Your Mother Is Calling!  Pick Up!

I was a freshman in high school when a book fell out of the arms of one of my classmates as we walked to our next class.  It was a small book with a blue cover. As it hit the floor,  I read the title: The Crusade of Fatima.  Well, I had heard of Fatima, the hamlet in central Portugal where Our Blessed Mother appeared to three children in 1917. I was more familiar, however, with Our Lady’s appearances to St. Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830 (which was the origin of the Miraculous Medal) and the appearances of the Mother of God to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in the Grotto at Lourdes, France.  In our home as I was growing up, we had a large picture of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette that was to go-to place for the Rosary after supper.  

I asked my classmate if I could borrow the book to read.  He looked at me with a bit of hesitancy and replied, “Well, I guess so, but it belongs to my aunt and if don’t return it, she’ll kill me.”  Not wanting to be responsible for someone’s death, I assured him that I would give it back to him as soon as I was finished.  Little did I know that this encounter in that hallway was really a direct call from heaven, from my Mother!  I have always been glad that I picked up and answered.  I can say that it started me on journey of love that I have never regretted.  

Last week on May 13, the Solemnity of the Ascension and the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we commemorated the 104th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Lucia dos Santos, age 10, and her cousins, Francisco Marto, age 9, and his sister, Jacinta Marto, age 7.  In the eyes of the world these children were probably the most unlikely candidates to be given a message by the Mother of God.  But in God’ eyes they were chosen to receive a message that literally changed the course of history.  

That same day last week, as we celebrated the Ascension and Our Lady of Fatima, we also remembered the 40th anniversary of the assassination attempt on the life of Pope St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.  He almost died that day.  During his recovery, Pope John Paul asked for the text of the famous Third Secret of Fatima given by Our Lady to the three seers.  As he read it, he recognized himself as “the bishop dressed in white” mentioned in the secret.  The Holy Father became convinced without a doubt that he was saved through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.  He said later during his first public appearance, “One hand (his attempted assassin) fired and another hand (Our Lady) guided the bullet.”  One year later on May 13, 1982 the Holy Father went to Fatima on pilgrimage in thanksgiving for his survival.  During his visit he placed in the crown of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima the bullet that almost took his life.  He also stated during the Mass celebrated there, “In the designs of Providence, there are no mere coincidences.”  

After the assassination attempt and the various acts of consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart made by St. John Paul II, the fall of communism became a reality.  What seemed to be impossible, the defeat of an atheistic, totalitarian regime that sent some 100 million people to their death over almost 80 years, came crashing down in a practically bloodless manner.  Our Lady of Fatima predicted in 1917, “If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted and there will be peace.”  Her requests were prayer (especially the daily Rosary), penance and sacrifices in reparation for sins and sacrileges, devotion to her Immaculate Heart, the Five First Saturday Devotion, and the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.  

Pope St. John Paul II lived a tender and trusting devotion to Our Lady his entire life.  During his pontificate he came to believe that Our Lady used him and the faithful who embraced her requests at Fatima in defeating the evil of communism and bringing hope and mercy to people around the world.  I believe that, too.  He knew that what we do according to God’s plan matters.  He certainly did his part.

People often scoff at what they dismiss as “private revelations and pious devotions” such as the message of Fatima.  It is true that no person is required to believe in private revelations or messages such as Fatima. However, when the Church approves these messages, as she did for Fatima, judging them in conformity with the Gospel and with Church teaching, I think that it doesn’t make sense to simply dismiss them.  

Our Lady’s call to prayer, penance, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, growing in holiness and growing in devotion to her Immaculate Heart are all inspired by the Gospel.  It is all about setting our hearts on the things of heaven and wanting eternal happiness with God for everyone. For me, while belief in the Fatima message is not required, it is what Our Mother is calling us to do.  Each pope from Pope Pius XII through Pope Francis has endorsed the Fatima message and has encouraged us to follow it.  Pope Francis consecrated his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima. Two of the children of Fatima, Francisco and Jacinta, have been canonized saints.  Lucia’s cause for canonization has been introduced and she has been declared “Servant of God”, the first major step in the process to sainthood.  I would say that is pretty convincing.  

Sometimes we believe that our ideas and plans are the only way the Church can move forward.  In the 2000 years since Christ founded the Church, it has happened over and over again that supernatural intervention from heaven and deeply spiritual movements of prayer, devotion and living the Gospel are those channels of grace that move the Church onward in faithfully fulfilling her mission.  Many times Our blessed Mother is at the forefront bringing heavenly encouragement and direction.  It is the Holy Spirit revitalizing us and arming us for battle!  Who would want to reject that?

So, dear friends, remember, “Your Mother is calling!  Pick up!”  When Our Lady called to the three children of Fatima in 1917, they picked up, spreading her message and living it.  Countless other souls in the Church followed their lead and did the same.  A young man in Poland heard his Mother’s call during the dark days of World War II when he read St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Jesus through Mary”.  He picked up a deep devotion to and relationship with Mary that guided him through his life as priest, bishop, cardinal and pope.  

This young man, later as Pope John Paul II saw God’s Providence manifesting the part he had to play in Our Lady of Fatima’s peace plan.  This message has changed the world and continues to change the world as people hear their Mother calling and pick up to fulfill her requests.  

Now listen.  Your Mother is calling you!  Pick up!  If she used three unknown children and a young man who became pope to change the world, she will use you if you pick up her Rosary, heed her requests, and live the Gospel message to continue to change the world.  Why am I convinced?  Because she called to me from heaven and I am the most unworthy and the least likely.  But who am I to argue with the Mother of God?  I heard her call from an early age.  When I picked up that little blue book at the age of 13, I grabbed onto her Rosary and have not put it down since.
So pick up her Rosary and have confidence because in the ways of Providence, there are no coincidences.  Along with our recent Holy Fathers, I believe that her message at Fatima is even more needed today than in 1917!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh