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MARIOLOGY
The Marian Era: An Analysis of Church-Approved Marian Apparitions
by David H. Stoeck, B.S.. M.B.A., C.P.A.
Introduction
Pope John Paul II, as Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, spoke these words during a visit to the United States in 1976:
We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has gone through. I do not think that wide circles of the American society or wide circles of the Christian community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel. This confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Pro vidence . . . It is a . . . test of 2,000 years of culture and Christian civilization with all of its consequences for human dignity, individual rights, human rights and the rights of nations.1
John Paul II is talking about Truth in Christ versus lies in Satan, the Father of Lies (Jn.8:44). He elaborates further in his encyclical letter The Splendor of Truth:
. . . there is a tendency to grant to the individual conscience the prerogative of independently determining the criteria of good and evil and then acting accordingly . . . this individualism leads to a denial of the very idea of human nature.2
The Pope spells out the consequences of this behavior in his encyclical letter The Gospel of Life:
. . . when the sense of God is lost, there is also a tendency to lose the sense of Man, of his dignity and his life; in turn, the systematic violation of the moral law, especially in the serious matter of respect for human life and its dignity, produces a kind of progressive darkening of the capacity to discern God’s living and saving presence.3
In other words, the more mankind removes itself from Christ, the more difficult it becomes to recognize the Truth. This error is the philosophy of relativism (as taught by Hume, Kant and Comte). A point may be reached where only God’s direct intervention or mankind’s descent into widespread destruction will open people’s eyes.
Approved Apparitions Defined
There has been a notable increase in reported Marian phenomena in our century. This has increased public awareness of these reported occurrences, as reflected in a front page article in the Wall Street Journal in 1991:
Father Guerra now has reporters from all over the world at his door. Already, a Belgian television company has signed him up for a special on the Virgin of Fatima that is to be broadcast this fall in the Soviet Union.4
Since only a few of these reported apparitions are approved by the Church, it is useful to define what this approval means. Pope Pius X gave an explanation in his encyclical concerning Modernism:
In passing judgment on pious traditions. . . the Church uses the greatest prudence . . . Even then she does not guarantee the truth of the fact narrated; she simply does not forbid belief. . . On this matter the Sacred Congregation of Rites, thirty years ago, decreed as follows: “These apparitions and revelations [of La Salette and Lourdes] have neither been approved nor condemned by the Holy See. It has simply allowed that they be devoutly believed by purely human faith, according to the tradition which they relate . . . 5
It must be stated, however, that John Paul II has visited many approved Marian apparition sites; this makes a clear statement as to their credibility. He also encourages the faithful to visit these sites. Still, there are many unapproved apparitions being reported. At times, the information available concerning these events can be very confusing. When confronted with this, the faithful should keep in mind the declaration of the Church at the Fifth Lateran Council in 1516:
In response to such ‘prophetic preaching’, the Council forbade any preacher to speak about “the predetermined time of future evils, or the coming of the antichrist, or a definite day of judgment”. . . However, the Council kept open the possibility that God might, “by some kind of inspiration . . . reveal . . . things that are to happen in the Church of God in the future.” But, “. . . such claimed inspirations, before being made public . . . should be understood as reserved from now on to the examination of the Apostolic See.”6
The Apparitions
Ephesus, Turkey
Near Ephesus, on Mt. Koressos, stands the house where Mary lived after Christ’s Ascension. Jesus gave John responsibility for Mary’s care and gave John and us to Mary (Jn.19:26-27). The house was seen by Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), Stigmatist, in a vision; Lazarian priests discovered it based on her direction.7
Historical evidence corroborates the vision. The first church dedicated to Mary is in Ephesus. In the early history of the Church, churches dedicated to saints were usually built close to where they lived. The church was also the site of the Council of Ephesus (431 A.D.) which declared Mary to be the Mother of God; this also supports the vision.
The house is administered by the Convent of the Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate, St. Maximilian Kolbe’s order. Both Pope Paul VI and John Paul II have been there. Local Christians have carried on a tradition of pilgrimage to this site, on August 15, for two thousand years. Many Moslems visit the house as well; their devotion to Mary is important and we will reference it again. It is believed that the Assumption of Mary into heaven occurred here as well. A miraculous fountain is also present; healings have taken place after the water has been bathed in or consumed.
