Following is an article by His Grace Bishop Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Poona and Chairman of NBCLC, sharing his reflections on the Centenary of Apparitions in Fatima
Dear Friends,
Exactly 100 years ago, Mary, the Mother of Jesus appeared to three children at Fatima in Portugal.
Today in the diocese of Poona, we conclude the year-long observance of the Centenary of Apparitions in Fatima.
Hence in the Cathedral of Poona Diocese, we shall have Solemn Celebrations to mark the event.
I wish to share with you my thoughts today this is the first part;
1st Part:
Exactly a year ago we commenced the year-long celebration of the centenary of the Marian Apparitions at Fatima, Portugal. I was impressed by the enthusiastic response of our people. I was able to witness the love of our people, myself in some places.
Now on 13 October we shall be formally concluding the historic event by a solemn Holy Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral Church here in diocese of Poona.
We are all familiar with the message and the secrets Our Lady of Fatima communicated to the three shepherd children Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia. Mary called upon us to recite the Rosary and have devotion to Her immaculate Heart. Since then, the devotion to Mother Mary and to the Rosary has flourished all over the world and that is how it should be. For, I have always felt that a good and holy Catholic is one who has a filial devotion to the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God.
The Second Vatican Council has taught us that the devotion to Mary demands:
1. A proper understanding of Her role in the salvation accomplished by Jesus the one Mediator between God and man.
2. A filial love and affection for Her and
3. Imitation of Her.
The same Episcopal assembly cautioned us saying that we Catholics must be ecumenically sensitive in our piety and devotion to Mary. (Lumen Gentium, ch.8 )
The Council certainly desires that we must preserve our characteristic traditional Catholic ethos. However, we must keep in mind that our Marian spirituality should be according to the teaching of the Bible. We must integrate our preaching and piety regarding Mary with the centrality of Jesus Christ, His salvation and His grace.
To be continued…
Second Part: The Fatima Phenomenon is Christocentric
His Grace Bishop Thomas Dabre is Bishop of Poona and Chairman of NBCLC.