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<center><h3>The Fatima Apparitions</h3></center><center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat2.jpg"></center><center><h5>Jacinta - Francesco - Lucia</h5></center><p><table width="80%" align="center"><tr><td><h3>In 1917, in the village of Fatima, about 70 miles north of Lisbon in Portugal, three peasant children reported seeing an apparition of the "Blessed Virgin Mary". They were 8-yr. old Lucia Santos, and her cousins Francesco and Jacinta Marto.<p>
On Sunday May 13, 1917, the visions began. They were told to return on the 13th of each month for six consecutive months. This they did, and received prophetic information from the visits.<br><center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat6.jpg"></center><h4><center><h5>Fatima, 10/13/1917 before "Miracle of the Sun"<br>The heat from the sun event dried the clothes of the witnesses.</h5></center><br> <center>On the last visit, Oct. 13, 1917, they and 70,000 onlookers beheld a series of solar transformations known as <br>the "Miracle of the Sun" in which the sun seemed to dance in the sky.</center><center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat9.jpg"></center><center><h5>Photostatic copy of a page from Ilustracao Portugueza, October 29, 1917, <br>showing the crowd looking at the dance of the sun on October 13, 1917.</h5></center><center><a href="fat7b.jpg"> <img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat7.jpg"></a></center><center><h5>The crowd looking at the sun event. <br>Click on picture for larger image.</h5></center><p>Among the information, the children were given three secrets. The first secret of Fatima is the vision of hell, the WWII prophecies and the rise of communism. The second secret of Fatima is the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The third secret was written down, and placed in an envelope. It eventually made it to the Vatican where despite the apparition's instructions for it to be read to the world in 1960, it has
remained a secret.<p> Some of the prophecies from the first secret are:<br>
The war is going to end. (Meaning WW1)<br> A worse war will break out in the time of Pius XI (WW2)<br> The good will be martyred. (Those terrorized by the Nazis?)<br>
Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, promoting wars. (the rise of communism?)<br> Russia will be converted and some time of peace will be given to the world.<br> A night illuminated by an unknown light will be the sign of coming hunger, war and persecution. (Happened on Jan. 25, 1938)<br> The Holy Father will have much to suffer (some say this was the attempted assassination of John Paul II on the anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. He had a vision of Mary in the crowd, which caused him to change his position and possibly kept the shot from being fatal.)<br> In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me.<center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat1.jpg"></center><center><h5>May 13, 1982. At the end of the Mass, the Pope consecrated the world <br>and
Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. ( Photo courtesey of Blue Army).</h5></center><br>
Various Nations will be annihilated. (Absorption into the Soviet Empire?)<p>
A common comment by practicing Catholics in defense of the continued witholding of the contents of the third secret is:<p>
>>The third secret was not for public consumption - Sr. Lucy has stated many times that the information was a message for the pope only - should he wish to share it with the world he was not to do so before 1960. Just the same as a letter you received today containing private information - at your discretion you may release it publicly, but it is your decision and the letter is addressed to you.<<<<<p>
Well, IMO that's only sort of true. On 8/31/41, Sr. Lucia wrote her 3rd memoir sharing some details of Jacinta's life. In the memoir, Sr. Lucia mentioned, for the first time, that the Secret, which Mary had given them, was in 3 distinct parts. She wrote, "The Secret is composed of three distinct parts, and I shall disclose two of them."<br>
The first two we have already mentioned. And there is also the great announcement of terrible punishments if people persist in not obeying Mary's requests. Sr. Lucia stated that, at that time, she was not permitted to reveal the 3rd part of the secret.<p>
Bishop da Silva was given permission to read it, but he did not want the responsibility. He tried to get it to the Holy Office, but Rome refused to receive it. It was then agreed that if Bishop da Silva happened to die, the envelope would be entrusted to Cardinal Cerejeira, the Patriarch of Lisbon.<p> The secret was kept at the palace of the bishop of Leira until 1957, when the Holy Office changed its mind, and demanded the text of the 3rd secret. The sealed document was then delivered by the auxiliary Bishop Venancio to Bishop Cento, then the Apostolic Nuncio to Lisbon.<p> The sealed envelope arrived in Rome on 4/16/57. It was placed in a little chest bearing the note, "Secret of the Holy Office", and kept in the office of Pope Pius XII. <p> It is believed that Pope Pius XII did not read the secret, because the envelope was still sealed when Pope John XXIII opened it in 1959. This is according to Cardinal Ottaviani and Monsignor Capovilla, secretary of
Pope John XXIII. Pope Pius XII had apparently decided to wait until 1960. He died on 10/9/58.<p> The Virgin had asked that the secret be made public in 1960 because, as Sr. Lucia told Cardinal Ottaviani, "in 1960, the Message will appear more clear." Catholics throughout the world were waiting for the Pope to reveal the third secret by 1960. Pope John XXIII and the subsequent Popes have greatly disappointed the faithful by refusing to reveal its contents.<p> There is still continued debate as to whether or not the secret was intended just for the Pope or the public. <p>On 12/25/57, Sr. Lucia told Father Fuentes, the Postulator of the beatification causes (part of the process to becoming a recognized Saint) of Jacinta and Francisco: "I cannot give any other details, since it is still a
