Chapter Two
THE THIRD DAY
In the message of Fatima, the change in Russia was promised only if the Pope, together with all the bishops of the world, would consecrate that nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
What was overlooked, and is still alarmingly ignored, is that when one Pope after another failed to make this collegial consecration of Russia, Lucia asked Our Lord, on the command of her confessor, why He insisted on this consecration. Our Lord answered:
"Because I want the entire Church to know that this favor (the change in Russia) was obtained through the Immaculate Heart of My Mother, so that afterwards, it may extend this devotion of the Five First Saturdays and place devotion to Her Immaculate Heart alongside devotion to My Own Sacred Heart."
All Those Wars
Stop and think of all those wars of the last century! Think of the millions who died, not only in wars but in the crushing advance of communism over a third of the world, making it the bloodiest century in history.
Yet the first thing Sister Lucia said in that 1993 message was that "ALL THE WARS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED," if the requests had been heard.
Indeed, when the collegial consecration was finally made on March 25, 1984, the change in Russia followed within months (as we have documented elsewhere) and became fully apparent with the dissolution of the Soviet Union six years later.
Third Day Began
In that same interview in October of 1993 (which was recorded on both audio and video tape and therefore is completely accurate), Sister Lucia explained that the collegial consecration made on March 25, 1984 was accepted by God. She said that the "conversion" of Russia, which meant the granting of freedom of religion in that country, was brought about by God and brought us into the "third day."
We presume the seventh day will be the "era of peace" promised by Our Lady in the words: "Finally my Immaculate Heart will triumph, and an era of peace will be granted to mankind."
What will the fourth day bring? And the fifth and sixth? Could the fourth be the time of the warning and purification? Fifth the time of the remnant (pre-triumph)? Sixth the time of the triumph leading into the era of peace?
Even more important: What is expected of us now, in this third day?
Communions of Reparation
In a letter to her confessor on May 29, 1930, Sister Lucia repeated that Our Lord promised the change in Russia when the collegial consecration was made. Next, Our Lord said:
"The Holy Father must then promise that upon the ending of this persecution (of religion in Russia), he will approve and recommend the practice of the reparatory devotion (i.e. the Five First Saturdays)."
So now, following the change in Russia, is the time when the Holy Father is to approve and promote the First Saturday devotion. It is the "day" when whatever happens next in this unfolding Divine saga will depend on how many respond to the basic requests of Fatima and the Communions of Reparation.
This seems to place the weight of responsibility for the entire world on Catholics. They alone are able to make Communions of Reparation. But it is possible for all (eminently including Muslims) to recognize the role of Mary as the Immaculate new Eve.
In the face of this responsibility, is it not frightening that so few
seem even to know?
This and other books by John M. Haffert
God's
Final Effort | Too Late? | The Day I Didn't Die