Writer's Wednesday - Sr. Lucia, Visionary of Fatima

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. 

On May 13, 1917,  the Blessed Virgin Mary began a series of apparitions to three peasant children, calling for much prayer and penance. Two of the visionaries, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, died at young ages and have already been beatified, and the third, Lucia, who died recently has be "fast-tracked" toward beatification by Benedict XVI. 

Lucia was the oldest, and she lived until recently, dying in her 90s. Here is a short excerpt from her memoirs, (but there is so much more to learn about the message of Fatima, please use the links below.)

Our Lady told me that she would never forsake me, and that her Immaculate Heart would be my refuge and the way that would lead me to God.  As she spoke these words, she opened her hands, and from them streamed a light that penetrated to our inmost hearts.  I think that, on that day, the main purpose of that light was to infuse in us a special knowledge and love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary... from that day onwards, our hearts were filled with a more ardent love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

----These words are taken from Sr. Lucia's memoirs, Fatima in Lucia's Own Words, but this version may be out of print, but there are many available in later editions.

+++++++

Everything you want to know about Fatima, is here on the official Shrine page.

Allow me to point you toward this video of a procession of Mary "walking" amid here children (pilgrims) at the Fatima Shrine on a feast day.

For a virtual photo tour of Fatima today, go here.