The FatimaPrayer, was taught by OurLady of Fatima on July 13, 1917 to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. The three shepherd children – Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, were asked to recite this prayer at the end of each decade of the rosary. It was approved for public use in 1930, and has since become a common (though optional) part of the Rosary.
The Novena to Our Lady of Fatima is a nine-day prayer dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The novena is typically prayed from May 4th to May 12th, leading up to the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13th.
This Novena is adopted from Catholic Crusade. Choosing this version as it is easy to pray and complete. We have been in Fatima, Portugal and it was one of the most beautiful and grand pilgrimage sites. Photo below shows the inside of Fatima cathedral.
Novena follows…
Photo I took from our visit
OPENINGPRAYERS (every day)
O Most Holy Virgin Mary, you came to Fatima to reveal the graces that come from praying the Holy Rosary to three little shepherd children. Inspire us with a sincere love of this devotion so that, like the shepherd children, it is not a burdensome task but a life-giving prayer. May our prayers and meditations on the mysteries of our redemption bring us closer to your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Like the children of Fatima, we want to bring God’s word to others. Give us the strength, O Lord, to overcome our doubts so that we may be messengers of the Gospel. We know that Jesus lives in our hearts and we receive Him in the Eucharist. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, we pray that we may be like you and follow your example. We pray for all those who face oppression, that they will find peace. We pray and give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Today, we pray for an end to the suffering and injustice that plague so many parts of the world. Through the power of the Lord, you performed a miracle at Fatima and made the sun dance for thousands of people to see. Please intercede for those who are suffering. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, let us pray today for humility to seek forgiveness for our sins and make amends for our misdeeds. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, may we offer everything we do today to our Lord. As we make this offering, we think of people who are affected by our actions each day. We ask God to help us be motivated by love and compassion. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, sometimes we live in fear and we are too afraid to let go of our anxieties. We want to be God’s instruments to achieve His will and to bring Him glory. Today we ask through your intercession, that Jesus help us to trust in Him like the children at Fatima. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, show us how to pray always. Teach us how to speak to God as a friend. Help us to make time for silence in our hectic days so that we may listen to what God has to tell us. Throughout the business of our days, help us remember God and have our hearts centered on Him. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, today we pray for your Son to come to our aid and end the suffering and wars throughout the world. Help us to be like the children at Fatima; loving, trusting and faithful. May we pray to bring peace to our own world in our own small way by choosing to love and trust in the Lord. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Especially…
(mention your request)
Concluding Prayer
Our Father, Hail Mary Glory Be (three times each)
Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, thank you for appearing to the children at Fatima and delivering messages that are still relevant to us today. We pray again and again for peace in the world and for an end to war. May we continue to pray and sacrifice as you requested. Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that you graciously hear and answer our prayers.
Are you encountering problems and in a really difficult situation right now?
You are not alone.
Like many Christians, we are being tested as we grow closer to Jesus.
I’m sharing something personal for me. Before, I was afraid of studying the bible, this negative notion – “if I grow spiritually I may not be able to pass the testing of God, I might face difficult challenges and fail Him without end.”
I realized that it’s my ego that has been creating excuses; because I’m already a good person, I’ve read the bible before in school and there’s no need to do more, too busy, etc.
When harships occur in our life, it is called a test.
These tests are not the same as tempation. The bible says that God will not tempt us to sin. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your capabilities.
When tempted, no one can say, “God is tempting me.” for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone.
– James 1:13
God may test us in many ways. Part of our spiritual journey is testing, as gold is refined through fire, in the same manner, God will use trials to refine our faith.
Without trials our faith will be superficial and there’s no chance for faith to become stronger and deeper. Many people tend to forget God when everything is convenient and they have everything they need.
For those undergoing huge challenges – hope this post lifts you up a little and help you not be discouraged… These are the signs God may be testing your faith.
Signs that God is testing you
Delayed answers to prayers
Family problem
Hopelessness
Failure to achieve goals
Financial issues
Heartbreak
Illness
The last one I can relate the most, dealing with chronic illness for a looong time. I waited, even up to this day… I even imagined myself as the woman who was miraculously healed after touching Jesus’ robe (Luke 8:44).
With similar issue – hemorrhage (bleeding) for 12 years, maybe I could be like her,
I will be healed…
Pinterest
Let this be a reminder for us all, if we choose to trust Jesus and allow His peace to overwhelm us, He will bring us through the storm.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5
The biblical definition of pride is “an inordinate love of one’s own excellence.” In fact, pride was Satan’s downfall. He chose his pride and placed himself of equal with God the Father. Satan was destroyed because of pride and so he wants us to suffer the same demise.
Pride goes down to the very core of worry and anxiety, revealing a lack of trust in God. It has been called the cancer of the soul, the “beginning of all sin.”
When does pride becomes a sin?
Pride becomes sinful when it’s excessively self-focused. Sin of pride refers to a high or exalted attitude – the opposite virtue of humility. In the bible, synonyms are insolence, presumptuousness, arrogance, conceit, high-mindedness, egotism.
It becomes a sin when we are too proud and self-elevating. When we are proud it’s like we are saying that we know better than God and that we don’t need Him anymore. It’s a form of rebellion, putting our own desires and plans ahead of what God designed for us.
More Bible Verses about Pride
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, even behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
Will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11
You have been deceived by your own pride. Obadiah 3
Pride leads to disgarce but wuth humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
There are six things that the Lord hates, guess what Pride is included in the list…
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that deviseswicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
A simpler version from CEV (Contemporary English Version) –
There are 6 or 7 kinds of people that the Lord doesn’t like; those who are tooproud or tell lies or murder, those who makeevilplans or quick to do wrong, those who tell lies or stirupconflct in a family or community.
After Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, Calungsod is the second Filipino to be declared a saint. He’s also known as Peter Calungsod and Pedro Calonsor. Was a Visyan migrant, sacristan and missionary catechist who, along with the Spanish Jesuit missionary Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution in Guam for their missionary work in 1672 (Wikipedia).
The Simala Shrine is a Catholic pilgrimage site in Cebu. In my opinion, it is the Cebuano version of Lourdes Grotto in France. We have been in Lourdes and Fatima, Portugal a couple of times pre-pandemic and this local site has the same level of holy experience and devotion.
This sacred place hosts the OurLadyofLindogon, the local title of the Virgin Mary in Sibonga, Cebu. It was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration (MMEA) from Pampanga.
Simala Shrine is believed to be miraculous by devotees of Mama Mary after it is attributed to the healing of those who were afflicted with dengue in 1998. The image reportedly shed tears first in 1998 and the latest on September 8, 2016. It is quite unique amongst the images of Our Lady, this one wearing pink instead of blue.
It is also famous for its castle-like design, huge infrastructure atop the mountains of Sibonga. The shrine is associated with numerous miracles, with many answered petitions showcased in their musem.
crutches, wheelchairs and objects of those healed and answered
The church dedicated an area (& museum) to store items like crutches and wheelchairs used by devotees who were healed after praying at the Simala Shrine. They also have letters, stories, and photos thanking Mama Mary for her intervention.
There are 4 ways to pray ask for your petitions here in Simala;
Halok (kiss) – halok is Cebuano for kiss, here you will line up and kiss the image of Mama Mary while praying for your requests. You will be asked to take off your shoes as you line up and enter.
2. Pray in the adoration chapel – there’s the beautiful chapel where you can opt to sit or kneel.
3. Pray under her mantle (holy image) – you need to line up again for this one, it’s a symbolic representation of Our Lady being Our Mother and ready to intercede for us.
4. Light a candle – light a candle in the open area outside the chapel for your prayers. You can use color-coded candles based on your intentions.
Here is the list of colors and their specific prayer requests:
White – Purity, guidance, or the right path
Black – Praying for loved ones who passed away
Green – Prosperity or success (financial or business, passing exams)
Gold – Healing or good health
Orange – Reconciliation with partner/enemy/family
Pink – Blessing or forgiveness
Yellow – Peace, strength, courage, or hope
Red – Love
Gray – Deliverance from evil ways/things/spirits
Brown – Vocation
Blue – Perseverance
Violet – Achievement
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Heavenly Father, You have promised that when we dwell in the secret place of the most High and shelter under the shadow of Your wings you will guard and guide us, protect us and keep us – for You are our refuge and our fortress and You alone are the one in Whom we place our trust.
Thank You Lord that no matter where I go Your hand leads me, and Your right arm upholds me.. for You are before me and behind me, You are above me and below me You are at my right hand and also at my left. And You are within me.. indwelling in my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit, Who is my ever present Help in time of trouble.
Father, I pray that You would protect me and my family from all the evils that are lurking nearby and from those that would seek to harm us. Uphold us and keep us safe from all the evils that encircle our lives. Put Your hedge of protection and safety around us we pray, and place a guard at our doors and protects us from all that pass by our gate. And Father, keep our hearts from fear but rather fill us to overflowing with Your perfect peace that passes all understanding. Thank You that You are indeed our refuge and strength. You are that ever present Help in time of trouble – therefore in Your strength we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the middle of the sea. – for You are with us wherever we go. Thank You in Jesus name, Amen.
For those who’ve been following me in IG, one chronic side effect of my treatment or symptom management is depression. It can also be brought by illness itself, either way am 😦
We’ve all had this feeling before – sadness, dark cloud above your head, low days, lonelines… I cannot describe this state in the most positive way possible, an overall feeling of doom, zero inspiration and motivation.
Truth is no one could completely grasp one’s feelings and emotional well being with depression. Help starts with you. It takes massive effort yes, but it’s worth the try…
Please remember that – your current state is not forever, this (too) shall pass.
How to be content with your life?
Change your perspective – the easiest way to be content with your life is adjusting your perspective. Instead of being stuck with the past or obsessing over the future, focus on Living in the Present.
Be Grateful for what you have – though our life may be miserable today but try thinking of the things you have and how lucky you are compare to other people. This also includes – to stop comparing yourself with others. As the old saying goes – “the grass is greener on the other side” – the things we don’t have seem better than the things we have. This is the biggest obstacle in achieving happiness. Because there will always be someone who is happier, healthier, richer than you. But why look? If it’s only going to make you more miserable and unhappy.
Appreciate the little things – Every detail in your life counts. We may take for granted this little things because we are too focused on the negative. Daily reflection, write a journal, a walk outside for some fresh air. Making a habit of reflecting will help you think rationally when a problem arises and will keep you from being blind-sided by problems that are lurking in your life.
One thing that really helps me is – FAITH. I can’t imagine myself being in the center of all these without Jesus. To be able to believe in something greater than us is the most effective coping mechanism for people who are suffering.
Yes it’s okay not to feel okay, if you need to cry then do it…
David Spiegel, MD, the medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, reminds us that “Happiness is not the absence of sadness.”
Let me share these beautiful songs… Allow Jesus to be with you, to cry with you and feel with you…
Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this past year, the good and the hard things that have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every day.
We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else.
We ask for your wisdom, strength, and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the enemy’s evil intent; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.
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