September 2020 Newsletter | AFC Pillar of Spirituality

Pray the Rosary & Offer Penance: September 13 Fatima Apparition

Listen to Catholic Corps Member Renee Scheu read the story about this apparition:

Despite the mayor’s attempts to prove that the children were lying, news of the apparitions in Fatima was spreading all over Portugal. So many people came to the little town on September 13 that it was hard for the children to get from their homes to the Cova da Iria.

“Make way for the visionaries!” some men cried, clearing a path through the crowd for the children.

The Blessed Mother appeared after the flash of light, as she had before. 

“Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war,” the Lady told the children. Then she spoke about the miracle Lucia had asked for. “In October, Our Lord will come, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. St. Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world.”

Then the Lady spoke to the children about a penance they had made for themselves. Each of them would wear a rope tied around their waist, even when sleeping. This was very painful. “God is pleased with your sacrifices,” the Lady said. “He does not want you to sleep with the rope on, but only wear it in the daytime.”

“I was told to ask you many things,” Lucia told the Lady, “the cure of some sick people, of a deaf-mute...”

“Yes, I will cure some, but not others,” the Lady said gently. “In October I will perform a miracle so that all may believe.”

This time, as the Blessed Mother disappeared, Lucia cried out, “If you wish to see Our Lady—look!” She pointed at a shimmering gray cloud moving towards the east.

Key Point from the September 13 Apparition

As we seek to live in relationship with God, we grow in grace and repair for sin. And our efforts become even more powerful for saving souls when we offer them to Jesus through the heart of His Mother! As Mary promised at Fatima, “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”