: Come, to free us O Lord God of Hosts, show your face to us and we shall be saved!

 V: Come, O Lord,  and visit us in peace that we may rejoice in you with a perfect heart!

 R: So that we may know O Lord your way upon the earth, among all the peoples your salvation.

V: Stir up your power O Lord and come to save us. 

R:Come O Lord do not delay do away with the offenses of your people! 

V: O that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you!

R: Come and show to us Your face O Lord who are enthroned upon the Cherubim

 V: Stir up your power O Lord   R: Come to save us

  

LET US PRAY

Hasten we beseech you O Lord do not tarry, and grant us the help of your celestial power, so that we ho hope for your consolations may be lifted up by your mercy: who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever amen!

9

Reflections 100th Jubilee Year and Revealing of Third Fatima Secret! Fatima and Islam!

Penance! Penance!
Penance!  

The 3rd Secret Revealed 

The Silence of Shepherds

The Via Cucis of the Popes

Fatima & Muslims
Interpreting the 3rd Secret

My Immaculate Heart will Triumph!

I recall with gratitude to God the grace he gave for me to be present at Fatima for the Beatifications of the little shepherds Jacinta and Francisco. Somewhere in the sea of humanity on the right side of the center and just behind the priests our little group spent a shivering night outdoors on the 12^th of May, 2000 in order to stake out our claimed spot for the Beatification Ceremony.  Holding on to the spot took some maneuvering and Christian fortitude. As the hour for beatifications drew near we had be firm and steadfast not to have the Portuguese faithful rest it away from us. Being present for this occasion was a great consolation and something I will always be grateful to God for. The remembrance of all the graces from the Jubilee year gives courage to press forward when the crosses of life press more intensely. 

Are things Better or Worse

Since the Great Jubilee 2000?

Have we taken advantage of the Graces afforded us during the Great Jubilee Year? The Holy Doors of Mercy opened to us by the Church? Have we passed through the Holy Doors in repentance for our sins and to make a new beginning?  Or was it just a symbolic act because everyone else was doing it? I can’t  help to think that the world is still plunging towards the final confrontation between Good and Evil. Immediately after the Great Jubilee year, in 2001 we have endured the 911 attacks and the rise of Islamic extremist groups some probably funded by left over Marxist groups in the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation.  

Today we live with the constant threat of Terror attacks on Christian and post-Christian West throughout world. Sadly, we are witnessing the effects of our own apostasy of the faith in the use of birth control, sterilizations and abortions. As a result Christian Europe is fast on its way to becoming Muslim. Christians are choosing a life of pleasure-seeking over procreation, faith and family.

The recent Global financial crisis of 2007, considered by many economists as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s still threatens us with the possibility of another world wide depression. “War is a punishment for sin!” Our Lady of Fatima told this to the shepherd children. She warned that God would punnish the world for its disobedience to His will through wars, hunger, and persecutions of the Church, the Pope, and the faithful. "If My requests are not granted, Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father (Pope) will suffer much and various nations will be annihilated."

CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO made the following comment At the end of the Mass presided over by the Holy Father at Fatima announcing that the 3rd Secret will be made public: The successive events of 1989 led, both in the Soviet Union and in a number of countries of Eastern Europe, to the fall of the Communist regimes which promoted atheism. For this too His Holiness offers heartfelt thanks to the Most Holy Virgin. In other parts of the world, however, attacks against the Church and against Christians, with the burden of suffering they bring, tragically continue. Even if the events to which the third part of the “secret” of Fatima refers now seem part of the past, Our Lady's call to conversion and penance, issued at the start of the twentieth century, remains timely and urgent today.

"Prophecy in the biblical sense does not mean to predict the future but to explain the will of God for the present, and therefore show the right path to take for the future.” 

 Benedict XVI June 26, 2000 Commenting on the third secret of Fatima as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

2001 Cover Soul Magazine-Artist Depiction of 3rd Secret

  

Seeing that the world is still restless with Wars and rumors of Wars why isn’t the three-fold cry for PENANCE in the third secret being shouted from every Catholic pulpit? Why are we not hearing this Cry of the Angel of the judgment of God proclaimed repeatedly by our Priests and Bishops?  It is the Gospel message that Jesus says to his hearers


“I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish .  Luke 13:1-9

Penance!   Penance! 

Penance!

THE PATH OF PENANCE AT FATIMA

PILGRIMS APPROACH THE SANCTUARY ON THEIR KNEES

Why are our Shepherds Silent?

The shepherds silence while often injurious to himself will always harm his flock!”

