CHRISTMAS 2009Printed in:TIPOGRAFIA DE FÁTIMA, LDA.

Dir. & Prop.: M. PRIORESSMONASTERY PIUS XIIRua do Rosário, 1 - 2495-444 Fátima - Portugalwww.Fatima-Dominicans.com

N.º 89

“And the Angel said:

Be not afraid; for behold I

bring you good news of great joy...”

Lk 2:10

Another year of grace has come to a close. We would like to express our humble gratitude to each of you for your kind support in so many ways. The days of our Christmas Novena of Masses and prayers, Dec 16-24, are for you and all of your needs and intentions. We especially entrust your families and loved ones to the care and protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In that home, JESUS was the centre of life and MARY and JOSEPH loved Him and each other. Let us pray for peace in all families and the gift of renewed faith, hope and love!

Blessed Christmas and Holy New Year to All!

Mother Prioress and Sisters

Baptism, God’s Magnificent Gift In 2016 the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) will celebrate 800 years from its foundation. A no-vena of prayer for the nine years preceding the Jubilee was announced at the last General Chapter. The gen-eral theme for the novena is: “Woe to us if we do not preach the Gospel.” (1 Cor 9:16). Besides the general theme, each year has been assigned a specific theme on which we will pray and ponder. 2010: “How can one preach unless he has been sent.” (Rom 10:14). St. Dominic is known as Preacher of Grace. His preaching simply overflowed from his deep union with Christ in con-templative prayer and was a grace to his hearers. His heart was on fire with love for Christ. When we ‘read’ the book of his life we learn of his purity, his poverty, his charity, his compassion, his love for truth about God and about man, his filial love for and firm reliance on the Most Holy Virgin Mary, his total immersion in Sacred Scripture particularly the Gospel

of St. Matthew and the Let-ters of St. Paul, his willing-ness to suffer and his zeal for souls. His whole life was anchored and enfolded in the mystery of the Incar-nation of the Divine Word.Like St. Dominic each of the baptized is called and sent forth by God to wit-ness to Christ the One Who was first sent by the Father to restore mankind to the

bosom of the Father. “Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift...” This mission of preaching - of first wit-nessing to Christ by our very life - is the duty of every baptized person according to his or her state of life in loving obedi-ence to the Will of the Father. It’s important to renew our knowl-edge and understanding of Baptism. The Catechism is a good source. The entire volume is published on the internet at www.usccb.org/catechism/text.

Hail Mary, full of grace, pray for us and make us holy preachers of grace!

Please visit the Dominican International Rosary Website

www.rosarium-op.org

To OurBelovedPriests of Jesus Christ,“We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Col 1:3)

In this Year for Priests we write to you from the cloister, joining the thoughts and prayers of each Sister like a tapestry woven with the golden thread of grati-tude, esteem and sisterly concern. We thank the Holy Triune God through the Most Holy Virgin for the gift of your vocation to the ministerial Priesthood. Together with all cloistered, contempla-tive nuns around the world, we are united in prayer for you. May this year be a time of special blessings for you. This occa-sion makes us reflect on the goodness of priests who have shown such kindness and understanding through the years. We would like to greet in a special way all those who are ill, infirm, or serving in lonely mission areas. You hold a special place in the heart of our prayer.

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In this letter, we invite you to look to that holy place, the hill outside the city of Jerusalem where the supreme sacrifice of our Redemption was ac-complished. There you will find the answer to every question and every need of your holy priest-hood. “It is at the Cross, in the act of obedience by which Jesus offers Him-self to the Father in order to glorify Him (Jn17:1) that the words addressed to Philip “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9) assume their strongest meaning. In seeing Jesus cruci-fied we “see” the Father.” (The Priesthood

of Christ by Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OP) To see the Father is to see Mercy: the Face of the Father is Mercy. Go often, in spirit, to the top of that hill and commune with: Christ our Saviour, the Way the Truth and the Life Cruci-fied for love of us; Mary Magdalene, the repentant sinner; St. John, the Priest alter Christus; and the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of us all. This small group kept their full attention on Jesus and believed - even in that dark-est hour - all that He had told them. The Cross is the book of Divine Love written for everyone! Pope Benedict XVI points out that the world has changed since St. John Mary Vianney lived out his priesthood in the small town of Ars. Indeed, in an atheistic media driven society, worldly powers and the presence of evil abound.

