We talked about this with Sister Angela Coelho, who was the Postulator of the Causes of Canonization of Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco Marto, and above all because of her personal link with Sister Lucia of Fatima. Today Sister Angela works to obtain from Heaven and the Church something that for her is an evident truth: Sister Lucia of Fatima’s sanctity.

Q: You are the Postulator of the Cause of Canonization of Sister Lucia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos (Sister Lucia of Fatima). She died in 2005 . . . Did you have the opportunity to know her before her death? How did that meeting impact your life? 

A: Yes, I had the opportunity to meet her on five occasions between 2001 and 2004. What impressed me most was the sanctity of her life. Her very normal, very natural style made me understand that holiness isn’t something that transforms one into an odd person. She was a very concrete person of our time.

One of the things that most impressed me was a visit she had from an important gentleman of the United States, who had many requests and questions, above all requests for Sister Lucia for one or another intention. And she always answered him: “I pray, but you also must pray the Rosary every day. In face of all requests, that was her answer. Then I said to myself . . .  if this woman, who knows much more than we do, insists that we pray the Rosary every day, this prayer must have something that is very important.

Q: Of the personal documents written by Sister Lucia that you know of today, and which are not of public access . . . Please, can you refer to one of them that you consider of high value for the process of canonization of the little shepherdess?

A: Well, I cannot talk about the documents that have not yet been published. But I can mention (that they show) her immense love for the Eucharistic Jesus, for the Virgin, for the Heart of Mary and her great love for her brothers and sisters who wrote to her asking for prayers. So Sister Lucia is truly a woman who intercedes, who prays a lot for us.

Q: The revelations that are attributed to an Angel, to the Virgin, to Jesus which occurred in Fatima and other places, are stories of Lucia. What are the main arguments of the Authorities of the Church to declare as credible the apparitions and revelations that Sister Lucia attests?

A: In the first place, the contents of the messages are all coherent with the public revelation and the Doctrine of the Church. There is nothing, nothing in the Virgin’s sayings that is contrary to the Doctrine (of the Church). Moreover, the conduct of the visionaries was always morally very faithful to the teachings of the Church and also very obedient to the Church. However, a very important sign to approve the apparitions was the miracle of the sun that the three little shepherds anticipated three months before, which 70,000 people saw and in their (thousands) of testimonies said they saw.

Q: Please mention a personal experience or that of third parties that have convinced you that Sister Lucia of Fatima is a Saint.

A: Reading her texts, I am personally convinced of her high level of sanctity surrendered for us. But there are also stories of many graces – none has characteristics of a miracle – that prove to me how people go to Lucia to ask for something, trusting in her intercessory power.

Q: Did Sister Lucia have doubts about the veracity of the apparitions and the revelations received? Why did she doubt? How did she resolve these doubts?

A: It happened briefly between Jjne and July of 1917. People who said to her that it was all a deception and she doubted at times. She resolved these doubts because Jacinta and Francisco prayed a lot for her.

Q: As Postulator are you already informed about some possible miracles that are attributed to God’s extraordinary mercy through Sister Lucia of Fatima’s intercession? 

A: There are no miracles yet.

Q: Was the reality of sexual abuses, of conscience and power attributed to members of the clergy, warned about in some way in the Fatima messages or in some writings of Sister Lucia of Fatima? 

A: In no Fatima message  or writing of Sister Lucia is there any warning on this subject.

Q: Sister Lucia and the events linked to Fatima seem far from our time. What is there relevance? Is there a Fatima spirituality that speaks to today’s young people?

A: The very self-referential characteristic of our society, very isolated, much affected by loneliness; with fear of existence, of what happens daily, delinquency, health, economic problems, the future. In face of these things, Fatima offers as a gift sent from Heaven the answers to be able to cure these wounds and asks us for commitment. For instance, in the face of self-referentiality, the Angel and the Virgin talked of Adoration, of putting God at the center. Moreover, in face of fear of existence and loneliness, Fatima offers Mary’s Heart as refuge and way to reach God and, as the Church teaches, Fatima says that you have a family, that you don’t walk alone and that this Church is your family.

