Our Lady of Fatima!

May 13 is the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. It is an apparition for our time because Our Lady appeared to 3 shepherd children in Portugal on May 13, 1917. All three of the children have gone on to be with the Lord. Jacinta and Francisco died shortly after the apparitions ended, but Lucia lived as a religious sister until her death in 2005. This day also offers a special remembrance because it was 30 years ago that Blessed John Paul II was shot in Saint Peter's Square. I remember being in 5th grade at the time and the teacher brought a television in so we could watch the news coverage. It was a lot different back then in 1981 because there were not 24 hour news channels, no internet or twitter, just the network news outlets but they broke in to cover this story. As Pope John Paul II would say later that it was a maternal hand that guided the path of the bullet because no major areas were hit. A year later, 1982, Pope John Paul II made a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and had the bullet that was removed placed in the crown of the giant statue of Mary. Definitely a powerful true story and that is why Blessed John Paul II had as his motto, "Totus Tuus," "All Yours." We are in the hands of God and we have our Blessed Mother watching over us always. Today we have many powerful intercessors to help us in our journey of life and faith: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Jacinta, Blessed Francisco, and Blessed John Paul II. All blesseds who have left us an example of faith, hope, love, and trust. May their intercession be with us this day and everyday! Peace!!!