Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary,
shall receive signal graces. - Promises of Our Lady to those who pray the Rosary.
It always seems like a job, and so I'm not very good at it. I've read books and reviewed them on the blog from time to time, but I'm not very good at that either. I must be a disappointment to the authors, and I apologize.
Today I received a book I ordered myself - and I am very excited to read it. It is the biography of Sr. Lucia of Fatima by the Carmel of Coimbra - Lucia's monastery. "A Pathway Under the Gaze of Mary". I was moved to send for the book after reading the circular letter from her Carmel - which I've read over and over by now. These writings dispel every foolish notion, interpretation, and conspiracy idiocy regarding Fatima and the secrets - as well as the absurdities regarding Sr. Lucia herself.
Even historians of good will who write solid books on Fatima, do not come close to the testimony of Sr. Lucia, her Carmel, and most especially, the Holy See. Likewise, no one can grasp the meaning and mission of Sr. Lucia without responding to the message of Fatima intended for all the Church - that secret has been known since the beginning, as Sr. Lucia always affirmed.
What a treasure has come into my hands these last few weeks before the anniversary of the Miracle on October 13. What a joy, what a grace.
I've read the book, and I think for sure, that it opens the door for and even support some of what you call "conspiracy theories." Particularly it makes clear that there was another part to the secret - namely the explanation of the vision, but that part was not written at the time she was commanded to reveal the secret. Our Lady, according to this book directed Sr. Lucia to write only the vision, but not the explanation. It would be later that the explanation was written down and sent to Rome. It is clear from this book, that the explanation of the vision has not yet been revealed. It is, so to speak, and borrowing from someone you consider to be a "conspiracy theorist," the "fourth secret." It is the one part that has yet to be revealed. Many sources now, including this book, show that this document exists, and it's contents are being hidden. So, was the "third secret revealed?" Technically yes. The vision was released, but not the explanation.
ReplyDeleteSo many still believe that I see. As Lucia said, "Some people are never satisfied." In the book she explicitly says there is no other part to be revealed - the 3rd part referred to what was already stated, the 3rd part is symbolic and so on. The Carmelites and Sr. Lucia were saddened by the fantasies circulated. The explanation is for the Church to discern - Lucia stated that - it was why OL told her to write the vision down but not write what was given her to understand as to what it means. People refuse to accept that. Ratzinger-Pope Benedict in interviews and statements, I think in his last visit to Fatima, he mentioned the secret reveals problems in the Church and without - but something to the effect that the worst comes from within. So we know that - he interpretted that from the secret which has already been revealed and made public. He, the Pope has/had that authority. Lucia wrote down everything she was obliged to do and actually swore that she revealed everything.
Delete"no other part to be revealed." That's different than saying there is no other part in existence. In the book she says that there IS another part. Sr. Lucia, from the very beginning was very careful about language. She reveals only what she needs to reveal. It's a pattern with her. It's clear from the book, and her own words, that another part exists. The vatican, particular Cardinal Bertone, has put a spin on the messages that are not in keeping with the writings of Sr. Lucia. I refuse to buy in to the false narrative of the Vatican. I hold that the secret has not yet played out. It is still in the future. I've done lots and lots of research, and personally visited with serious researches and authors on the topic. I come to this conclusion based on facts, not spin.
DeleteAccepting that the interpretation of the third secret is incomplete, flawed or dishonest is one thing. What it all means is quite another. I never understood how it was fulfilled in the assassination attempt on JPII. It is a stretch and very much does not fit the scene described in the secret. Yet, why would JPII say that it did? Was he misleading, lying? For what purpose? I just cannot make sense of it. If you look to other major apparitions of Our Lady there are some further clues and prophecies. Garabandal, Akita and maybe LaSallette give some similar prophecies with a bit more detail. Garabandal in particular has gone a little further. I believe one visionary still lives. She is quiet and reported to be very holy. She expects to see the fulfillment of her vision in her lifetime. Medjurgorie is another matter. Supporters claim it to be a second Fatima that portends the completion of Fatamia's message. For me, although interesting, it all is just too much. I do not believe that God, Jesus and Mary would toy with us with ambiguous mysterious messages. When the time comes, whenever that may be, there will be no mistaking or misinterpreting the message. Perhaps all the previous will be made clear to us. There will, I believe be no secrets to any longer debate.