When one looks at the Virgin’s requests, such as praying the Rosary , the First Saturdays, Eucharistic Adoration it’s obvious that Fatima is more relevant today than 100 years ago.

Q: In one of your conferences broadcast on YouTube in 2023, speaking of the third secret of Fatima and, concretely, the death of the “Bishop dressed in white”, which referred to a Pope, you pointed out: “The Church’s pilgrimage has not yet ended, that is why the third secret is open. In this sense, It’s not fulfilled. What’s going to happen to the Pope? I don’t know that, if it has been fulfilled or not as I believe that it is still open” . . .  In your opinion should we still hope in the fulfilment of the prophecy of that third secret of Fatima, which shows the death by martyrdom of a Pope? 

A: Well, I don’t know what the Lord will do. When I said that it is open it’s not that a Pope is literally going to die in a violent way, but that he continues suffering and, with him, many people suffer. It is in this sense that the secret of Fatima continues open.

Q: Francisco wanted to console God, Jacinta offered herself for sinners . . . and Sister Lucia? What could be the seal of her spiritual identity? 

A: I think it’s her surrender for the Church in obedience. Obedience up to death and death on a cross, as talked about in the Letter to the Hebrews. A woman totally obedient to the Church, who gives herself for the Church through her prayers and sacrifices. Also a sister we have in Heaven from whence she intercedes for us as she also did on earth.

Article published originally in PortaLuz.

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The Pope was accompanied by some of the participants in the Synod on Synodality. At the conclusion of the Rosary, Pope Francis addressed Mary with the prayer, which we now offer translated into English.

This act took place on the eve of the Day of Fasting and Prayer, originally called by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, and extended to the entire Church by Pope Francis.

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Pope Francis’ prayer to invoke peace

O Mary, our Mother, we come again here before you. You know the sorrows and struggles that weigh heavily on our hearts in this hour. We lift our gaze to you, immerse ourselves in your eyes, and entrust ourselves to your heart.

You, too, O Mother, have faced difficult trials and human fears, but you were courageous and bold. You entrusted everything to God, responded to Him with love, and offered yourself without reservation. As the intrepid Woman of Charity, you hurried to help Elizabeth, promptly addressing the needs of the couple during the Wedding at Cana; with steadfastness of heart, on Calvary you illuminated the night of sorrow with the Easter hope. Finally, with maternal tenderness, you gave courage to the frightened disciples in the Upper Room and, with them, welcomed the gift of the Spirit.

And now we beseech you: heed our cry! We have need of your loving gaze that invites us to trust in your Son, Jesus. You who are ready to embrace our sorrows, fly to our aid in these times oppressed by injustices and devastated by wars, wipe the tears from the suffering faces of those who mourn the loss of their loved ones, awaken us from the stupor that has darkened our path, and disarm our hearts from the weapons of violence, so that the prophecy of Isaiah may quickly be fulfilled: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not take up sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4).

Turn your maternal gaze upon the human family, which has lost the joy of peace and the sense of fraternity. Intercede for our world in danger, so that it may cherish life and reject war, care for those who suffer, the poor, the defenseless, the sick, and the afflicted, and protect our Common Home.

We invoke you for the mercy of God, O Queen of Peace! Transform the hearts of those who fuel hatred, silence the din of weapons that generate death, extinguish the violence that brews in the heart of humanity, and inspire projects for peace in the actions of those who govern nations.

O Queen of the Holy Rosary, untie the knots of selfishness and disperse the dark clouds of evil. Fill us with your tenderness, uplift us with your caring hand, and grant us your maternal caress, which makes us hope in the advent of a new humanity where “… the wilderness becomes a garden land and the garden land seems as common as forest. Then judgment will dwell in the wilderness and justice abide in the garden land. The work of justice will be peace…” (Isaiah 32:15-17).

