News - August 2020 RSS Feed

Several years ago, I went to Portugal for the First Communion of my buddy’s son.  While I was there, I had the good fortune of visiting Fatima — where, in 1918, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children: Lucia, her cousin Jacinta and her brother Francisco. Lucia would later become a Carmelite nun in Coimbra. Francisco died a year after the apparitions and his sister shortly thereafter. The latter two have since been canonized and Lucia’s cause for canonization is gaining momentum. I was awestruck as I watched pilgrims arrive at the shrine after walking there on foot — some, making the final approach on their knees for almost one thousand feet. Most of these pilgrims are desperate people who are either pleading with Mary to assist them in their need or, having experienced a miracle, are there to thank the Mother of God for favors received.