Simple Message, Simple Witness

Today, the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Mother to the three shepherd children, Lucia Santos, Francisco de Jesus Marto and his sister, Jacinta de Jesus Marto in a field outside the small village of Fatima,  Pope Francis canonized Francisco and Jacinta before an estimated gathering of one million pilgrims. At the time of the apparitions, Francisco was only 9 and Jacinta, 7; they both died within two years of the miraculous events from the great "plague" of influenza that swept the world in 1918. They remained faithful to Mary's request to reform their lives, do penance for their sins and pray the rosary daily.  Their simple witness to this simple request stands as a compelling invitation to us to do the same.  "If kids can do it, so can we!"
When he consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pope St. John Paul II prayed:
 "Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the Redemption: the power of merciful Love! May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences! May your immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope!  AMEN!!!
Bro. Rene