Memorial of Sts. Jacinta & Francisco of Fatima February 20-The face that gazed on Our Lady is incorrupt!

The Heroic Virtues of

Sts. Jacinta and Francisco 

The beatification process for the Fátima seers Francisco and Jacinta Marto began in 1952 and was finished in 1979. On 15 February 1988 the final documentation was presented to John Paul II and to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. They were declared "venerable" on 13 May 1989 and Beatified by Pope John Paul on May 13, 2000. Their long awaited Canonization also took place at Fatima on  May 13, 2017 by Pope Francis.

Their memorial is on the day of Jacinta's death February 20. Most of this post after giving background information will detail the Heroic Virtues of the two  but especially Jacinta our little victim soul for poor sinners. What she suffered grown men would find difficult to endure. It is trough the Immaculate Heart of Mary that she completed the mission Our Lady gave to her at Fatima. This little soul sets an example for all of us in humble submission of sufferings and the trial of life.

Above photo taken after the children saw the vision of Hell in July

The Vision of Hell

This experience Our Lady gave them deeply impressed them and changed their lives. This vision became the motivation for Jacinta's Heroic Sacrifices for the conversion of poor sinners who may end up there. Jacinta often separated from the others and alone by herself would fall to her knees to pray for sinners. Then calling Lucia and Francisco she would ask: "Are you praying with me? It is necessary to pray much to save souls from hell!... How sorry I am for sinners! If I could only show them hell!" Even after she was taken sick, which eventually led to her death, she would get out of bed to bow her head to the floor, and pray as the Angel had taught for the glory of God, Jesus in the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which God is offended and to beg for the conversion of poor sinners. A priest finally had to tell her, as she would fall over at times doing this, that she should say the prayer in bed.

The Vision of the Holy Father

John Paul II after assassination attempt 

Jacinta's vision recorded by Sr. Lucia in her memoirs is connected to the third part of the secret revealed on May 13, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Jacinta said "I cannot say how, but I saw the Holy Father in a very large house, kneeling beside a table with his hands on his face. He was crying. Many people were outside the house. Some were throwing stones at him; others were cursing him and saying foul words to him. Poor Holy Father, we have to pray much for him!"  

Benedict XVI @ Fatima May 2010

Some experts believed that Jacinta's mysterious visions applied to Pope Pius XII. But it is more probable that this prophetic vision also concerned future popes. Including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI! No pope in the history of the Fatima Revelation has suffered such revilement by the press to the point of publishing articles that libel him and asking for his resignation also see the following link for the Fatima Messages embraces Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in prayer with a section concerning The Unprecedented Media Attacks On the Pope Fueled by the Devil? "Strike the shepherd the Sheep will Scatter" Zechariah 13:7

Another time in  August of 1917, while sitting on the boulders of the knoll of Cabeço, Jacinta suddenly began to say the prayer the angel had taught them and, after a deep silence, said to her cousin: "Do you not see so many thoroughfares, roads, and fields full of people weeping with hunger and having nothing to eat? And the Holy Father praying in a church before the Immaculate Heart of Mary? And many people praying with him?" Sister Lucia adds: "Some days later, she asked me: "'Can I say that I saw the Holy Father and all those people?'' Lucia answered her: "No. Don't you see that this is part of the secret?!  That would give it away!"  
                                                                                

Bl. Jacinta Marto Last Visions

At the end of October 1918, Francisco and Jacinta fell ill, almost at the same time. When Lucia visited them, she found Jacinta elated she said;"Our Lady came to see us and said that she is coming to take Francisco to heaven very soon. She asked me if I still wanted to convert more sinners. I told her I did. She told me I would be taken to a hospital and that I would suffer greatly there, but that I should suffer for the conversion of sinners, in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the love of Jesus. This is what hurts me most. She said to Lucia: "My mother will take me there, and after that I will remain there all alone!"