Le Puy, France
Le Puy is considered the “Lourdes” of the Middle Ages. It was one of the starting points for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Bishop Scutarius built the first cathedral dedicated to Mary in 415 A.D. He was convinced that Mary appeared here and asked that the cathedral be built; he even included the pagan arch (dolmen) on which she appeared. To do this he had to obtain the approval of Rome. It is one of the first known visions of the Virgin.8
There is a fascinating connection between Le Puy and Lourdes. In the eighth century, Mirat, the Moorish commander of what is now Lourdes, was besieged by Charlemagne. He wouldn’t surrender to Charle magne, but submitted to Notre-Dame du Puy through the bishop; he was baptized as Lorus (Lourdes is derived from Lorus). Again, we see a link between Our Lady and the Islamic people; here, a conversion occurred.9
Also, Le Puy adumbrates Fatima! The statue of Notre-Dame de France, in Le Puy, is constructed from Russian cannon. The cannon were captured on the date of Mary’s Nativity, September 8, 1855, by French forces during the Cri mean War.10 A central part of the Fa tima message calls for the conversion of Russia! St. Louis gave the cathedral in Le Puy a thorn from Christ’s crown. Six popes, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Dominic all made pilgrimages there.11 In a Papal Bull dated 1051, Pope Leo IX stated in reference to Le Puy: “Nowhere does the Blessed Virgin receive a more special and more filial worship.”12
Miraculous Medal, France
In 1830, in the Chapel of the Rue du Bac, Paris, St. Catherine Laboure was visited by the Virgin Mary. The Miraculous Medal was revealed to her as a powerful means of grace for the faithful. The words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee” are on the medal. This reference to the Immaculate Conception started the movement in favor of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception (declared in 1854).
The words on the medal were expanded in prayer by the faithful to include: “and for all who do not have recourse to thee, especially the enemies of the Church.” This honors Mary’s requests at Lourdes and Fatima to offer prayer and acts of reparation for sinners. The back of the medal displays a large M over a bar attached to a cross; this is a strong symbol of Mary’s co-redemptive role in salvation history.
Mary also revealed to St. Catherine that “the times are very evil. . . The whole world will be plunged into every kind of misery.”13 Revolutions rocked France in 1830, 1848 and 1870. Prophecy is a significant part of the apparitions at La Salette, Fatima, Amsterdam, and Akita as well; I will cover those events. This apparition at Paris is considered the first of the Marian Era.
La Salette, France
On September 19, 1846, two young children in the French Alps, Melanie and Maximin, were visited by Mary. Mary expressed concern over the lack of devotion among Catholics. She prophesied the crop failures in Western and Central Europe; these eventually led to an economic depression and the Revolution of 1848.
Prayer and the need for conversion to avoid chastisement were emphasized. This is the message of Fatima. A miraculous spring began to flow near the site of the apparition. The water was brought to a local woman who was healed of a serious illness after drinking it. There have been many cures through the water.14
The most controversial part of this apparition is a secret which Melanie says was given to her by Mary. It was published in Lecce, Italy, on the fifteenth of November, 1879; it bears the imprimatur of the local ordinary at that time, Bishop Zola. Relevant excerpts follow:
The priests . . . by their irreverence and their impiety in the celebrations of the Holy Mysteries, by . . . their love of honors and pleasures, the priests have become cess-pools of impurity . . . there is no one left to beg mercy and forgiveness for the people . . . God will strike in an unprecedented way . . . In the year 1864, Lucifer together with a large number of demons will be unloosed from hell; they will put an end to faith little by little, even in those dedicated to God . . . Evil books will be abundant on earth . . . The Church will suffer a terrible crisis . . . As the holy Faith of God is forgotten, every individual will wish to be his own guide . . . The righteous will suffer greatly . . . All of God’s people will beg for forgiveness and mercy and will plead for my help and intercession . . . Suddenly, the persecutors of the Church of Jesus Christ . . . will perish and the earth will become desert-like. And then peace will be made, and man will be reconciled with God . . . Holy Church . . . will be strong, humble, pious . . . The Gospel will be preached everywhere . . . there will be unity among the workers of Jesus Christ . . .15
The secret describes the current state of the world, as described by John Paul II in The Splendor of Truth. Pope Paul VI issued The Mystery of Faith during the middle of the Second Vatican Council in order to warn the faithful about what the Council taught concerning the Eucharistic liturgy; these teachings are worse than wasted effort without belief in Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.16 Consider strongly that Paul VI wrote this document in the 1960’s; things have not improved since then! Fatima, Amsterdam and Akita all refer to an impending chastisement in the world; Fatima also refers to a period of peace. These apparitions will be described.
