MARY'S CALL to PRAYER AND PENANCE

by Pope John Paul II

The following is taken from the Homily by Pope John Paul II at Fatima, May 13, 1982, one year to the day after the attempt on his life in St. Peter's square in Rome.

... In the light of the mystery of Mary's spiritual motherhood, let us seek to understand the extraordinary message, which began May 13, 1917, to resound throughout the world from Fatima, continuing for five months until October 13 of the same year.

Convert and repent

The Church has always taught and continues to proclaim that God's revelation was brought to completion in Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of that revelation, and that "no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord." (Dei Verbum, 4) The Church evaluates and judges private revelations by the criterion of conformity with that single public revelation.

If the Church has accepted the message of Fatima, it is, above all, because that message contains a truth and a call whose basic content is the truth and the call of the Gospel itself.

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel!" (Mk 1:15) These are the first words that the messiah addressed to humanity. The message of Fatima is, in its basic nucleus, a call to conversion and repentance, as in the Gospel. This call was uttered at the beginning of the 20th century and it was thus addressed particularly to this present century. The Lady of the message seems to have read with special insight the "signs of the times," the signs of our time.

Recommends the Rosary

The call to repentance is a motherly one. At the same time it is strong and decisive. The love that "rejoices in the truth" (1 Cor. 13) is capable of being clear-cut and firm. The call to repentance is linked, as always, with a call to prayer. In harmony with the tradition of many centuries, the Lady of the message indicates the Rosary, which can rightly be defined as "Mary's prayer," the prayer in which she feels particularly united with us.

She herself prays with us. The Rosary prayer embraces the problems of the Church, of the See of Saint Peter, the problems of the whole world. In it we also remember sinners, that they may be converted and saved, and the souls in purgatory.

The words of the message were addressed to children, ages seven to ten. Children, like Bernadette of Lourdes, are particularly privileged in these apparitions of the Mother of God. Hence, the fact that also her language is simple, within the limits of their understanding. The children of Fatima became partners in dialogue with the Lady of the message and collaborators with her. One of them is still living.

When Jesus on the Cross said: "Woman, behold, your son," (Jn 19:26) in a new way He opened His mother's Heart, the Immaculate Heart, and revealed to it the new dimensions and extent of the love to which she was called in the Holy Spirit by the power of the sacrifice of the Cross....

In the light of a mother's love, we understand the whole message of the Lady of Fatima. The greatest obstacle to man's journey toward God is sin, perseverance in sin and, finally, denial of God. The deliberate blotting out of God from the world of human thought. The detachment from Him of the whole of man's earthly activity. The rejection of God by man.

In reality, the eternal salvation of man is only in God. Man's rejection of God, if it becomes definitive, leads logically to God's rejection of man, to damnation. (Mt. 7:23;10:33)

Can the Mother, who . . . desires everyone's salvation, keep silence on what undermines the very basis of their salvation? No, she cannot.

So, while the message of Our Lady of Fatima is a motherly one, it is also strong and decisive. It sounds severe. It sounds like John the Baptist speaking on the banks of the Jordan. It invites to repentance. It gives a warning. It calls to prayer. It recommends the Rosary.

The message is addressed to every human being. The love of the Savior's Mother reaches every place touched by the work of salvation. Her care extends to every individual of our time and to all the societies, nations and peoples. Societies menaced by apostasy, threatened by moral degradation. The collapse of morality involves the collapse of societies.

Meaning of consecration

. . . . The heart of the Blessed Mother . . . calls us. She not only calls us to be converted; she calls us to accept her motherly help to return to the source of redemption.

Consecrating ourselves to Mary means accepting her help to offer ourselves and the whole of mankind to Him who is holy, infinitely holy. . . .