Surgery Without General Anesthetic

Dr. Castro Freire who received Jacinta at the hospital diagnosed "purulent pleurisy of the large left cavity, with fistula; osteitis of the seventh and eighth ribs of the same side." On February 10, 1920 Jacinta was operated on. She had much to suffer, for they could not give her a general anesthetic, because of her extreme weakness, and they had to be content with a local anesthetic, a method which was still imperfect at the time.  She suffered greatly from it, and the pain was revived each time it was necessary to bandage the wound.  But the result was clinically rather good, with two ribs being extracted from her left side, leaving a wound into which a grown-ups hand could be comfortably inserted. Jacinta was an accommodating and stoic patient, and though the required daily dressings of the great wound in her side were a frightful agony, her only cries were repetitions of her beloved Lady's name. The doctor in Lisbon who operated on Jacinta considered her a saint Jacinta never complained even when the local anesthesia did not work. The doctor heard her say to Our Lord: "Now Jesus You can save many souls because I suffer very much."

Jacinta's Last Sacrifice

Her Request for Viaticum

On the evening of that 20th of February, at about 6 o'clock, Jacinta said that she felt worse and wished to receive the Sacraments. The parish priest was called and he heard her confession about 8 o'clock that night. Jacinta was convinced that she would die and asked for Viaticum, but the priest thought she looked fairly well, and so he promised to bring her Holy Communion in the morning. She died that night, all alone, as Our Lady had told her, and without having received Holy Communion. But she died in peace, in perfect conformity to the Divine Will. She has much to teach us on how to accept the misfortunes of our lives in the spirit of sacrifice. Bl. Jacinta Victim Soul for poor sinners, pray for us so that we may be made worth of the promises of Christ.

 Father John De Marchi,I.M.C. 

  On Jacinta's Last Comments 

Fr. DeMarchi is an author of numerous articles and books on Fatima, in particular Fatima Today, and Fatima the Full Story. He lived in Fatima from 1946 until his death in 2003. He Established a seminary for the Consolata Priests and a Convent for the sisters at Fatima. The museum of Fatima in 1990 and the Blessed Nuno Hotel for pilgrims.  He became close to Sr Lucia interviewing her many times on the events of Fatima as well as her family, friends and other witnesses. His books especially Fatima the Full Story are considered to be authentic historical documents.

I was blessed to know him and have him as a spiritual friend, father and "brother" as he appended his notes and cards to me. I made acquaintance with him over the years as He often visited my parish on his mission appeals for Ethiopia. Whenever I went to Fatima he would meet me there show me the sacred spots and take me to wherever he was offering Holy Mass often at the convent of the Alianca de Santa Maria. The last time I saw him was at the Beatification of Bl. Jacinta and Francesco in 2000. He was sick then but filled with great joy at seeing the fulfillment of his spiritual aspirations as the shepherd children were raised to the honors of the altar. I never wanted to leave Fatima. Each time I went I left a part of my heart behind. Fr. De Marchi told me: "You must return to America and bring the Fatima Message to your country."

Speramus-We Hope  

Fulfillment of Fr. De Marchi's Directives: 
"Go Bring the Fatima Message to America!"

Fr. De Marchi entered Eternal Life on January 1, 2003, after suffering a long illness in the spirit of Jacinta of Fatima. His spirit still lives on in the hearts of all who knew him and loved him. May he rest in peace and continue to pray for us in the Divine Liturgy of Heaven until we reach with him the heavenly home land with Our Lord, Our Lady and the Shepherds.  Requiescat in pace! (Note: I still pray for him and to him leaving the judgement to the church but I believe Father De Marchi is at home in Heaven!)

                                                                        

Jacinta's Last Words 

Compiled by Fr. John De Marchi, I.M.C.

In Lisbon Jacinta was also attended by Mother Maria da Purificaçao Godinho, who wrote down her last words - though not always verbatim. Many, imbued with a prophetic tone and full of unction. During her short stay in the hospital, Jacinta was favored with new visits of Our Lady, who told her the day and hour she would die. Her conversations with Mother Godiñho were filled with instructions on the spiritual life, as well as with prophecies which are still being fulfilled.

