Both the cross and the crucifix are important symbols in the Catholic Faith. To non-Catholics these two may look similar but certain meaningful differences exist between them and these differences can mean a lot to Catholic devotees.

As a result, some Catholics may struggle in deciding whether to embrace a crucifix or just stick to a plain cross for use in their daily spiritual devotion.

What are the differences between a crucifix and a plain cross?

The cross is perhaps the most famous and widespread symbol in Christianity. It is used in Christian gatherings and messages. In Roman times, the cross was an instrument of torture and public humiliation. It is the equivalent of today’s death penalty in that hardened criminals were put to death by crucifixion.

Today, the cross has been adopted as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice. It evokes Jesus’ death and, more importantly, His resurrection.

In the Catholic Faith, the crucifix is a very common symbol which is a cross with the figure of Jesus Christ attached to it. It often has the word “INRI” written across the top. These letters are a shortened version of a phrase that translates to “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” These were the words which Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, ordered to have written on the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

Crucifix is derived from the Latin word cruci fixus which means “fixed to a cross.” It thus refers to an image of Jesus fixed to a cross which is distinct from a plain cross. The image of Jesus on the cross is referred to as the corpus which is the Latin word for body.

The Crucifix as a Sacramental

According to the Catholic catechism, the crucifix is a sacramental or a sacred symbol that the church instituted to prepare Catholics to receive God’s grace. A sacramental finds its power in the Paschal Mystery which is at the heart of the Catholic Faith.

The Paschal Mystery is closely tied to the history of salvation and is centered on the mission of Jesus Christ on earth which is His passion, death and eventual resurrection. Many Catholic devotees gaze reverently upon the crucifix while praying in order to remember Jesus’ great sacrifice and evoke feelings of love, trust, faith and devotion.

For Catholics, the crucifix captures the great sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. It is a symbol of salvation and Christ’s ultimate act to atone for the sins of the world. The crucifix also represents Jesus’ mission to reconcile our relationship with God. It is a very profound emblem that demonstrates God’s ultimate power to overcome sin and death.

With the crucifix, we are reminded of the Lord’s promise of salvation and grace which we can receive by turning to him. We would not have the gift of salvation without Christ’s crucifixion and we would not have the miracle of resurrection if Jesus had not died on the cross.

The Crucifix vs. the Plain Cross

According to Catholic author Patrick Madrid, Catholics use the crucifix instead of the plain cross because the cross only has meaning because Jesus Christ died on it to save us. The crucifix is an important symbol used in many Catholic traditions. It is prominently used during Mass which is a profound celebration in the Catholic Faith.

We can also see the crucifix used in Mass processions. It is often affixed to a staff and put at the center of the altar. Crucifixes are also featured during Holy Week. Aside from the church and public places, we can also see and use the crucifix in our daily lives. We put them in our homes and wear them as necklaces as a symbol of our faith and devotion.

Pope Francis reminds us not to simply wear or use crucifix to show our religious affiliation. It is so much more than that. We should look beyond the symbol and remember the meaning behind it which is Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross for our salvation.

At the end of the day, it’s not really about choosing which is better. This is not about whether the crucifix or the cross is more meaningful or powerful. These things are just representations of our faith and reminders of what is at the core of our faith.

We are not simply embracing the crucifix or the cross, we are embracing God as the king of our lives. When we accept God’s sovereignty, we repent and acknowledge our sinfulness but more importantly we embrace the fact that Jesus died so that we may live for Him. These are the things to keep in mind when wearing and using Catholic symbols.

How do you use the crucifix or cross in your spiritual walk? What meaning does it have in your life?

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​We as stewards of God’s creation must look into the Catholic social teaching on the environment so that we can understand the role we play in addressing its issues. Now more than ever we are confronted by many pressing environmental problems. We hear about global temperatures rising, with the year 2016 said to be the warmest year on record, ice sheets melting and many species of animals going extinct.

To know what the Catholic perspective on the environment is all about, we must first learn about Catholic social teaching.

