Children of Fatima

In the wake of the Centennial Anniversary of the first appearance of Our Lady at Fatima, the whole Catholic world (and hopefully beyond!) is aglow. The grace that God has given the world through this miraculous event flows on, touching believers today as much as it did one hundred years ago.

Some say that Mary’s appearances in recent years are irrelevant to their lives, that they don’t see a place for private revelation. Indeed, the Church does not require that any member believe in these extraordinary events; she leaves her people free to accept or reject the message of Fatima, as a reflection of God himself who so greatly values human freedom. Yet the Church herself embraces and promotes those apparitions she determines to be authentic. What, then, should we believe?

Someone recently asked the question: “Why does Our Lady always appear to children?” Well, perhaps she approaches them in order to act as a mother, which is her most prominent role in the history of salvation. It could also be that she finds the greatest faith in these little ones who are not inclined to question the validity of what they see. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mk 10:14).

The Church has confirmed the gift that God has given the world: a sign of his loving presence through his Mother. Let us then become children of this gift, children of God who embrace with joy and gratitude all that he bestows!