God's holiness showed itself in the redemption of man, of the world, of the whole of mankind, and of the nations: a redemption brought about through the Sacrifice of the Cross. "For their sake I consecrate myself," Jesus had said. (Jn 17:19)

By the power of the redemption the world and man have been consecrated. They have been consecrated to Him who is infinitely Holy. They have been offered and entrusted to Love itself, merciful Love.

The Mother of Christ calls us, invites us to join with the Church of the living God in the consecration of the world. In this act . . . mankind as a whole, the nations and each individual person are presented to the Eternal Father with the power of the redemption won by Christ. They are offered in the Heart of the Redeemer which was pierced on the Cross.

Rooted in the Gospel

The appeal of the Lady of the message of Fatima is so deeply rooted in the Gospel and the whole of Tradition that the Church feels that the message imposes a commitment on it.

It has responded through the Servant of God, Pius XII (whose episcopal ordination took place precisely on May 13, 1917), who consecrated the human race and especially the peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Was not that consecration his response to. . . the call of Fatima?

In its dogmatic Constitution on the Church and its pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, the Second Vatican Council amply illustrated the reasons for the link between the Church and the world of today.

Furthermore, its teaching on Mary's special place in the mystery of Christ and the Church bore mature fruit in Paul VI's action in calling Mary "Mother of the Church," thus indicating more profoundly the nature of her union with the Church and of her care for the world, for mankind, for each human being and for all the nations. . . .

This brought a further deepening of understanding of the meaning of the act of consecrating that the Church is called upon to perform with the help of the heart of Christ's mother and ours.

Many going astray

Today John Paul II, successor of Peter, continuer of the work of Pius, John, and Paul, and in particular heir of the Second Vatican Council, presents himself before the Mother of the Son of God in her shrine at Fatima. In what way does he come?

He presents himself, reading again with trepidation the motherly call to penance, to conversion, the ardent appeal of the Heart of Mary that resounded at Fatima in 1917. Yes, he reads it again with trepidation in his heart, because he sees how many people and societies - how many Christians - have gone in the opposite direction to the one indicated in the message of Fatima.

Sin has thus made itself firmly at home in the world and denial of God has become widespread in the ideologies, ideas and plans of human beings.

For this very reason the evangelical call to repentance and conversion, uttered in the Mother's message, remains ever relevant. It is still more relevant than it was in 1917. It is still more urgent.

The successor of Peter presents himself here also as a witness to the immensity of human suffering, a witness to the almost apocalyptic menaces looking over the nations and mankind as a whole. He is trying to embrace these sufferings with his own weak human heart, as he places himself before the mystery of the Heart of the Mother, the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In the name of these sufferings and with awareness of the evil that is spreading throughout the world and menacing the individual human being, the nations, mankind as a whole, Peter's successor presents himself here with greater faith in the redemption of the world, in the saving Love that is always stronger, always more powerful than any evil.

My heart is oppressed when I see the sin of the world and the whole range of menaces gathering like a dark cloud over mankind, but it also rejoices with hope as I once more do what has been done by my predecessors, when they consecrated the world to the Heart of the Mother, when they consecrated to that Heart those peoples which particularly need to be consecrated. Doing this means consecrating the world to Him who is infinite Holiness.

This Holiness means redemption. It means a love more powerful than evil. No "sin of the world" can ever overcome this Love.

Once more this act is being done, Mary's appeal is not for just once. Her appeal must be taken up by generation after generation, in accordance with the ever new "signs of the times." It must be unceasingly returned to. It must ever be taken up anew. . . .

Yes, truly we can repeat: "O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth . . . walking in the straight path before our God . . . you have avenged our ruin." (Judith 13:18-20)

Truly, indeed, you are blessed.

Yes, here and throughout the Church, in the heart of every individual and in the world as a whole may you be blessed, O Mary, our sweet Mother.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

FATIMA PRAYERS

TAUGHT BY THE ANGEL AT FATIMA (1916)

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, nor adore, nor hope, nor love You.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended. And, through the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of sinners.