What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Being a part of the Catholic Faith is not just limited to our spiritual journeys as individuals. It also includes being aware and responsible of the needs of the other members of our community. This is where Catholic social teaching comes in.

Catholic social teaching is an important part of the Catholic Faith. At the heart of it is the essential truth that the Triune God is communal and social. Our Heavenly Father gave us His only son Jesus Christ and He lets the Holy Spirit touch our lives. Those of us who claim to be God’s children must therefore embody this community-centered outlook and look at the bigger picture when making decisions.

In Biblical times, Hebrew prophets spread the message of God’s love especially to those who are needy. The prophets also encouraged people to unite in a covenant of love and justice. It should not be any different today. We must ignite in our hearts a deep love for our neighbors and the community in which we belong. Our outlook must always be that of love and justice.

What is the Catholic perspective on the environment?

“A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. . . Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” - Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home

The Catholic Church teaches us that nature is a gift.

We have a responsibility to care for that gift not just for our own good but for the good of future generations.

We live in a world that is becoming increasingly selfish and shortsighted. Individuals and organizations are driven toward progress and advancement without consideration of the common good.

In many ways, this is the reason why our environment has been significantly destroyed and the consequences of climate change loom before us. We have lost sight of our social nature and become obsessed with pursuing our individual needs even if it makes others suffer. This kind of mentality goes against the very core of what it means to be a child of God.

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these. Mark 12:30-31

We need to remember that we are made in the image and likeness of our Heavenly Father. Because of this we have a responsibility to follow His commands, chief of which is loving our neighbors.

When we put love and compassion at the core of what we do, we take a more social approach in our every decision and this includes choices pertaining to the environment. If we truly love our neighbors it should follow that we exert utmost care for our planet because it is our shared home.

The environmental crisis we face today is just one of the many manifestations of our disregard for the needs of others. We need to be more conscious and careful of every decision we make and keep in mind its possible effects on the future generation. Every choice we make impacts not only ourselves but every person we share our home with.

Practical Ways We Can Protect the Environment

The global environmental crisis we face today is a complex one that does not have one single solution. Ultimately, we as stewards of creation have a part to play in caring for the environment.

Each and every one of us must do our part in protecting our planet. There are many things we can do to make this possible. Here are 5 practical suggestions to get you started:

1. Use energy efficient appliances

Consider upgrading your fridge and air-conditioner if they are more than five years old. Newer ones are more efficient than old models. When shopping for new appliances like freezers, heaters and furnaces, be on the lookout for the Energy Star label.

2. Choose your car wisely

The car you drive is perhaps the most impactful climate-related decision you will make. For every gallon of gasoline, you use 25 pounds of heat-trapping gases is released into the atmosphere. So, when purchasing a car, go for the one that is most fuel efficient model. Better fuel mileage will not only help address the issue of global warming, it will save you thousands of dollars.

3. Invest in an electricity monitor

An electricity monitor is useful for identifying which appliances and devices in your house consumes the most energy. From there you can decide to whether minimize usage, upgrade to more energy efficient models or discard the item. You may buy an electricity monitor from hardware stores.

4. Watch what you eat

A big part of the world’s emissions is caused by the food industry. To be more ecologically conscious eaters, we can start by cutting down on our meat intake. Livestock uses up 30 percent of our world’s land area and another 33 percent is used to produce animal feed.Another solution is to buy food produced by local organic farmers and food shops. This is not only healthy, it will also help decrease the pollution caused by

5. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Become a more conscious shopper. Instead of buying and hoarding new things, look for ways to use old things you have. Recycling is a simple yet effective way of decreasing wastes we send to landfills and combustion facilities.

As Christian stewards, we must let our love for others and our concern for the planet transform us from the inside.

In what ways do you protect the environment?

Saint Benedict is the patron saint of monks and poison sufferers. Benedict was the founder of Western monasticism, and wrote a set of guidelines for monks to follow. Many opposed his Benedictine principles, and he was once given a goblet of poison, which he blessed and made safe. He is buried with his twin sister, Saint Scholastica.