Nevertheless, God is with us! He still calls each one to personal holiness. And what does this mean? It means at every moment and in all things to seek the Will of the Father as Christ Himself did. This is holiness. In the words of Vatican II: “A Priest’s personal holiness helps to make his own ministry more fruitful. Although the unworthiness in the priest is no obstacle to the flow of saving grace, it is

nevertheless God’s way to work wonders of grace only through those who are more docile and sensitive to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. These are the priests who through their union with Christ and their holiness of life are able to say with the Apostle: ‘I live. Yet not I live, but Christ lives in me.’” Look neither for honours nor for riches. Rather, imitate St. Thomas Aquinas. When Jesus asked him from the Cross: “What reward do you want, Thomas?” He replied: “Nothing but you Lord.” Daily walk in the way of holiness. It has been said: “The priest who is too busy to pray is busier than God wishes him to be.” Be reminded then that alone, you can do nothing, but incorporated into Christ, the true vine, you will bear fruit. May the Eucharistic Jesus be the center of your prayer, the secret of your life, the soul of your apostolic action. May your love for the Lord Jesus grow stron-ger with every Eucharist you celebrate through the gift of your priesthood.

Fr. Carlos, Master General

Fr. Louis Kondor, SVD 1928 - 2009

On 28 October, after a prolonged illness, Fr. Louis Kondor, Vice-Postulator for the Causes of Canonization of Bl. Francisco and Jacinta, entered eternal life. With so many others our gratitude to Father is unbounded. The idea for our bulletin Friends of Fatima owes its origin to Fr. Kondor.

As a child he wished to be a priest. At age 18 he entered the seminary of the Divine Word Missionaries in his native Hungary. In 1949, when the invasion of Hungary was imminent the young seminarian was sent by his superiors to Austria. Eighteen months later he was again ordered to flee as the Russians began to invade Austria. He fled to Germany where he was ordained 28 August 1953. In 1954 Fr. Kondor was sent to Fatima to serve as vice-prefect of the large Divine Word seminary here.

In 1960, while assisting Bishop John Venancio he was given responsibility for the Cause of Beatification of the Little Shepherds of Fatima. As he himself said it seemed an impossible task since some “experts” had declared that little children could not attain to the degree of sanctity necessary for the Church to declare them Saints. For Fr. Kondor, with the help of Our Lady, the mission became possible! After 40 years of intense labour the

Process of Beatification was completed. Pope John Paul II came to Fatima

on 13 May 2000 to Beatify Bl. Francisco and Bl. Jacinta. It

was the Year of the Great Jubilee!

At his funeral Mass there were more than 150 Priests, 5 Bishops and 3000 fai thful present. Many more who were unable to

come had sent their loving condolences. The

life of Fr. Kondor had touched innumerable souls

around the world. In his work as ‘herald of the Message of Fatima’

he offered to all the surest way to Christ, the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In his homily, Bishop Antonio of Leiria-Fatima, spoke of Fr. Kondor’s profound devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. “To him, “reparation” constituted the nucleus of the Message of the Lady. He has left ready a book on this theme which will be published posthumously, where he writes: “Consecration (to the Immaculate Heart of Mary), reparation and sanctification are expressions that mean the same thing and ought to be realized, necessarily, in profound communion and harmony with the totality of the human person.” During his final illness, Father confided to the Bishop: “ I want to live this suffering as an offering of reparation just like the Little Shepherds.”

Requiescat in Pace!