O Mother, Salus Populi Romani, pray for us!

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The blessing ceremony was attended by high-ranking members of the Vatican, including Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Vatican City State’s Governorate, and Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. A number of Korean bishops, priests, religious leaders, and laity were also present, marking a moment of profound unity as the country’s bishops were in Rome for their “ad limina” visit—a tradition where bishops report on the status of their dioceses to the Pope. Diplomats from the Korean Embassy to the Holy See joined in the prayers, emphasizing the global nature of this call for peace.

The mosaic’s imagery is rich with symbolism. The Virgin Mary, dressed in a traditional Korean “hanbok”, stands as a figure of maternal care and divine protection. Her red top represents divine motherhood, while her turquoise skirt reflects peace. She cradles the Child Jesus, who is dressed in colorful attire, symbolizing the youth of Korea, and holds a globe in his hand, signifying his dominion over the world. The Virgin also clutches a rosary and stands triumphant over a serpent, symbolizing her victory over evil. Above, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove carries an olive branch, underscoring the ever-urgent plea for peace in regions stricken by conflict, such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula.

Measuring nearly two meters in height, the mosaic was crafted by renowned Korean artist Sim Soon Hwa and molded in the famous marble workshops of Carrara, Italy. Its installation in the Vatican Gardens is not only a significant honor but also a reminder of the deep connection between the Vatican and Korea, a nation where the Catholic faith has taken root despite centuries of persecution.

During his speech, Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga underscored the unique history of the Korean Catholic Church, reminding attendees of Pope Francis’ words on Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon: “His life was and remains a powerful testimony to the fervor of the Gospel.” The cardinal highlighted the unique role that laypeople played in evangelizing Korea—an unusual legacy in the global Church. For nearly a century after Christianity first reached Korea, it was laypeople, not clergy, who kept the faith alive, often at great personal risk. This legacy of courage and dedication continues to define the Korean Church.

The role of the Virgin Mary has always been central to the Korean faithful. The Feast of the Assumption, on August 15, holds special significance as it coincides with the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule at the end of World War II. For decades, Korean Catholics have viewed their country’s liberation as a gift from Mary, and her intercession continues to be sought in prayers for the peaceful reunification of the divided Korean Peninsula.

This new mosaic, set within the tranquil Vatican Gardens, not far from St. Peter’s Basilica, now stands as a permanent reminder of Korea’s enduring plea for peace. It invites pilgrims and visitors alike to pause, reflect, and offer a prayer not only for Korea but for all nations in need of reconciliation and unity. As the world faces persistent challenges of war and division, the mosaic of “Our Lady of Korean Peace” symbolizes a universal hope—that through faith, prayer, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, peace may one day prevail across the globe.

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A Positive but Nuanced Recognition

Medjugorje, a small village in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has attracted millions of pilgrims since the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary began in 1981. Over the decades, opinions from bishops, theologians, and commissions have varied widely, leading to both skepticism and fervent devotion. The Vatican’s latest note strikes a balance, acknowledging the abundance of spiritual fruits that have emerged from Medjugorje while also offering essential clarifications to prevent misunderstandings.

According to the note, these spiritual experiences are characterized by a «promotion of a healthy practice of faith» in line with Church tradition. Evidence of «abundant conversions,» a return to the sacraments, numerous vocations, and family reconciliations highlight the positive impact on the lives of many pilgrims. Furthermore, it emphasizes that these fruits have not led to any harmful or risky effects within the broader Church community.

However, the note also carefully avoids making any definitive claims about the moral character of the alleged visionaries or the supernatural nature of the events themselves. Instead, it reiterates that spiritual gifts do not require the moral perfection of those involved, pointing to the complex human element intertwined with these phenomena.

