At Fátima: A Bullet in Our Lady's Crown

My column at Patheos this week explores the link between Blessed John Paul II and the message of Fatima. Here's a sampling...

A curious and dramatic artifact from the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II is found in Fátima, Portugal… a would-be assassin’s bullet poignantly sits under the peak of Our Lady of Fátima’s bejeweled crown. The bullet was found in the Pope’s jeep after the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II’s life. Sometime later, a grateful pope presented the bullet to the Bishop of Leira-Fátima. The Bishop promptly enshrined it in the crown, transforming a lethal image into a beautiful sign of faithful maternal protection and a son’s humble gratitude.

John Paul II attributed his survival of the shooting to the direct intervention of the Blessed Mother, to whom he had an ardent and lifelong devotion. 

The rest of the story, including quotes from Benedict XVI on the subject, is found here.

Fatima: Miracle of the Sun, this date is history

I would like finally to mention another key expression of the “secret” which has become justly famous: “my Immaculate  Heart will triumph”. What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her  heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought  the Saviour into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God  could become man in our world and remains so for all time.  The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human  heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good,  the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that  time forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world”  (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise.    Joseph Card. Ratzinger Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

---From the Vatican's theological commentary on the Message of Fatima, (2000).

Feast Day: Our Lady of the Rosary- a video of processions at Fatima

To hear about my pilgrimage to Fatima with my friend, Jane Richard, go back to the archives of Among Women and listen to Episode 7.

Wonderful resource to pray the rosary: Come, Pray the Rosary!
HT to my pal Leticia Velasquez over at Cause of our Joy!

Ave Maria!