Living Our Catholic Faith in These Times Sponsored by the St. Vincent Ferrer Foundation of Texas Our Lady s Heavenly Solution for our Time Our Lady s Heavenly Solution for Our Time I. A Scriptural Glance at Our Lady II. Discerning Authentic Marian Apparitions III. Nine Marian Apparitions IV. A Prophetic Look Towards the Future David Rodríguez, M.Th. 19 November 2016 Monrovia, CA PURITY Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. Luke 1:38 WORSHIP My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47 PRAY But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19, 51 FAITH Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11:28 1
Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye. John 2:5 OBEY PENANCE Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother. John 19:25 MATERNAL Woman, behold thy son. Behold thy mother. Jn 19:26-27 COMBAT And the dragon was angry against the Woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Apoc 12:17 Some reasons why we need private revelation: 1) Clarify something in public revelation under attack. 2) Emphasize something in public revelation that is being neglected. 3) Strengthen faith and hope in a present trial. 4) Prepare us for future trials. 5) Increase piety. 6) Manifest the unity of the Church Triumphant, Suffering and Militant Not every supernatural apparition is from God! Some apparitions may arise from natural or psychological causes. If they are supernatural, they may be caused by the devil. The Scriptures frequently warn us to beware of false prophets and diabolical apparitions. And no wonder, for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14 But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. Gal 1:8 2
Use objective discernment. Some helpful tell-tale signs: 1) Magisterial approval. 2) The entirety of the message is true. There is no error or deceit. 3) It does not contradict de fide dogma 4) It does not attempt to distort or change sacred Tradition. 5) In years following the apparition devotion grows, public veneration spreads, a church is built at site... Use objective discernment. Other indications include: 1) Beware of novelties. 2) Is it a money-maker? 3) Do the seers seek the limelight or a hidden life? 4) Do we really need this message at this time? 5) Are our Lady s actions and words in harmony with her role in Scripture and her bonafide apparitions? When in doubt, focus more on the major bonafide apparitions. Appears to St. James in Zaragoza, Spain (40 AD) Let us take a very brief look at a novena of such apparitions. (Those nine which I consider the most important.) God wishes to be glorified and magnified, where the treasures of His right hand shall be opened up for all the faithful through my intercession, If they ask for them in faith and sincere piety In the church which thou shall build... to St. Dominic near Toulouse, France (1214) gives St. Simon Stock the Scapular (16 July 1251) The Fifteen Decade Rosary Our Spiritual Weapon Aylesford, England Our Spiritual Shield Therefore preach my Psalter and you will obtain an abundant harvest In this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish. Whosever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. Wear it devoutly and perseveringly. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life. 3
Appears to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac, México Appears to St. Catherine Labouré (Rue de Bac, Paris) Miraculous Tilma converts millions! 12 Dec 1531 She gives her the Miraculous Medal 27 Nov 1830 Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you. The orb which you see is the world, France in particular, and each person individually. I am praying for it and for everyone in the world. The rays which fall on this orb are the graces which I give to those who ask for them. Appears to St. Bernadette Soubirous (Lourdes, France) Appears to Melanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud La Salette, France 19 Sept 1846 11 Feb 1858 I do not promise to make you happy in this world but in the other Penance, penance, penance; pray for sinners Go, tell the priests to come here in procession and build a chapel here I am the Immaculate Conception. If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son The society of men is on the eve of the most terrible scourges and of greatest events. The righteous will suffer greatly. Rome will lose the faith and become the seat of the Antichrist. Appears to Mother Mariana de Jesús Torres Appears to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta Quito, Ecuador 16 Jan 1610 Fatima, Portugal 13 May 1917 to 13 Oct 1917 Vision at Tuy 13 June 1929 Shortly after the middle of the 20 th century the passions will erupt and there will be a total corruption of customs (morals), for Satan will reign almost completely The precious light of faith shall be almost totally extinguished God shall punish heresy, blasphemy and impurity. (1) Many souls are falling into hell Penance, Penance, Penance Pray the Rosary every day (2) Devotion to the Immaculate Heart Consecration of Russia; First Saturday Devotion (3) The Third Secret of Fatima 4
A Prophetic Look Towards the Future Our Lady predicted this grave crisis in the world and the Church. It will get worse prepare for martyrdom. The solution will only come through direct divine intervention. The Immaculate Heart will triumph and reign. There will be a glorious restoration of the Church. Then comes the Antichrist. All will be even worse! Christ the King shall return to judge the living and the dead. Our Lady s Heavenly Solution for our Time! Traditional Latin Mass Frequent Confession Eucharistic Adoration Devotion to the Sacred Heart Traditional Latin Mass Frequent Confession Eucharistic Adoration Devotion to the Sacred Heart Pray the Rosary Brown Scapular Miraculous Medal Consecrate yourself to Mary Devotion to the Immaculate Heart (First Saturday, Pray for the Pope & consecration of Russia) 5