Pilgrimages as the Heart of the Experience

Interestingly, the document underscores that the true spiritual impact of Medjugorje is found primarily in the pilgrimage experience rather than the reported apparitions. Pilgrims travel to the village seeking personal renewal, spiritual growth, and an encounter with the sacred. The local parish has become a hub of prayer, retreats, and Eucharistic adoration, and many pilgrims report experiencing profound healing—both physical and spiritual—during their visit.

In addition to its spiritual role, Medjugorje has also become a center of charitable work, supporting orphans, the disabled, and those struggling with addiction. The ecumenical and interreligious context of the region, particularly in the aftermath of the Bosnian War, further enriches the unique spiritual character of Medjugorje. Christians of various denominations, as well as Muslims, participate in this shared search for peace and reconciliation. 

Messages of Peace and Conversion

Central to the spiritual phenomenon of Medjugorje is the recurring theme of peace, embodied in the title «Queen of Peace» attributed to the Virgin Mary. The note emphasizes that this peace is not merely the absence of conflict but is rooted in deeper spiritual, familial, and social dimensions. Mary’s message, delivered in the apparitions, calls for conversion, charity, and reconciliation—values that resonate strongly with those who visit Medjugorje.

The note also highlights the importance of entrusting oneself to God, with Mary’s role being seen not as the central focus but as an intercessor pointing believers toward Christ. In this way, the messages of Medjugorje encourage a deeper relationship with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit. A striking aspect of these messages is the emphasis on the power of prayer and fasting, as well as the necessity of confronting evil and sin to achieve true peace in the world.

A Call for Discernment and Vigilance

While the Vatican’s stance on Medjugorje is overall positive, the note also issues a word of caution. A small number of messages are seen as potentially problematic, as they could be misinterpreted or lead to confusion among the faithful. The Vatican stresses the importance of careful discernment, warning against giving undue attention to apocalyptic or overly prescriptive messages that deviate from the core teachings of the Church.

For instance, some of the messages may appear to suggest that the Virgin Mary is issuing commands about specific dates or practical decisions. The Vatican encourages the faithful to focus on the Gospels and not seek extraordinary revelations, reminding them that all spiritual insights must align with Scripture.

The document is clear in its intent to preserve the «treasure of Medjugorje» by addressing any distortions that might arise from subjective interpretations or theological imprecision. By grounding the experience in the broader framework of Church teaching, the Vatican hopes to safeguard the positive elements of the phenomenon while curbing potential excesses.

Public Worship Approved, but with Limits

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Vatican’s recent pronouncement is the formal approval for public worship associated with Medjugorje. While this does not constitute an official declaration of the supernatural nature of the apparitions, it acknowledges that the spiritual experiences of pilgrims at Medjugorje can serve as a positive stimulus for Christian life. As a result, public liturgies and devotions tied to Medjugorje are now permitted under the oversight of the local bishop and the Vatican.

However, the note reiterates that no one is obliged to believe in the apparitions themselves, and it remains up to individuals to discern their personal response. The Church’s focus remains on the pastoral care of pilgrims, ensuring that their spiritual journey is centered on Christ and the teachings of the Church. 

Looking Ahead: A Place for Renewal

The Vatican’s carefully crafted response to the Medjugorje phenomenon reflects its commitment to providing clarity while embracing the positive spiritual fruits that have emerged from this unique place. For many, Medjugorje will continue to be a destination for spiritual renewal, offering a profound encounter with the divine in the context of personal conversion and community prayer.

Ultimately, the Church invites the faithful to approach Medjugorje not as a place of sensationalism or miraculous expectations, but as a site where hearts can be transformed, and faith deepened through a genuine encounter with the «Queen of Peace.»

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Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Secretary for the Doctrinal Section of the same Dicastery, Monsignor Armando Matteo, will intervene. This meeting will be held in a context of expectation, given the historical weight that the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary have had since 1981, when six young people of a small Bosnian locality said they had been visited by the Virgin. The statement is taking place four months after the Dicastery issued Norms to Proceed on the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena. 

