Why Fatima and Why This Blog?
During the throes of one of the worst worldwide calamities (World War I), in an unremarkable town in Portugal, a series of events occurred that shaped much of the 20th century. These events, perhaps one of the most written about religious phenomena of the 20th century, centered around the apparition (appearing) of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, between May and October of 1917. Who would have guessed that three children under the age of 12 would experience such a Heavenly wonder and would be a hinge that swung open a door to understanding so much that would occur later in history. These events have spawned numerous books, several movies, documentaries, blogs, conference presentations, and countless conversations.
For those reading this without an understanding or prior knowledge of the events of Fatima, this is in no way is this meant to be a complete treatise about these events. Please search online for more information that can take you deeper into the mysteries revealed in Fatima. You can find information both for and against the legitimacy of the events. It is always good to ask the Holy Spirit and your Guardian Angel to help you discern Truth as you look at both sides of the story. Only with the help of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Council, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord) can we truly discern Truth in these times of great deceit.
While there is a wealth of information given to the children during the apparitions, the reason for starting this site and blog is due to one piece of that information. It was reported by Lucia (the eldest of the children and the only one to live to adulthood) that the final battle between Satan and Our Lord will be against marriage and the family. Boy, if that is not happening in today’s world. Seeing the systematic breakdown of the family over the course of the past 50 years is incredibly troubling. Knowing how society has slowly eroded the role of the family in daily life, as well as the steady depiction of men and fathers as everything from bumbling idiots to perpetual children to mysogonystic tyrants, it gives that much more validity to the prophecy given to Lucia.
Learning of this information provided to Lucia sparked a revelation for the need for men, husbands, and fathers, to take back our role as the spiritual leaders of our homes. Now, it is important to say that nothing written here will be anti-woman, anti-child, anti-family, but it will be anti-Satan! When God created man and woman, He said it was good. He instructed us, commanded us to be fruitful and multiply. Therefore, to be in God’s Will, married men need to support their wives and fathers need to support their children. All men need to pray for each other.
This introductory post is, by God’s Grace, just the beginning of this journey of saying “Yes” to the battle for marriage and the family. So, please join in this fight. Please be not afraid to be saints (St. John Paul II). Our families, our communities, our nations, and our world needs us to fight this spiritual battle.
Yes to Action: Each post will contain a Yes to Action. It does us no good to “know” something if we do not “do” something. Each of these Yes to Action items will be focused on simple, practical applications of Faith that may require us to pray, act, or do something that can help to shape our families and the world. For this Yes to Action, please simply say a prayer for the first man that comes to your mind. If that man is your father, son, relative, or friend, just ask God to strengthen that man for this fight. If you are unsure how to pray, you can simply say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, through your Mercy, you have given me N. (say the name of the man) in my life. I pray that You will grant N. the Grace to know You, to hear You, and to obey You. Help me to support N. in his walk with You. Jesus, I plead Your Precious Blood over N. and all of his needs. Protect him from the evil one and grant him the perseverance to fight this fight for his soul, for his family, and for the world. We ask this through the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives and reigns with the Father and Son, one God forever and ever. Amen.