Lourdes, France
Lourdes is possibly the most recognized Marian apparition. Every year, millions of people visit the shrine. Many are physically ill; they are seeking a cure through the miraculous water that St. Bernadette uncovered.
From February 11 through July 16 of 1858, Ber nadette Soubirous had eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary. The messages of Mary concerned the need for repentance and prayer for sinners. She also requested that a chapel be built and that pilgrims should come to it in processional form; this occurs to this day. Mary also told Bernadette that she is the Immaculate Con ception; this affirmed Pope Pius IX’s dogmatic declaration in 1854.17
Pontmain, France
On the second of February, 1872, Msgr. Wicart, bishop of Laval declared: “We judge that the Im mac ulate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, truly appeared . . . in the hamlet of Pontmain.”18 In a radio message to the pilgrims of Pontmain on May 30, 1971, Paul VI said: “This message, hidden from the wise and prudent, is a fountain of powerful graces for the little ones.”19 Our Lady appeared to four young children on the evening of January 17, 1871, during the Franco-Prussian War. Under her feet a scroll unrolled with the message: “PRAY MY CHILDREN GOD WILL SOON ANSWER YOUR PRAYER. MY SON IS WILLING TO HEAR YOU.”20
Mary held a red cross during her appearance. She embraces the cross in union with her Son, highlighting her co-redemptive role in salvation history. The message of Pontmain is powerful: Embrace the cross; be like children in your faith; have hope.
Fatima, Portugal
From May 13 through October 13, 1917, during W.W. I, Mary appeared six times to three young children. The apparitions were preceded by visits from an angel. He spoke to them of sacrifice, reparation for sin, prayer for sinners and acceptance of suffering.
On one occasion, he knelt before a Host dripping Blood into a chalice, all suspended in midair, and said this prayer:
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore you profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.21
This certainly was a forewarning of the crisis of faith in the Eucharist in our day! The main message from Our Lady at Fatima follows:
I want you to. . . continue to pray the rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war, for she alone can help . . . I will perform a miracle so that everyone may see and believe . . . Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say often, especially when you make some sacrifice: O my Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary . . . You saw Hell where the souls of poor sinners go. In order to save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If people do what I ask, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end. But if people do not stop offending God, another, even worse, will begin in the reign of Pius XI. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that it is the great sign that God gives you that He is going to punish the world by means of war, hunger and persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent it, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If people attend to my requests, Russia will be converted and the world will have peace. If not, Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, fomenting wars and persecutions of the Church.. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world . . . When you say the rosary, say after each mystery: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need.22
Rosary prayer, reparation for sinners, the existence of Hell, the need for the Consecration of Russia and First Sat urday Communions of Reparation are all emphasized. Mary asked that we con secrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, as well. In addition, Mary foretold the end of W.W.I and the onset of W.W.II, the rise of Communism, and told Sr. Lucia, the Fatima seer, a third secret, which the Pope and Cardinal Ratzinger also know. Mary did perform a miracle on October 13, 1917: “. . . a ball of fire resembling the sun whirled in the sky amid a multitude of wavering colors . . . at the climax, the fire fell earthwards . . . ”23 Mary mentions the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart and a period of peace. This period of peace is mentioned at La Salette and in private revelation, as well.24
The Islamic connection to Mary is most evident at Fatima, named after Mohammed’s favorite daughter. Moslems recognize Jesus’ virgin birth and the Im maculate Conception of Mary.25 Indeed, private revelation calls for the conversion of Moslems to the Catholic faith before the period of peace.26
John Paul II did consecrate Russia to the Immac ulate Heart of Mary on March 25, 1984. This consecration has been recognized by Sr. Lucia as valid.27 How ever, there is still a need for conversion in Russia and the world! There is strong evidence that Pope Pius XII was influenced by Fatima when he declared the Dog ma of the Assumption in 1950.28
Beauraing, Belgium
On July 2, 1949, Bishop Andre-Marie Charue of Namur declared: “We are able . . . to affirm that the Queen of Heaven appeared to the children of Beauraing . . . to show us in her maternal Heart the anxious appeal for prayer and the promise of her powerful mediation for the conversion of sinners.”29 Our Lady appeared to five children in 1932 and 1933. She came as the Virgin with the golden Heart, her Immaculate Heart that Fatima had emphasized. The children were told to pray much and sacrifice themselves for Mary. She promised to convert sinners and this has been a great fruit of this apparition. Physical cures also took place at the shrine. The children all eventually married and provided examples of real Christian families.30
