Sunday Mass procession at Fatima last Sunday, during our parish pilgrimage One hundred years ago today Our Lady appeared for the last time at Fatima, providing a miracle seen by more people than any prodigy in human history. The Miracle of the Sun was meant, however, to point to the message she gave the children over her six apparitions. What is that message? Prayer, Penance, and Adoration. Many today are receiving this message, thanks be to God.
Last Saturday the Cathedral in San Francisco was packed as we have never seen, all waiting for the Archbishop to consecrate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The faith of most Catholics has become alarmingly anemic in the last few generations, too weak to save our souls or even affect our daily lives. In centuries past the Catholic faith built a peaceful civil order in Europe, but now is powerless to prevent society from unraveling at the edges. What civil leader or culture-shaper takes the Catholic faith seriously today? Like many priests, I am tempted to give up, but Our Lady gave us hope at Fatima. She said “Pray to Our Lady of the Rosary, for only she can help you.” The only hope for my parish and my archdiocese, and my personal life, is surrender to God’s will through her Immaculate Heart.
Archbishop Cordileone preached a powerful message at the Consecration Mass last Saturday. Here are his three main points. “Our Lady at Fatima called the children to prayer, penance, and adoration. I repeat that call to you: I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to pray the rosary every day, as she asked, and the family rosary once a week. I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to fast every Friday of the year, as she asked, giving up some food such as meat, or drink, or sweet, or even a whole meal. I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to adore silently before the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus once a week, as she asked--fifteen minutes, a half hour, and hour. I am calling every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to these simple but most effective practices, as Our Lady asked, for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world. Only she can help us.”
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's complete Consecration Mass homily may be found here.
Last Saturday the Cathedral in San Francisco was packed as we have never seen, all waiting for the Archbishop to consecrate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The faith of most Catholics has become alarmingly anemic in the last few generations, too weak to save our souls or even affect our daily lives. In centuries past the Catholic faith built a peaceful civil order in Europe, but now is powerless to prevent society from unraveling at the edges. What civil leader or culture-shaper takes the Catholic faith seriously today? Like many priests, I am tempted to give up, but Our Lady gave us hope at Fatima. She said “Pray to Our Lady of the Rosary, for only she can help you.” The only hope for my parish and my archdiocese, and my personal life, is surrender to God’s will through her Immaculate Heart.
Archbishop Cordileone preached a powerful message at the Consecration Mass last Saturday. Here are his three main points. “Our Lady at Fatima called the children to prayer, penance, and adoration. I repeat that call to you: I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to pray the rosary every day, as she asked, and the family rosary once a week. I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to fast every Friday of the year, as she asked, giving up some food such as meat, or drink, or sweet, or even a whole meal. I call every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to adore silently before the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus once a week, as she asked--fifteen minutes, a half hour, and hour. I am calling every Catholic in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to these simple but most effective practices, as Our Lady asked, for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world. Only she can help us.”
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's complete Consecration Mass homily may be found here.
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