On Priests and Rulers

+   "My godmother, pray much for sinners! Pray much for priests! Pray much for religious! Priests should only occupy themselves with the affairs of the Church. Priests should be pure, very pure. The disobedience of priests and religious to their superiors and to the Holy Father greatly offends Our Lord.

+   "My godmother, pray much for those who govern! Woe to those who persecute the religion of Our Lord! If the government left the Church in peace and gave freedom to the holy Faith, it would be blessed by God."

  On Sin

+ "The sins of the world are very great."
+ "Many marriages are not good; they do not please Our Lord, and they are not of God."
+ "If men knew what eternity is, they would do everything to change their  lives."
+ "The sins that lead more souls to hell are the sins of the flesh."
+ "Fashions that will greatly offend Our Lord will appear. People who serve God should not follow fashions. The Church has no fashions. Our Lord is always the same."
+ "Men are lost because they do not think of the death of Our Lord and do not do penance.

On Christian Virtue

+   Talking in Church: Noticing that many visitors chatted and laughed in the chapel of the orphanage, Jacinta asked Mother Godinho to warn them of the lack of respect for the Real Presence this represented. When this measure did not bring about satisfactory results, she asked that the cardinal be advise that "Our Lady does not want people to talk in church."

+  "My  godmother, do not walk in the midst of luxury. Flee from riches. Be very fond of holy poverty and silence."
+   "Have much charity even for those who are bad. Speak ill of no one and flee from those who do so. Be very patient, for patience leads us to heaven. Mortification and sacrifices greatly please Our Lord."
+   "Confession is a sacrament of mercy. Therefore, one must
approach the confessional with confidence and joy. Without confession there is no salvation."
+   "The Mother of God wants more virgin souls who bind themselves to her by the vow of chastity."
+    "To be a woman religious, it is necessary to be very pure in soul and body."
+    "Do you know what it means to be pure?" asked Mother Godinho. "I do. I do. To be pure in body is to keep chastity. To be pure in soul is not to commit sins, not to look at what one should not see, not to steal, never to lie, always to tell the truth however hard it may be."
+    "Those who do not keep the promises they make to Our Lady will never succeed in their affairs."
+    "Doctors do not have light to cure the sick properly because they do not have love of God."
+    "Who taught you all these things?" asked Mother Godinho. "It was Our Lady, but some I think of myself. I very much like to think."

 On War

+   "Our Lady said that there is much war and dissension in the world."
+   "Wars are nothing but punishments for the sins of the world."
+   "Our Lady can no longer hold back the arm of her beloved Son from the world. It is necessary to do penance. If people change their ways, Our Lord will still spare the world; but if they do not, the chastisement will come."
+   "Our Lord is profoundly indignant at the sins and crimes committed in Portugal. For this reason,  a terrible social cataclysm threatens our country, particularly the city of Lisbon. It seems that a civil war of anarchic or communist character will break out, accompanied by sackings, assassinations, fires, and devastation of all kinds. The capital will be changed into a veritable image of hell. When Divine Justice, outraged, inflicts so frightful a punishment, all who can should flee from this city. This punishment now predicted should be announced gradually and with due discretion."
+   "If men do not change their ways, Our Lady will send the world a punishment the like of which has never been seen. It will fall first, …upon Spain." 
+ Jacinta also spoke of "great world events that would take place around 1940.