ReplyDeleteRatzinger pointed out that it seems, or appears to have been fulfilled - Lucia seemed to think so as well - but who knows. The thing about such prophecy is conditional - I've written about that before - I often quote St. John of the Cross on the dangers of private revelations and locutions and how our ways are not God's ways. That we interpret things according to our bias and fears, or expect a literal outcome - when the outcome can be different depending upon circumstances. JPII insisted it was OL's hand that intervened, saving him from death. Perhaps another Pope will be killed?
DeleteGarabandal remains questionable - this site is the last indication I have concerning prohibitions: https://whatisgarabandal.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/new-restrictions/
Akita is approved by the local Bishop.
LaSalette is well known - it appears Melanie did write a detailed interpretation of the secret but I'm not sure it is accepted by the Vatican. It's very explicit, but there too, John of the Cross and other mystical theologians might caution against a literal interpretation - though one of my readers believes it is authentic and well on its way to fulfillment. We'll see.
In the meantime I want to try to make reparation and follow Our Lady's plan made known at Fatima.
I agree with Mark Shea on Garabandal and Akita
Deletehttp://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2009/07/garabandal.html
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2017/08/with-all-the-korea-hubbub.html
As Terry has often pointed out, this visionary business is an active business in Catholic circles. Private revelations has many curious, and sometimes openly fraudulent practioners and followers. No one is ever obliged to believe in them. Even if Church approved or given the worthy of belief seal of approval. I have spent too much time wading through too many supposed apparitions, miracle healers and the like. Partly out of curiosity and partly to learn and strengthen my faith. I have concluded the Church is wise in treading slowly and carefully in this area. I have a romanticized fantasy that Mary would come with a loving and motherly concern to warn us. I still do. So many however use this to self benefit financially. I accept Fatima as authentic and worry that we still do not grasp its full message. Garabandal maybe. LaSallette probably. Akita unknown. Medjurgorie probably not. Lourdes absolutely. Yet, in the end it is the fruit that determines the good tree from the bad. The good fruit from the poisonous ones. I am more convinced then ever that the real message, the complete message will be unmistakable and undeniable to all alive at the time. The unfolding of human history is right before us now. The signs seem ominous and yet the beauty of what God has given us far outweighs the evil. We have been given everything we need to gain eternal life already. So why keep looking for more. I do not know. Perhaps it is our human failing, perhaps our inheritance as original sin. As hard as I try to ignore this topic it keeps pulling me back. Each time though with a little less urgency and power.
DeleteMark Shea his a heretic. Pay no attention to him. He's rude, crude, and ill informed.
DeleteMark Shea is so not a heretic. My goodness.
DeleteWallace - Sr. Lucia covers that part in the vision wherein the pope is killed - she agreed with the Vatican interpretation of it that it was not necessarily the personification of one particular pope but 'the' Pope. She also credits OL with saving him, and so on. In another place she points out in the vision how OL's gesture prevented the angel's sword of touching the earth. Anyway - Lucia definitely accepted the Vatican interpretation.
DeleteIt is a very ill sign when we desire signs to make us believe in God. The signs which we demand to fortify our faith are often marks of our infidelity. There is not a more dangerous plague in the events of worldly affairs than to deal with the devils or to play with predictions. All these things fill men with more faults than knowledge. For divine oracles have more need to be reverenced than interpreted. He that will find God must seek him with simplicity and possess him with piety. - Fr. Nicolas Caussin, S.J.
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