Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Good morning. Again this morning we hear in the Gospel of the wonderful gift we have been given in Christ’s gift of Himself in the Eucharist. He offers us the promise of eternal life in the Eucharist—“whoever eats this bread will live forever.” In reflecting upon this great mystery of the Eucharist I was drawn to the words of the Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium. The Eucharist, as described in Lumen Gentium, is the “fount and apex (source and summit) of the whole Christian life.” In fact, the document Lumen Gentium, which flowed out from the Second Vatican Council, goes on to say that “in the Eucharistic Sacrifice… they offer the Divine Victim to God, and offer themselves along with It.” In the Eucharist we offer ourselves to Our Creator, and as Christ was drawn to the cross out of love, we likewise will be guided “to our final end.” In marriage we find a very close relationship with the Eucharist, for just as the sacrifice and death of Christ is lived out in the breaking of the bread, we likewise in marriage lay down our lives for each other and for our family. We are called to live out that sacrificial love in our daily lives with each other, our children, co-workers, students, friends and strangers, and all who grace the doorway of our home and whom we meet on our journey together. As we recall the appearance of our Lady to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco 94 years ago today near the village of Fatima, Portugal let us pray in the concluding words of Pope Paul VI in Mysterium Fidei: “May the Most Blessed Virgin Mary from whom Christ Our Lord took the flesh” contained in the Eucharist look over and intercede for all married couples that we may come to know the love of Christ both in the Eucharist and in each other throughout our marital journey. Make a great day!

Today we recall the first appearance of The Lady of the Rosary to the shepherd children in Fatima on May 13, 1917.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.