St. Denis Parish has formed a committee to educate, implement, and commemorate the message of Fatima as the 100th anniversary approaches on May 13th. Although its 100 years ago, Fatima is still relevant today and since nearly two-thirds of the population are not familiar with Fatima, I thought I would write about it and help spread the awareness.
On May 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary first revealed herself to a three young shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. She would appear a total of six times with the last time being on Oct. 13, 1917, when the miracle of the sun occurred.
During these visits Mary introduced herself as the Lady of the Rosary, she said “I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it every day.” Mary promised that the whole world would be in peace, and that many souls would go to Heaven if Her requests were listened to and obeyed. “Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say often, especially when you make some sacrifice, ‘O my Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’ “
Mary explained that war was a punishment for sin; that God would punish the world for its sins by means of war, hunger, persecution of the Church and persecution of the Holy Father, the Pope, unless mankind heeded and obeyed the commands of God.
The vision of hell was shown to the children to confirm the doctrine of Hell. Mary told them “If men only knew what awaits them in eternity, they would do everything in their power to change their lives. More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other.”
The three children, ages 6-9, were visited by the holy Mother on the 13th of every month, except in August when the provincial administrator detained the children in jail, believing the events were politically disruptive. But the politicians were not the only ones that did not believe the children. The local newspapers covered the apparitions for the sake of ridicule.
Mary told the children that God would perform a great miracle as proof that the message she gave was God’s message. On October 13, 70,000 people came to see the phenomenon now called “the miracle of the sun” or “the day the sun danced”. Everyone could stare at the sun without blinking, or hurting their eyes. The sun seemed to plunge toward the earth and people feared it was the end of the world. People dropped to their knees praising God or begging forgiveness. Among the curious were reporters, atheists and skeptics, as well as those who had eyes of faith. Photographs were taken, and eyewitness accounts were recorded.
WWI ended soon after, but because the requests of Fatima were not heeded a worse war, WWII, occurred. For a deeper knowledge of the Message of Fatima I recommend watching one of the movies or reading one of the books on this subject. For those interested a couple of recommended reads would include: Fatima in Lucia’s on Words, by Sister Lucia (one of the three children to whom Mary appeared), and/or Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope, by Fr. Andrew Apostoli.
St. Denis is planning a special rosary and Fatima procession before the 5:00 Saturday evening mass on May 13th. (The rosary will begin approximately 4:30 pm). More information will appear in their bulletin.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Breakfast Buffet, this Sunday, April 30 at the Versailles Eagles (104 E Main St) from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m..
If you’re a Senior Citizen you have your choice of Proms to attend: 1) Monday, May 1 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the VFW, 219 N Ohio Street, Greenville sponsored by the Village Green. Tickets are $3 each or $5 per couple. For more information call 548-1993. 2) Friday, May 5 from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Versailles School, 208 Marker Rd, entrance #7, sponsored by the Versailles Christian Church. Please RSVP by calling 526-4194. 3), Sunday, May 7 from 4:30 – 9 p.m. in the St. Denis Church basement with dinner at 5 p.m. RSVP by calling 526-4945 or by emailing to [email protected].
Congratulations to the VHS Prom King and Queen Candidates: Bo Bey, Alex Groff, Jonny Moorman, Kyle Subler, Alex Wendel, Dean Heitkamp, Camille Watren, Marisa Turpen, Abigail White, Emily Langenkamp and Janelle Hoelscher.
Birthday wishes to Nicole Ingle, Kris Poeppelman, Ruth Kremer, Tiffany Fine, Brandy Spencer, Christina Chrisman, David Nixon, Barbara Sanderson, Gabe & Joe Cusick, Pastor Kelly Moody, Marie Carity, Taylor and Jacob Armstrong, Charles Broering, Michelle Baker, Kylie Kremer, Lois Magoto, Marti Phelan, Don “Mushy” Marchal, Elizabeth Eiting, Larry Boos, Julie Barlage, John Bruns, Angie Cromwell, Jerry Magoto, Kristina Marshall, Whitney Mann, Christina Chalmers, Pam Spitzer, Brian and Jason Hemmelgarn, Linda Moody, Tony Luthman, Antrum Stewart, Julie Covault, Kyle Christian, Larry Langston, Isabele Henninger, and Steffani Crummett as their birthdays approach, as well as, anniversary wishes to Kim and Mike Hayes (14), Jenny and Chris Hamilton (15), Rhonda and Keith Moorman (27), Lil and Steve Borchers (??), and Cyndie and Mark Rhoades (46).
Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Floren Christman, Cy Gehret, Lois Drees, Rhonda Poling, Donna and Terry Black, Ron Bruner, Connie Ecabert, Wanda and Joe Bailey, Wilma Didier, Dave Buxton, Conrad Phlipot, Betty Kremer, Vickie Cottrell, Sally Tebbe, Dan Roseberry, Denny Grilliot, Sheila Spahr, Beverly Brown, Linda Kendinger, Steve Youngker, Harold Langston, Sr., Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Sondra Spangler, Mary and Mike Barga, Anabelle Subler, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Levadia Barga, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Cyril Frantz (hospital), Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Samantha Smith, Brian Voisard, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.
Remembering the lives of Wilma Zumberger, Lonas “Von” Spitzer, Mary Ann Heitkamp, Jean Meyer, Rita Hilgefort, George Coffield, Herbert Huber, Jean McGlinch and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.” ~Our Lady of Fatima
“If you think the world is heading the wrong way, it’s time to pray.” ~C. Edwards