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The example of personal holiness is the first and most effective means of preaching. When St. John Vianney was appointed to the parish at Ars, the Vicar General said: “There is little love of God in that parish; you will be the one to put it there.” Do not fear to open your heart in your preaching. St. Paul recounts his own trials to his hearers and exclaims: “When I am weak then I am strong!” The love of Christ compelled him to preach at times with force, sometimes with tenderness yet always with a view to the eternal salvation of souls. You belong entirely to Jesus Christ always and everywhere. Wearing cleri-cal clothing or your religious habit proclaims Christ to all who see you. This sign of consecration and witness to poverty is life-giving because it speaks of God to a world in deep need of Him! Unless you can be recognized as a Catholic priest, many will miss an opportunity of grace and possible reconciliation with God. We began our letter by inviting you to go to the hill of Calvary.We conclude by inviting you to climb, in spirit, the Serra de Aire, the small moun-tain on which the town of Fatima rests. Here, the words of Jesus from the Cross ring out day af-ter day: “Behold your Mother!” These words ad-

dressed to St. John are meant for all but in a unique way to Christ’s own priests. Fr. Marie-Dominique wrote: “As Mary’s beloved son, John understands that through his ministerial priesthood he becomes servant of Mary and entirely ordered towards his Mother. The first exercise of John’s ministerial priesthood is ordered to Mary’s sanctity... after the Resurrection and the Ascension it was he who led Mary from the Compassion to the Assumption. The last stage of Mary’s holiness on earth, her ultimate growth in love, was entrusted to John...” To close this letter from Fatima, we entrust each of you to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We recall Pope John Paul II who visited Fatima three times. His motto Totus Tuus All Yours O Mary! was the guiding light of his priesthood. Immediately after his election, Pope John Paul II said: “The Rosary is my favorite prayer.” He concluded his Pontificate by giving the Church one of the most beauti-ful apostolic letters on the Holy Rosary: Rosarium Virginis Mariae. Holy preach-ers often say that some of their best

inspirations for preaching come as they pray the Rosary.

God Bless You!With heartfelt

gratitude and in union of

prayer, Your Sisters in

FatimaFr. José Carlos, Fr. Alberto, Fr. António Jorgein a fraternal visit in our parlour

Holy Father to Visit Fatima

Lucia: “Why does the Pope not come to Fati-ma?” We could now reply: He has indeed come to Fatima! Pope Paul VI (1967); Pope John Paul II (1982, 1991, 2000) came in person. Prior to these visits Pope Pius XII had addressed pilgrims to Fatima from Rome and he had sent his papal legate in 1947. Pope John Paul I as Cardinal Luciano visited Fatima and spoke at length

with Sr. Lucia in Coimbra. Pope John XXIII as Cardinal Ron-cali also visited Fatima. Cardi-nal Ratzinger, now Pope Bene-dict XVI also visited in 1996. The prayers of Bl. Jacinta are heard!

In late September the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Portugal in 2010 as a “pilgrim of Fatima”. As part of that pilgrimage the Holy Father will be present for the 12-13th of May, the feast of our Lady of Fatima.The Archbishop of Braga commenting on the upcoming vis-it said: “Our Lady, whom the Portuguese people love with spe-cial tenderness, is a kind Mother who in-vites us to delve deeper into Jesus Christ and the mystery of the Church.” It is hoped that this Papal visit will strengthen the already deep faith of the Portuguese and lead everyone to a more constant and reasoned witness to the Faith as part of the program of evangelization so needed in every country. This visit will also coincide with the centenary celebrations of the birth of Bl. Jacinta of Fatima 1910 - 2010. In June there will be a special Congress with par-ticular reflections on her brief but saintly life. It is especially appropriate that the Holy Father should come during this year as it was Bl. Jacinta who received a particular grace which caused her to love the Holy Father and to pray and offer sacrifices for him. She once said to

Pope Benedict XVIGreets a Child

“If men only knew what awaits them in eternity, they would

do everything in their power to change their lives.”

