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There
are three secrets of Fatima entrusted on July 13, 1917 to Lucia dos
Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. All of them,
including the third one, have been revealed in their entirety. Below
please find a summary of the official
presentation of
Cardinal Bertone's book, L'Ultima Veggente di Fatima, (The Last Fatima Visionary)
which the Pope's secretary of state wrote with the collaboration of
journalist Guiseppe De Carli. Benedict XVI wrote
the volume's
introduction which follows. Next, we post the
testimony by
Sr. Lucia:
"No More Mysteries in Fátima Secret." Finally, we post a report from Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone about
a meeting he had with Sr. Maria Lucia.
No More Fatima
Secrets, Says Cardinal
Book Quotes Sister
Lucia
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org)--There is no fourth secret of Fatima, and the third secret in its
entirety has already been revealed, says Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
This was confirmed Friday at the official presentation of Cardinal
Bertone's book, L'Ultima Veggente di Fatima, (The Last Fatima Visionary). The Pope's secretary of state wrote the
book, released in Italian last May, with the collaboration of journalist Guiseppe De Carli.
Benedict XVI wrote the volume's introduction, saying, "Through the
experience of this humble nun one can see the role of the Virgin
Mary, who accompanies the Christian with a maternal hand."
During the presentation, Archbishop Loris Capovilla, Pope John
XXIII's private secretary, said that there is no fourth secret. He
is the only living witness who was present when John XXIII opened
and read the third secret in 1959 at Castel Gandolfo.
The ninety-one-year-old prelate said: "It never even entered my mind that
there could be a fourth secret. No one ever said such a thing to me
nor did I ever claim any such thing."
History
The third secret is the part of the Virgin Mary's message given on
July 13, 1917, to Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and
Francisco Marto.
The
first and second parts of the messages given to Lucia by the Blessed
Virgin were written down in 1941. In 1944, the third part was
written down. In 1957, it was given to the Holy See for the Pope to
read at his discretion.
In 2000, Pope John Paul II, who read the third secret for the first
time after his assassination attempt in 1981, decided to publish its
contents to end growing speculation.
Cardinal Bertone, now secretary of state, was John Paul II's envoy
to Sister Lucia, and at that Pope's request, he collected the
definitive testimony of the Carmelite nun.
Published
Cardinal Bertone and Sister Lucia met three times from 2000 to 2003.
The nun died two years later, Feb. 13, 2005, at age ninety-seven.
Their conversations--the subject of the book--deal with the
apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, the prophecies of war and the
future of Russia, the enigma of the third secret, and theories about
an alleged fourth secret about the end of the world and supposed
guilt in the Vatican.
In the book, the chronological reconstruction of the events is
accompanied by a rigorous examination of the documents, including
the handwritten pages of Sister Lucia, the integral text of the
three parts of the message, and the theological interpretation of
then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.
Monsignor Ambrogio Spreafico, who accompanied Cardinal Bertone to
Fatima for one of his meetings with Sister Lucia, spoke at the
presentation of the book.
"On April 27, 2000," he said, "I personally accompanied him to the
Carmelite convent in Coimbra and he gave Sister Lucia the four
handwritten pages regarding the third secret. She attentively
verified them, recognizing the pages written in her own hand
fifty-six
years earlier, and she recognized the paper as well."
Mariology
During the presentation of his book, Cardinal Bertone reflected on
the role of Mariology and the caution used by the Church in
analyzing reportedly supernatural occurrences.
"The criterion for discernment of the truth of private revelation is
its orientation to Christ and the Gospel,” he explained. He added
that once this has been established, one can then look to other
important elements such as popular piety and religious practice.
Cardinal Bertone noted that sometimes there is a notable "spreading
of supposedly supernatural messages," often with apocalyptic
undertones.
"We need to avoid the danger of a 'Church of apparitions,'
distrustful of the Church’s hierarchy," he said.
Speaking about the message of Fatima, the Pope's secretary of state
said: "The profitable meeting of charisma and institution, of the
Trinitarian mystery and the Christological mystery, is realized in
the message. Mary, sign of God’s mercy, does not leave Christians
alone.
"She
gives us indications like a road sign to fight the battle between
good and evil. Mary is the icon of God’s tenderness for us.
"It
is something that taps into and impregnates contemporary history
like no other Marian apparition, and the density of its message
touches the hearts of mankind, inviting to conversion and the shared
responsibility for the salvation of the world."
The Last Fatima Visionary is being translated into six languages and
will soon be released in Spanish, Portuguese and English.
Pope's Intro to Cardinal Bertone's Book
The Last Fatima Visionary: My Meetings With Sister Lucia
VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2007
(Zenit.org)--Here is a translation of the Pope's introduction to
Cardinal Bertone's book, The Last Fatima Visionary: My Meetings With
Sister Lucia (Rai Eri/Rizzoli). The book was written in collaboration with Giuseppe De Carli.
To Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Vatican Secretary of State
Venerable Brother, Sister Lucia entrusts so many memories to the
book The Last Fatima Visionary that treat of events that have
marked the history of the last part of the twentieth century. She has
entrusted them to this book so that they do not remain merely
precious baggage of personal emotions, but be handed over to the
collective memory as they are not without significance for secular
history.
In reality, during that memorable time that was the Jubilee Year of
2000, we experienced together the chapter that treats of the
publication of the third Fatima secret: I, as the prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and you, as the
secretary of the same dicastery. The great Pontiff who preceded me,
John Paul II, fecund with prophetic inspirations and personally
convinced that the "maternal hand" of the Virgin had deflected the
bullet that could have been fatal for him, saw that the time had
come to remove the veil of mystery that covered the last part of the
secret that the Virgin had consigned to the three little shepherds
of Fatima. The congregation, which conserved the precious document
written by Sister Lucia, was put in charge.
It was a time of light, not only because the message could thus be
known by all, but also because the truth could be unveiled in the
midst of the confusion of apocalyptic interpretations and
speculations that circulated in the Church and created anxiety among
the faithful instead of inviting them to prayer and penance.
Nevertheless, on the other hand, one could see the comforting
development of Marian piety, authentic font of Christian life,
around the imposing shrine of Fatima and in every part of the world
where devotion to the Virgin, under the influence of the apparitions
of Fatima, took deep root in the faith of the people, inviting men
and women to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The conversations between the visionary, the last remaining of the
three shepherd children, and you, a bishop sent by the Pope, have
been important not only for the verification of the veridicality of
the facts, but also as an occasion to know the limpid freshness of
the soul of Sister Lucia, the intelligence of the heart typical of
her femininity, transferred into a robust Christian faith. Through
this humble nun, there shines the role of the Virgin Mary who with
her maternal hand accompanies the Christian through life's
bitterness.
I myself oversaw the drafting of the theological commentary on the
event, after having intensely prayed and deeply meditated on the
contents of the pages written by Sister Lucia. I was deeply affected
by the consoling promise of the Most Holy Virgin, which was like a
synthesis and precious seal: "My Immaculate Heart will triumph." As
it had been written, "Mary's 'fiat,' the word of her heart, changed
the history of the world, because it introduced the Savior into this
world--because thanks to this 'yes' God could become man among us
and he will remain such forever."
And again, "From the time that God himself has a human heart and
directed human freedom toward the good, toward God, freedom for evil
does not have the last word." The message of Fatima is a further
confirmation of this.
I invoke the protection of the Most Holy Virgin for all those who
will read the testimony offered with this book and to you, dear
cardinal, and to Doctor Giuseppe De Carli, who shared the work of
producing this memoir, I impart the apostolic blessing.
From the Vatican, Feb. 22, 2007.
Sr. Lucia:
"No More mysteries in fatima secret"
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 20, 2001 - Sister Maria Lucia said that the
secret of Fátima does not refer to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,
that its contents have been completely revealed by the Holy See, and
that Russia has been consecrated to the Virgin Mary, as Our Lady
requested.
The sole survivor of the visionaries of the Marian apparitions made
this statement Nov. 17 to Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The content of the meeting between the Vatican aide and the elderly
visionary, held at her convent in Coimbra, Portugal, was published
today by the Vatican Press Office.
The text of the document states: "In recent months, especially
following the sad events of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, articles
appeared in newspapers alleging new revelations by Sister Lucia,
announcements of letters of warning to the Pope, and apocalyptic
reinterpretations of the Fátima message."
"Moreover, emphasis was placed on the suspicion that the Holy See
had not published the entire text of the third part of the secret,
and some 'Fatimist' movements have repeated the accusation that the
Holy Father has yet to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary," the document continues.
As a result, the Vatican note clarifies, it was considered necessary
that Archbishop Bertone go personally "to clarify and obtain direct
information from the visionary."
The meeting was held in the presence of Father Luis Kondor, vice
postulator of the cause of Blessed Francisco and Jacinta, and of the
prioress of St. Teresa's Carmelite Convent.
The conversation took place on the afternoon of Nov. 17 and lasted
more than two hours. "Sister Lucia, who will be ninety-five on March 22, was
in great form--lucid and vivacious," the Vatican envoy said.
The meeting addressed the question of the third part of the secret
of Fátima. The Portuguese religious said that she had read
"carefully and meditated on the fascicle published by the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and confirms everything
that is written," the Vatican statement noted.
When the archbishop explained that there are doubts that part of the
secret remains unknown, Sister Lucia replied: "Everything has been
published; there are no more secrets."
"If I had received new revelations, I would not have communicated
them to anyone, but I would have told them directly to the Holy
Father," the religious added.
The group then spoke about the statements of Nicholas Gruner, a
Canadian priest suspended "a divinis," who is collecting signatures
insisting that the Pope finally consecrate Russia to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, and alleging that this has never been done.
Sister Lucia told the archbishop: "The Carmel Community has rejected
the forms for the collection of signatures. I have already said that
the consecration requested by Our Lady was done in 1984, and it has
been accepted in heaven."
