Hello John,
As we commemorate the profound apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, I am reminded of the transformative power of movement in our livesâphysical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual. The story of Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, and the messages they received from Mary, inspire us to embrace movement as a path to abundant life and spiritual renewal. Mary's role is not to overshadow Jesus or the teachings of the Church but to lead us closer to Him through her example of faith and obedience. Her simple yet profound message resonates deeply with us today: pray. Today, as we reflect on the significance of Fatima, let us also reflect on the importance of movement in our lives. In walking, we open ourselves to new experiences, new ideas, and new horizons of faithfulness and compassion. Let us embrace movement as a means of encountering God's mercies, which are new every morning. In prayer and action, may we embody the spirit of movement, following in the footsteps of Our Lady of Fatima and the saints who have gone before us. Let us walk in faith, trusting in God's guidance and grace to lead us on the path of abundant life and spiritual growth. |
With prayers and blessings, |
Christopher Meyer
Director of Development |
P.S., You can help spread the light of faith and hope to individuals worldwide. Please consider donating today and become a vital part of our ministry of the Word. Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity! Click here for our secure donation page: https://www.FranciscanMedia.org/Newsletter |
Saint of the Day for May 13: Our Lady of Fatima The Story of Our Lady of Fatima Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese childrenâFrancisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santosâreceived apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near Fatima, a city 110 miles north of Lisbon. Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Mary gave the children three secrets. Following the deaths of Francisco and Jacinta in 1919 and 1920 respectively, Lucia revealed the first secret in 1927. It concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The second secret was a vision of hell. When Lucia grew up she became a Carmelite nun and died in 2005 at the age of 97. Pope John Paul II directed the Holy Seeâs Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a âbishop in whiteâ who was shot by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows into him. Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peterâs Square on May 13, 1981. The feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in 1930; it was added to the Churchâs worldwide calendar in 2002. Reflection The message of Fatima is simple: Pray. Unfortunately, some peopleânot Sister Luciaâhave distorted these revelations, making them into an apocalyptic event for which they are now the only reliable interpreters. They have, for example, claimed that Maryâs request that the world be consecrated to her has been ignored. Sister Lucia agreed that Pope John Paul IIâs public consecration in St. Peterâs Square on March 25, 1984, fulfilled Maryâs request. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prepared a June 26, 2000, document explaining the âthird secret.â Mary is perfectly honored when people generously imitate her response âLet it be done to me as you sayâ (Luke 1:38). Mary can never be seen as a rival to Jesus or to the Churchâs teaching authority, as exercised by the college of bishops united with the bishop of Rome.
|
Forgive Yourself Once again, the Scriptures connect us with our own human experience. Who of us has not agonized over decisions, actions, or omissions that caused pain to others and ourselves? Feelings of guilt are not necessarily harmful and can even be healthy because they can lead us to change and to deeper self-knowledge. And spiritually they can move us to repentance and the experience of Godâs loving forgiveness. People sometimes tell me, âI know God has forgiven me, but I canât forgive myself.â I refer them to the prophet Micah, who says that God âwill cast into the depths of the sea all our sinsâ (7:19). Once they are confessed and forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they are gone. As I once heard a pastor say, âAnd God puts a sign there: No fishing!â Donât keep going back into those waters. âfrom St. Anthony Messengerâs âThe Flip Side of the Joyful Mysteriesâ
by Martin Pable, OFM Cap |
Don't miss this book, an excellent introduction to Saint Bonaventure! |
It Will Be Solved in the Walking Reflect Solvitur ambulando! It will be solved by walking! It will be solved in the walking! Where there is movementâwhether physical, spiritual, emotional, or intellectualâthere is abundant life. When we move, we are open to new ideas. Movement encourages openness to new vistas and enables us to experience Godâs mercies, which are new every morning. Let go of unhelpful attitudes, and experience the world through the eyes of others. Pray Moving God, whose Son walked the paths of Judea,
Inspire me to move in body, mind, and spirit.
Guide my steps toward new horizons
Of faithfulness and compassion.
Open my mind and heart to empathy and transformation.
Let me not be conformed to this world
But transformed by Your renewing of my mind.
Amen. Act If you are physically able, go out for a walk. Notice your environment. Give thanks for beauty. Delight in sight and sound. If movement is a challenge, take time to gaze out your window or go to an outdoor space to see the world from a different perspective. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bruce Epperly. Learn more here! |
This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of Saint Francis. |
|
