By Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Considering Our Lady’s action upon the
three Fatima children in a broader sense, the changes she brought about
in them was something extraordinary — something far beyond their
capacity. From this, we gather that Our Lady suddenly and suavely
transformed them through her repeated apparitions.
Here we discover something akin to the “Secret of Mary,” of which
Saint Louis de Montfort speaks. We see grace working profoundly in
souls, and we see how it works silently, without the person perceiving
it. As a result, the person feels truly free. More than ever, the person
feels inspired to practice virtue and reject the evil chains of sin;
consequently, their love of God blossoms.Their desire to serve Him increases, and so does their hatred of sin. This marvelous transformation of soul occurs in such a way that the person does not experience the systematic uphill struggle of those who follow the classical system of the spiritual life to obtain virtue, sanctity, and Heaven. Much to the contrary, Our Lady changes them suddenly.
The changes in the two children Our Lady called to Heaven, Jacinta and Francisco, was particularly striking. What does this mean? Does this mean Our Lady will perform the same transformation upon us?
Is it a foretaste of how Our Lady intends to change Humanity when she fulfills her Fatima promises?
Can
I say that the transformation in the souls of Jacinta and Francisco are
the beginning of Our Lady’s reign? Is this not her triumph over the
souls of Jacinta and Francisco, heralds of Our Lady’s message, who
helped others accept the Fatima message through their prayers and
sacrifices? And who still help us today through their prayers in Heaven?If this is true, it is logical that Jacinta and Francisco be our intercessors before Our Lady and obtain the coming of her reign in our hearts. Is this not the mysterious transformation that we call the “Secret of Mary”?
I firmly believe that we must ask Jacinta and Francisco to transform us, to grant us the same gifts they received, and to guide us, whose mission it is to live and to preach the Fatima message.
Adapted from a lecture of Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira on October 13, 1971.
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