Banneux, Belgium
In the year 1958, Bishop Louis Joseph Kerkhofs of Liege declared: “What is now important is not again the recognition of the facts of Banneux, but the understanding and spreading of the message of the Virgin of the Poor.”31 In 1933, Our Lady appeared to Mariette Beco. She came as the Virgin of the Poor and showed Mariette a spring of water, “reserved for all nations - to relieve the sick.” She also told Mariette to “pray much”.32 Bishop Kerkhofs has documented twenty miraculous cures which took place between 1933 and 1938; all met the rigid tests of medical records.33 John Paul II has made a pilgrimage to Banneux.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Many feel that the alleged apparitions of the Vir gin Mary to Ida Peerdeman from March 25, 1945, through May 31, 1959, represent the crowning of the Marian Era. Ida provided an image of Our Lady to the local bishop along with a prayer. On October 4, 1997, the Bishop and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam declared the following:
I am pleased to support the veneration of Mary under the title “LADY OF ALL NATIONS”, which Bishop Bomers and myself have approved for the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam. I am furthermore pleased to encourage the ACTION OF THE LADY OF ALL NATIONS, the goal of which is spreading her image and prayer throughout the world. This prayer has already received more than sixty imprimaturs and is translated into over sixty languages.34
The prayer follows:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war. May the Lady (vrouwe) of All Nations, who once was Mary, be our Advocate. Amen.35
The Dutch word “vrouwe” translates as “Lady” or “Woman”. The prayer references Mary’s new role as mother of all nations. This is the role Jesus gave her from the cross: “Woman, behold your son” (Jn. 19:26). No longer simply the girl Mary, she is now the Wom an (Mother) of all nations. What is remarkable about the Amsterdam events is the similarity they bear to a fully approved Marian apparition in Akita, Japan.
Akita, Japan
On April 22, 1984, after an investigation of over ten years, Bishop John Shojiro Ito of Niigata declared: “After the investigation conducted up to the present day, I recognize the supernatural character of a series of mysterious events concerning the statue of the Holy Mother Mary . . . Consequently, I authorize . . . the veneration of the Holy Mother of Akita.”36 The bishop also stated: “As for the content of the messages received . . . when one thinks of the actual state of the world, the warning seems to correspond to it in many points.”37 In Akita, Sr. Agnes Sasagawa received messages from her guardian angel and Mary from June 24, 1973, through May 1, 1982. The messages included the following:
Pray with fervor not only because of your sins, but in reparation for those of all men . . . The wounds of Mary are much deeper and more sorrowful than yours . . . Jesus present in the Eucharist . . . Truly present . . . Pray very much for the Pope, bishops and priests. . . The blood shed by Mary has a profound meaning . . .38 the Heavenly Father is pre paring to inflict a great chastisement on all man kind . . . I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him and form a cohort of victim souls . . . the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before . . . the work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, and bishops against other bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned . . . the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests . . . to leave the service of the Lord . . . I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach . . . The Rosary is your weapon . . . At tach great importance to this day (First Saturday) . . .39
Again, we see the Fatima message repeated: There is admonishment to pray the Rosary for reparation of sin and to prevent a chastisement; to honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary, especially on the First Saturday of the month; and above all to adore Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist. The warnings about evil in the Church and a chastisement dovetail with Melanie’s secret from La Salette. Melanie was persecuted for revealing her secret, yet it appears the course of events has vindicated her.
Bishop Ito who approved Akita believes that it is part of the third secret of Fatima. This is supported by the 1988 judgment of Cardinal Ratzinger that the Akita messages and phenomena are reliable and worthy of belief; Cardinal Ratzinger knows the third secret.40
In an interview with Fr. Augustine Fuentes on December 26, 1957, Sr. Lucia of Fatima speaks of a potential chastisement.41 This same punishment was revealed by Venerable Mary of Agreda in the book City of God:
This vengeance of the wrath of the omnipotent will happen in the last ages of the world, but it shall be a new punishment, greater than which neither before nor after is possible during mortal existence. . . God will avenge with an especial and dreadful chastisement the injuries committed against His most holy Mother . . .42
The wooden statue of Our Lady at Akita which shed human blood, sweat and tears is the image of our ”Lady of All Nations” approved for veneration in Amsterdam. Those devoted to Akita stress the apparition’s support of Mary’s role as Co-Redemptrix.43 This role of Our Lady is an integral part of the Am sterdam message as well.
