In his great work, The World’s First Love, Archbishop Fulton Sheen tells us how the Church’s doctrine of Mary, the Mother of God, is always correcting the errors of the time. With the decree of the Immaculate Conception, the Church condemned the modern notion that all men are created equal. When Pius XII defined ex cathedra the dogma of the Assumption, the Church was preaching hope in the midst of the world’s despair after two world wars.
Another great error has grown up as of late after a brief period of decline: Islam. Today, Islam has penetrated into the heart of the West as it has never done before. Any advance of the Muslim into Christian territory was fought against fiercely by previous generations, but ours has instead embraced Islam. Because of our failed missionary attempts into the land of the Muslim, Islam is now the fastest growing religion in the world, and radical Islamists have begun to carry out attacks in the West and on Christians in the Middle East. Their fervor to carry out more and worse atrocities appears only to be growing stronger.
What are we to do? “The life of man upon earth is a warfare” (Job 7:1). If we are to be good and faithful Christians, we must fight. And while we often must take up physical arms to defend ourselves, our lands, and our Faith, the most important weapon we have is prayer.
This truth is laid out clearly during Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus is about to be arrested, Peter takes out his sword, striking off the ear of Malchus. Yet Christ rebukes Peter, saying, “Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” At first glance, this exhortation seems to be taken from a pacifist’s manifesto; however, in context, we read that Peter was ready to fight a physical battle – but not a spiritual one. He rose up in arms to fight for Christ, but just before doing so, he had fallen asleep when he should have been praying.
For this, Jesus rebuked him.
Peter did not realize that the fight, while carried out in the temporal sphere, is at its core a spiritual fight. Our first and most important weapon is prayer. During the Battle of Lepanto, though great battalions met the Muslim enemy, it was the faithful all across Europe praying their Rosaries that allowed the outmanned Holy League to defeat the Ottoman invaders.
It is time again to use our most powerful weapon against heresy and attack: The Blessed Virgin Mary.
As the extremist forces of ISIS, Boko Haram, and other groups spread their reign of terror, and push for the destruction of Rome and the demise of Christians and Christian civilization, we must pray. We pray for the grace to overcome the violent Islamic heresy, and we pray for our enemies, as Christ has taught us to do. Loving our enemies is a commandment.
Returning again to The World’s First Love, we read that Muslims will not be converted by the preaching of Christ.
It is Mary who will convert them.
The Quran has verse after verse concerning Mary, each of them honoring her. In fact, the Quran has a quote from Fatima, Mohammed’s own daughter: “I surpass all women, except Mary.”
It is no coincidence, says Archbishop Sheen, that Our Lady chose to appear to three shepherd children at Fatima: “I believe that the Blessed Virgin chose to be known as ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ as a pledge and a sign of hope to the Moslem people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her Divine Son, too.” He goes on to write,
Missionaries in the future will, more and more, see that their apostolate among the Moslems will be successful in the measure that they preach Our Lady of Fatima. Mary is the advent of Christ, bringing Christ to the people before Christ Himself is born. In any apologetic endeavor, it is always best to start with that which people already accept. Because the Moslems have a devotion to Mary, our missionaries should be satisfied merely to expand and to develop that devotion, with the full realization that Our Blessed Lady will carry the Moslems the rest of the way to her Divine Son.
It is for this reason that I would like to promote a novena to Our Lady of Fatima, whose Feast Day is May 13, asking for the conversion of Muslims to the Catholic Faith. Out of charity, we must pray for our enemies, and show them great love. What greater love can we show them but to pray to our Blessed Mother for their conversion?
Below is the novena prayer to Our Lady of Fatima. For those who wish to participate, it should be said each day from May 4 to May 12.
Most Holy Virgin, who has deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three little shepherds the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary, inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion, so that by meditating on the mysteries of our redemption that are recalled in it, we may gather the fruits and obtain the conversion of Muslims to the Catholic Faith, which I ask of you in this novena, for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of all people. Amen.
Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times each.
Beginning on May 13, and ending on May 21, those participating in this novena intend to offer an additional nine days of thanksgiving, saying each day three Hail Marys, in gratitude for Our Lady of Fatima hearing our prayers.
Our Lady of Fatima, ora pro nobis!
Are you aware that there is an Act of Consecration To The Sacred Heart (issued with the Encyclical letter of His Holiness, Leo XIII, dated June 11, 1899, on the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus), and within this consecration, is the following…” Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them all into the light and Kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people people. Of old they called down upon themselves the blood of the Savior; may It now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.”…
Is this the same? The sources I’ve seen say it’s from Pius XI. I’d like to get the citation right:
https://onepeterfive.wpengine.com/catholic-prayers/act-of-consecration-of-the-human-race-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-pope-pius-xi/
I am reading directly from an October, 1938 Prayer Book called Within The Sancturary + The Mass. There is a Nihil Obstat by H.B. Laudenbach, Censor Librorum, and an Imprimatur by John J. Nash, Vicar General-Diocese of Buffalo, October 1938. This little book (which belonged to my very Catholic Dad) indicates below the above that it was compiled from approved sources by a priest of the Congregation of the Mission. The Consecration info regarding Leo XIII is indicated (in parenthesis) right after the title of the consecration. If you want me to type out the whole consecration, let me know. I will be happy to do so for you.