Bl. Jacinta Marto

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Mother Mary AlphonsineA New Rosary Beata

miliar a way as she did in Lourdes (France) and Fatima (Portugal). Her devotion to Mary was unbounded and her love of the Ro-sary has rarely been surpassed. Our Lord said: “Pray without ceasing.” Mother Mary Alphonsine took those words literally to heart and for her “to pray” was to say the Rosary.”

With patient endurance of great suffering M. Alphonsine would say: “We purchase heaven

with humility.” When warned that she would still have more to suffer she replied: “It doesn’t matter. I am the victim of the Rosary.”

On a piece of paper found after her death was written: “O Jesus, that I may love Thee! Love is as strong as death. Love makes us prize poverty, suffer hunger and cold with patience, rejoice over insults and readily accept sickness, temptation and persecution. Love urges us to help our neighbour in all his needs and to take no account of his ingratitude...”

In 1995, the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem was aggregated to the Dominican Order.

Bl. Mother Mary Alphonsine, pray for us!

The Beatification of Mother Mary Alphon-sine Danil Ghattás, co-Foundress of the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters of Jeru-salem will take place on November 22, 2009, Solemnity of Christ the King, in the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth.

M. Alphonsine was born in Jerusalem Oc-tober 4, 1843. Her par-ents were Palestinians who were very devoted to the Most Holy Virgin of the Rosary. In 1858 she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. In her teaching of the children she was dis-tinguished for her profound piety and firm adhesion to the Catholic faith. Around the year 1874 she felt called to start a religious congregation for native Arab girls for the promotion of the Rosary. The Congrega-tion of the Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem was founded in July 1880 just two months after Fr. Damien Marie Saintourens founded the Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary (May 1880). Now and again she would say: “It would please our loving Mother so much if we had the perpetual Rosary in our convent.”

From the preface of the book A Handmaid of the Rosary by Fr. Benedict Stolz, OSB we read: “Our Lady revealed herself to Mother Alphonsine in Palestine in as fa-

“My joy is to be able to throw into the hearts of men a spark of the love of God

and lead them to Jesus and Mary.”

Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

We encourage you to pray this Litany in loving reparation.

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.Christ hear us, Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Heart of Mary, pray for us. Heart, after God’s own Heart, pray for us. Heart, in union with the Heart of Jesus, etc. Heart, the vessel of the Holy Spirit, Heart of Mary, shrine of the Trinity, Heart of Mary, home of the Word, Heart of Mary, immaculate in thy creation, Heart of Mary, flooded with grace, Heart of Mary, blessed of all hearts, Heart of Mary, throne of glory, Heart of Mary, abyss of humbleness, Heart of Mary, victim of love, Heart of Mary, nailed to the Cross, Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted. Heart of Mary, refuge of the sinner, Heart of Mary, hope of the dying, Heart of Mary, seat of mercy, Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart, R. Conform our hearts to the Heart of Jesus. Let Us Pray: O most merciful God, Who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the miserable, hast made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving Heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the Hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

by Ven. John Cardinal Newman

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A Visit from the Master General

In the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena the Eternal Father speaks to her of His Priests:

“My anointed ones, My Christ’s who are like terrestrial angels, not by nature, but by their ministry, and the supernatural grace given to them, of administering the Body and Blood of My only-begotten Son, and all the Sacraments. They are angels, placed by My burning love,

like lanterns in the mystical body of holy Church, to be your guardians, so that you may have guides to direct you into the way of truth, giving you good inspirations, with prayers and example of life.”

On August 6, just as we finished praying the Little Hour of Terce, the Master of the Order arrived for a very fraternal visit. Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa was in Fatima to speak to the Dominican Youth International who were meeting here in those days. We were overjoyed and immensely grateful for the time Fr. Carlos

so generously shared with us as we spoke of many things related to the Order and shared our favorite passages from St. Paul for the benefit of all. Father humbly took notes as is his custom. We thank God, Our Lady of the Rosary and Fr. Carlos for this fraternal visit and the graces received for our small Community

here in Fatima.We also thank our Friends of Fatima for your prayers for the Youth Meeting which was a most prayerful, joyful and enriching experience for the more than 200 youth from 34 countries who attended. Please continue to pray for the young people.