Prayer to Saint Benedict

God our Father, You
made St. Benedict an
outstanding guide to teach
men how to live in Your
service.
Grant that by preferring
Your love to everything else,
we may walk in the way of
your commandments.
Grant this through Christ
our Lord. Amen.​

Prayer to St. Benedict

Dear St. Benedict, you are a
"blessing" indeed, as your
name indicates. Practicing what
you preached, you founded the
monastic tradition of the West by
joining prayer to labor for
God - both liturgical and private
prayer. Help all religious to
follow their Rule and be true to
their vocation. May they labor
and pray for the world to the
greater glory of God.

God our Father, You made St.
Benedict an outstanding
guide to teach men who to live
in Your service, Grant that by
preferring Your love to every-
thing else, we may walk in the
way of Your commandments.

We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

The Counter Reformation was a period of spiritual, moral and intellectual revival which the Catholic Church engaged with in response to the Protest Reformation. Sometimes called the Catholic Revival or Catholic Reformation, this movement began in 1545 during the start of the Council of Trent and ended in 1648 during the end of the Thirty Years’ War.

The Roots of the Catholic Reformation

During the 14th century, the Catholic Church became affected by the increasingly secular culture that defined the Renaissance Era. To promote the preaching of the gospel and encourage people to return to Catholic morality, the Church reformed many of its religious orders including the Benedictines, Cistercians and Franciscans. However, many deep seated problems that threatened the very structure of the Church still existed.

In 1512, the Fifth Lateran Council initiated a series of reforms for secular priests. These priests were clergy who were part of a regular diocese rather than a religious order. The council resulted in one highly influential convert, Alexander Farnese, the cardinal who would become Pope Paul III in 1534.

Before the Fifth Lateran Council, Cardinal Farnese had lived a compromised way of life. He kept a mistress for many years with whom he had four children. The council motivated him to change his way of life just before Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation.

The Council of Trent

The Catholic world was shaken to the core in 1517 when Martin Luther wrote his 95 Theses. In response to the ensuing unrest, Pope Paul III convened the Council of Trent from 1545 to 1563. The purpose of the council was to defend major Catholic Faith doctrines that Luther and later protestants attacked.

Martin Luther

The council was also established to address many structural problems that existed within the Church. One such problem included popes like Cardinal Farnese who were notorious for their scandalous lifestyles and others such as those who came from the Medici Family of Florence. A significant number of bishops and priests had started to follow their negative precedents.

The Council of Trent introduced new intellectual and spiritual disciplines designed to help future generations of priests to live morally upright lives and not commit the same sins as their predecessors. These reforms shaped the modern seminary system which is still in practice today.

The council also put an end to the practice of appointing secular rulers as bishops as well as the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther had used the latter as a reason to attack the Church’s teachings about Purgatory.

The Council of Trent also resulted in the creation of a new catechism which clarified the teachings of the Catholic Church and called for reforms in mass. Pope Pius V who succeeded as pope three years after the council ended made these reforms in Catholic Mass. The Mass of Pope Pius V, known today as the Traditional Latin Mass, is thus considered one of the significant products of the Counter Reformation.

New Religious Orders and Political Events

Aside from reforming existing religious orders and the products of the Council of Trent, the Catholic Reformation caused many new religious orders to emerge. The most famous of these orders was the Society of Jesus, commonly known today as the Jesuits.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

The Society of Jesus was founded by St. Ignatius Loyola and approved by Pope Paul III in 1540. The Jesuits practiced the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and also adopted a special vow of obedience to the pope which ensured their theological orthodoxy.

The Jesuits quickly became an influential order and a powerful religious and intellectual force, founding many seminaries, schools and universities around the world. They were also responsible for paving the way for missionary work beyond Europe, particularly in Asia, Canada, South America and the Upper Midwest of the United States.

Established in 1542, the Roman Inquisition became the chief enforcer of Catholic doctrine during the Counter Reformation. The Italian Jesuit and cardinal St. Robert Bellarmine was a key figure in the Inquisition. His significant contributions include his efforts to reconcile Galileo’s scientific views and the Church’s teachings and his role in the trial of Giordano Bruno.

