The Holy Family of Fátima
The Holy Family holds a special place in our community. The profound spiritual dimension of our work is underlined by the fact that our founding charter was blessed at the Our Lady, Patroness of America Centre – Oratory of the Holy Family in Rome City, Indiana, USA, on 13 May 2023, the liturgical memorial of the Apparitions of Fátima.
In this day and age, when the institution of the traditional family is exposed to many social challenges, pressures and ideological changes, devout Christians are seeking firm and inspiring role models. In addition to the historic Family of Nazareth – Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Divine Providence has given us, in modern history, another particularly powerful and relevant image of family life. This is the Holy Family of Fátima, as revealed in its culmination on 13 October 1917 in
Portugal. Within the Familia Sancti Michaelis Archangeli, we realise how important it is to have spiritual beacons before our eyes. The Fatima apparitions are not merely a call to pray the Rosary and to do penance, but convey a profound message about the meeting of heaven and earth within the context of the family.
1. The Apparition of the Holy Family at Fátima: A Supreme Testimony.
When, on 13 October 1917, the famous ‘miracle of the sun’ took place before the eyes of some 70,000 witnesses, the three visionaries – Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta – saw not only the Virgin Mary in the sky, but also a vision of the Holy Family. Lucia later recalled that, after the apparition of the Mother of God had ended, the entire Holy Family appeared to them. The Virgin Mary was dressed in a white gown with a blue cloak. Saint Joseph and the Infant Jesus were blessing the world with a gesture of the hand in the shape of a cross. This moment is no coincidence. In Fátima, the Virgin Mary repeatedly emphasised the importance of the family, purity of intention and prayer. The apparition of the Holy Family at the conclusion of the events at Fátima is God’s confirmation that the example of Nazareth remains a remedy and an answer to the crises of the modern world.
2. The Pillars of the Holy Family of Fátima for today’s families.
If the modern Christian family is to remain faithful to the message left to us by Heaven at Fátima, it should be founded on three key pillars:
A. Prayer as the lifeblood of family life.
At Fátima, the Virgin Mary urged: ‘Pray, pray much, and make sacrifices for sinners…’ The recitation of the Holy Rosary was a central requirement of all the apparitions. The Holy Family of Nazareth lived in constant inner union with God. In the context of Fátima, the Rosary becomes a family bond. A family that prays together remains united and protected from the influences of the outside world.
B. Self-sacrificing love and suffering borne in peace.
The little shepherds of Fátima—Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta—understood the value of offering sacrifices for the offences committed against the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. In the context of the family, this means patiently bearing daily crosses, forgiving one another, and sacrificing one’s own comfort for the good of other members of the household. The Holy Family endured poverty, exile and misunderstanding, yet its foundation was always self-sacrificing love.
C. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Fatima is inextricably linked to the Heart of Mary, which is a refuge and a path leading to God. The consecration of the family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary means entrusting all joys, sorrows, the upbringing of children and the challenges of married life to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary. Mary leads
every family safely to her Son.
3. A call to our FSMA community.
For members and supporters of Familia Sancti Michaelis Archangeli, the Holy Family of Fátima is a commitment. Under the protection of Saint Michael the Archangel, who defends God’s people against the attacks of the Evil One, we are called to build our families as ‘domestic churches’. Saint Michael fought against Lucifer’s pride and disobedience through his humility and fidelity to God. The Holy Family of Nazareth and Fatima show us the power of humility, silence, obedience to God’s will and mutual respect. At a time when families are torn apart by individualism and a lack of time, Fatima reminds us that God must be at the centre of every family.
May the Holy Family of Fatima be a lasting inspiration for our households. May the Prince of the heavenly hosts, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend our families against the spiritual snares of our times, and may Our Lady of Fatima envelop us in her mantle of peace, holiness and heavenly love.