Pope Francis is going to consecrate Russia and Ukraine "to the Immaculate Heart of Mary" tomorrow. Because this development hearkens back to the 1917 apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, it has caused quite a stir in circles both religious and secular.
The 1917 Fatima apparitions are confirmed as legitimate by the Roman Catholic Church. However, Catholics are not required to believe in them. It is a matter of individual choice whether to accept the miracles of Fatima or not.
Having said that, I must affirm my personal fascination with the Fatima story. Ever since my mother bought me a children's book about "Our Lady of Fatima" when I was in elementary school, the miracles--and especially "the secrets," or prophecies--of Fatima have held my deep and enduring interest.
If "by their fruits you shall know them," is the standard of measure, then Our Lady's 1917 prophecies are performing quite well. For example, she told the three children that two of them would be taken to heaven "soon." Both Jacinta and Francisco died in the influenza pandemic of 1918-1920. Lucia was to "stay a while longer," which she definitely did. She became a Carmelite nun and died in 2005 at age 98.
Mary predicted a worse war would follow The Great War, and it would be announced by a "strange light" in the sky. The aurora borealis danced across all night skies of Europe and North America in January 1938; Hitler marched on Austria two months later. The rest, history students will know.
Mary also predicted that Russia would "spread her errors throughout the entire world." Considering that the communism instituted by Russia into a totalitarian system of government has engulfed China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, and is gaining an ever-surer toehold in the United States, I'd check that box.
There are Fatima "warriors" who are full-on conspiracy theorists over many aspects of the story, but I don't subscribe to such speculation. I just find the whole Fatima story so interesting and, in view of current events, still very timely. Especially with the consecration coming up tomorrow, it's also frustrating. Here's why.
Lucia continued to receive visits from Mary. In 1929, Our Lady asked for a simple thing to prevent the onslaught of "Russia's errors." She asked that the pope, together with all the bishops of the world, consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart. Lucia relayed the request. Seems simple enough, right?
It's been done five times, never according to instructions. Tomorrow will be the sixth try.
Twice in 1942, Pope Pius XII consecrated "the whole world," once with and once without the bishops. Again in 1952, Pius XII consecrated "the peoples of Russia" to Mary's Immaculate Heart--again, without the bishops. In 1964, Pope Paul VI renewed the 1942 consecration--without the bishops. In 1984, John Paul II consecrated "Russia and the whole world." At least he included all the bishops, but "the whole world" was not part of Mary's request.
Do you get my frustration? Now Francis is going to consecrate "Russia and Ukraine." As my mother might have said at this point, "Mother of God!"
I'm sure they mean well, but none of these popes can follow the script. When it comes to the mystery of Fatima, it would seem that popes don't take heavenly direction very well.
Well, even if he's ad-libbing, tomorrow's consecration by Pope Francis certainly can't hurt. We should all say a prayer for world peace tomorrow. That might even help. Heaven knows.
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Fatima is streaming on Netflix |