The Counter Reformation also shaped the political climate of the times. One major political charged incident was the sinking of the Spanish Armada in 1588 which was the response of Protestant Queen Elizabeth I against Philip II, the Catholic King of Spain, who plotted to aggressively reinstate the Catholic religion in England. The rise of Protestantism was also directly tied to the rise of the nation states.

Important Figures of the Catholic Reformation

Many people shaped the course of the Catholic Reformation. Some of the most important figures of this time include St. Charles Borromeo, St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.

Saint Charles Borromeo

Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint John of the Cross

St. Charles Borromeo, the cardinal-archbishop of Milan, lived between 1538 to 1584. He founded seminaries and schools across Northern Italy and journeyed throughout the area to visit parishes and preach. He also inspired priests under his authority to stay committed to a life of holiness.

St. Francis de Sales was the bishop of Geneva who lived between 1567 to 1622. By living out the principle of “preaching the Truth in charity,” he was able to win back many Calvinists and get them back to the Catholic Faith. His efforts also focused on keeping Catholics faithful in the church by preaching and calling them to live a devout life. He encouraged people to make prayer, meditation and scripture reading a part of their daily lives.

St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross were both doctors of the Church who were responsible for reforming the Carmelite Order. They called Catholics to deeper prayer and genuine commitment to the will of God.

Saint John the Baptist is an important figure not just in the Catholic Faith but in different world religions. The patron saint of baptism, bird dealers, converts, lambs, monastics, printers, tailors and more, he is honored as a priest, prophet, saint and a forerunner of Jesus Christ. The exemplary life and ministry of John the Baptist offers a treasure trove of lessons for how we can live as Christians and practice our Catholic Faith. Let us revisit his story so that we may glean insights from his example.

Miraculous Birth

Saint John the Baptist was born in the late first century BC somewhere in Judea. His birth was nothing less than miraculous because his mother, Elizabeth, was too old to bear children.

The Angel Gabriel visited Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, and gave them the good news that they would have a son and that they are to name him John. Zachariah did not believe this was possible and for this lack of faith he was rendered mute. He only spoke again when his son was born and named John, all in fulfilment of God’s will.

When Mary visited Elizabeth while she was still pregnant with John the Baptist, John leaped in her womb. Elizabeth then realized that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, the Son of God.

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, she cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  Luke 1:39-45

The Ministry of John the Baptist

John the Baptist was well known as a contemporary of Jesus Christ. He was well known for his public ministry which began around 30 AD. He was active in the region of the lower Jordan Valley and would attract large crowds across the province of Judea and the Jordan River.

John the Baptist wore a camel hair robe which was the traditional clothing of the prophets. He also ate locusts and wild honey which either represented his strict compliance to Jewish Purity Laws or the ascetic lifestyle of the Nazarites.

The message that John the Baptist preached was that God’s judgement upon the world was imminent and to prepare for this coming judgment, people must repent their sins, be baptized and live virtuously.

He had a close inner circle of disciples who followed his teaching and his followers stood out for their devoted fasting and special prayers.

The Baptism of Jesus Christ

Jesus went to John the Baptist in the River Jordan in order to be baptized. After the baptism of Jesus, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son,* with whom I am well pleased.”  Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus considered John the Baptist the last and greatest of the prophets and as someone who foresaw the coming of God’s kingdom.

The Death of Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist became even more popular after he baptized Jesus Christ. This alarmed King Herod, the ruler of Galilee and central Transjordan, who ordered the prophet to be arrested and imprisoned.

John spoke against Herod’s marriage to Herodias, his half-brother’s divorced wife, after divorcing his own first wife, the daughter of King Aretas IV of the Nabataeans. This was illegal in light of Jewish Law. John’s condemnation of Herod’s marriage presented a political threat as Herod feared that this would stir his subjects to oppose him.

John the Baptist was beheaded sometime between 33 and 36 AD. This happened after Herod asked his daughter, Salome, to make any request. As revenge for John the Baptist’s condemnation of her mother’s marriage, Salome asked for John’s head.

The feast day of John the Baptist is June 24 and the anniversary of his death is on August 29.

