Episode Transcript  

One

Fatima

Today we celebrate the memorial of the apparitions of Mary in Fátima, Portugal, which took place between May 13th and October 13th, 1917. During these months, Mary appeared to three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta, and Lúcia, culminating in the Miracle of the Sun, witnessed by more than 70,000 people.

On July 13th, 1917, Our Lady entrusted the children with a secret divided into three parts: The First Part was a terrifying vision of hell, revealing that eternal separation from God is real and that souls can choose it through unrepentant grave sin. This confirms the teaching of the Catechism (CCC 1033, 1037) that hell is a consequence of freely rejecting God’s love and mercy.

The Second Part revealed God’s plan to save souls from damnation, "To save them," Our Lady said, "God wishes to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace." She promised with certainty: "In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph."

The Third Part presented a vision of an angel with a flaming sword, poised to set the world on fire, a powerful symbol of the looming threat of global self-destruction caused by sin. Yet this disaster can be averted by the intervention of Our Lady, if we answer her call to conversion, prayer, and penance.

Two

Third Part of the Secret 

As I said, the Third Part of the Secret of Fátima revealed a vision of an angel with a flaming sword, poised to set the world on fire, a vivid symbol of the self-destruction humanity will bring upon itself if it does not turn back from sin. Sin inevitably leads to ruin, both personal and global. Yet this catastrophe can be averted through the intervention of Our Lady, if we respond to her urgent call to conversion, prayer, and penance.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger interpreted this vision as a profound warning and a summons to action. He explained that the angel with the flaming sword represents the judgment looming over the world, particularly through human-made means capable of immense destruction. Against this threat stand two powerful forces: the intercession of the Mother of God and the faithful who heed her call.

Ratzinger stressed that the future is not predetermined. It hinges on our response. If we embrace conversion, prayer, and penance, a future of hope awaits us. If we ignore her message, we will suffer the consequences of our own rebellion. The vision is not a fixed prophecy but a call to responsibility, a summons to mobilize the forces of change.

So, what is Our Lady asking? "To save the world," Our Lady said, "God wishes to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart.” That means: consecrate yourself to Her and live a personal relationship with her as a little child depending on its mother and commit yourself to prayer, especially the Rosary, because prayer, time in friendship with God, and reflection upon one’s own life leads to conversion. 

On the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Mass and Confession with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Take responsibility and gather your loved ones and friends around Mary in prayer.  

Three

Medjugorje 

There is a very important link between Fatima and Medjugorje. St. John Paul II said, “Medjugorje is the continuation of Fatima, it is the completion of Fatima.” (Slovimir Oder, Why He is a Saint p. 169)

From June 25th, 1981, to the present, until this very day, Mary has been appearing to six people from a small village in Bosnia-Herzegovina called Medjugorje. On September 19th, 2024, the Vatican, through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, gave Medjugorje a nihil obstat, the highest positive evaluation possible under the new guidelines. This means the faithful can freely engage in devotion and pilgrimage, and Bishops and priests are encouraged to accompany pilgrims pastorally.

The essence of Our Lady's Message at Medjugorje is a call to conversion by the “Five Stones,” a reference to the stones by which David slew Goliath. The first stone is the Holy Mass. Our Lady says, “Let Mass be your life.” And “May the Mass, the most exalted and most powerful act of prayer, be the center of your spiritual life.” (August 2, 2008) The second stone is Prayer, especially the daily Rosary. But we must pray with the heart, that is, make the Rosary a real meditation on the Word of God.  That is the reason for the Third Stone: to read and meditate on the Word of God, the Bible, every day. The fourth stone is the call of Our Lady to go to Confession once a month. The fifth stone is fasting.

Our Lady asks for a bread and water fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. But Our Lady accepts alternatives. I think we need to fast from the two things that keep us from Jesus in daily prayer and more frequent reception of the Eucharist: busyness that comes from overcommitment and our addiction to entertainment. Fast from these, and you will have lots of time and desire for the Eucharist and prayer.   

Four

The Secrets of Medjugorje

At Medjugorje, Our Lady is to give each of the visionaries ten secrets to be revealed to the world. Mirjana, Jakov, and Ivanka have received all ten secrets, Marija, Vicka, and Ivan have received nine secrets. Our Lady still appears to them at 6:40 pm every day, wherever they are. The first two secrets are warnings that invite conversion before it is too late. The third secret is a sign of hope. A supernatural, permanent, and indestructible sign on Apparition Hill where she first appeared. 

Each of the ten secrets will be revealed to the world this way: ten days before the date of the event foretold in the secret, Mirjana is to tell the priest that has already been chosen what will happen and when. Mirjana and the priest are to pray and fast for seven days. Then, three days before the event, the priest will reveal the secret to the world.

December 15th, 1983, Our Lady said, “I have always said that chastisement will come if the world does not convert. Therefore, I call everyone to conversion. Everything depends on your conversion.”

Five

A Call to Conversion

At the heart of the messages of Fátima and Medjugorje is a burning call: return to God before it is too late.

On Friday, April 25th, 2025, Our Lady spoke with urgency and tenderness, "Dear children! The winds of unrest, selfishness, and sin are sweeping through many hearts and leading them into restlessness and ruin. That is why I am calling you, little children, return to God and to prayer so that it may go well for you—both in your hearts and in the land in which you live. I love you, little children, and that is why I do not tire of calling you to conversion."

Our Lady has given us a clear plan for our ongoing conversion: Daily meditation on the Word of God in the Rosary. Meditation isn’t complete until it leads to a practical resolution, something specific we will do today to live more faithfully to God’s Word. So, we need a resolution every day if we are going to grow in virtue. Every day, we need to do a brief examination of conscience. Take a few minutes to look back over the last twenty-four hours and honestly examine our thoughts, words, and actions, what we have done or what we have failed to do. Remember, Our Lady has asked us to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month. 

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

• If you have not already, commit to thirty minutes of daily meditation, sitting in silence with the Word of God.

• On the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Mass and Confession with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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