secret. Only the Holy Father and His Excellency, the Bishop of Fatima would be able to know it in accordance with the will of the Blessed Virgin. But they haven't willed to know
it as they did not want to be influenced."<p> While speaking in Fulda, Germany in 1980, John Paul II stated in response to a question about the 3rd secret that he, as his predecessors, preferred to postpone publication so as not to encourage the world
power of communism to make certain moves. <p> These comments lead me to believe that there was no restriction about making the secret public knowledge, with the exception of the 'not before 1960' statement. It has been a decision of the Holy Office not to reveal
the contents of the secret, not a direction of the Blessed Virgin IMO.<p> Pope John XXIII's statement regarding it was "this does not pertain to my reign"<p>That is very true, he did say that. But the question is why? I'm sure you are aware, that many politicians and government officials make statements that release them from responsibility when situations get sticky. I personally loved Pope John XXIII, I think he was one of the greatest Popes ever. But he, like any other Pope, was a man, and the Catholic Church has always been into control. The Pope also makes decisions based on the, at times, very strong opinions of the Cardinals who are his advisers. Here's what happened with Pope John XXIII and the third secret.<p> On 8/17/59, Pope John XXIII had Monsignor Philippe, then an official of the Holy Office, bring him the envelope at Castogandolfo. The Pope did not immediately open the sealed envelope. He stated at the time," I am waiting to read it with my confessor."<p> According to Monsignor Capovilla, the secret was read by the Pope a few days later. Assisting Pope John XXIII in reading the secret, since it was written in Portuguese, was Monsignor Paulo Jose Tavarez of the Secretariat of State. It was later read by Cardinal Ottaviani, Prefect of the Holy Office at John XXIII's request.<p> On 2/8/60, it was suddenly learned, through a Vatican communiqué leaked by a Portuguese press agency, that the secret would not be published, and that it's contents would probably never be disclosed. The Vatican communiqué ended: "Although the Church recognizes the Fatima apparitions, She does not desire to take the responsibility of guaranteeing the veracity of the words the three shepherd children said that the Virgin Mary had addressed to them."<p> Essentially, the Vatican stated that they believe the kids saw the vision but wouldn't back them up, about what they said the Virgin had told them. To me, that's a convenient excuse. It's like saying, "Well, they're just kids how can we believe them?" They could have revealed the contents and debated them. They didn't make statements denying the veracity of the first two secrets. What would make the third secret any
different? <p> If it was meant only for the Pope to read, then why did Lucia give permission to Bishop da Silva to read it? She has said that she could not disclose it which made sense because of the not before 1960 part. There was no guarantee that she would
still be alive then.<p> Cardinal Ottaviani related that Pope John XXIII placed the secret "in one of those archives which are like a very deep, dark well, to the bottom of which papers fall and no one is able to see them anymore." Pope Paul VI adopted the same attitude toward the 3rd secret. Pope John Paul II has also chosen not to reveal the secret.<p> But, even after all these attempts to hide the message of the third secret, parts of it have been found out. <p> Some Catholics feelings are that it was only to be 'read' by the pope in office in 1960. Not necessarily not shared with the faithful after the pope had read it. And
remember the papal office didn't even want it in the beginning. They didn't get it until later.<p>What was going on with politics, birth control, hippies, earth day, whatever else, in 1960 that made it a turning point year in the future of 1917? On a worldwide scale, was
something else happening? We know that John F.Kennedy was born May 29, 1917, the same year as the apparitions. John F. Kennedy Jr. was born on November 25, 1960 Place of Birth: Washington, DC, USA . <p> I was about 8 in 1960, and I am trying to think of what the world picture was like then that would make a connection. Politics and the increasing power of the military and industrial complex were certainly getting to be bigger threats to the globe. Personally, I think it also has to do with the next paradigm shift, which will include alien life forms "coming out" on Earth. I believe that they're already here, I just think they will become part of everyone's consciousness. Kind of a "Well, you've been given every opportunity to clean up your acts and you haven't so......" thing. See my Fatima and UFO's link at the bottom.<p> The 3rd secret was read in August 1959 by the Pope and a few advisors. It has not been released to the
public, in my opinion. Despite the "release" in the year 2000, I don't think it has truly been revealed. See here for that story:<p><center><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://www.rense.com/general/thirdfatima.htm"><h3>Third Secret Of Fatima Revealed On Instruction Of Pope John Paul II, 5-13-00</h3></a><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://www.rense.com/general2/fat.htm"><h3>'A Whitewash' - Fatima Center On Vatican's Version Of Third Prophecy</h3></a></center><p> Many believe that the secret was to be shared with the faithful in 1960.
