Abbey-Roads2

The heroic little baby kids of Fatima - it’s their feast day today!

After the apparitions and the education Our Lady gave them, both became exemplary contemplatives, especially the teddy bear Francisco.  Jacinta became quite a mystic, revealing many details of the apparitions through her ongoing relationship with Our Lady.  Jacinta often spoke of things pertaining to the Third Secret and the effects of sin, wise beyond her years.  I have loved these two since childhood, Francisco has always been a very special friend.  (Little Jacinta died on this date, all by herself, in a Lisbon hospital, from complications associated with the 1918 flu pandemic.)

Pray for us Blessed Jacinta and Francisco - pray for me that I may soon join you.

(News today is Sr. Lucia’s cause for sainthood may be accelerated, as was Bl. Mother Teresa, and the cause for John Paul II - we know Lucia is with her cousins now - it would be nice if the Church confirms it speedily.)

Today is the feast of the Holy Face of Jesus; His beloved disciple, Don Marco has posted beautifully on it.  “Shrove Tuesday, Feast of the Holy Face”.  (Be sure to read Don Marco for Lent - you will observe Lent well if you do so.  Our Lord has permitted this contemplative monk to share with us his prayer.)

I saw the Lord’s face tonight in “the distressing disguise of the poor” - a man standing next to the freeway exit with his sign, “will work for food” - his name is Alex, please pray for him.

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” - wherever we meet him - going to Him, outside the city gates, sharing His shame…

To suffer and be despised, to be held in contempt, and accounted as nothing - who could ask for anything better than that?  (Alex didn’t ask for this however, it just happened.  The reference is to myself.)

What a grace Lent is - it begins tomorrow…in silence…