The Rosary Campaign
After months in preparation, we finally launched our Rosary campaign, with the intention of distributing in Ireland 50,000 rosaries along with the booklet The Rosary: Great Weapon of the 21st Century – before the end of this year.We have already distributed 13,500 rosaries and 13,100 booklets.We hope to reach this year’s target, and to continue the campaign into the future.
| Ireland Needs Fatima Campaign |
| SUMMARY OF ITEMS DISTRIBUTED: |
Fatima Flyers |
1,220,000 |
Fatima: Past or Future? |
17,500 |
Pictures of Our Lady |
16,000 |
Way of the Cross |
5,000 |
2007 Calendar |
14,000 |
Book of Confidence |
15,000 |
Rosaries |
13,800 |
Rosary Booklets |
13,600 |
The Angels and the Apparitions of Fattima |
10,000 |
On each of the six apparitions at Fatima Our Lady asked that we pray the Rosary every day. She asked us to practice the five 1st Saturdays devotion, which includes 15 minutes meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary. The booklet we are distributing has beautiful pictures and meditations to help us to carry out this devotion.
Last year we surveyed our readers and almost everyone agreed that an intensive promotion of the Rosary was of fundamental importance for the salvation of souls. If we could get a great number of people praying the Rosary it would bring immense blessings to our country and to the Holy Church.
Therefore we ask our readers to:
- Pray the Rosary every day;
- Encourage others to pray the Rosary;
- Help to restore the custom of the family Rosary;
- Support every effort to promote the Rosary, be it at parish, diocesan or national level.
If you know anyone who would benefit from our rosary and/or booklet, please let us know and we will be happy to send copies to you to pass on to your acquaintances. We only ask that you encourage them to pray the Rosary every day.
The Rosary and Saint Dominic Defeat Heresy
The Rosary – as spiritual weapon against evil – has avery long and precious history. In twelfth and thirteenth century France, a group of heretics known as the Albigensians was destroying the minds of the Catholic laity with its erroneous ideas. The Albigensians’ teachings encouraged suicide, many times by self-induced starvation, because they believed that the body was intrinsically evil and that the soul must be liberated from matter at all costs. However, as history often shows, Providence raises up great Saints in times of dire crises. This time it was no different. Saint Dominic, born of noble lineage, received the Rosary from Our Lady in the year 1214. Our Lady gave Saint Dominic the Rosary as a weapon to combat the awful Albigensian heresy.
The Rosary as we know it today took some time to develop. After Saint Dominic died in the year 1221, the Rosary was almost immediately forgotten. However, in 1464 Our Lord, Our Lady, and Saint Dominic appeared to Blessed Alan de la Roche, a Dominican friar, after which he preached the Rosary until his death in 1475. This tremendous apostolate by Blessed Alan de la Roche, through the direct intercession of Our Lady, made the Rosary a widespread devotion. The fifteen mysteries as we know them came about through the many confraternities founded after Blessed Alan de la Roche’s preaching, and were formalized with Pope Saint Pius V’s encyclical, Consueverunt.
The Rosary and the Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto was a crucial conflict between the Christians and the Ottoman Turks, one of the greatest naval battles of all time. The Christian lands around Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean were constantly getting sacked by Muslim pirates, and Imperial warships were ravaging the land. At this point in time, Pope Saint Pius V saw it appropriate to raise a Crusade against these heathen Muslims. After raising a Crusade, he asked every non-combatant across the whole Christian world to pray the Rosary.
Even after this call to arms, the Christian fleet at Lepanto was greatly outnumbered by the Ottoman Turks. The Crusaders got on their knees and began to pray the Rosary. Soon after, the Christians and the Muslims were immersed in a bloody battle. Thus it was that on October 7, 1571, the Christian fleet was blessed with a miraculous victory. Pope Saint Pius V immediately dedicated the victory to Our Lady, establishing October 7 as “The Feast of the Most HolyRosary.”
Holy Rosary Crusade of Reparation
After World War II, Austria was divided between four countries: America, France, the United Kingdom, and Russia. At the time, Russia was still communist. The section of Austria controlled by the communists was the richest, and included the city of Vienna. The Viennese were subject to the all the atrocities and tyrannies of communism. However, in 1946, Fr. Petrus Pavlicek, after making a pilgrimage to Mariazell, the principle Marian shrine in Austria, was told by an interior voice: “Do as I say and there will be peace.”