Mary as Co-Redemptrix
There is a movement in the Church which is petitioning the Holy Father to solemnly define as doctrine Mary’s role as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix and Advo cate.44 There is much controversy concerning this declaration; one area of concern people express is that it makes Mary equal to Jesus. This is not true, however, as explained in a document entitled “The Fifth Marian Dogma”:
It is important to note that the prefix “co” in the title Co-redemptrix does not mean “equal to”, but rather “with”, coming from the Latin word, “cum”. The Marian title Co-redemptrix never places Mary on a level of equality with her divine Son, Jesus Christ. Rather, it refers to Mary’s unique human participation, which is completely secondary and subordinate to the redeeming role of Jesus, who alone is True God and True Man.45
Furthermore, St. Paul states: “. . . who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for His body, which is the Church” (Col. 1:24). Paul is saying that as members of Christ’s Mystical Body, we are all co-redeemers. Given this fact, it makes sense to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as Co-Redemptrix with her Son.46
Conclusion
In summary, the Church, through approved Marian apparitions, and John Paul II are urgently calling the faithful to Eucharistic devotion, prayers of reparation, and heroic sanctity. The Rosary is the most efficacious prayer, preferably before the Blessed Sacra ment. In addition, a veneration of “Our Lady of All Na tions” is very important. Sr. Lucia of Fatima has stated that “There is one more condition — ‘the wearing of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.’” A wonderful promise associated with the Brown Sca pular was revealed to Pope John XXII (1322). This Sab batine Privi lege requires an individual to: 1. Be validly enrolled in the Brown Scapular by a duly authorized priest and wear it in the proper manner; 2. Keep chastity according to the individual’s state in life; 3. Recite the daily rosary. Mary promised that whoever fulfilled these requirements would be released from Purgatory, by her, on the Saturday after their death.47
Healing water so wonderfully present at many approved Marian apparition sites is a symbol of purity and cleansing.48 We by our sacrifices and prayers can become living water for the Church. By learning the truths of our faith and communicating this to others combined with active prayer, we can heal the suffering Church. These efforts will follow the example of Our Mother, Mary, who has healed so many suffering souls through the miraculous waters where she has appeared.
We will do well to remember these words of Pope John Paul II: “. . . if victory comes it will be brought by Mary. Christ will conquer through her, because He wants the Church’s victories now and in the future to be linked to her . . . I COULD SEE . . . THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN CONTINUITY AMONG LA SALETTE, LOURDES AND FATIMA . . . And thus we come to May 13, 1981, when I was wounded by gunshots fired in St. Peter’s Square. . . the assassination attempt had occurred on the exact anniversary of the day Mary appeared to the three children at Fatima in Portugal and spoke to them the words that now, at the end of this century, seem to be close to their fulfillment. . . Andre Malraux was certainly right when he said that the twenty-first century would be the century of religion or it would not be at all.”49
David H. Stoeck lives and works in Boulder, Colorado.
End Notes
1. “Notable & Quotable”, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, Wall Street Journal, Nov. 9, 1978.
2. Veritatis Splendor, John Paul II, St. Paul Books & Media, Boston, MA 02130, pgs. 48-49.
3. Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II, St. Paul Books & Media, Boston, MA 02130, pg. 40. (My emphasis).
4. “Fatima Fever: Did Mary Prophesy Soviet Goings-on?”, Gustav Niebuhr, Wall Street Journal, Sept. 27, 1991.
5. Marian Apparations Today – Why So Many? Fr. E. O’Connor, Queenship Publishing, Santa Barbara, CA 93140, 1996, pp. 92-93.
6. Ibid., pg. 122.
7. The Metropolis of the Antique Age: Ephesus, Huseyin Cimrin, Guney Books, Selcuk; lzmir, Turkey, 1998.
8. Le Puy-en-Velay, Fr. Roger Martin, MSM, 65500 Vic-en-Bigorre, France, 1992, pg.7.
9. Ibid., pgs. 9-13.
10. Le Puy-en-Velay, Louis Comte, Lescuyer, Lyon, France, pgs. 46-47.
11. Le Puy-en Velay, Martin, pg. 9.
12. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Editorial Staff, Gilmary Society, New York, NY, 1913, Volume IX, pg. 186.
13. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, edited by John J. Delaney, Image Books, Doubleday, New York, NY 10036, 1990, pg. 72.
14. Ibid., pgs. 93-99.
15. Sister Mary of the Cross (Shepherdess of La Salette), Fr. Paul Gouin, 101 Foundation, Asbury, NJ 08804, pgs. 64-67. (My emphasis).
16. The Blessed Sacrament, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Eternal Life, Bardstown, KY 40004, 1997, Audio tape 2: Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament, side 1.
17. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, Delaney, 1990, pgs. 129-137.
18. Pontmain, the Apparition, Rene Laurentin, R. Madiot, St-Berthevin, France, 1987, pgs. 24-25.
19. Ibid., inside cover.
20. Ibid., pg. 18.
21. Fatima, In Lucia’s Own Words, Sr. Lucia, Printed in Gra fica Almondina, Torres Novas, Portugal, 8th edition, 13 May 1989, pg. 63.
22. Fatima, the Great Sign, Francis Johnston, TAN, Rockford, IL 61105, 1980, pgs. 32-34.
23. Ibid., pg. 54.
24. See: The Prophets and Our Times, Rev. R. Gerald Culleton, TAN, Rockford, IL 61105, 1974 and Catholic Prophecy, The Coming Chastisement, Yves Dupont, TAN, Rockford, IL 61105, 1973.
25. Fatima, The Great Sign, Johnston, pg. 126.
26. Catholic Prophecy, the Coming Chastisement, Dupont, pg. 2.
27. Our Lady at Fatima, Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope?, An tonio A. Borelli; John R. Spann, American TFP, York, PA 17405, 1996, pg. 81.
28. The Compact History of the Catholic Church, Alan Schreck, Servant Books, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, 1987, pgs. 110-111.
29. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, edited by John J. Delaney, Hanover House, Doubleday, Garden City, New York, 1960, pg. 203.
30. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, Delaney, 1990, pgs. 215-238.
31. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, Delaney, 1960, pg. 231.
32. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, Delaney, 1990, pgs. 241-267.
33. A Woman Clothed with the Sun, Delaney, 1960, pg. 232.
34. Jozef M. Punt, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, Haarlem, Netherlands, October 4, 1997.
35. The Lady of All Nations, Diepenbrockstraat 3 -NL 1077 VX, Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Parentheses mine).
36. Akita: Mother of God as Coredemptrix; Modern Miracles of Holy Eucharist, Francis Mutsuo Fukushima, Queenship, Santa Barbara, CA 93140, 1994, pg. 219.
37. Ibid., pg. 218.
38. The Meaning of Akita, John M. Haffert, 101 Foundation, Inc., Asbury, NJ 08802, 1989, pg. 6. The author explains that this reference is to blood which flowed from a wound, which appeared on the right hand of Our Lady’s statue at Akita.
39. Ibid., pgs. 4-12. (My emphasis).
40. Ibid., pg. 57 and insert between pgs. 33 and 34.
41. The Final Hour, Michael H. Brown, Faith Publishing Co., Milford, OH 45150, 1992, pg. 107.
42. City of God, Mary of Agreda, AMI Press, Washington, NJ 07882, 1993, pg. 218. (My emphasis).
43. The Meaning of Akita, Haffert, pgs. 14-16. See also Akita: Mother of God as Co-redemptrix; Modern Miracles of Holy Eu charist, Fukushima.
44. Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici, c/o Queenship Publishing, P.O. Box 42028, Santa Barbara, CA 93140-2028.
45. The Fifth Marian Dogma, Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici, c/o Queenship Publishing, Santa Barbara, CA 93140.
46. For a further discussion of this important topic see “Mary, Coredemptrix in Scripture”, Robert S. Zeiger, Homiletic & Pastoral Review, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA 94118, May 1998, pgs. 9-12. Also see: Mary Coredemptrix Media trix Advocate, Mark I. Miravalle, S.T.D., Queenship Pub lishing, Santa Barbara, CA 93140, 1993.
47. 5 Fatima Requests, The National Scapular Center, Downers Grove, IL, 60515.
48. Maryknoll Catholic Dictionary, Edited by Albert J. Nevins, M.M., Dimension Books, Grosset & Dunlap, New York, NY, 1965, pg. 602.
49. Crossing the Threshold of Hope, John Paul II, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, 1995, pgs. 221; 228-229. (Capital iza tion mine).
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