Lessons from the Story of Saint John the Baptist

John’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ is something that all of us should emulate. He could have believed and worshipped in any other pagan gods before Jesus’ arrival and yet he remained steadfast in his faith that the one true Messiah was coming. He remained faithful in the midst of doubt and possible persecution from people who did not share his beliefs.

John’s mission and ministry are also inspiring reminders that we should live out our faith.

The good news of salvation must be preached and practiced not just on Sundays but in every second of our lives.

We must be good examples to the people around us. Our lives are our ministry and a testament of how deep our faith truly is.

Do you light candles after you say your Catholic prayers? Whenever you go to mass, do you notice the religious statues and beautiful paintings that adorn the church? Have you ever wondered what these artifacts and traditions mean and what value they hold to our faith?

Why do we use statues, paintings and light candles?

We use statues, paintings and other artistic creations and artifacts to bring to mind the person or thing that is being represented in them. Some of us like looking at photographs of our mothers to remember her and the different memories we have together. In the same way, it helps us bring to mind the image of Jesus Christ and the saints and their deeds when we look at images that depict them.

Throughout the years, Catholics have also used different visual representations as a way of teaching. In the early beginnings of the Catholic Church, images and statues were useful for reaching out to people who could not read. Visual art and depictions are generally more accessible and more easily understood compared to written texts hence these became effective mediums of instructions.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent was a significant ecumenical (pertaining to the whole Christian Church) council which took place between 1545 and 1564. The council commissioned the Catechism of the Council of Trent to set forth on different doctrines one of which includes the topic of idolatry.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent published 1566 describes “idolatry” as “worshipping idols and images as God, or believing that they possess any divinity or virtue entitling them to our worship, by praying to, or reposing confidence in them.

”Since the early years of Christianity, images of Jesus, Mary and the saints have been used for decoration and devotion. This sometimes creates confusion among non-Catholics and even Catholic devotees who might think that this tradition is a form of idolatry.

The Council of Trent explains this Catholic practice clearly this way:

“The images of Christ, the Virgin Mother of God, and the other saints are kept and honored in churches not because it is believed that there is any divinity or power in these images, or that anything may be asked of them or any faith put in them. The honor shown to them is really being given to the person whom they represent. Through these images which we kiss, and before which we bow with bared heads, we worship Christ and not the saints whose likeness they display.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), states clearly, "Idolatry is a perversion of man’s innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who ‘transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God’"

It’s a common practice for us to bow down or kneel in front of statues of Jesus Christ and the saints while reciting our Catholic prayers and as a way of showing our respect. Non-Catholics usually accuse Catholics of violating God’s second commandment against the worshipping idols because of our use of statues, paintings or even the practice of lighting candles.

You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;you shall not bow down before them or serve them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation. Exodus 20:4-5

​Non-Catholics also cite Deuteronomy 5:9 as a way to renounce this tradition because in the verse, God instructs people to “not bow down” to idols. Veneration is different from the sin of idolatry. Although bowing can be used as a posture in worship, not all acts of bowing are expressions of worship.

For example, in Japan, bowing may be considered the Western equivalent of a handshake. People in Japan bow to greet and express respect. Similarly, a person may show reverence to a king by kneeling without actually worshipping the said king as a God. So it is the same with Catholics who kneel in front of a statue while praying is not really worshipping the statue or regarding it as a God.

It’s All About Faith

At the end of the day, it’s all about our faith and where we are directing it.

Here are some personal questions you can ask to give more clarity on the topic of faith and idolatry:

• Do I believe that statues and paintings are God or are am I using these representations to aid me in visually remembering Christ and the saints in heaven?
• Am I worshipping statues and paintings or are they just a means for me to be mindful of the presence of God when I say my Catholic prayers or do any other acts of devotion?

The Apparition of Fatima was a miraculous incident that took place between May 13 and October 13, 1917 in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to three shepherd children. Let’s look back to this wondrous miracle as we commemorate its 100th year anniversary.

