# The second apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and the power of the rosary
*2017-06-13*

> Bill Young reflects on the 100th anniversary of the second apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and the importance of daily rosary prayer for world peace.

## The Call of Fatima

Today is June 13, 2017, marking the 100th anniversary of the second apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. On May 13, 1917, three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos, Francisco, and Jacinta Marto—witnessed a luminous being, the Mother of God, who appeared in a hollow called the Cova. She called for prayer, penance, and conversion.

A century later, we must ask ourselves if we have heeded this call. With war and terrorism persisting in the world, Our Lady has given us the answer: she has called upon us to take up the spiritual sword of the rosary and pray it daily for peace.

## The Purpose of the Rosary

The rosary is deeply rooted in Scripture, involving the meditation of the mysteries of Christ's life, death, and resurrection through the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries. Its repetitive nature is designed to lead us into the silence of our hearts where the Spirit of Christ dwells. The Hail Marys serve as background music while we focus on the biblical mysteries.

Why does Our Lady love the rosary so much? First, she wishes to bring everyone to her Son; Marian devotion is, at its core, Christ-centered. Second, the word 'rosary' means a crown of roses. As a mother, it is a beautiful way for her children to honor and love her. Throughout history, popes and saints have exalted the rosary as a weapon against vice and sin, capable of bringing about personal, family, and societal conversion.

## A Simple Path to God

Sister Lucia once noted that the rosary is of the greatest value, not only because of the words of Our Lady but because of its proven efficacy throughout history. My impression is that Our Lady wanted to provide ordinary people, who might not know how to pray, with a simple method of getting closer to God. In honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, let us answer the call of Fatima and pray daily for peace in the world.

## Prayers for Intercession

In addition to the rosary, we remember the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. While we often pray to him for lost items, today we pray for those who have lost their way or their rosaries, that they may find their way back to prayer. 

We also lift up prayers for the beatification of Servant of God Frank Duff, who founded the Legion of Mary to be a sign of maternal love, and the Venerable Adele Quinn. We ask for their intercession for our parishes, our clergy, and for those who are like the prodigal son, that they may return to our Lord Jesus Christ.

*By praying the rosary daily, we use a simple but powerful spiritual weapon to seek personal conversion and lasting peace for the world.*