# The 103rd anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima
*2020-05-12*

> Bill Young reflects on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima and the Angel of Peace, sharing the specific prayers they gave to the three shepherd children for the spiritual benefit of the world.

## The Apparitions at Fatima

Today is May 13th, 2020, the 103rd anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. Our Lady first appeared on May 13, 1917, to three shepherd children: Lucia, age 10, and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta, ages 8 and 7. However, in the spring of 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the children first to prepare them for the Blessed Mother's visits. She would eventually appear to the children six times over the following year.

## Prayers of the Angel and Our Lady

The Angel of Peace and the Blessed Mother shared specific prayers with the children so they could be shared with all of us. In the spring of 1916, the Angel gave the Pardon Prayer: 'My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.' In the fall of 1916, the Angel provided a prayer of reparation: 'O Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.'

Our Lady also provided prayers during her apparitions. On May 13, 1917, she gave the Eucharist Prayer: 'Most Holy Trinity, I adore You. My God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.' On July 13, 1917, she gave the Sacrifice Prayer: 'O Jesus, this is for the love of You, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.' Finally, the well-known Fatima decade prayer was also given on July 13: 'O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.'

## Consecration and Divine Mercy

For those participating in the 33 days of Morning Glory, May 13th is typically the day of consecration. This prayer is a renewal of baptismal vows, renouncing Satan and resolving to follow Jesus Christ more closely. It is an act of entrusting one's heart, body, soul, and goods entirely to the Immaculate Mother, asking her to make us instruments for the glory of God.

As it is the 3 o'clock hour, we also pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. This devotion, given by Our Lord to St. Faustina, reminds us that the ocean of mercy is open to the whole world. Through the Eternal Father, we offer the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world, pleading for mercy for the sake of His sorrowful Passion.

## Faith in Times of Pandemic

We pray specifically for those suffering from coronavirus and for the families who have lost loved ones. While this pandemic is frightening, we remember that viruses and plagues—such as the Black Plague that once devastated Europe—are not new. Perhaps God is using these moments to get our attention. 

It has been difficult to be away from the sacraments; some of us have missed seven weeks of Mass, Communion, and Adoration. We pray that we can return to the church soon, even with social distancing, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. We are not alone in this worldly pandemic because we are with our Lord Jesus Christ.

*In times of global crisis, we can find strength and hope by turning to the prayers of Fatima and the Divine Mercy, trusting in the intercession of Our Lady and the mercy of God.*