Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On Wednesday we begin the month of May (the time keeps going by more and more quickly). This month is dedicated to the Blessed Mother and in particular, on May 13, 1917 the Blessed Mother appeared to three children (Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta) in Fatima, Portugal. She appeared brighter than the sun, wearing a mantle trimmed in gold and holding a rosary. Remember this was during the time of First World War and she encouraged the praying of the rosary to bring an end to the war. Mary also encourage devotion to the Blessed Trinity when she appeared. The Blessed Mother would continue to make apparitions, with the last being October 13th of that year. Her statement that day was, “I am the Lady of the Rosary, I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it everyday. I would like a chapel built here in my honor. The war will end soon.”
During this time with war in the Holy Land, Ukraine, Sudan and many other places around the world as well as the divisions within our country and even families, this would be an excellent time to start praying the rosary for peace each day. If you don’t have time, consider praying it while you drive to work or listening to it when you take a walk. May our Lady’s intercession help us to have peace in our hearts, our homes and our world.
In Christ,
Bishop Tim Freyer
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