To obey this inspiration of Our Lady, Fr. Pevlicek founded theHoly Rosary Crusade of Reparation in 1947. This Crusade consisted of the Viennese faithful coming out of their homes in order to participate in a public Rosary procession in the streets of the city. The intentions of the Rosary were for the end of communism in their country and in the world. At first, the processions were miniscule, but in time they grew to staggering proportions. In 1955, after eight years spreading the word about the Crusade throughout Austria, the Rosary processions would reach sizes of half a million people, about 1/10 of the Austrian population. Finally, through the help of Our Lady, the Soviet forces pulled out of Austria in October of 1955, leaving the country for good.
The Rosary and the Message of Fatima
Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children, Jacinta, Lucia, and Francisco, at the Cova de Iria, near Fatima, Portugal. During six visits, Our Lady communicated to them a secret which had three parts. The first art was a vision of Hell. During this vision, Sister Lucia said numerous souls fell into Hell like “snowflakes.”
In the second part, Our Lady states that WWI would end, but “if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church.”
As Our Lady predicted, World War II erupted and the errors of atheist Communism spread. Our Lady added that many will be martyred and nations will be annihilated, if people do not convert. Have people converted? The answer is no. Can Divine punishment be avoided? It depends on the world’s fidelity to Our Lady’s requests.
Lucia asked Our Lady during the apparitions, “Who are you and what do you want?” Our Lady responded, “I am the Lady of the Rosary, and I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. People must not continue to offend the Lord, Who is already so deeply offended. They must say the Rosary.”
Therefore, Our Lady gave us a solution: the recitation of the daily Rosary for the conversion of sinners. The message of Fatima is a remedy for our culture immersed in sin. If it were not for Our Lady’s promise that “Finally, My Immaculate Heart will Triumph,” we could be much dismayed and disheartened. So let us heed her requests. Let us practice the First Saturday devotions. Let us pray the dailyosary. By fulfilling these requests, we will be consoling the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary and hasten the triumph of good over evil.
Indulgences Associated with the Holy RosaryTo acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary to rerform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfill three conditions:
A plenary indulgence is granted if the Rosary is recited in a church, a public oratory, a family group, a religious Community, or pious Association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances. To receive the plenary indulgence attached to the Rosary, the following norms must be observed:
Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences. Issued by the Sacred Important: Every new Rosary must be blessed by a Catholic priest in order for it to be a SACRAMENTAL, which means that it carries the blessing of the “prayer of the Church”. What is an indulgence? “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” – Pope Paul VI, Apostolic |
Fatima: 90 years later
On this 90th Anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, it is appropriate to remind ourselves of the continuing relevance of the message of Our Lady for us. Has the message of Fatima become irrelevant through the passing of time? Or will it ever be irrelevant?
Our Lady came to warn mankind of an impending chastisement from God, and to provide us with a way to avoid or diminish the chastisement. In other words, She gave us the solution for the crisis in which we find ourselves.
She spoke of wars and persecutions of the Church, saying that “the Holy Father would have much to suffer”. The vision associated with the third secret is apocalyptic and indicates a terrible chastisement that will engulf the whole world. Our Lady spoke of the conversion
of Russia (which can only be understood as a conversion to the Catholic Church), and said that a period of peace would be given to the world through the triumph of Her Immaculate Heart.
Some of these things, such as wars and persecutions of the Church, are already happening. Others are not yet upon us, but will certainly come. What, then, could be more relevant than to prepare ourselves to face these events?
However, the relevance of Fatima goes beyond these events, for they eventually will pass. But in Fatima the great power of Our Lady was shown and manifested more fully than ever before.
The five 1st Saturdays devotion – a devotion so simple and straight-forward – in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, will save the souls of poor sinners from Hell.
Russia will be converted by consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Russia, which has FATIMA: 90 years later been an enemy of the Church for a millennium. Imagine! Russia, the superpower that has persecuted the Church for the past century, and that even now seems to be preparing itself for war against theWest, will be converted by the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Not even a belligerent resurgent communist “superpower” can stop it!
Only the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will bring a period of peace to the world – peace which has so eluded us in spite of all our efforts and international treaties.
No, the relevance of Fatima will never wane.
A First Summer Camp in Ireland
At the beautiful Cistercian abbey of Mount Saint Joseph, Irish Society for Christian Civilisation had its first summer camp for boys. From the 13th to 19th July, in Roscrea, County Tipperary, young men aged 12-18 were inspired by a week of talks, outings, games and prayer. Based on similar camps in USA, UK and Brazil, hosted by local societies for Defence of Tradition, Family and Property and like associations in those countries, it was a first of its kind for Ireland.We are grateful to these associations for many of the ideas used in the games and talks.