There is still debate as to whether or not this was a decision of the Popes, or an instruction from Mary. <p>After the announcement in 1960 that the 3rd secret would not be revealed, Bishop Venancio, on his own initiative, launched an appeal to the bishops of the world in an attempt to organize a world day of prayer and penance for the following Oct. 13, but the Vatican turned a deaf ear and nothing was done.<p> It seems that the secret was supposed to be revealed, because through other apparitional events we have a good idea of the contents. <p> From the Akita message of 10/13/73 (notice the date again), and the 5/13/90 message to Fr. Gobbi, we know that the secret seems to deal with the apostasy and chastisement.<p> Bishop Venancio named the late Fr. Alonso the official expert on Fatima in 1966. Fr. Alonso came to the conclusion that the 3rd secret refers mainly to a spiritual chastisement, which will be far worse, and even more fearsome, than famine, wars, and persecution. It concerns souls and their eternal perdition or their
salvation. He wrote 14 volumes about Fatima and the secrets, which he was forbidden to publish. He was able, however, to make known his conclusions in various pamphlets and articles in theological journals, before his death on 12/12/81. Fr. Alonso's thesis is now publicly confirmed by the Bishop of Fatima. The message foretells a terrible crisis within the Church. The Immaculate Virgin predicted a loss of faith in our era, if her requests were not sufficiently carried out. This loss of faith and all it entails is the drama that we
have been witnessing since 1960.<p> Cardinal Ratzinger in August 1984 said that the 3rd secret concerned the "dangers which threaten the faith and the life of Christians." When asked the question, "Why is the faith in crisis?" he responded, "The dangers threatening the faith, the importance of the last times, and the fact that the prophecies contained in
this Third Secret correspond to what Scripture announces."<p> At the Technical University in Vienna, Bishop Amaral of Leira, Portugal, declared on 9/10/84, "The Secret
of Fatima speaks neither of atomic bombs nor of nuclear warheads, nor of SS20 missiles. It's content concerns only our faith. To identify the secret with catastrophic announcements or a nuclear holocaust is to distort the meaning of the message. The loss of faith of a continent is worse than the annihilation of a nation; and it is true that the faith is continually diminishing in Europe."<p> So what is John Paul II to do? He is keenly aware of what the 3rd secret states, regarding the chastisements, world changes, the betrayal of his churchmen, and the geopolitics of the world and its sensitive implications.<p> While recuperating from the assassination attempt on his life, he came to realize the only hope for the world was the collegial consecration of Russia as requested at Fatima. He attempted to consecrate the world to Mary "with a special mention of Russia." in an attempt to mitigate the coming tribulations. He wrote to all of his bishops, telling them he would do just that on 5/13/82, in Fatima, and inviting them to join him, either by physical presence or by actions in their home dioceses. The apostasy of the last 50 years produced an
anemic response. Many of the bishops were no longer in union with Rome.<p> So what can we conclude about the 3rd secret? Would it help the 'cause' for the Pope to reveal its
contents? As Pope Paul II fails in health, what can we expect of the man who takes his place? Are either of these Popes the predicted last Pope of the Catholic Church? <p>
It occurs to me the similarity of the situation regarding the Fatima 3rd secret, and the attempts to cover up and classify alleged UFO related information by our government. Why do those in power feel that the masses are so ill equipped to deal with information that may be important for them to know?<p> The Malachy prophecies say that we have 2-3 more popes yet to come; the only speculative conclusion we can come to, if one accepts the above, is that the Papacy as we know it will change or end. Or perhaps it is
up to us to determine the final outcome?<p><center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat4.jpg"></center><center><h5>Lucia 50 years after the Fatima apparitions.</h5></center> We have looked at what others have had to say about the 3rd secret of Fatima. So what does Sr. Lucia, the only surviving member of the group of 3 children who witnessed the apparition say about this?<p> In a series of letter from 1969-1970 she stated, " It is indeed sad that so many people let themselves be
dominated by the diabolical wave that is sweeping the world, and that they are blinded to the point of being incapable of seeing error! Their principle fault is they have abandoned prayer; in this way they have become estranged from God, and without God everything fails. The devil is very cunning and looks for our weak points in order to attack us. If we are not diligent and careful to obtain strength from God, we shall fail, for our age is very wicked and we are weak. Only the strength of God can keep us on our feet." <p>
