The question came up: Why pray to Mary who magnifies the Lord? A reflection by Fr. James Walling, CPM

“We were on fire in that light which is God, and yet we were not burnt. What is God?  We could never put it into words.” (St. Francisco Marto)
The third week of Advent focuses on JOY and that is why the candle we light is pink, the liturgical color for joy. It is also called the “Shepherd’s Candle” because of the joy of the shepherds in the field who were told by the angel, “Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord” (Lk 2:11).
St. Luke refers to Jesus as Savior, Messiah, Lord. This savior was born for ALL the people – Jew and Gentile alike. Rather than a political figure who would deliver just the Israelites from an oppressive government system, this Messiah would rescue all of humanity from sin and the condition of alienation from God. After finding the baby lying in the manger, just as the angel had said, the shepherds went away glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen (cf Lk 2:20).
St. Francisco Marto, after having experienced the light of God at Fatima, could not explain in human terms what is God. He could only rejoice in the fire of His love that he felt inside. What is God for us?  Are we looking for a Messiah who can only deliver us from an earthly suffering?  How we limit God – making finite what is infinite.  The great saints who lived through some of the worse of situations kept their focus on the infinite glory of God and experienced great joy. He can do ALL things and nothing is impossible for Him.
What gives you joy? When you light the pink candle of Advent, ask the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord to give you that joy which cannot be put into words.
 

Second week of Advent: FAITH in the Journey to Bethlehem
“I feel myself in a mystery of Light—this mystery that comes from Faith in God, God in me and I am nothing, lost in the Light as a small drop thrown in the flame, and I was in the flame, where I found strength, grace, life, peace and love.” Sister Lucia of Fatima
How fitting that we celebrate the great feast of the Immaculate Conception during the Advent season. Mary conceived without sin was the start of our salvation and the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah. It was the prophet Micah who foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The second candle we light this Sunday is called the “Bethlehem Candle”; it represents FAITH, recalling the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. 
Let us make the journey with them during this Advent season.  As we do, we can go forward with the certainty that God has a plan for us, a destination where we will encounter Him.  Like Mary and Joseph, we may not know the challenges and disappointments we will face along the way.  But, our Faith tells us to trust that God has everything in His most capable hands.
The journey to Bethlehem is one we must undertake if we are to live and grow in FAITH. The darkest path there will lead us to a great Light.
“He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God” (Mc 5:3).

"All our hope must be placed in the Lord, because He is the one true God who created us with eternal love and redeemed us by sending His own Son, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, 
who suffered and died for our salvation."  Sister Lucia of Fatima
Advent begins a season of prayer, penance and sacrifice in anticipation of the coming of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Advent wreath is the sign of our faith in this truth. The four candles that are lit over the four weeks of Advent each represent 1,000 years, which together add up to the 4,000 years that humanity awaited it's salvation, from the time of Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus.
Christmas is celebrated during the darkest time of the year, so the contrast of the Light of Christ is even more brilliant on the earth. As we light a new candle each week, we dispel the darkness, making way for His coming into the world.  Our prayers and sacrifices throughout the Advent season help shine His light where there is none. 

Real Presence Radio hosts Michael Wilde and Fr. Will Thompson spoke with Barb Ernster about how we can live out the message from Our Lady at Fatima through some simple daily acts of faith.

 
The question came up:  How do I continue to trust in God when everything around me is falling apart?
That is a loaded question!  There is a lot that can be unpacked from it such as experiences that reflect family turmoil, financial upsets, spiritual dryness, disappointments, and betrayal.  Let me try to answer by giving you a perspective based on my own convictions.
 
 
 
 

Lucia Bem-Merle, a devotee of Our Lady shares her beautiful story of love and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.

Barb Ernster interviews Dr. Mary Shivanandan, a retired professor of theology from the John Paul II Institute of Studies on Marriage and Family. She has authored a new book: The Holy Family, Model Not Exception, and discusses the Church’s teaching on marriage and family, in light of Humanae Vitaeand the works of St. John Paul II, the particular role of St. Joseph, and the Fatima call to live God’s design for marriage and family in the image of the Holy Trinity.