This past weekend, I mentioned having plans on Monday to go see a Visionary. Numerous friends reached out either in conversation or via facebook, wanting to know, “What’s a Visionary?” I basically said “they see Visions. In the Catholic faith, most see the Blessed Mother.” But then I got to wonder “is that all there is? Am I actually explaining this correctly?” And voila! This week’s blog post was born of the question and curiosity.

Let’s start with a definition, courtesy of Merriam-Webster:

Yes, of course! The times we’ve had a dream or vision, and those “windows” open to shape our perspective of, and directions towards, the future. Dreams happen when asleep, visions happen when awake. Simple, pimple!

http://faithofthefathersapparitions.blogspot.com/search/label/Catholic%20Visionaries

Growing up, I voraciously read my Mama’s books about Marian Apparitions in Fatima. You know what drew me in the most? She appeared to young children. I was pretty darn young at the time, and Mom always included us in Rosaries with her friends. Together, my Marian Devotion was fed, and the fire within me started to burn. This detail, though, is something I’d forgotten: An Angel of the Lord (not Mary) appeared to them three times between the Spring of 1916 and 17. 

In spring in 1916 Lucia Dos Santos age 9, and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, ages 8 and 6 respectively, were at a meadow with their sheep in (hamlet of Fatima). It started raining, and they hid in a small cave to escape the rain. After the rain stopped and the sun came out, they stayed in the cave to eat their lunch, say the rosary and play a game of jacks. They had played but for a short while when, on the serene day, a strong wind blew that swayed the trees and a sudden white light enveloped them. In the middle of that light appeared a cloud in the form of a young man who said to them: “Fear not! I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me!” The angel knelt on the ground and bowed very low. The children imitated the angel and repeated his words three times: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.” Then he rose and said: “Pray this way. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.”

Apparently, the Angel was preparing the children’s hearts for the awesome things yet to come. Our Blessed Mother Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. She then appeared in Visions, teaching the three during the following six apparitions. Read more about the Fatima story here: http://www.theholyrosary.org/fatimaapparitions

Medjugorje is where Mary visited Visionaries next, in 1981. Some rumored that the Medjugorje Visions were Fatima’s sequel. Guess who she appeared to? You’ve got it…kids! What did Jesus say His Father’s Kingdom belonged to? So that makes sense in my simple mind. His Mama Mary appears to–and instructs–children. They in turn teach us adults who know everything already and can’t stand to be bothered. I love how He knits it all together, don’t you?

She appeared (almost daily) to six kids, ranging in age from 10 to 16. During the Visions, they received (or are still receiving) a total of 10 Secrets (not spooky. totally legit). Our Lady reveals herself to us (in part, through the children) and implores us to make changes. Compels us to conversion, fasting, penance and passionate prayer. These tools, she teaches us, have the power to stop wars and suspend the laws of nature! The Medjugorje apparitions now happen on the 25th of every month. My folks anniversary, and my birthday, fall on the 25th of November. So that detail is kind of precious to me!

You can find more information here: https://www.medjugorje.org/

In this fear-soaked culture of ours, the enemy realizes his time is short. He’s pulling out all the stops. PRAYER + FASTING + PENANCE can bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.

***Ask God for visions. Beg for dreams. Plead with Him so you, too, can help usher in His Heavenly Kingdom. By how you live. By what you envision, see, hear and speak!***