A Sign from Heaven
The Face that Gazed on
Our Lady is Incorrupt

The Little Miracles 

Father Ludwig Fischer who was present at the The first exhumation of Jacinta’s body, on September 12, 1935 Fr. Fischer wrote: "The expression on Jacinta's face was that of great peace, and all who saw her could not help feeling that they were greatly privileged to have been granted such a favor." This was all the more extraordinary because lye was poured into the tomb to hasten disintegration of the body of Francisco who was "buried in 1919. Jacinta was buried in the family plot on top of her brother. Her Nurse Nadeja Silvestre said: In her extreme suffering before she died, Jacinta's face had looked worn and emaciated. But in death, her cheeks had filled out and had taken on a healthy color. "She did not look the same child; she had become radiant and beautiful." When Mother Godinho held vigil beside the coffin, she glanced at the little lamp nearby. She was astonished to see that the lamp contained no oil but still burned brightly. Her body which at times before death did not exude a pleasant odor, because of infection and open sores, and the extreme sufferings which afflicted her, after death exuded the scent of sweet perfume. When her body was carried into the Lisbon Church, the church bells rang while no one was at the ropes, and the tower door was locked. It was thought they were rung by angels. Jacinta once said she had heard the angels sing but "angels do not sing as men sing."
 

Francisco Contemplative
Consoler of the Hidden Jesus

  Bl. Francisco Marto was born on 11 June 1908 in Aljustrel. He died a holy death on 4 April 1919 at his family home. Deeply sensitive and contemplative, he offered all his spiritual life and penance to "console the Lord".  Knowing he was going to die soon he felt it useless to go to school. He would pass the church on the way to school and tell Lucia you and Jacinta go ahead I am going to stay her to console Our Lord!" His mortal remains were buried in the parish cemetery until 13 March 1952, when they were taken to the basilica at the Cova da Iria and placed in the chapel to the right of the main altar.


What Francisco wanted most was to console our Lord offended by the sins of men. For this reason, on the eve of his death, he said to Lucy: "Look! I am very sick; in a little while I will go to heaven. "Then, when you are there, make sure not to forget to pray for sinners, for the Holy Father, for me and Jacinta. said Lucia.  "Yes, I will. replied Francisco but look, you had better ask Jacinta to do these things, because I fear I will forget when I see Our Lord!  I want to console Him first."On April 4, 1919, Francisco exclaimed at a certain moment: 'Oh my mother, what a beautiful light, over there, next to our window!' And a while later in sweet perplexity: 'I can see no longer'  his face became illuminated with an angelic smile. Around 10 o'clock in the morning, without any agony, or groan, he died." Francesco is in  Heaven Loving the Lord. Nothing else matters. 

Bl. Francisco of Fatima: Ora pro Nobis Teach us also how to Love and Console Our Lord

St. Pio & Fatima -Rare Film Footage of St. Pio!

St. Pio and the Message Fatima

The Pilgrim Virgin goes to San Giovanni Rotondo  

On July 27, 1959 Padre Pio announced the beginning of the novena "for the visit the Heavenly Mother wants to make" and he exhorted to prepare for it with Christian renewal. Every evening he reminded them of the joy, the good fortune, the "very special grace" of this visit and the obligation of a worthy welcome above all with the practice of some virtues During the morning of August 6, the Padre was able to go down to the church. He stopped in front of the statue of our Lady — but had to sit down because he was exhausted and he gave her a gold rosary. The statue was lowered before his face and he was able to kiss her. It was a most affectionate gesture. Between two and three in the afternoon of August 6 the helicopter carrying the statue of our Lady rose from the terrace of the Home for Relief of Suffering headed for Sicily. It did three turns over the crowd gathered on the square in front of the church and flew away. From a window Padre Pio watched the helicopter fly away with eyes filled with tears. To our Lady in flight Padre Pio lamented with a confidence that was all his own: "My Lady, my Mother, you came to Italy and I got sick, now you are going away and you leave me still ill." 

The helicopter that flew the Pilgrim Virgin to St. Padre Pio in 1959

There is an unknown story behind the story told by the priest in the helicopter Msgr. Giovanni Strazzacappa who had founded the Blue Army in Italy. He stated that the pilot had suddenly swirled the machine around. In surprise, he asked what was happening. The pilot, himself surprised, said he just felt "compelled" to turn around. Then to the amazement of both, they saw St. Padre Pio come to the window with the help of his friars and cry out to Our Lady.  As long as he lived St. Pio repeated. "In that very instant I felt a sort of shudder in my bones which cured me immediately." His Spiritual Father confirmed it saying: "In a moment the Padre felt a mysterious force in his body and said to his confreres: 'I am healed Our Lady of Fatima has healed me!'." He was healthy and strong as never before in his life.