She wrote: "Let people say the rosary every day. Our Lady stated that repeatedly in all her apparitions, as if to fortify us against these times of diabolical disorientation, so that we would not allow ourselves to be deceived by false doctrines. Unfortunately, the great majority of people are ignorant in religious matters and allow themselves to be led in any direction. Hence, the great responsibility of one who has the task of leading them. <em>A diabolical disorientation is invading the world, deceiving souls! It must be resisted.</em>" <p>
On 9/16/70, Sr. Lucia wrote: "Our poor Lord, He has saved us with so much love and He is so little understood! So little loved! So badly served! It is painful to see such great confusion, and in so many persons who occupy positions of responsibility! The fact is the devil has succeeded in bringing in evil under the appearance of good; the blind are beginning to lead others, as the Lord tells us in His Gospel, and souls are allowing themselves to be deceived. Gladly, I sacrifice myself and offer my life to God for peace in
His Church, for priests and for all consecrated souls, especially for those who are deceived and misguided!"<p> Sr. Lucia has insisted that, "the Virgin knew that these times of diabolical disorientation were to come." To someone who questioned her about the 3rd secret she replied," It's in the Gospel and in the Apocalypse, read them." She also told Fr. Fuentes that the Virgin Mary made her realize that "we are in the last times of the world."<p> In 12/58, Sr. Lucia told Fr. Fuentes "The Blessed Virgin is very sad, for no one attaches any importance to her message. Neither the good nor the bad. The good continue on their way, but without paying attention to the message. I cannot give any other details, since it is still a secret. Only the Holy Father and His Excellency, the Bishop of Fatima would be able to know it in accordance with the will of the Blessed Virgin. But they haven't willed to know it as they did not want to be influenced." <center><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://www.edicolaweb.net/nonsoloufo/mesluc_i.htm"><h4>(More words to Fr. Fuentes from 5/22/58)</h4></a></center><p>She states that she can't give details because it was *still* a secret. To me, that could mean that there
would be a time where it would not be a secret. She states who could know it ahead of time as well. <p> There are opinions that because the secret was not shared in 1960 there have been repercussions. Some feel that by disregarding the prophecies and request of Fatima, it was the Virgin Mary - it was God himself - who had been disregarded, who had been ridiculed in front of the world. Some feel that by disobeying the message of the Virgin, the conditional punishment announced in the message was, in consequence,
destined to be accomplished tragically.<p>Why several Popes did not reveal the secret is a mystery. Scholars disagree on whether or not the 3rd secret was meant only for the eyes of the Popes or if it was to be released to the general public.<p>Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is known for the Ratzinger Report. He has read the third secret.<p>In August 1984, he said that the 3rd secret concerned the "dangers, which threaten the faith and the life of Christians." <p>In the Ratzinger report, he wrote that the 3rd secret of Fatima has to do with what he called "denivissimis". This Latin expression means "dealing with the end times", pertaining to the latter days, or about the final events.<p>In a 1985 interview with Vittorio Messori, Cardinal Ratzinger was asked the following questions and his responses follow:<p>
VM: Undenied versions (of the 3rd secret) are circulating in the world, which describe the contents of that secret as disquieting, apocalyptic, as warning of terrible sufferings. John Paul II himself, in his personal visit to Germany, seemed to confirm (privately to a select group) the undeniably disconcerting contents of that text. Before him, Paul VI, during his pilgrimage to Fatima, also seems to have alluded to the "apocalyptic" themes of the secret. Why was it never decided to make it public, if only to counter rash speculations?<p>
CR: If the decision has not yet been made, it is not because the Popes want to hide something terrible.<p>VM: Then there is "something terrible" in Sister Lucia's manuscript?<p>CR: If that were so, that after all would only confirm the part of the message of Fatima already known. A stern warning has been launched from that place that is directed against the prevailing frivolity, a summons to the seriousness of life, of
history, to the perils that threaten humanity. It is that which Jesus himself recalls very frequently: '..unless you repent you will all perish..' (Lk 13:3). Conversion - and Fatima fully recalls it to mind - is a constant demand of Christian life. We should already know that from the whole of sacred Scripture.<p>VM: So there will be no publication, at least for now?<p>CR: The Holy Father deems that it would add nothing to what a Christian must know from Revelation and also from the Marian apparitions approved by the Church in their known contents, which only reconfirmed the urgency of penance, conversion, forgiveness, fasting. To publish the third secret would mean exposing the Church to the danger of sensationalism, exploitation of the content.<p>VM: Perhaps also political implications, I venture, since it seems that here, also, as in the two other secrets, Russia is mentioned? At this point, the Cardinal declares that he is not in a position to go further, into the matter and firmly refuses to discuss other particulars.<p>My mother sent me this article. It was published in the Catholic Chronicle, in Toledo Ohio. It came from the