The Medjugorje Apparitions: A Decades-Old Debate

Since June 1981, Medjugorje has become the destiny of pilgrimage of millions of people, despite the fact that ecclesiastical authorities have shown skepticism for years. Although at the beginning a local Diocesan Commission issued a negative judgment about the authenticity of the apparitions, the phenomenon never disappeared, and the international  Catholic community has continued to debate the veracity of the events. 

The so-called “Zara Declaration” of 1991, issued by the Bishops of the then Yugoslavia, stated that the investigations did not make it possible to confirm the supernatural nature of the apparitions. However, they left the door open to future inquiries, a position that has been maintained over the years, including after Yugoslavia’s dissolution and the creation of new independent nations, among them Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Medjugorje is located. 

A New Chapter: The Ruini Commission and Pope Francis

In 2010, the Vatican created an International Investigation Commission under the direction of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, to reflect further on the study of Medjugorje. The Commission worked secretly until 2014, when it presented its conclusions to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The first apparitions, which occurred  between June 24 and July 3, 1981, were considered  “probably authentic,” which generated a great stir within and outside the Church. However, the subsequent visions and messages attributed to the Virgin have been the object of greater skepticism, in particular because of the frequency of the messages and the so-called “secrets” revealed by the visionaries. 

Pope Francis has supported the Commission’s work and, in 2017, he asked for new investigations, focused on the pastoral situation of the area. At the time, the Pope pointed out the difference between the genuine faith of the pilgrims and the need for caution in regard to the more controversial aspects of the apparitions. At the end of November 2021, the Holy Father appointed Archbishop Aldo Cavalli his personal Delegate in Medjugorje. 

The Current Situation: A New Vatican Statement

The present context suggests that the Vatican might be preparing a new official statement on Medjugorje, a phenomenon that has polarized the Church for over four decades. Over the last four months, the Holy See has issued several Statements about other Marian realities, so that it would not be surprising if the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith intervened again. The September 19 conference could shed new light on the focus the Vatican will adopt in regard to this phenomenon. 

The importance of this conference cannot be underestimated, given the fact that Medjugorje continues to attract thousands of faithful every year. Many of them come seeking spiritual consolation, physical healing or answers to their prayers. The Church has allowed private pilgrimages to the place, always under the warning that they do not imply the official validation of the apparitions. 

A Debate That Endures

Over the years, Prelates such as the former Bishop of Mostar, Pavao Žaniċ and his successor Ratko Perić, have expressed publicly their doubts about the authenticity of the Medjugorje visions. However, the popular devotion has not diminished, and the Vatican’s continuous investigation shows that the Church hasn’t closed this chapter. 

The forthcoming press conference could be a crucial step to clarify the Church’s official position vis-a-vis Medjugorje, a placed that has witnessed profound spiritual experiences for many, but also of controversy and skepticism. In the light of the possibilities that the Norms offer, published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in May 2024, it’s foreseeable that the Dicastery may pronounce itself for a “Curator,” that is: “Several and significant problematic elements are detected but, at the same time, there is already a wide diffusion of the phenomenon and the presence of spiritual fruits associated to it, which can be verified. In this connection, a ban is not recommended that could perturb the People of God. In any case, the diocesan Bishop is urged not to encourage this phenomenon, to seek alternative expressions of devotion and, eventually, to reorient his spiritual and pastoral profile.”

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The grand statue, which includes a chapel inside and a 360º viewing platform, was unveiled by Bishop Luis Urbanc in a ceremony attended by local civil authorities, the project’s director Walter D’Agostini, and the workers who contributed to this awe-inspiring feat of architecture and devotion. Speaking at the event, Bishop Urbanc emphasized the spiritual meaning of the statue, asking God to inspire those who come to pray before it. He called for an outpouring of love among brothers and sisters, seeking the Virgin’s intercession for divine grace.