Significantly, the camp began on the evening of 13th July, the ninetieth anniversary of the third apparition of Our Lady in Fatima. Activities were held in the college attached to the monastery, the abbey’s guesthouse and all throughout the abbey’s extensive grounds.
When possible, the boys were accompanied by their fathers, who attended and helped with camp supervision and organisation. Camp participants came from Ireland, England, Scotland and France, while volunteers came from as far away as Spain and Portugal to help.
Afull schedule included daily Mass and Benediction, recitation of the rosary, talks, outings and games. The camp was under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima, and most of the events were in the presence of a beautiful pilgrim statue of Our Lady.
Captivating Talks
The boys showed a lively interest in the talks and many parents expressed satisfaction after seeing how much their sons had learned in a week. The lecture titles give a good idea of topics covered.
These included: The 90th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Fatima; What is Christian Civilisation?; 700 Years of Anti-Christian Revolution; Our Lady, Patroness of the Counter-Revolution; Father Edgeworth: Irish Noble and Saintly Priest – Opponent of the French Revolution; Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular; The Influence of the Cultural Revolution in our Daily Lives; The Origins and Daily Duties of Monastic Life; The Battle Between Good and Evil in Irish History; and The True Physiognomy of the Saints.
Outings and Historic Visits
One day out took us to some of the historical sites in the town of Roscrea, including Roscrea castle. On another day, we visited Cahir Castle, the Rock of Cashel and Holy Cross Abbey. At this marvellous monastery, we venerated and were blessed with a relic of the Holy Cross that is kept there.
The camp’s final excursionwas to Mount St. Joseph’s Abbey, itself, where participantslearned about monastic life, past and present.
Sports and Games…When it wasn’t raining!
Due to a very wet July, outdoor activities were hampered. However, it would take more than a daily soaking to dampen the young men’s unquenchable vitality.
Fortunately, the camp schedule was sufficiently flexible to allow for the weather. During windows of dry weather, the boys engaged in lively “medieval games,” which emphasised pageantry, chivalry and idealism.
Forming Catholic Men
In fact, these same qualities of chivalry and idealism were the emphasis of the whole camp, always striving to show the participants
the importance of the decisions they make in life and the actions they take, and that they can influence others, their surroundings and even the course of history for good or bad, depending on whether they remain faithful to the Church. The meetings and outings brought this idea to life, with historic examples of men who forever left their mark on history.
On the last evening, a large banquet for course participants and their families was held. After a meal, the official program ended with a rosary procession through the grounds of Mount St. Joseph’s and then Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Both young men and parents were delighted with the fruits of the Summer Camp.
We hope to organise further camps for young men in the future. If you would be interested in sending a son (between 12 and 18 years old) to any such event, please contact us by clicking here.
Our Readers Write
Calendar
- I am over 80 years old and this is the most beautiful calendar I have ever seen in my whole life.
ST, Co. Wicklow
Book of Confidence
- The day I received the book I found out that I will have to undergo serious tests. I was happy to receive such a beautiful gift.
WW, Co. Galway - I have read part of it and I am getting great confidence from it. I just wish that I had come upon it when I was younger. It would have helped me through some conflict situations in my life.
KD, Co. Dublin
Rosary & Booklet
- The Rosary is a most wonderful prayer, and brings many blessings to individuals, families and communities…(it) brings a message of reality, hope and truth.
GK, Co Meath - Thank you for the most beautiful gift I have ever received in my life time.
CG, Co. Offaly - …I will start the Rosary with my family.
SS, Co. Donegal - I pray 15 mysteries every day for many years. I always pray for your apostolate.
BD, Co. Meath
Summer Camp
- Yes! We are delighted and blessed with this wonderful and exciting event! The boys were filled with enthusiasm! The Dads took this opportunity not only to have a great time with their sons, but also to rekindle their spirit of adventure. More importantly during this week, both Fathers and Sons developed a deeper love and devotion to Our Lady in this most congenial environment! Thank you to all concerned, may Our Lady bless ye!
CM, Co. Cork
Fatima: Past or Future?
- Thank you for your brilliant book. I am glad I sent for it as it has made a huge difference to my life and I am now saying the rosary again… Keep up the very good work.
KC, Co Carlow - Hope my contribution will help to change Ireland, as there is great need for it. Young people today are all rooted up with fast cars, TV, computers and no thought for prayer.
MT, Co. Mayo
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