March-04
Q:  I'm confused when, on your first page, you quote our Blessed Mother to Jacinta at Fatima in 1920, saying that there are more souls in hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.  Our Blessed Mother appeared at Fatima only in 1917, to my knowledge, ending in October of that year.  When you use such quotations, they can be devastatingly negative in their impact if you enter the quotation or date incorrectly, making one wonder about its veracity.  Are you sure you have this correct? It would be like telling an alcoholic the same thing about sins related to alcoholism, only to have him discover later that the quotation is bogus or inaccurate.  You wouldn't accomplish much good with him.

Tom

A: Dear Tom,
Regarding any Marian apparition, it is important to keep in perspective that none, not even Lourdes, Fatima or Guadalupe are “intrinsic to the faith.”  That is, Christians are not obliged to believe in any of them or their messages in order to achieve salvation.

It is my belief, along with a great many Catholics and Christians, that there is much truth and good teaching contained in many of these apparitions, all working to lead God's children back to Him through His Blessed Mother.

That having been said, I offer you the following biographical synopsis.

Fatima Apparitions

In December of 1918, Francisco became sick with Spanish influenza. Soon afterwards, Jacinta also became ill with influenza and later pleurisy. Francisco willingly accepted his suffering and offered it for the conversion of lost souls. He died on April 4, 1919. He had grown so much spiritually since the first apparition.

Jacinta also willingly accepted her suffering. She still vividly remembered the suffering souls in Hell in the vision of July 13, 1917 and was willing to endure much suffering to save souls. Jacinta's health deteriorated throughout 1919. At the end of that year she was moved to a hospital in Lisbon. Jacinta died in Lisbon on February 20, 1920.

Our Lady appeared to Jacinta several times between December 1919 and February 1920.

Our Lady told her many things including:

"The sins of the world are very great ... If men only knew what eternity is, they would do everything in their power to change their lives.”

"You must pray much for sinners and priests and religious.”

"Priests must be pure, very pure. They should not busy themselves with anything except what concerns the Church and souls. The disobedience of priests and religious to their superiors and to the Holy Father gravely displeases Our Lord.”

"Fly from riches and luxury; love poverty and silence; have charity, even for bad people.”

"More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.”

"Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.”

"The Mother of God wants more virgin souls bound by the vow of chastity.”

"Woe to women wanting in modesty.”

"Confession is a sacrament of mercy and we must confess with joy and trust.”

"Many marriages are not of God and do not please Our Lord.”

"Let men avoid greed, lies, envy, blasphemy, impurity.”

"Never speak ill of anyone. Never complain or murmur. Be very patient, for patience leads us to Heaven.”

"Our Lady can no longer uphold the arm of her Divine Son which will strike the world. If people amend their lives, Our Lord will even now save the world, but if they do not, punishment will come.”

"If the government of a country leaves the Church in peace and gives liberty to our Holy Religion, it will be blessed by God.”

"Tell everybody that God gives graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tell them to ask graces from her, and that the Heart of Jesus wishes to be venerated together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ask them to plead for peace from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the Lord has confided the peace of the world to her.”

These messages can be found in most biographies that cover the Fatima events in detail.

God Bless!

paul