A recent Homily by St. Gregory the Great in the Office of Readings shed light for me on our present situation in the church and why the Message of Fatima with its cry for penance and conversion is not preached.  St. Gregory writes:  “Look about you and see how full the world is of priests, yet in God’s harvest a laborer is rarely to be found.  Pray for priest that they may have the strength to work on our behalf! That their tongues may not grow weary of exhortation. That after they have accepted the office of preaching their silence may not condemn them before the just judge!—Frequently the preachers tongue is held fast on account of his own wickedness. On the other hand it also happens because of the peoples own sins. The Lord tells Ezekiel: ‘I will make your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth so that you shall be dumb and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house.’  He clearly means this: “The word of preaching will be taken away from you because as long as this people irritate me by their deeds, they are unworthy to hear the exhortations of truth!  It is not easy to know for what reasons the preachers words were withheld his own wickedness or the peoples, but it is indisputable that the shepherds silence while often injurious to himself will always harm his flock!”

“The Lady of the message seems to read the signs of the times—the signs of our time—with special insight... The insistent invitation of Mary Most Holy to penance is nothing but the manifestation of her maternal concern for the fate of the human family, in need of conversion and forgiveness” (Pope John Paul II, Message for the 1997 World Day of the Sick, No. 1, Insegnamenti, XIX, 2 [1996], 561).

Let us not blame the popes that they have not sufficiently fulfilled the requirements for the Consecration of Russia. Sr. Lucia wrote in a letter to John Paul Ii it had been done in 1984. She stated that.  It is the people themselves who are to blame. I am adding by their sins, missing Sunday Mass. Recieving Communion in a state of mortal sin.  Immodest dress, a lack of the spirit of prayer, not praying the daily family Rosary. Not making their Communion of reparations on the 5 first Saturdays and not  wearing the Brown Scapular as a sign of our personal consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is what Our Lady wanted from the people!

Sr. Lucia wrote: "Since we did not heed this appeal of the Message, we see that it has been fulfilled, Russia has invaded the world with her errors. And if we have not yet seen the complete fulfillment of the final part of this prophecy, we are going towards it little by little with great strides. If we do not reject the path of sin, hatred, revenge, injustice, violations of the rights of the human person, immorality and violence, etc.-And let us not say that it is God who is punishing us in this way; on the contrary it is people themselves who are preparing their own punishment. In his kindness God warns us and calls us to the right path, while respecting the freedom he has given us; hence people are responsible”. Sister Lucia 1982

All the consequences of our failure to heed the messages by fulfilling her simple requests have followed.

 Fatima and Islam

Since the fateful day of Sept 11, 2001 we now see more clearly that the Muslims who also have God for their Father play an integral role in this final Mystery of Fatima in the battle between the forces of Good and the forces of evil. God the Father, Creator of all things visible and invisible, allowed the Mother of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and true man, to be venerated with the same name as Mohammad’s daughter, Fatima!  Imagine that! This is a great Mystery still buried in the Fatima Message!  it undoubtedly will be made clear in the unfolding God’s providence over time and reveals his plans to men at the proper time and season. Muslims who also await the Day of Judgment with us, when God will render judgment to all those who await the Resurrection from the dead, should be treated by Christians with respect of having the same Father in Heaven who created us all!  

The Apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima Portugal are intimately tied to the Islamic world. Islam is an Arabic word that can be defined as "to make peace." Islam is the religion founded by Mohammed, which considers the Koran as its holy book. In addition, Islam accepts the New Testament of the Christians and the Old Testament of the Jews as Divinely inspired works.
  
The two great women of Islam are the Virgin Mary of Nazareth and Mohammed's daughter, Fatima.  After the death of his daughter, Fatima, Mohammed wrote of her: "Thou shalt be the most blessed of all the women in Paradise, after Mary".  God could have sent his mother anywhere else in the world but he chooses this plot of land called Fatima. The land was named such by a Christian leader who married a Muslim maiden named after Mohammed's daughter. She converted to the Christian faith and took the name Oureana she practiced great charity among the poor people surrounding the Castle of Ourem.

The Providence of  God in sending His Mother to Fatima and allowing her to be venerated with the name of Mohammad's daughter, links the Muslim People and Islam, with the Mystery of Fatima.

