As part of the Year of Faith, the theme of this year’s Marian Day is ‘Blessed are you for Believing.’
Pope Francis will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 13th as part of Marian Day celebrations that will involve the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
The statue is normally kept in the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal but will be in Rome this weekend for the consecration which is one of the highlights of the ongoing Year of Faith.
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children in the village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917. She warned of violent trials in the twentieth century if the world did not make reparation for sins. She urged prayer and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
The shrine at Fatima where Our Lady appeared to the visionaries.
Lúcia dos Santos with fellow visionaries Jacinta and Francisco Marto.
The Basilica at Fatima.
It is hoped that the Year of Faith, declared by Pope Benedict XVI, has helped us to deepen this great gift which we can easily take for granted. The apostles begged the Lord to increase their faith as they knew Faith’s paramount importance in their relationship with Jesus. Jesus assures them and us that it takes only a little Faith, the size of a mustard seed, to make the impossible possible. Without doubt we need Faith to help us face the hostile atmosphere we often find ourselves surrounded with – life without God, love, hope and purpose. Faith, Hope and Charity (Love) make all the difference in our dealings with many who have lost the reason to live. We need that Faith which the apostles prayed for, so that we may be strengthened to stand firm and be of help to those who have lost faith in God, man/woman and themselves. Rightly it has been said, “the righteous shall live by his faith.” (Hab. 2:4)
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Miss Alexandrina
/ October 12, 2013Reblogged this on Miss Alexandrina and commented:
The Year of Faith and Marian Day.
reinkat
/ October 13, 2013Very interesting post. In regards to the importance of faith, I am reading Mother Theresa’s writings in “Come Be My Light” and learning so much about what faith is all about through her witness and modeling.