My God,
I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You.
I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.
This short, simple, powerful prayer, led by an angel, was given to three young peasant children in Fatima, Portugal in the spring of 1916. It was the first apparition, which heralded coming occasions of messages from Mary, the Mother of God.
Our Lady of Fatima, during 1916 and 1917 would appear to the young children, giving them numerous messages. She reiterated her title of Our Lady of the Rosary at this time, and encouraged daily recitation of the Rosary.
In honor of the 100th Anniversary of the apparitions, EWTN has catalogued and categorized perhaps the most extensive information regarding these apparitions, and given some insight into background of the visionaries, and messages.
I have fallen in love with the above prayer.
Not everyone is going to believe – in God, in His love, in His mercy, in His being. Not everyone is going to be open to His teachings, His messages throughout history, or in getting to know Him.
But, as for me, I believe.
I believe God loves all of us, and wants us to join Him in Heaven someday. So, He sends messages throughout various periods of time to encourage us … and to warn us. This belief also requires I share God’s messages – through my words, thoughts, and actions.
Much like the words to the Tantum Ergo, when my belief falters, or when my brain fails to understand or comprehend, I have faith and hope … hope I am doing the right thing, and hope in God’s eternal goodness, love, mercy, and compassion.
When I see the little white Host, consecrated in the Mass, I believe that is truly Jesus – His Body and Blood, ready, there and waiting for all of us. When I struggle to understand the complex mystery contained in the Eucharist, that is where I must place my trust – that is when I must have hope – in His words, in His actions, and in His Body and Blood.
For, as Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is credited with saying,
Our Lady of Fatima points us to her Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior!
She points us in the direction of God – as our loving Father, a merciful Son (both human and Divine), and a Holy Spirit eager to reveal Himself to us.
Our Lady of Fatima encourages us to maintain belief, adoration, hope, and love for our loving Father, as He loves us!
Therefore, in celebration of Our Lady of Fatima’s messages, I am honored to be linking up with the author of the blog Not So Formulaic and the creative designer at My Little Felt Friends for a raffle giveaway of a small Our Lady of Fatima doll. This doll, a great little reminder of Our Lady for any age, can be placed on a mantle, or in the loving hands of a little one, to help them learn about Our Lady and her example, wisdom, and words. Simply click here and follow the directions; the more directions you follow, the more entries are entered into the drawing!
Also, be sure to “like” my Facebook Page A Beautiful, Camouflaged Mess of A Life, find me on Twitter @BeautifulCamoMe, and follow me on Instagram.
**Please share this post, so others have an opportunity to win the prize!**
I love that prayer, and I love what you say here! She does point us to our son – we just have to follow!
Thank you! I may be in the process of committing that prayer to memory now… 😊