Below the Castle of Ourem near the Fatima Apparition Site where    a Muslim Princess named after Mohammad's daughter Fatima 
   converted to the Christian Faith and took the christian name Ourana

    History of the Location of Fatima 

Where Our Lady Appeared in 1917

The legend of the name of the village of Ourem and Oureana the moorish princess is retold by Friar Bernardino de Brito in his Chronicle of the Order of Cister (1602): In a surprise attack on the St John's Day in 1158, a Christian knight, Gonçalo Hermigues and his companions kidnapped a Moorish princess with the famous Arab name of Fatima.  The knight took Fatima to a small village of the recently-created Kingdom of Portugal, in the Serra de Aire hills. The princess fell in love with the Christian knight and decided to become herself a Christian, taking the name of Oureana. They got married and the princess received as prize the town which she called Ourém, after her name. She lived in the Castle and practiced great charity to the poor peasants living in the valley below. So beloved had she become a peasant who was the recipient of her charity named a parcel of his land after her birth name of Fatima. It was to this very small plot of land named after a Moorish princess that God sent his mother in 1917.  The town of Fatima rose up on this land after the appearance of Our Lady in 1917.  It was not to nearby Adjustral where our Lady  appeared in August after the children were taken to jail that the apparitons took place.  

She could have been called Our Lady of Adjustral. This act of Divine Providence of God by sending Our Lady to this small hamlet called Fatima, connected the Muslim Religion and Islam with the drama of Fatima.

An editorial for the Rosary Net  published on line by Father Thomas Carleton  made the following poignant comments that need to be prayed over and considered by Christians as we continue to meditate on the connection of the Fatima Message with those of the Muslim Faith.

“We have to make known that despite the accusation of violence so often made against Muslim extremists; they are not guilty of the terrible slaughter of innocent life in the womb that occurs with such lack of scruples throughout the western world.  Likewise in Islamic countries they maintain a high respect for the dignity of true marriage between a man and a woman. The Holy Father, Benedict XVI after his speech at the Germany University, had an opportunity to re-affirm the Church's important teaching regarding the religion of the Muslims 

  

* ‘The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the Day of Judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, alms giving and fasting’"  Benedict XVI-2006

At Fatima we learn that there is a price to be paid individually and collectively for the offenses committed against almighty God. We must do penance as individuals and as nations, to avoid the just punishments of God. All of humanity will suffer Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The good with the bad. In the third part of the secret of Fatima we see the intercessory role of Our Lady, saving the world from great apocalyptic suffering and destruction. She is able to forestall the punishments through the prayers: Rosaries and Communions of Reparations offered for God’s mercy to descend upon poor sinners. 

Interpreting the 3rd Secret

The Vatican Information Service published a synopsis of the Commentary of Cardinal Ratzinger now Pope Benedict XVI on the third secret of Fatima.  I am including  the following excepts from the article published by the Vatican Information Service JUNE 26, 2000 (VIS)  Pope Benedict XVI said, as  prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that the "key word" of the third secret of Fatima "is the triple cry, 'Penance, Penance, Penance!'

 “The images of the secret: ‘The angel with the flaming sword on the left of the Mother of God recalls similar images in the Book of Revelation. This represents the threat of judgment which looms over the world. Today the prospect that the world might be reduced to ashes by a sea of fire no longer seems pure fantasy: Man himself, with his inventions, has forged the flaming sword.”  Benedict XVI June 26, 2000 Commenting on the third secret of Fatima as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Sister Lucia had already given an indication for interpreting the third part of the “secret” in a letter to the Holy Father, dated 12 May 1982.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

“The vision (3rd Secret)  then shows the power which stands opposed to the force of destruction  the splendor of the Mother of God and, stemming from this in a certain way, the summons to penance. In this way, the importance of human freedom is underlined: the future is not in fact unchangeably set, the image which the children saw is in no way a film preview of a future in which nothing can be changed. Indeed, the whole point of the vision is to bring freedom onto the scene and to steer freedom in a positive direction. ... Its meaning is to mobilize the forces of change in the right direction. Therefore we must totally discount fatalistic explanations of the 'secret,' such as, for example, the claim that the would-be assassin of May 13 1981 was merely an instrument of the divine plan guided by Providence. ... Rather, the vision speaks of dangers and how we might be saved from them." Benedict XVI June 26, 2000 commenting on the third secret of Fatima as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

                 Text of Third Secret

Immediately after the vision of hell the children beheld the following vision written by Lucia: “At the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendor that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: ‘Penance , Penance, Penance!'. And we saw in an immense light that is God: ‘something similar to how people appear in a mirror when they pass in front of it' a Bishop dressed in White ‘we had the impression that it was the Holy Father'. Other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious going up a steep mountain, at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks as of a cork-tree with the bark; before reaching there the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him, and in the same way there died one after another the other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, and various lay people of different ranks and positions. Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God. …. 

    
The Via Crucis

    of the Popes

                                   

        

A drawing from J. Gill illustrating the 3rd  part of the secret of Fatima taken from the last book of Sister Lucia, “Calls from the Message of Fatima”   Secção de Livraria, Cova da Iria 2496-908 Fatima, Portugal

  

"In the Via Crucis of an entire century, the figure of the Pope 
has a special role."