Lastly, the conversation turned to Sister Lucia's personal life.
Some articles in the press suggested that her concern robbed her of
sleep and that she was praying night and day.
The religious answered: "It's not true. How would I be able to pray
during the day if I did not sleep at night? How many things they
attribute to me! How many things they make me do! They should read
my book [The Appeals of the Fátima Message]; the advice and
appeals that correspond to Our Lady's wishes are there. Prayer and
penance, with great faith in God's power, will save the world."
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MEETING WITH SR MARIA
LUCIA |
Archbishop Tarcisio
Bertone,
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
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In the Convent of Coimbra, Portugal, 17 November 2001
In recent months, especially after the sad event of the
terrorist attack last 11 September, articles on alleged new
revelations by Sr. Lucia, announcements of letters of warning
to the Pope and apocalyptic reinterpretations of the Fatima
message have appeared in the Italian and foreign press.
The suspicion that the Holy See did not publish the whole
text of the third part of the "secret" is being reaffirmed
and certain "Fatimist" movements have repeated their
accusation that the Holy Father has not yet consecrated
Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
It was therefore considered necessary, with the agreement
of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and the Bishops of both Leiria-Fatima
and Coimbra, that I meet Sr Lucia in the presence of Rev.
Luis Kondor, SVD, Vice-Postulator of the cause of Bl.
Francisco and Bl. Jacinta, and of the Prioress of the
Carmelite Convent of St Teresa, to obtain explanations and
information directly from the only surviving visionary.
The conversation that lasted for more than two hours took
place on Saturday afternoon, 17 November. Sr. Lucia, who
will be ninety-five on 22 March this year, seemed in
excellent form, lucid and vivacious. During the
conversation, she professed her love for and devotion to the
Holy Father, for whom, along with the whole Church, she very
much prays. She was delighted with the distribution of her
book, Os apelos da Mensagem de Fatima (The Appeals of the
Fatima Message), now translated into six languages
(Italian, Spanish, German, Hungarian, Polish and English),
and for which she is receiving many letters of thanks.
Going on to discuss the problem of the third part of the
secret of Fatima, she says that she has read attentively and
meditated upon the booklet published by the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, and confirms everything it says.
She answers those who have voiced a doubt that some part
of the 'third secret' might not have been revealed: "Everything
has been published. There are no more secrets." To
those who are talking and writing about new revelations,
she says: "There is not a grain of truth in them. If I had
had new revelations, I would not have spoken of them to
anyone, but would have told them directly to the Holy
Father!"
She then gladly recalled her youth and the difficulties
she had encountered, first in becoming a sister; but even in
gestures of kindliness, as when she remembers the "holidays"
in Braga in the years 1921-24, with Mrs. Filomena Miranda,
her Confirmation sponsor.
When asked: "What effect did the vision of 13 July have
on your life before it was written down and presented to the
Church?," she replied:
"I felt safe under the protection of Our Lady, who would
watch carefully over the Church and the Pope," and
she adds a new detail to her account of the famous prophetic
vision:
"During the vision, Our Lady, shining bright, held a
heart in her left hand, and in her right, a Rosary."
What does the heart in Our Lady's hand mean?
"It is a symbol of love that protects and saves. It is
the Mother who sees her children suffering and suffers with
them, even with those who do not love her. For she wants to
save them all and not to lose any of those the Lord has
entrusted to her. Her Heart is a safe refuge. The devotion
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the means of salvation
for these difficult times in the Church and in the world.
Cardinal Ratzinger's reflection at the end of his comment on
the third part of the "secret" is very relevant: 'My
Immaculate Heart will triumph'. What does this mean? The
heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is
stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat
of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history
of the world, because it brought the Savior into the
world--because, thanks to her 'Yes,' God could become man in
our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has
power in this world, as we see and experience continually;
he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be
led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart
and has thus steered man's freedom towards what is good, the
freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From
that time, this is the final word: In the world you will
have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world" (Jn
16,33) is well founded. The message of Fatima invites us to
trust in this promise."
I asked her three more questions:
"Is it true that speaking to Rev. Luigi Bianchi and Rev.
José dos Santos Valinho, you cast doubt on the
interpretation of the third part of the "secret"?
Sr. Lucia answered: "That is not true. I fully confirm
the interpretation made in the Jubilee Year."
"What have you to say about the stubborn assertions of
Father Gruner, who has been collecting signatures, asking the Pope
to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at
last, as if this has never been done?"
Sr. Lucia replies: "The Carmelite community has
rejected the forms for the collection of signatures. I have
already said that the consecration desired by Our Lady was
made in 1984, and has been accepted in Heaven."
"Is it true that Sr. Lucia is deeply upset by recent
events, that she can no longer sleep and is praying night and day?"
Sr. Lucia answers: "It is not true. How could I pray
during the day if I did not rest at night? How many things
they are putting in my mouth! How many things they make me
seem to do! Let them read my book: in it are all the
recommendations and appeals that correspond with Our Lady's
wishes. Prayer and penance, together with great
faith in God's power, will save the world."
Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
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