This giant statue is much more than a symbol of faith. It celebrates the deep-rooted devotion to “Nuestra Señora del Valle”, a tradition that began over 400 years ago. According to local lore, the Virgin was first discovered in 1618 in a remote grotto in Choya, by a worker who followed the mysterious sounds of young women singing and leaving offerings of flowers and lamps at a hidden niche in the mountainside. Inside this niche, he found a small, 42-centimeter statue of the Virgin Mary, her face dark-skinned, hands folded in prayer, and adorned with golden robes and a blue belt. Despite being exposed to the elements for years, the statue remained miraculously preserved, sparking widespread devotion across the region.

For centuries, “Nuestra Señora del Valle” has been revered as the protector of miners and farmers, and her miraculous interventions have become legend. One of the most notable occurred in 1694, when a devastating plague of locusts threatened to ruin local crops. After a fervent nine-day prayer, the swarm dispersed, which the faithful took as a divine sign of the Virgin’s protection.

This deep reverence culminated in the construction of a grand sanctuary in 1859, which was completed in 1875. The Virgin was declared the National Patroness of Tourism in 1974, and the faithful from across northern Argentina make regular pilgrimages to honor her. The newest statue, which dominates the skyline of Catamarca, serves as a striking and modern testament to this ongoing tradition.

The unveiling of the statue coincides with the remembrance of a significant event in local history— the 2004 earthquake, when the community credited “Nuestra Señora del Valle” with protecting them from the disaster’s worst effects. The date of the inauguration, September 7, holds particular meaning as it commemorates that miraculous moment.

The small original statue, now known as the «Virgen Morena,» was long ago moved from the mountain grotto to a chapel in Choya. However, the newly unveiled monument ensures that “Nuestra Señora del Valle” will continue to watch over her community for generations to come, from a vantage point that can be seen for miles around.

For the people of Catamarca and beyond, this statue is more than a work of art. It stands as a powerful reminder of the enduring faith that has defined the region for centuries.

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A great number  of faithful and pilgrims also participated, either in person or through the social networks, as well as the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Mrs Mara Lezama, other political leaders, and friends and benefactors of the Shrine.

In keeping with Canonical Law (cc. 1230-1236) certain requirements were necessary for the canonical erection that raised the Parish to the category of a Diocesan Shrine, such as being the object of pilgrimages, having a particular piety or veneration, being attended by pilgrims, offering pastoral care to the faithful through preaching, liturgical life and the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance, among others.

Since its beginning eight years ago, the Shrine has consolidated as the object of national and international pilgrimages. At present it welcomes an average of 15,000 people weekly. The pilgrims visit and pray in one of the six Chapels of the Shrine, follow the trails where it is possible to hang white slats with petitions to the Virgin Mary (or coloured ones if the grace or favour has already been granted).

In his homily for the consecration, Monsignor Elizondo highlighted the work of the Legionaries of Christ and the intercession of our Mother under the title with which She is invoked in that Shrine. It is a “place of encounter with God through Mary, of many blessings and miracles. [The Virgin] has not appeared but certainly manifests herself. {It is a place of] petitions, consolation, forgiveness and reconciliation.”

The altar, which contains relics of the first Roman Martyrs, of the first Jesuits, and of Blessed Carlo Acutis, was consecrated during the celebration.

With the reading of the Decrees, the Shrine was plced under the custody of the Legion of Christ. Father Luis Pablo Garza, LC was appointed Parish Priest and Rector and Father Juan Pablo Ledesma , LC, its Vicar. Father Federico Juárez , LC, assists pastorally in the Shrine.

At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, the Governor of the State thanked the work carried out for the good of the citizens and witnessed her faith publicly.

Held days later were two events related with the Shrine: the presentation of the Shrine’s new book in the Hotel Nizuc, in the presence of the Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, and friends and benefactors. Subsequently, there was a race with families in which 500 runners took part.

This is the Shrine’s Website: https://desatadoradenudos.org/.

