We suggest this intention : on this first Saturday of the month, let us offer our prayers and sacrifices in order to atone for the blasphemies of those who publicly try to put indifference, despise or even hatred towards Our Lady in children’s hearts.
On many occasions during His public life, Jesus praised children for their simplicity and trust.
« Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. » (Matthew, 5,3)
He scolded His apostles when they wanted to prevent children to come closer to Him and He admired their purity of intention. « Let the little children come to me. Don’t forbid it to them, for it is to those that the kingdom of God belongs » (Matthew, 19,14).
Saint Peter also mentioned the purity of children who accept , in complete confidence, whatever their parents give them to grow « in grace and wisdom ». « Wherefore putting aside all malice, and all guile, and dissimulations, and envies, and all detractions, as newborn babies, desire the spiritual milk, that thereby you may attain salvation » (1st Epistle of Saint Peter, ch 2, 1-2).
The holy humanity of Christ was given to Him by His mother so that « Jesus’ attitude, His charm, His refinement, His smile are similar to those of His Mother (RP Spicq, op). While dying on the cross, He entrusted His mother to us and therefore, if we are willing to accept it, He shares this maternal love with us. Thus, any offence towards Christ also offends His Mother, Our Mother, and, inversely any offence towards Our Lady also offends Jesus and offends God in His Holy Trinity.
« He is like the blasphemer who abandons his father, he is cursed by the Lord the one who irritates his mother » (Ecclesiastic 3,16). This old say reflects our society which, through many ways, forgets, rejects or even mocks the model of perfect life given to us by Our Lady.
An interior life under God’s gaze is the sole way to gradually attain the fulfilment of the human nature. Then our interior life will continue to grow for our greater good and for the good of our fellows. Then we shall see the numerous fruits of the sanctifying grace received on the day of our baptism and increased by the reception of the other sacraments. Saint Theresa of Lisieux, who was much troubled by her mother’s death, is an example often mentioned.
Children, who are frail creatures, learn from what surrounds them and from those who teach them. In Fatima, as in almost all the places where She appeared, Our Lady spoke to children and asked them to deliver Her messages. She taught them that prayer is the link between Heaven and earth and that prayer permits them to express their love for God, for Jesus and for Herself. We all know that children’s prayers are very pleasing to God. Many people will be able to testify the generosity and capacity of children to talk to God. Their spirit, still free of ties, feels His presence even in very simple things like nature or a smile. By conveying to them, from an early age, the love of Our Lady, those whose mission is to develop their minds, help them to keep their natural qualities of humility, purity, sweetness and charity. Then they will become adults, much concerned about the common good, and following the examples of Jesus and Our Lady. What we learn on our parents’ lap remains engraved forever…
So we need not be surprised when, on 29th May 1930, Our Lord insistently asked Sister Lucia to offer prayers and sacrifices in reparation for everything that promotes and develops, in children’s hearts, indifference, despise or even hatred towards Our Lady, Our Immaculate Mother.
Our Lord told Saint Faustina (1905-1938), a Polish mystic nun, called « the apostle of divine mercy » : «Please bring me gentle and humble souls as well as those of children : immerse them in the ocean of my mercy. They are similar to my heart and they have fortified me during my painful agony. I saw them as if they were earthly angels. To them I shall give many graces because my graces can only be given to humble souls. I place my trust in those souls ».
So let us continue and try to protect the souls of children and help those who look after them to do so.
For all children who have not yet received the sacrament of Baptism, that gives them Sanctifying Grace, necessary to increase their love for God, Our Lady of Fatima, Mother of Divine Grace, pray for them.
For children who suffer spiritually, emotionally or physically, Our Lady of Fatima, Mother admirable, pray for them.
May God help all those who are responsible for children’s souls (parents, clergy and teachers) so that they may also live as children of God and be witness to His love. Our Lady of Fatima, Mother of Good Counsel, pray for them.