TAUGHT BY OUR LADY AT FATIMA (1917)

Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament. (May 13, 1917)

(After each decade of the Rosary repeat the following) O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Your mercy! (June 13, 1917)

Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say often, especially whenever you make a sacrifice:
O Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (July 13, 1917)

HYMNS

1. MOTHER DEAR, O PRAY FOR ME Download .mid file
Mother dear, O pray for me!
While, far from heaven and thee,
I wander, in a fragile bark,
O'er life's tempestuous sea.
O Virgin Mother, from thy throne,
So bright in bliss above,
Protect thy child and cheer my path
With thy sweet smile of love.
Mother dear, remember me,
And never cease thy care,
'Till in heaven eternally
Thy love and bliss I share.

2. HAIL, HOLY QUEEN ENTHRONED ABOVE Download .mid file
Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above
O Maria!
Hail, Mother of Mercy and of love,
O Maria!
Triumph, all ye Cherubim,
Sing with us, ye Seraphim,
Heaven and earth resound the hymn:
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.
Our life, our sweetness here below, O Maria!
Our hope in sorrow and in woe
O Maria!

3. OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Dear Lady of Fatima
We come on bended knee
To beg your intercession
For peace and unity.
Dear Mary, won't you show us
The right and shining way.
We pledge our love and offer
You a Rosary each day.
You promised at Fatima
Each time you appeared
To help us if we pray to you
To banish war and fear.
Dear Lady, on First Saturdays
We ask your guiding hand
For grace and guidance
Here on earth
And protection for our land.

4. BRING FLOWERS OF THE RAREST
Bring flowers of the fairest,
Bring flowers of the rarest,
From garden and woodland
And hillside and vale;
Our full hearts are swelling,
Our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest
Rose of the vale.
O Mary, we crown thee
With blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels,
Queen of the May.
O Mary, we crown thee
With blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels,
Queen of the May.

5. PANIS ANGELICUS
Panis angelicus fit panis hominum
Dat panis coelicus figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis! Manducat Dominum
Pauper, servus, et humilis.
Te trina Deitas, unaque poscimus,
Sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus;
Per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus,
Ad lucem quam inhabitas.

6. STABAT MATER
At the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!

7. 'TIS THE MONTH OF OUR MOTHER
'Tis the month of Our Mother,
The blessed and beautiful days,
When our lips and our spirits,
Are glowing with love and with praise.
All hail! To dear Mary,
The guardian of our way,
To the fairest of Queens,
Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.
Oh! What peace to her children,
Mid sorrows and trials to know,
That the love of their Mother,
Hath ever a solace for woe.

8. AVE MARIA! O MAIDEN, O MOTHER
Ave Maria! O Maiden, O Mother,
Fondly thy children are calling on thee,
Thine are the graces
unclaimed by another,
Sinless and beautiful Star of the Sea.
Mater Amabilis, ora pro nobis!
Pray for thy children who call upon thee;
Ave Sanctissima! Ave purissima!
Sinless and beautiful Star of the Sea.

9. HAIL, QUEEN OF HEAVEN, THE OCEAN STAR
Hail, Queen of heaven, the Ocean Star,
Guide of the wanderer here below,
Thrown on life's surge, we claim thy care.
Save us from peril and from woe.
Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea,
Pray for the wanderer, pray for me.
O gentle, chaste and spotless maid
We sinners lift our prayers to thee.
Remind thy Son that He has paid
The price of our iniquity.
Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea,
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.

10. IMMACULATE MARY
Immaculate Mary,
Your praises we sing,
You reign now in splendor
With Jesus our King!
In heaven the blessed
Your glory proclaim.
On earth we your children
Invoke your sweet name.
We pray you, our Mother,
May God's will be done,
We pray for His glory,
May His kingdom come.
We pray for our Mother
The Church upon earth,
And bless, holy Mother,
The land of our birth.
O Queen of the Rosary,
Who reignest above,
Gold roses we give thee,
In token of love.
Immaculate Mother
Each sin is our loss,
O teach us true penance,
By carrying our cross.