“I shall speak to your Heart, O Mary…”Present research “…indicates the Benedic-tine Eckbert of Schoenau (+1184) as the first to write a prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary…It does not merely mention or praise the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Eckbert greets this Heart: he speaks to it as to the person of Mary herself. …Therefore, he is the first to initiate an act of devotion, or cult, towards the Immaculate Heart.” (Source: The Heart of Mary in the Latin Tradition From the 7th to the 16th Century, Fr Théodore A. Koehler, S.M. Mar-ian Library Series 1996-97, pp 120-121)

“I shall speak to your heart,O Mary,

I shall speak to your heart so pure, Sovereign of the universe, and I shall offer my venera-tion from the depths of my soul. From the depths of my heart I shall greet your Im-maculate Heart which, the first in this world, was worthy to receive the only Son of the Supreme God, coming forth from the bosom of the Father.

Hail, singular shrine, that God has sanctified for Himself in the Holy Spirit. Hail, holy of holies, that the Sovereign Pontiff has conse-crated by his ineffable entrance. Hail, ark of sanctification that contains the writing of the finger of God. Hail, urn of gold that contains the heavenly manna, filled with the delights of the angels. Hail, royal court, the true Solo-mon’s house of cedar, whose sweet fragrance surpasses all the woods of cedar. Hail, couch of gold, the most agreeable rest for the desir-

able beloved whose head is of perfect gold. Hail, room filled with a heav-enly perfume, bringing the precious spices of all the virtues and graces. Hail, enclosed paradise, wherein the cunning se-ducer of Eve had never dared to crawl. Hail, sealed fountain, whose secrets the violator of hearts has never tasted, not even by the slightest sip. To whom do we com-pare you, to what do we assimilate the beatitude

of your heart, O Mary? By what words do we worthily greet the intimate sweetness of your chaste breast?

Live, live and rejoice eternally, O holy and Immaculate Heart in which the salvation of the world was begun and in which the divin-ity has embraced our humanity, bringing peace to the world. Be filled with an eternal jubilation, you, emerald conch, whose color has never faded, you who have poured out to the Supreme King, thirsting for our salvation, the sweet nectar of faith, at that hour when, at the greeting of the archangel, you pronounced the good word (Ps 44:2), saying: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Thus, you have delighted, you have filled his heart, in such a degree that from now on, from his heaven, He would proclaim more joyously: “My delights are to be with the children of men” (Prov. 8:31). May every soul magnify you, O mother of sweetness! And may all pi-ous tongues praise together for ever and ever the beatitude of your Heart, from which our salvation has flowed forth. Amen.”

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Jubilee Joy! Sr. Mary Martin was born in Lon-don and came to our Monastery by way of her mission work in Nigeria. Sr. Mary Bernadette was born in Dub-lin and while on pilgrimage to Fati-ma met the Sisters here and soon after decided to enter.

As organists, both of our Sisters have enhanced our solemn celebration of the Liturgy which is the heart of our entire life. Each one can say with the psalmist:

“To You, O God, I will sing a new song. I will play on the ten-stringed lute.”

(Ps 143)

We shall let the photos tell the story of the Jubilee day…

On October 14th two of our Sisters ce l eb ra t ed their 25th an-niversary of entrance into the cloister. For our Com-munity and e s p e c i a l l y for Sr. Mary Martin of the Blessed Sacrament and Sr. Mary Berna-dette of Lourdes it was a day of grace, peace and joy. Holy Mass was concel-ebrated by seven priests Fr. Paul Ken-ny pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish (Ireland) and a friend of Sr. Mary Berna-dette presided. Fam-ily and friends from near and far joined in the celebration.

