# The 1947 Vision of Mother Teresa
*2018-03-25*

> Bill Young reflects on Mother Teresa’s three 1947 visions, emphasizing Mary’s role in guiding her to bring the poor to Christ, and leads a consecration prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

## Opening Prayer and Consecration

Bill begins with a prayer of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady: “O Virgin of Fatima, Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and Earth, refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to your immaculate heart… We promise to pray the Rosary, attend the Eucharist, observe the First Saturday devotion, and work for the conversion of sinners, asking the Most Holy Virgin to inflame our hearts with devotion so that we may hasten the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus.”

## The Vision of 1947

Father Michael Gapp’s account of Mother Teresa’s three visions is presented. In the first vision she sees a huge crowd of poor and children raising their hands, crying, “Come, come, save us, bring us to Jesus.” In the second vision the same crowd shows deep sorrow; Mother Teresa kneels before Our Lady, who tells her, “Take care of them; they are Mine. Bring them to Jesus; carry Jesus to them; fear not.” In the third vision the crowd is shrouded in darkness, but Jesus hangs on the cross and Mary stands a short distance away, her left hand on Mother Teresa’s left shoulder and her right hand on Teresa’s right arm. Jesus says to Teresa, “I have asked you; they have asked you; my Mother has asked you. Will you refuse to do this for me? Take care of them, bring them to me.” Bill notes Mary’s role as a mother supporting her child, just as she stood at the foot of the cross with St. John.

## Mary’s Presence in Teresa’s Life

Bill explains that without Mary’s presence, Mother Teresa would have been alone before the cross of life. He recalls that on September 10, the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s first call, she said that if Mary had not been with her, she would never have heard Jesus’ cry, “I thirst.” Mary, present at that moment, helped Teresa hear the depth of Christ’s longing for the poor. Bill emphasizes that Mary’s primary role is to bring us face‑to‑face with the love of the crucified Jesus.

## Today's Prayer and Litany

Bill leads the concluding prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary, bring me face to face with the love in the heart of Jesus crucified. Amen.” He then recites the Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, recalling the 1917 Fatima apparition in which the Virgin promised salvation to those who adopt devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

*Mary guides us to encounter the love of Christ on the cross, especially through the suffering of the poor.*