11. 0 MOST HOLY ONE
O most holy one,
O most lowly one,
Loving virgin, Maria!
Mother, maid of fairest love,
Lady, Queen of all above,
Ora, ora pro nobis!
Virgin ever fair,
Mother, hear our prayer,
Look upon us, Maria!
Bring to us your treasure,
Grace beyond all measure,
Ora, ora pro nobis!

12. ON THIS DAY, O BEAUTIFUL MOTHER
On this day, O beautiful Mother,
On this day we give thee our love.
Near thee Madonna fondly we hover,
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.
On this day we ask to share,
Dearest Mother, thy sweet care;
Aid us ere our feet astray,
Wander from thy guiding way.
Queen of angels, deign to hear,
Lisping children's humble pray'r.
Young hearts gain, O Virgin pure,
Sweetly to thyself allure.

13. MOTHER DEAREST, MOTHER FAIREST
Mother dearest, Mother fairest,
Help of all who call on thee,
Virgin purest, brightest, rarest,
Help us, help, we cry to thee.
Mary help us, help we pray;
Mary help us, help we pray;
Help us in all care and sorrow,
Mary help us, help we pray.
Lady, help in pain and sorrow,
Soothe those racked on bed of pain.
May the golden light of morrow
Bring them health and joy again.

14. SILENT NIGHT
Silent night! Holy night
All is calm, all is bright!
Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

15. ADESTE, FIDELES
Adeste, fideles, laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem;
Natum videte, Regem angelorum.
Venite, adoremus, venite, adoremus;
Venite, adoremus Dominum.
Deum de Deo, Lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera;
Deum verum, genitum, no factum.

16. O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heav'n above:
Glory to God in the Highest;

17. 0 LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY
O Lord, I am not worthy,
That thou shouldst come to me.
But speak the words of comfort,
My spirit healed shall be.
And humbly I'll receive Thee,
The Bridegroom of my soul,
No more by sin to grieve Thee,
Or fly Thy sweet control.
O Sacrament most holy,
O Sacrament divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving,
Be every moment Thine!

18. 0 SALUTARIS HOSTIA
O Salutaris Hostia,
Quae coeli pandis ostium.
Bella premunt hostilia
Da robur, fer auxilium.
Uni Trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria.
Amen.

19. TANTUM ERGO
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui;
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui;
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio;
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. Amen
. Priest: Panem de coelo praestitisti eis.
People: Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

20. HOLY GOD WE PRAISE THY NAME
Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim.
All in heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
Hark the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising.
Cherubim and Seraphim
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord.
Fill the heavens with sweet accord
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord.

FATIMA PROCESSIONAL HYMN

  1. In Fatima's Cove on the thirteenth of May,
    The Virgin Maria appeared at midday.

    Chorus:

      Ave Ave Ave Maria
      Ave Ave Ave Maria.

  2. The Virgin Maria encircled with light,
    Our own dearest Mother, and Heaven's delight.

  3. The world was then suffering from war, plague and strife,
    And Portugal mourned for her great loss of life.

  4. To three little shepherds Our Lady appeared,
    The light of her grace - to her Son souls endeared.

  5. To those little shepherds - a message she gave,
    A message, if heeded, the whole world would save.

  6. With sweet Mother's pleading - she asked us to pray,
    Do penance, be modest, the Rosary each day.

  7. To save all poor souls - who had wandered astray,
    With sweet words of comfort, she asked us to pray.

  8. All hail, Virgin Mary, this star guides our way,
    Our country's protectress, America's way.

  9. We give you our heart, our life, and our will,
    We want you to use us to save sinners still.

  10. By honoring Mary - and loving her Son,
    The peace of the world - will most surely be won.

Our Lady's Promise

"I promise to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, recite the Rosary and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me." (Dec 10, 1925)

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