Catholic News Service.<p><center><strong>Fatima's 'third secret' holds no apocalyptic message.</strong></center><p>FATIMA, Portugal (CNS) - the much discussed "third secret of Fatima" is not sensational or apocalyptic, said Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of the few people in the world who has actually read it.Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima for the 79th anniversary of the final Marian apparition to three Portuguese children, Oct. 13, 1917.<p>He was asked about the so-called third secret Oct. 12 by Radio Renascenca, Portugal's Catholic radio station.<p>"To all the curious I would say I am certain that the Virgin does not engage in sensationalism; she does not create fear. She does not present apocalyptic visions, but guides people to her Son. And this is what is essential." said the cardinal, who was shown the third secret by Pope John Paul II.<p>After a lengthy investigation of the alleged apparitions, the Catholic Church in 1930 said the visions were
worthy of belief and authorized devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Fatima.<p>
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Lucia dos Santos, the last surviving visionary was asked by her bishop to write down her recollections of the apparitions and the messages. The first two segments of her writings have been published.<p>The published segments urge prayer, repentance, recitation of the rosary and reception of the sacraments.
They contain specific references to war and to the conversion of Russia, and are popularly referred to as the first two secrets.<p>Vatican officials throughout the past 50 years have said the third part of the recollection written by Lucia, now a Carmelite nun, contains nothing that is not already part of the revealed truth, so it is unnecessary to publish it.<p>
In the interview Ratzinger said preoccupation with the message and its presumed predictions of catastrophe are not part of a healthy Marion devotion.<p>"Instead, the intention and the centrality of the mission of the church is to guide people toward those
things that are truly important," he said. "Only in that way are we truly obedient to Mary."<p>Mary's purpose "is, through (the children of Fatima), to call the world back to simplicity, that is to the essentials: conversion, prayer and the sacraments," he said.<p>
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Ok, let's look at this:<p>>> After a lengthy investigation of the alleged apparitions, the Catholic church in 1930 said the visions were worthy of belief and authorized devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Fatima.<<<p> Ok, so they stated there was something to it.<p>>> In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Lucia dos Santos, the last surviving visionary was asked by her bishop to write down her recollections of the apparitions and the messages. The first two segments of her writings have been published.<<<p>
Ok, so they said it was ok to publish the first two.<p>>> Vatican officials throughout the past 50 years have said the third part of the recollection written by Lucia,
now a Carmelite nun, contains nothing that is not already part of the revealed truth, so it is unnecessary to publish it.<<<p> So big deal. If it contains nothing new why NOT publish it????? <p> >> In the interview Ratzinger said preoccupation with the message and its presumed predictions of catastrophe are not part of a healthy Marion devotion.<<<p>
So if it doesn't contain all this doom and gloom then why not publish it and prove it??<p>
Does the phrase "weather balloon at Roswell" resonate with anybody?<p><center><a href="fatimufo.htm"><h4>Lo's Fatima and UFO sightings similarities.</h4></a></center><p><center><img src="/web/20090622074847im_/http://www.seektress.com/fat5.jpg"></center><center><h5>Fatima Basilica</h5></center><center><h3>The following links are to sites with information about the Fatima apparitions. <br>Their content and opinions are not necessarily those of Lo the Seektress</h3></center><br><center><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://www.fatima.org/"><h4>The Fatima Network</h4></a><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://www.edicolaweb.net/nonsoloufo/dom_3mei.htm"><h4>The 3rd Secret of Fatima</h4></a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090622074847/http://users.stargate.net/~ejt/dregs1.htm"><h4>The Dregs of Apostasy</h4></a><hr width="500" align="center" size="4"><a href="bricktst.htm"><h4>Home</h4> </a></center><p></h3></td></tr></table>
<center><h4> April 21,1998<p>Lo the Seektress<p>seektress@seektress.info</h4><p></center></body>