In his arduous ascent of the mountain we can undoubtedly see a convergence of different Popes. Beginning from Pius X up to the present Pope, they all shared the sufferings of the century and strove to go forward through all the anguish along the path which leads to the Cross. In the vision, the Pope too is killed along with the martyrs. When, after the attempted assassination on 13 May 1981, the Holy Father had the text of the third part of the 'secret' brought to him, was it not inevitable that he should see in it his own fate? He had been very close to death, and he himself explained his survival in the following words: '... it was a mother's hand that guided the bullet's path and in his throes the Pope halted at the threshold of death' (May 13 1994). That here 'a mother's hand' had deflected the fateful bullet only shows once more that there is no immutable destiny, that faith and prayer are forces which can influence history and that in the end prayer is more powerful than bullets and faith more powerful than armies.”  Benedict XVI June 26, 2000 Commenting on the third secret of Fatima as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

     My Immaculate Heart 

Will Triumph!

In order that the faithful may better receive the message "I would like finally to mention another key expression of the 'secret' which has become justly famous: 'my Immaculate Heart will triumph.' What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The 'fiat' of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Savior into the world because, thanks to her 'Yes,' God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God.  But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: 'In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.' The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise."  
Benedict XVI June 26, 2000 Commenting on the third secret of Fatima as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

             

                   



The Final Battle Over the Family and Our New Carmelite Saints Louise and Zella Martin

THE MONTH OF JULY Dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus also has several important Carmelite Feasts that calls for us to meditate on them in the light of the Fatima message. These  Carmelite memorials  have great significance to aid  our spiritual lives in the midst of the battles we face in bearing witness to the faith. 
This post centers on our relatively new Saints, Louis and Zelie Martin in their role as spouses sanctifying each other and as parents preparing their children for heaven. Their memorial falls on July 12th.

I am hoping you will also take the time after reading this post to meditate on the following four significant Carmelite Feasts to aide us in the present spiritual warfare engaged in the world the battle over family life that has entered also into the midst of the church!

July 13th 3rd Fatima Apparition 
Mary came as a Catechist at Fatima and is a model catechist for parents today!

July 16th Our Lady of Mt Carmel
Another Hidden Meaning for the Brown Scapular?
   
July 20th The Prophet Elijiah 
Will the Mission of the Prophet Elijah culminate in the Apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima? 

July 23rd Mary Mother if Divine Grace
 Holy Mary Virgin Mother of Divine Grace 

July 12th is  the Memorial of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese and it is a  very recent addition to the Church calendar and the Carmelite Proper.  In Divine providence this date chosen by the church for their memorial has great significance for parents today and for their roles as the primary instructors for their children in the faith. 

Louis Martin was born at Bordeaux on August 22nd, 1823 and  Zelie Guerin was born on December 23rd, 1831.  Both Louis and Zelie sought to enter Religious life; however, neither were admitted.  Louis had become a successful watchmaker and Zelie had started her own successful lace-making business.  Louis and Zelie met in Alencon France and were married on July 13th, 1858.  They wanted to raise souls for Heaven. They were to have nine children; however,  two baby boys and a baby girl died as did another daughter at age 5.  Of the remaining five daughters, all would become nuns:  Marie, Pauline, Celine and Therese were Carmelite nuns at the same Monastery in Lisieux.  Leonie was a Visitation nun at a convent in Caen.  Louis and Zelie Martin were Beatified by Pope Benedict the XVI on October 19th, 2008.

This married couple the first in the modern era to be declared saints. They are held up by the church for our times when Marriage and Family life are under attack by the enemies of God within and outside of the church.  

"The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be over Marriage and Family" --Ven. Lucia of Fatima

Cardinal Caffarra commissioned by St. John Paul II established the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. The cardinal wrote a letter to Sister Lucia of Fatima through her bishop, since he could not do it directly.He did not expect a reply, and only asked for her prayers. He was surprised to see a long letter with Sr. Lucia's signature, which is now in the archives of the Institute. In that letter Sr. Lucia wrote:

"The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about Marriage and the Family.’ 

Don't be afraid, she added, because whoever works for the sanctity of Marriage and the Family will always be fought against and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. Then she concluded: ‘nevertheless, Our Lady has already crushed his head”

Parents must give a living witness of Faith if they wish their children to go to Heaven!

The Church in placing their memorial on July 12th which is the vigil of the 3rd Fatima apparition. In the July apparition of Our Lady  the children were given a  vision of Hell.  This was no mistake here the church is telling us of the importance of a living witness of faith by parents if they wish their children to have a chance for Heaven.  Today Parents have to relearn and take seriously their obligations to catechize their children and prepare them  to make the proper moral choices for the next life.