Padre Pio later wrote,” Thank the Virgin of Fatima for me. On the very day She left here, I felt well again. “ Three days later, he was celebrating Mass.   When St. Pio was told about an article that appeared in Foggia, which asked why Our Lady of Fatima had gone to San Giovanni Rotondo and not the shrine of Saint Michael at Monte Sant'Angelo, Padre Pio explained with enchanting simplicity: "Our Lady came here because she wanted to cure Padre Pio."

     St. Pio Spiritual Father 
to Blue Army Members

Not many people realize that St.. Padre Pio had provided a way that those after his death could still become his spiritual children? They could do so in just one way: they could make the Blue Army pledge (the basic requests of Our Lady: Morning Offering, Scapular and Rosary).    He did this in gratitude for the great favor he recieved through the Pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima,  St. Pio had accepted all who make and keep the Blue Army pledge as his spiritual children (for whom he will wait at the gates of Heaven "until all have entered").  Provided  of course, that they live the message of Our Lady and they remain good! St. Pio also sent a crucifix to the Bishop of Fatima (the Most Rev. John Venancio) who was the international spiritual head of the Blue Army at the time.  When asked one day whether it was a good thing to belong to the Blue Army, St. Pio answered: "Could you do anything better?"

Quotes of Padre Pio  on His Spiritual Children:

 'I love my Spiritual Children as much as my own soul and even more.'

 'Once I take a soul on, I also take on their entire family as my spiritual children.'

 'To my Spiritual Children, my prayers for you will never be lacking.'

 'If one of my spiritual children ever goes astray, I shall leave my flock and seek him out.' 

A Gruff but 

Dedicated Confessor

St. Pio's conformity to the Paschal Mystery of His Lord necessarily embraced a commitment to the ministry of reconciliation, its fruit. Toward that end he dedicated many hours of the day to hearing confessions, both in the mornings and the afternoon. Some days he spent up to fourteen hours in the confessional.  In accordance with the custom of the time he heard men's confessions and women's confessions separately - the men in the sacristy and the women in the confessional.

It was not possible to lie to him during a confession, for he saw what lay within people's  hearts. Often, when sinners lacked the courage to confess properly, St. Pio listed their sins during the confession. He also advised weekly confession. "Confession is the soul's bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again!"

St. Pio  and Bl. Jacinta 
on Christian Modesty

Modesty in actions, words and dress was mentioned by  Bl. Jacinta of Fatima as well as St. Pio. While Jacinta was in the hospital during her last illness she was very saddened by the worldliness of the visitors, the women dressed in fashionable clothes, often with low-cut dresses.  "What is it all for?" she asked Mother Godinho (her guardian ).  

"If they only knew what eternity is." "the sins which bring most souls to hell are the sins of the flesh.  

 Certain fashions are going to be introduced which will offend Our Lord very much... the Church has no fashions; Our Lord is always the same..."  
Catholic Modesty.com-Bl. Jacinta

Padre Pio wouldn't tolerate low-necked dresses or short, tight skirts, and he forbade his spiritual daughters to wear transparent stockings. Each year his severity increased.  He stubbornly dismissed them from his confessional, even before they set foot inside, if he judged them to be improperly dressed.  On some mornings he drove away one after another, until he ended up hearing very few confessions.  His brothers observed these drastic purges with a certain uneasiness and decided to fasten a sign on the church door; "By Padre Pio's explicit wish, women must enter the confessional wearing skirts  AT LEAST 8 INCHES BELOW THE KNEE.  IT IS FORBIDDEN TO BORROW LONGER DRESSES IN CHURCH AND TO WEAR THEM TO CONFESSION."

