Fr. Daniel Couture, Prior
I find nothing better to say on this issue of the bulletin than to recall the actual events of October 13, 1917 and to urge our readers to meditate on Our Lady’s words.
“Silence, silence, Our Lady is coming,” Lucia cried out as she saw the flash. Our Lady came. Her snow- white feet rested upon the beautiful flowers and ribbons with which Senhora da Capelinha had adorned the tree. The faces of the three children assumed an unworldly expression, their features becoming more delicate, their color mellow, their eyes intent upon the Lady. Lucia inquired of the Queen of Heaven:
̶ “What does Your Grace want of me?”
“I want a chapel to be built here in My honor. I am Our Lady of the Rosary. Continue to say the Rosary every day. The war will end soon and the soldiers will return to their homes.”
̶ “I have many things to ask of You: to heal some sick people and to convert some sinners, etc.” “Some, yes; others, no. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins.”
Then growing sadder: “They must not offend Our Lord any more for He is already too much offended.”
̶ “Do you want anything more?”
“Nothing more.”
̶ “Then neither will I ask anything more of You.”
As Our Lady took leave of the children, She opened Her hands
which emitted a flood of light. While She was rising, She pointed
towards the sun and the light gleaming from Her hands brightened
the sun itself.
“There She goes; there She goes!” shouted Lucia, without for a
moment taking her eyes from the beautiful Queen of Heaven.
It was at this precise moment that the clouds were quickly dispersed
and the sky was clear. The sun was now pale as the moon. To the
left of the sun, Saint Joseph appeared holding in his left arm the
Child Jesus. Saint Joseph emerged from the bright clouds only to his
chest, sufficient to allow him to raise his right hand and make, together with the Child Jesus, the Sign of the Cross three times over the world. As Saint Joseph did this, Our Lady stood in all Her brilliancy to the right of the sun, dressed in the blue and white robes of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Meanwhile, Francisco and Jacinta were bathed in the marvelous colors and signs of the sun, and Lucia was privileged to gaze upon Our Lord dressed in red as the Divine Redeemer, blessing the world, as Our Lady had foretold. Like Saint Joseph, He was seen only from His chest up. Beside Him stood Our Lady, dressed now in the purple robes of Our Lady of Sorrows, but without the sword. Finally, the Blessed Virgin appeared again to Lucia in all Her ethereal brightness, clothed in the simple brown robes of Mount Carmel.