Sr. Mary Bernadette and Sr. Mary Martin

“…follow joyfully in Christ’s footsteps, moulding yourselves to His image and being obedient in all to the will of the Father. Do not be afraid to be saints! It is the best service you can offer to your brothers and sisters”.

Pope Benedict XVI

O Heart of Jesus,treasured tenderness.

Thou art my joy supreme,my hope, my all…

Master, to Thee alonemy life I give.

Lost in Thy goodness infinite,

I live, O Heart of Jesuslost in Thee alone!

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Offertory Procession in ChoirThe Sisters renew their Vows

A little Jubilee altar

The Jubilarians withSr. Lucy from England

(If you are a member of the Perpetual Rosary Association already, you do not need to enroll again.Offerings to help with the cost of printing and mailing are gratefully received.)

Day of month (1st; 5th, etc.) Hour chosen

Christian and Surname

Address

ampm

I promise to form a part of Our Lady’s Guard of Honor by joining the Perpetual Rosary Association, and pledge myself to an Hour of Guard once a month:

Perpetual Rosary AssociationNew MeMbers

Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual RosaryMonastery Pius XIIRua do Rosário, 12495 Fatima, Portugal

won't you join?

them all about it: “When I was in the water, I felt the Rosary fall on me, I opened my eyes and saw the cistern shining with a bright light. I felt as comfortable in the water as if I had been in bed. Then I saw a crowd at the top of the cistern and I heard a voice saying to me: ‘Catch hold of the rope.’ I caught hold of it and here I am.”

Sister Catherine hur-ried to the chapel and told Sister Mary Al-

phonsine what had happened. The result of this miracle was

fruitful. Nazira and her whole family became Catholics, as well as her Prot-estant teacher. Love for the Queen of the Holy Rosary increased.”

May you have a Blessed Rosary Christmas!

Your Devoted Sisters in Fatima

ing; “O Queen of the Holy Rosary, save her and help us in our great distress!” The onlook-ers laughed scornfully, saying; “The little one is dead; she has been an hour in the well.” But Sister Mary Alphonsine was not disconcerted. She went back to the chapel and began again to say the Rosary with the children. Meanwhile Sister Cath-erine stayed by the cis-tern and let a bucket down to the bottom of the well…The rope suddenly jerked ....With the help of an Arab, the Sister drew up the bucket and a head appeared at the surface of the water. With renewed courage they pulled and pulled and there was Nazira standing upright in the bucket, with the Rosary around her arm. She was unhurt and rushed into the arms of her teacher. Then she started telling

or injure you. Pray for them and ask God’s mercy for them. In this way you will not lose the peace of Christ Who dwells in your heart. Sometimes it is not easy to forget even though we have forgiven. But we can remember with mercy.

To strengthen your own confidence in the Rosary we relate one incident in the life of Mother Mary Alphonsine. There are many more!

A young girl, Nazira had fallen into a well. While the onlookers let down a rope with no success “Sister Mary Alphonsine hastened to the chapel with the children and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. Then she went back to the cistern with her Rosary in her hands, ... and threw her long Rosary ...into the well, cry-

Dear Rosarians,Pax Christi!Thank you so much for being faithful to your Rosary Hour of Guard. We are happy to say that this year we have en-rolled many new members. Throngs of pilgrims came to Fatima in 2009 though there was a noticeable decline in visitors from some countries. Much is said of the global crisis of economy. But the crisis not mentioned in the media is the crisis of hunger, deep spiritual hunger and thirst for God which pervades the world today. Tensions and anxieties seem to afflict everyone. What is the answer?We must pray and renew our consecra-tion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. In times of crisis to whom does the humble child turn? He turns to his Mother. He speaks to his Mother, abandons himself to his Mother. Take up your Rosary anew each day. Renew your confidence in the promise of Our Lady, which is the promise of God, to be near you to help guide you and to protect you on every step of life’s journey. Be ready, dear Ro-sarians to show mercy to those who hurt

Apparition of Our Lady to Mother Mary Alphonsine