How to Increase Little Ones’ Devotion to Our Lady
BY JOSEPH PRONECHEN, REGISTER CORRESPONDENT Sunday, Oct 06, 2013 6:08 AM Comment
During the month we dedicate to the holy Rosary, Oct. 17 marks the 96th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearances at Fatima, Portugal, to three children visionaries: Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco.
The Blessed Mother told the children to pray the Rosary daily for peace — and to tell others to pray, too. We honor Our Lady of the Rosary each Oct. 7.
On Oct. 13, 1917, the Miracle of the Sun took place, which Pope Francis will commemorate with Mass and praying the Rosary in Rome Oct. 12-13 this year. Then the Holy Father will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Square before the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima from the shrine in Portugal.
In his short time as Holy Father, Francis has consecrated his papacy and World Youth Day 2013 to Our Lady of Fatima. He follows in the steps of Blessed John Paul II, who declared, “The message of Fatima is more important now than ever.”
Benedict XVI also affirmed the message during his visit to the shrine: “We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.”
Two new initiatives follow the papal calls. One brings the story and inspiration of Fatima directly to children through a new book. The other has children answering Our Lady’s call to pray the Rosary.
Fatima Book
“Francis is making it clear to the world that we need to live and spread this message,” says Michael La Corte, executive director of the Fatima Family Apostolate (FFA, FatimaFamily.org). The organization has published The Miracle of the Dancing Sun: Messages From Mary, with the goal of distributing it to Catholic schools and parish religious-education programs worldwide.
