Some unsuspecting Jehovah Witnesses rang my door bell a few weeks back. I must say I admire these people to some extent. They always carry themselves so respectfully and take physical action on their faith. I mean, can you imagine someone knocking on your door then saying, " I would like to share the redemption and salvation that the Roman Catholic Church offers you?"Anyway, I eagerly await these encounters. As we started our conversation, I respectfully asked them if they could tell me the only miracle in the history of the world that was pre-announced in regard to the exact day, place and time it would take place? They looked completely puzzled at me and each other. I broke a smile and said, "Our Lady of Fatima. The Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal and told them a significant miracle would happen at noon, on October 13, 1917, as a sign she was really appearing." I tried to plant the seed, you never know. I am hoping they will ring my doorbell one day and ask me if know the redemption and salvation that the Roman Catholic Church offers.
I believe the story of Fatima is the most tangible, concrete proof of the existence of God, and the legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church, that can be presented to non-believers. You are not quoting proofs from St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Augustine that require intellectual aptitude to understand, you are citing a historical event that they can be easily understood and researched by non-believers. In addition, the Blessed Mother is always the best gateway to her Son.
The newspapers in Portugal mocked this prediction for many weeks prior, but none-the-less sent reporters and photographers to cover the event.
Most of the press sent to cover the event had strong ties to the Freemason government who had extreme hostility towards the Catholic Church and had it in their best interest to expose this as a complete hoax. Here is their actual coverage, printed in newspapers the day after, of the event:
- "Before the astonished eyes of the crowd, whose aspect was biblical as they stood bare-headed, eagerly searching the sky, the sun trembled, made sudden incredible movements outside all cosmic laws — the sun 'danced' according to the typical expression of the people." ― Avelino de Almeida writing for O Século, Portugal's top newspaper.
- "The sun, at one moment surrounded with scarlet flame, at another aureoled in yellow and deep purple, seemed to be in an exceeding fast and whirling movement, at times appearing to be loosened from the sky and to be approaching the earth, strongly radiating heat." ― Dr. Domingos Pinto Coelho, reporting for the newspaper Ordem.
- "…The silver sun, enveloped in the same gauzy grey light, was seen to whirl and turn in the circle of broken clouds… The light turned a beautiful blue, as if it had come through the stained-glass windows of a cathedral, and spread itself over the people who knelt with outstretched hands… people wept and prayed with uncovered heads, in the presence of a miracle they had awaited. The seconds seemed like hours, so vivid were they." ― O' Dia newspaper, Lisbon, Portugal.
October 13, 1917, was a conclusive day for the Roman Catholic Faith and for our dear Blessed Mother! It is hard to argue about a validity of a miracle when it was pre-announced, viewed by 70,000 people and begrudgingly validated by multiple, anti-cleric newspapers. I mean c'mon....it's all there in black and white!
4 comments:
A couple of questions.
1) Why wasn't the dancing of the sun witnessed by everyone in that aprt of the world that was in daylight at the time. There were reports in some papers about what the locals claimed to have witnessed, but no confirmations of it actually occurring, in say London?
2) What were the three secrets?
Fair questions, Ron.
70,000 people seeing it was not sufficient? I not sure of the answer as to why Iceland, or any other place, did not see it. I would guess that if the Blessed Mother had to foretell a location of her miracle,it needed a specific location. It would also give people who were not there a chance to display their Faith.
The secrets can be looked up, and they are open to interpretation. Some believe the third secret had to do with the persecutions of The Catholic Church in the 20th century with it ending with an attempt on the life of the Pope. Before you dismiss this, you should know that Pope John Paul II's assassination attempt was on May 13, 1981. May 13th was significant. The Blessed Mother first appeared on May 13th, 1917.
I said a prayer for you today that you would find your way. To tell you the truth I would not be able to get out of bed in the morning if I did not believe in God. I don't know how atheist do it, honestly and unsarcastically. The world is to unjust and difficult for it to be the end all.
I'm not sure what would make me stay in bed when the world is so interesting. If you need faith to get out of bed I think that says something about you and not about God. Thanks for the sentiment of your prayers, even though, as you'd guess, I think they are ineffective.
I'm not sure who reported the 70,000 witnesses and whether that figure is verified. In 1917 it would be pretty easy to report false figures. Since so many people were supposed present at such an important event I'd assume at least one photographer would be present, dispite photography still being in its infancy.
I found the secrets on wikipedia. Not very convincing. One and three say nothing of interest, and two was written up after the supposed prophesised events occurred.
So, in all, this doesn't seem the justify your statement, "I believe the story of Fatima is the most tangible, concrete proof of the existence of God." Even verious church officials and the Pope play it very cagey.
I say my Faith gets me out of bed in the morning because drug dealers die weathly in their ocean front homes, and 5-year-old children get terminal cancer. If this world is all you believe in, life becomes very depressing, very quickly and has absolutely no point. If you understand eternity is waiting for you, this world becomes a sacrifice to your God where your reward is waiting.
I would suggest you get 70,000 (or 50,000 or 30,000 for that matter) people in the same place, and try to get them to testify witness to the same thing. I will let you misreport the number.
You seem to have an answer for everything and a perception for nothing. Lincoln once said I can see how a man can look down at the ground and believe there is no God, but I don't see how he can look skyward into the heavens and believe there is no God.
We will agree to disagree. If you want to ask questions on the Catholic Faith and really want to understand, feel free. I am always available. Otherwise,we don't have to go back and forth anymore.
I will leave you with a joke. Did you hear about the atheist funeral? All dressed up and no where to go. Not too bad, right?
VitC
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