August 19

Apparition of Fatima: the Announcement of the Great Miracle (Portugal)

St. John Eudes (1680)

Our Lady of Fatima with the three shepherd children

So Many Souls Go to Hell Because No One Prays for Them

On that bright Sunday of August 19, 1917, Lucia, Francisco and his brother John, took their flock out to graze. On the way, Lucia felt something supernatural approach. Feeling that Our Lady was about to appear, John hurried away to get his sister Jacinta. Our Lady did appear, in a gleam of light, but she waited for little Jacinta before becoming visible above the oak tree. She then said to them:

"I want you to continue to come to Cova da Iria on the 13th day of the month, and to recite the rosary daily. The last month, I will do the miracle so everyone believes. If they hadn't imprisoned you in town, the miracle would have been far more known. Saint Joseph will come with the Child Jesus to give peace to the world. Our Lord will come to bless the people. Then Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Sorrows will come as well." Lucia asked what should be done with all the money that people left at the foot of the green oak of Cova da Iria.

"I want two procession floats to be made. You will carry one with Jacinta and two other little girls dressed in white, the other Francisco will carry the other with three boys like him, dressed in white albs. It will be for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary."

"I would like to ask you to cure some sick people," asked Lucia.

"Yes, I will cure some this year."

Then, with a sad expression, Mary added,

"Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners, since so many souls go to hell because no one make sacrifices and prays for them."

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Flower of the Day

Patient Lucy

Impatiens wallerana

Mother Love

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United Hearts

The Father’s Heart is for Mary, just as the most loving heart of every father is for the pleasantest of all daughters. The Son’s Heart is for Mary, just as the warmest heart of every son is for the worthiest of all mothers. The Holy Spirit’s Heart is for Mary, just as the most devoted heart of every husband is for the most cherished of all wives. Reciprocally, Mary’s heart is for the Father, just as the heart of the best of daughters is for the best of fathers. Mary’s heart is for the Son of God, just as the heart of an incomparable mother is for the Son who has nobody comparable to Him. Lastly, Mary’s heart is for the Holy Spirit, just as the good wife’s heart runs, like a furnace of burning love, to the Husband who is the essence of Love itself. Thus, just as in The Song of Songs, Mary’s Beloved is for her and Mary is for her Beloved. St John Eudes (d. 1680) founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary

Ave Maria!