Not here: Leo XIII – Annum Sacrum | Vatican or here: ANNUM SACRUM | papalencyclicals.net
That prayer is not at all politically correct.
Interreligious “dialogue” certainly is much more effective. Blah blah blah…
A catholic is not supposed to be ‘politically’ correct. One is supposed to love God with all one’s mind, heart and soul, speak the real truth, and is expected to try to convert the whole world to the one true faith which is the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. These days we need spiritual warriors too. The consecration prayer is powerful, and it came from a very holy and a very astute Pope who truly understood what was really going on in the world. He was not afraid to stand up and say it like it is. Real Truth. Read Pope Leo XIII’s writings, as well as those of older Popes like Pius X, XI, XII, and some before that, as well as dogmatic Councils, and the more ancient Fathers and Doctor’s of the Church. As can be read and noted, nothing has changed down through the ages. History keeps repeating itself, over and over. There is nothing new under the sun.
As a Catholic, I am more interested in being “religiously correct” rather than politically correct.
Hi Steve,
As requested, here is the full Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart as noted in my other emails and that I identified – issued with the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness, Leo XIII, dated June 11, 1899:
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us , humbly prostrate before Thy altar. We are Thine and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee; many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned Thee. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them all into the light and Kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy toward the children of that race, once Thy chosen people. Of old they called down upon themselves the blood of the Savior; may It now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm, give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation, to It be glory and honor forever. AMEN.
(As I noted in my other emails, I found this prayer and info in a little October 1938 prayer book called, Within The Sanctuary, then underneath that it had a cross + and then underneath the cross it said, The Mass, and of course this little prayer book has all the appropriate approvals as I noted before. I hope this helps. I think it is a beautiful and most humbling prayer and surely is appropriate for these days. Blessings!
Thanks, Maggie!
THANKS MAGGIE!
God Bless!!!!
God Bless!!!!
Thank you so very much. A number of people are praying this particular Consecration prayer. You can read where I found it and what it said in my previous emails. God bless you for your kindness.
Thanks for this Novena Steve, I had been scouting around for it, and I guess Our Blessed Mother wanted me to find it, because it was in my inbox this morning. Although I started it a day late, I’m sure she will honor my prayers…….I’ll just finish it a day later:) Thanks again.
Fantastic idea. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this very timely article. In fact, Fatima is named after a Muslim girl who
bore the name of Mohammed’s daughter. The Portuguese girl later became a
Christian. All of this is certainly not a coincidence. The previous focus of
Russia has lead to this aspect being ignored by most. St. John Bosco in a
prophetic dream saw a time when the Church would battle for her very existence.
The Church was seen as a massive ship surrounded by other warring vessels. The
Church was saved by being tied to two massive pillars. One was surmounted by
the Eucharist. The other had a statue of Mary – written on the pedestal was the
word and the date for Lepanto, the naval battle that saved Europe from a Muslim
invasion and lead to the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Prayer (and penance)
is no doubt key to achieving this victory and at Fatima our Lady did promise
that a time of peace would be given to the world.
Thank you for posting this novena.
No or of Islamism here: http://catholicism.about.com/od/tothesacredheart/fl/Act-of-Consecration-of-the-Human-Race-to-the-Sacred-Heart-of-Jesus.htm
I read the info. However, I can’t help what it says in my little prayer book. Interestingly, too, I noted that the ETWN site mentions Annum an interesting word – infidel in #6. Also, on the other site (About Religion), an interesting commentary comes up. It says this:
“A shortened form of the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, omitting the penultimate paragraph with its prayers for the conversion of non-Christians, is often used today.”
So, to be very honest, and please forgive me for saying this, but I tend to believe the whole Consecration version that I put in this site is the actual true version which is in my Dad’s little prayer book. I don’t think it would be a lie or wrong, especially in the 1930’s. And they would not have left anything out…like perhaps was done later….for other reasons maybe? Thank you for the input though. It is truly appreciated and blessing to you.
I just dug up my Purgatorian Manual from 1946. Have a look. This may explain why there are multiple attributions:
Thanks Steve. Note that it says ‘authorized’ by Pius XI. However, like I mentioned before, my prayer book of 1938 specifies Leo XIII which is right up there prior to the prayer itself. This above prayer that you provided is exactly the same prayer that I have which came from Leo XIII. In any case, I’m glad you found it. Here is a scan regarding what is in my book. Thanks.
Now I have to go read that Encyclical!
I do not believe that the absence of the form of consecration on the Vatican website, and Islamism missing from of consecration on CNA for example is an accidental oversight.
*
God bless you and his work at your hands and let’s pray for one another. It is prayers [and sacrifices] and prayers God’ mercy upon us in these trouble times.
Thank you so much. May we pray with all our hearts the beautiful consecration prayer, adding our penances and sacrifices, and as you say, ask our dear Lord for His mercy upon all of us in this special time. Take care.
If the Consecration of Russia had been properly done by the Pope according to what our Lady required, the world would be in the period of peace She promised and the islamic threat wouldn’t be so frightening.
Those who claim that the Consecration was done and that the 3rd Secret was fully unveiled are unable to address the many discrepancies about how the Vatican dealt with the 3rd Secret for 50 years