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        TO ADORE OUR LORD!

The Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate seek daily to draw closer to Our Lord.  Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament is fundamental to Our spiritual life as we seek to conform our hearts unto His.  Additionally, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Sorrows, we place ourselves in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, asking Her to bring us closer to Her Son.

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Miracle of the Three Doves and Our Lady of Fatima

8/10/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima and the three white doves.
 
In 1946, Portugal celebrated its 300th anniversary of the country's consecration to the Immaculate Conception.  Therefore, on this special anniversary, the Portuguese wished to celebrate it with great pomp and grandeur In order to manifest their great love for Our lady of Fatima.   A great procession with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was organized which began in Fatima at the Cova de Iria where She appeared to the three children and ended at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Lisbon, 70 miles away.  Men carried the statue on a platform the entire way on foot, with the changing of the “guard” in each city along the way.  In every city, massive crowds came to show their devotion with different festivities including all night adoration and concluding with Holy Mass in the morning before She began her journey again. 
 
As a mark of honor and thanksgiving, six white doves were released into the air on December 1st, 1946.  Three of them flew down to Our Lady’s feet and remained at Her feet during the whole journey to Lisbon.  They refused to eat or drink and they ignored all the commotion and noise that attended the Statue as She passed through the villages.  Rose petals were tossed at Our Lady and brushed against the doves, lights and thunderous fireworks blazed in the night skies, crowds pressed all along the path of Our Lady.  Once in a while the doves would drift up a little off the statue, as to prove that they were not tied there.  This remarkable event became such a sensation that the local newspapers recorded all the details and aroused the interest of all of Portugal.
 
With the white doves still perched at Our Lady’s feet and still having refused to eat, the statue finally arrived in Lisbon at Our Lady of Fatima Church on December 5th, in time for the great Feast on the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.   It seems as if all of Portugal was wondering what the doves would now do, since they had reached the destination of great import. 
 
On December 7th at 3:00 p.m., thousands of children were consecrated to the Blessed Mother.  There was an enormous evening candlelight procession at 9:30 p.m.  Masses were then offered throughout the night and the solemn High Mass was held in the morning.  While this Mass was progressing, there was a sudden fluttering of wings.  One of the doves flew to the Epistle side of the altar and the other to the gospel side.  As the bishop straightened to elevate the Consecrated Host, they alighted and folded their wings, one on each side, as if they were adoring the Host.
 
The third dove was still at Our Lady’s feet.  Then all of a sudden, at the moment of Holy Communion, the third dove flew up to the top of the crown of the statue.  As the bishop turned and held up Our Lord saying “Ecce Angus Dei” (“Behold the Lamb of God”), astoundingly, the dove spread its white wings and held them open. 
 
It seems Our Lady held the doves at Her Feet, on this special occasion, so that they could give glory to God at Holy Mass Who, in turn, confirmed the glory that He has given to Our Lady – Our Lady of Fatima.
 
 
4 Comments
Lynda Fullerton
8/16/2017 11:55:00 am

Thank you so much for this wondrous story. As we approach Oct 13, 2017 we here in California remain in prayer and penance that the world will turn to Mary Immaculate for guidance. Miracles are surrounding us. We just welcomed the pilgrim statue at our parish.

Reply
Theresa
8/22/2017 10:36:47 am

Isn't it wonderful how our heavenly Father allows the doves to confirm the importance of devotion to the Immaculate Heart. Ave Maria!

Reply
Marilyn Varriano
5/22/2022 12:01:23 pm

My heart is overcome with emotion as I read and reread this miracle!

Reply
Sr. Faustina link
5/22/2022 01:02:30 pm

Marilyn,
My heart echoes your sentiments. May Our Lady of Fatima guide us in these perilous times and hold us in Her Immaculate Heart.
Sr. Faustina

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