​The Apparition of Fatima

On the spring of 1917, Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto reported seeing apparitions of an angel. The first appearance happened on May 13, 1917 and it would mark the beginning of a series of miraculous events known as the Apparition of Fatima.

The Blessed Mother appeared in Fatima, a little village in Portugal which had remained faithful to the Catholic Church in the midst of recent political persecutions. This was a time of widespread terror and turmoil and the children urged that prayer would finally end the Great War. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared a total of six times to them.

The Catholic Church has declared the Apparition of Fatima as worthy of belief and it commemorates the event every May 13.

The Message of Fatima

Our Lady came with an important message from God for every man, woman and child. The message was about a promise of peace for the whole world and salvation for many souls if people listened and obeyed to the requests of Our Lady of Fatima.

Our Lady of Fatima’s message is filled with anguish and concern as she knows that we are living in perilous times. We are all in grave danger and she is here to help us and offer her wise advice. Her message is also part prophecy that will soon take place in the world depending on our response to it.

War, according to the Blessed Virgin, is one of the punishments of sin. Aside from conflict, God would rebuke the world through hunger, persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father, the Pope. All of this would come to pass unless we would live in accordance to God’s commands.

Pope John Paul II described the message of Fatima as “more relevant and more urgent” in our current times than when Our Lady first appeared.

Top 10 Things We Need to Know About Fatima

The Miracle of Fatima

Our Lady told the three shepherd children that God would perform a miracle so that the people would believe in the apparitions. Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta prophesied the date, time and place that the miracle would occur in the name of the Blessed Virgin. About 70,000 people witnessed the miracle of Fatima on October 13, 1917.

The astounding phenomenon involved the sun which was said to have danced on that day. All the people who attended could perfectly stare at the sun without blinking or even hurting their eyes. As they watched the sun, it suddenly rotated, changed in size, moved close to the people and then moved far away again.Every single person who was at the site testified to seeing the sun dance. Even non-believers who were in attendance dropped down to their knees to repent and beg for forgiveness.

To this day, Our Lady of Fatima continues to perform miraculous wonders. One example is the Fatima water which is known for healing different illnesses and helping people in poor health. The Bishop once told people to dig near the location where Our Lady appeared at the Cova de Iria (the Cove of Peace) in Fatima.

Water sprang up at the spot and now it is sent from the town of Fatima to different parts of the world. Many people also go on pilgrimages to Fatima in order to experience the healing wonders of the Fatima water.

100th Year Anniversary of the Apparition of Fatima

The year 2017 is the centennial celebration of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to the three shepherd children. The message of Fatima reminds us of many important truths at the heart of the Catholic Faith including the Trinity, the Eucharist, penance, the Rosary and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners.

Her message reminds us that there is hope for humanity and that, despite all the terror and trouble taking place in our times, we can still change the world for the better. We need to trust in God and pray to him for deliverance. Above all, we must continually strengthen our faith and live each day with gratitude, compassion and humility.

Fatima is one of the most significant of all Marian apparitions. We honor this miraculous event with a feast day on May 13, in the same way that we honor two other important Marian apparitions: Guadalupe on December 12 and Lourdes on February 11.

On May 13, 1981, the same day as the first Fatima apparition, Pople John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope credited his survival to the intervention of Our Lady of Fatima. The assassin’s bullet is now inserted in the crown worn by Our Lady which is housed in the Fatima Shrine. Fatima is also linked to the fall of Russian communism more than 25 years ago.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II added Our Lady of Fatima’s feast day to the general Roman calendar.

The 100th anniversary of the apparition drew in multitudes of faithful devotees all eager to show their love for the Blessed Mother through pilgrimages, celebrations and other expressions of faith. This is indeed a singular event not just in history but also in our personal lives as Catholics. How did you commemorate the meaningful miracle of Our Lady of Fatima?

Our Lady of Fatima Medal

Our Lady of Fatima Statue 24 Inch

Our Lady of Fatima Framed Print

Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Medal Sterling Silver

Learn More:​

​Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Fatima

The 6 Apparitions of Fatima

The Fatima Century: Lethal and Blessed​

Why Did Mary Appear to Children at Fatima?​