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In a letter addressed to the Archbishop of Bourges, Cardinal Víctor Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery, authorized the veneration of this Marian devotion, underscoring that the spiritual value of the experiences lived by Estelle Faguette, who said she witnessed several apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

A Message of Hope and Conversion

Without pronouncing himself directly on the supernatural nature of the apparitions, Cardinal Fernández highlighted the importance of the messages that Estelle Faguette attributed to the Virgin. According to the Cardinal, these expressions reflect a profound action of the Holy Spirit, directing the faithful to a life of faith and charity. In her apparitions, the Virgin spoke to Estelle about subjects such as the love of Jesus Christ and the importance of simplicity and patience in the midst of suffering.

Estella Faguette: A. Life of Faith and Suffering

Born in 1843 into a humble family, Estelle lived a life marked by sickness and sacrifice. At 32, facing a serious and incurable illness, she experienced what she described as a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. According to her accounts, the Virgin promised her healing after the fifth apparition, a promised that was fulfilled miraculously, and was confirmed by the Church in 1893.

A Confirmed Miracle

Estelle’s cure, inexplicable from a medical point of view, was recognized as a miracle by the Archbishop of Bourges with the approval of the Holy Office. In her writings, Estelle described the closeness and consolation the Virgin gave her during her sufferings, transmitting messages of encouragement and correction that still today resound among devotees.

A Message of Unity and Respect

One of the most striking aspects of the apparitions in Pellevoisin is the Virgin’s exhortation to maintain peace in the Church and respect for her Son in Holy Communion. The Virgin expressed her desire to see greater reverence and attention during the Celebration of the Eucharist, pointing out the importance of conscientious and devout prayer.

An Approved and Recommended Devotion

With this recent approval, Cardinal  Fernández has reiterated that devotion to Our Lady of Mercy is particularly recommended for those seeking a spiritual path based on simplicity, trust and love. The Vatican authority has authorized the issuing of a decree *Nihil Obstat*, thus opening the way to greater veneration of this Marian devotion, which has already flourished among the faithful.

A Good for the Universal Church

The Cardinal concluded that devotion to Our Lady of Mercy is not only free of doctrinal and moral objections, but it can also be a valuable spiritual resource for the whole Church. By inviting the faithful to adhere freely to this devotion, it is hoped that many will find in it a means to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with God.

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Born in 1930 in a Buddhist family, Sister Agnes’ life changed radically when a Christian nurse offered her water of Lourdes, which led to her conversion to Christianity. Baptized as Agnes, her name would soon become known throughout the Catholic world due to the visions and messages that, according to her, she received of the Virgin Mary, who is known under the advocation of Our Lady of Akita.

On June 12, 1973, when she had just begun her monastic life, Agnes said she had seen a brilliant light coming from the convent’s tabernacle. Shorty after, she began to experience mystical wounds and to receive messages from a stature of the Virgin, carved in wood, which was in the convent. These  events culminated in a series of visions that warned about divine punishments if humanity didn’t repent of its sins.

According to the testimonies, one of the most shocking episodes related to the Apparitions was when the statue of the Virgin began to weep. The image shed tears on 101 occasions, phenomenon that was captured on camera by a Japanese television network, amplifying devotion to Our Lady of Akita.

On April22, 1984, Bishop John Shojiro Ito of the diocese of Niigata declared that the events of Akia were of supernatural origin and he authorized the veneration of Our Lady of Akita throughout the diocese. Subsequently, in 1988, the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI), also considered the events and messages of Akita as reliable and worthy of faith.

In 2002, a Shrine was erected in Akita in honour of Mary, under the title “Mater Redentorista”, which has become the destiny of pilgrimage for thousands of faithful every year. Although the Church has not made the Apparitions official, many Catholics find in the messages of Akita a call to prayer and repentance in a world increasingly alienated from the faith.

Throughout her life, Sister Agnes was regarded as a figure of devotion and controversy, leaving a legacy behind her that continues to inspire those seeking in her experiences a testimony of the power of faith. She died on August 15, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

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There are two signs that characterize this celebration. The first is the traditional “snowfall”, which will soon take place during the Magnificat. The second is the icon of the Salus Populi Romani. If we interpret these two signs well, they can help us grasp the message of the word of God that we prayed in the Psalms and heard in the Reading.