Tertullian who lived  in the first Christian century stated: "Christians are not born they are made." The Church has always understood the absolute necessity of evangelizing and catechizing young children. This is the parents duty for their children and our Lady's appearance at Fatima preceded by the angel in 1916, teaches parents how to teach their children working with the the graces God has given them. 

                                                                   © Vision of Hell   Photo designed  for Speramus-We Hope 

Think of it! Our Lady did not spare little children at the tender ages of 6, 8 and 9 years a frightful vision of hell! 

       
Through this frightful vision the children were taught the consequences due to sin. They were taught  that souls who sin and are not repentant will end up on fire burning there for all eternity.The children were forever changed by it and from then on did everything to make sacrifices and prayers so souls would not end up there!

How many parents today coddle and pamper their children, never teaching these little souls entrusted to them by God the importance of prayer and sacrifice and the consequences of sin. 

We greatly underestimate the capacity of children  to do good to pray and sacrifice! When children are taught by the living examples of their parents they are generous in their response to good. Very often the children's unreserved "offering of self" far surpasses the half-hearted offering of adults, who are overly imbued with self-love and attachment to material wealth, prestige, security, and comfortable living.

The Parents of  St Therese of Liseuix were exemplary Catechists in instructing their children through their example and witness of their lives and the church wants us to take note of it! Parents must help their children by teaching them how to practice the virtues. Charity, mercy, prudence justice, fortitude, temperance, humility to overcome the capital sins of pride greed, lust, anger, sloth, envy,Temperence and gluttony. The virtues need to be taught to children as Our Lady and the Angel did to the shepherds of Fatima. This is how future vocations are formed in the homes by the example of the parents.

The education of their children was at the same time joyful, and demanding. Very early on, Zelie Martin teaches them the morning offering of their hearts to the good God, the simple acceptance of daily difficulties "to please Jesus."  This was the indelible mark that is the basis of the little way taught by St. Therese. One cannot conceive of the growth in holiness of Therese and the religious vocations of her sisters independent of the spiritual life of both her parents.

Having said that, if the parents themselves  are defectively evangelized or not evangelized at all, (many are today) they are unprepared for catechetical teaching and the passing the faith to their children. Their instructions will be senseless and downright silly if they unwilling to live the Christian life at home. This Christian witness in the home is vital pass on the faith and to supplement what the church is teaching their children in its Catechism programs. If it is not there the faith will not be. absorbed. 

Our Lady came to show how important it is to teach children from their most tender years to be generous and  how to make sacrifices. The moral virtues most be learned and practiced over and over due to our fallen human nature. See also: Our Lady came as a Catechist at Fatima and is a perfect model for all Catechists today

We do not usually talk about Mary as a catechist at Fatima and we do not commonly think of her as a model for those who catechize. But according to the Servant of God Fr. John Anthony Hardon, S.J.,  
"The Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a pattern; she is a perfect model of what every catechist in the Catholic Church should be. More details see: Mary is the perfect model of all Catholic Catechists!  

           

To help parents become better Catechists consider taking the Basic Catechetical Course with the Marian Catechist Apostolate founded by the Servant of God Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
 

Our Lady came to Fatima to combat the atheism, rebellion and materialism of the modern world. She came from God to save souls from unbelief, sin and ultimately from hell fire. She came, begging all believers to join Christ in his work of redemption by living faith-filled and holy lives. The Parents of of St Therese Blessed Louis and Marie Zélie Martin are held up by the Church for the parents of our time! They are great example of parents who fulfill their primary duty of educating and preparing their children for the next life to live with God for all eternity in Heaven

Blessed Louis and 
Marie Zélie Martin

Feast Day July 12th

Let us pray: 
Lord, you have given to Blessed Louis and Marie Zélie

the grace to lead a life of holiness as Christian spouses and parents.
Grant that through their intercession and example each of us may be able to love and serve you faithfully, living worthily our own vocation. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
  
Other significant Feasts in July that have bearing on our spiritual warfare today when meditated on in the light of Fatima include:

July 13th 3rd Fatima Apparition 

Mary came as a Catechist at Fatima and is a model catechist for parents today!

July 16th Our Lady of Mt Carmel
Another Hidden Meaning for the Brown Scapular?
   
July 20th The Prophet Elijiah 
Will the Mission of the Prophet Elijah culminate in the Apparition999os of Our Lady at Fatima?

July 23rd: Mary Mother of Divine Grace
 Holy Mary Virgin Mother of Divine Grace