Sometimes when Padre Pio refused to absolve his penitents and closed the small confessional door in their faces, the people would reproach him asking why he acted this way.  "Don't you know," he asked, "what pain it costs me to shut the door on anyone?  The Lord has forced me to do so.  I do not call anyone, nor do I refuse anyone either.  There is someone else who calls and refuses them.  I am His useless tool. 

The Canonization of Padre Pio gives us the opportunity to reflect on the severity of the Saint who put this poster on the door of his church: 

 "The Church is the house of God.  It is forbidden for men to enter with bare arms or in shorts.  It is forbidden for women to enter in trousers, without a veil on their head, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses." Excerpts from:  Catholic Modesty.com St Pio

St. Pio and the Rosary

 Our Lady of Fatima asked especially for the prayer of the Rosary. And who could count the hours Padre Pio spent in prayer for the conversion and salvation of sinners? And who more than he held the rosary in his hand, night and day, filling all the free moments of the day with the most devout recital of the Rosary? And with how much loving insistence did he not recommend the Rosary to everyone as a means of salvation! 

 

"Love our Lady, make others love her. Always say your Rosary and say it well. Satan always tries to destroy  this prayer, but he will never succeed. It is the prayer of her who triumphs over everything and everyone."

One day one of his penitents said to him: "Padre, today they say the Rosary is out of date, that it is no longer in fashion. It is no longer said in many churches." He replied: "Let us do what our fathers did and all will be well with us." "But Satan rules the world."  St.  Pio replied: "Because they make him rule; can a spirit rule by itself if it is not united to the human will? We could not have been born in a more depraved world. The one who prays a lot saves himself. The one who prays little is in danger. The one who does not pray loses his soul."

"From these stories let us make a holy resolution to grow always in the devotion to the Immaculate Heart and with a generous reply to the message of Fatima, reciting fervently the Rosary every day, praying and offering our sufferings for the conversion of sinners, receiving Communion on the first Saturdays of the month in the hope that the consoling words will come true for us: "I promise salvation to all those who practice devotion to my Immaculate Heart. These souls will be most dear to God, and like flowers I will place them before his throne."  Like this we can even look to the future of the Church and humanity with serenity, trustful in the prophetic word of Mary who in her third apparition of 13 July 1917 announced: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."   
from Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart of Mary 
by Most Rev. Paola Carta, Bishop Emeritus of Foggia

Padre Pio - Rare Film Footage  

Uploaded by ZrinjskiPetar on Dec 27, 2010  

Filmed at Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary which is located in the Gargano Mountains at San Giovanni Rotondo. At times there is an atmosphere of playfulness redolent of the Fioretti of St Francis. At the end, they are obviously teasing him about the camera and he hits the cameraman with his cincture. We see him in the refectory and in the Church, and there are scenes of his brothers dealing with the massive postbag which he generated. Starting at 4'23" there is some footage of Padre Pio as celebrant at Tridentine Latin Mass.

  

A Prayer for Trust and Confidence 
in God's Mercy

 by St. Pio of Pietrelcina

 O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your divine mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church. Help us to love You  with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness,  carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.

May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater glory. O Jesus, most adorable Heart  and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.

A Blessing Prayer 

 by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

May Jesus comfort you
     in all your afflictions.
     May He sustain you in dangers,
     watch over you always with His grace,
     and indicate the safe path
     that leads to eternal salvation.
     And may He render you always
     dearer to His Divine Heart
     and always more worthy of Paradise.  

St Padre Pio remember us from your eternal glory as you promised!  Do not forget us your spiritual sons and daughters in our hours of trial. Defend us from the snares of the enemy seeking our ruin. Continue your prayers for us that after passing through the darkness and trials of this life, we may arrive safely at the heavenly gates and enter with you the joy of beholding our God face to face for all eternity. Amen 

Beloved St. Pio, Ora pro nobis!