The “snowfall”.  Is it merely folklore or does it have symbolic value? This depends on us, on how we perceive it and the meaning we give it.  We all know that it evokes the extraordinary phenomenon that pointed out to Pope Liberius the place where the original basilica was to be built. Yet, the re-presentation of this sign on today’s solemnity, inside the basilica and during the liturgy, invites us to understand it symbolically.

I suggest, then, that we allow ourselves to be guided by a verse from the book of Sirach, which says the following about the snow that God causes to fall from the sky: “The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed at its falling” (Sir 43:18). Here the book’s author highlights the twofold feeling aroused in the human soul by the natural phenomenon: marvel and amazement.

Seeing the snow fall, “the eye marvels” and “the mind is amazed”. This leads us to interpret the sign of the snowfall, understanding it as a symbol of grace, that is, of a reality that combines beauty and gratuitousness. Grace cannot be deserved, let alone bought, it can only be received as a gift. As such, it is also totally unpredictable, just like a midsummer snowfall in Rome. Indeed, grace arouses marvel and amazement. Let us not forget these two words. We cannot lose the ability to marvel and the ability to be amazed, as they are part of our experience of faith.

With this interior attitude, we can now turn to the second, much more important sign: the ancient Marian Icon which, as it were, is the gem of this Basilica. Here, grace fully acquires its Christian form in the image of the Virgin Mother with Child. The Holy Mother of God. Grace appears in its concreteness, stripped of every mythological, magical, and spiritualistic vesture always lurking in religion. In this Icon appears only what is essential: the Woman and the Son, as in the text of Saint Paul that we heard a moment ago, “God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Gal 4:4). The Woman is full of grace, conceived without sin, immaculate as the freshly fallen snow. God looked upon her with marvel and amazement – God also amazes himself –, and chose her as Mother because she is the daughter of his Son, who was begotten of him before time began, and whose Mother she became in the fullness of time. The Child holds the Holy Book with his left hand, and blesses with his right; and the first one to be blessed is his Mother, Blessed among all women. Her dark coloured mantle allows her Son’s golden garment to stand out. In him alone dwells all the fullness of divinity; and she, with uncovered face, reflects his glory. Let us all take time to look at Mary. Look at her in silence, seeing all these things in an icon through which all of us are made holy. Afterward, let us take some time to look at it.

This is why the faithful come to ask the Holy Mother of God for a blessing, for she is the mediatrix of the grace that always and only flows through Jesus Christ, by the action of the Holy Spirit. In a special way, during the forthcoming Holy Year of the Jubilee, many pilgrims will come to this Basilica to ask our Blessed Lady for a blessing. Today, we are gathered here as a kind of vanguard, invoking her intercession for the city of Rome, our city, and for the whole world, particularly for peace, that peace which is true and lasting only when it flows from repentant and forgiven hearts; forgiveness brings about peace because to forgive is the noble approach of the Lord; that peace which comes from the Cross of Christ, and from his Blood that he took from Mary and shed for the remission of sins.

I would like to conclude by addressing the Blessed Virgin in the words of Saint Cyril of Alexandria at the end of the Council of Ephesus:

“Hail, Mary, Virgin Mother of God, light bearer, incorrupt vessel. Hail, O Virgin Mary, Mother and handmaid; Virgin, for the sake of him who was born from you; Mother, for the sake of him whom you carried in your arms… Hail, Mary, you are the most precious creature in the whole world… inextinguishable lamp; for from you was born the sun of justice” (Homily 11, PG 77). Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

And now I invite all of you – let us see if you are able to do it – to repeat together three times: Hail Holy Mother of God. All together, Hail Holy Mother of God. Hail Holy Mother of God. One more time but louder: Hail Holy Mother of God.

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