From the Pastor
Recently I was asked why we finish each decade of the rosary with "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Your mercy." The answer takes us to a time similar to our own not too long ago.
In 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal to three young shepherd children. The reported events that occurred over the course of six months (May-October) were investigated by the Church and found to be authentic. Our Blessed Mother was sent by God to speak to the world about the need for the moral conversion of humanity.
The basic point was that people were not living according to God’s commandments and teachings. With great concern and compassion, the Blessed Mother warned the world that if people continued to live contrary to God’s teaching, they could expect to suffer the consequences of “its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.” (May 13, 1917)
Our Blessed Mother asked the three children and every follower of Christ to pray and offer personal sacrifices for the “conversion of sinners” throughout the world. She asked the children: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?” (May 13, 1917)
On the 13th of July, our Blessed Mother asked us to pray the rosary every day for peace in the world. Then she said: “say after each mystery: O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Your mercy." God calls each of us to assist in the salvation of souls that Christ began in His time on earth and continues now through His Church.
For those whom God gave a momentary glimpse into hell, like the children at Fatima, they describe it as the worst experience of their life. According to them, the horror of the people there is beyond description. Although the mercy of God is extended to them, they inflict pain upon themselves in their rejection of God. They do so by rejecting God’s way of living as giving to us in His teachings and commandments. In rejected God, their situation is permanent and without hope.
The situation of today isn’t much different than when the Blessed Virgin Mary gave God’s message to the world at Fatima. God wants us to pray, and to do so especially for those who are in danger of hell. We are very grateful to God for sending us Mary, who is the Queen of Prophets. That is part of the reason why we crown her with flowers in the month of May. In doing so, we express our love and reverence to Our Mother, the Refuge of Sinners.
True devotion to the Blessed Mother always leads us closer to her Son!
Gratefully,
Fr. Miller
Pastor