Day Nineteen Consecration to Mary for the 21st Century/A Lenten Journey
As Mary appeared to the three children in Fatima, Portugal
Day Nineteen
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Prayers for this week, Days17 - 22 in Lent:
Begin each day with "Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you."
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| Pilgrim Statue of Fatima |
First Meditation
Look at this statue. This is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, also. For many years I scorned this statue because it is not the true image of Fatima, that the three children saw. I called it a Hollywood statue full of BLING! However, my perception was corrected by Father Joe Viveiros, pastor of St. Dominic's in Swansea MA, and a Lay Dominican, and also of Portuguese heritage.
Father Viveiros explained that after World War II the people of Portugal were grateful for the relative peace their country had received during the war. Most of Europe was involved in the conflict, but not Portugal, the country where Our Lady appeared. In thanksgiving and also reparation for sin, the people of Portugal donated as a sign of their eternal gratitude, their precious gold and jewels. The jewelry was melted down and fashioned into that humonguous crown, that I in my ignorance, disdained. I am sorry for my ignorance. Now, I'm in awe of the sacrifice of the Portuguese people.
More so, when I learned that Pope John Paul II visited the statue. He took on his visit, the bullet that was intended to kill him. He was going to place it at the feet of the statue and say a prayer of thanksgiving for God saving his life. However, for some reason, the pope saw a perfectly round hole in the front of the crown. He didn't know why but he put the bullet in it, and it simply just fell into place. It was remarkably secure. No one could pull it back out.
Second Meditation
Which statue are you more attraced to? Reflect upon the reasons for your choice.
or as the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, commissioned
by the people of Portugal in thanksgiving for peace and in
reparation for sin.
Third Meditation
Meditate upon the fact that God granted Moses request in Deuteronomy 9: 18-19, to not destroyed the people. Read Deuteronomy Chapter 9. Don't you think that God would more certainly respond to the prayers of the Blessed Mother, than Moses?
End your day with an examination of conscience--even in bed.
Mother of God, pray for me.
What good did I do today?
Where did I fail?
How can I do better?
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