The Age of Mary: Heavenly Messages to a World in Need

On July 18, 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary made the first of three appearances to Saint Catherine Labouré, a young member of the community of the Sisters of Charity. Taken together with our Lady's appearances to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes (1838) and to the three children of Fatima (1917), Catherine's visions compose what has become widely known as the "Age of Mary." While each of these major apparitions were unique to the culture, events of the time and the hearts of the seers, the Blessed Virgin's messages of prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls remained essentially the same — as did Mary's warning that, if her words went unheeded, the world would suffer terrible trials.

Today, as people around the world suffer the loss of loved ones and the turmoil of change brought about by lost work and financial difficulties, we are reminded that the messages given to the world in the "Age of Mary" are as valid in our own age as they were in the uncertain times of their delivery.

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Mercifully, Mary's messages have brought much more to the world than dire warnings and horrifying visions of Hell, such as the children of Fatima witnessed. The Virgin's messages to the seers are filled with hope, love, and consolation for those who suffer the evils of our fallen world. In her first visit to Catherine, for example, Mary told the seer (and us today): "Have confidence. Do not be afraid. I will be with you."

On her last visit, Mary revealed a model of the medal which was to be cast to her specifications and distributed all around the globe. In the above image of the Miraculous Medal, we see Mary depicted in the center of an oval frame. Along the inside of the frame are the words: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." On the reverse side, below the "M," we see the Heart of Jesus, surrounded by a crown of thorns and the Heart of Mary pierced by a sword." Mary told Saint Catherine all who wear the medal, "will receive great graces."

In February 1858, Mary began her visits with Bernadette of Lourdes. The miraculous spring of water which sprang up from the ground that Bernadette, under Mary's guidance, dug out with her bare hands has been a source of much physical and spiritual healing. During Mary's sixteenth visit to Bernadette in July of that year, she finally revealed her identity to the seer and, ultimately, to the whole world, declaring: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" The Shrine stands silent today, but many continue to faithfully follow Mary's instructions to pray much and join their sufferings with Christ's suffering for the reparation of man's offenses to God and for the salvation of souls.

During the apparitions at Fatima, Mary told the little shepherds numerous times to pray and sacrifice for sinners. As well, she called for devotion to "My Immaculate Heart" and assured the children it was God's desire that this devotion be practiced throughout the whole world. When Mary warned the children that they and the world would suffer greatly, Mary urged them to be of good heart: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

To that end, they were to pray the Rosary daily for world peace. Since the monthly series of apparitions ended with the "Miracle of the Sun" — a heavenly event witnessed by more than seventy-thousand people — the Fatima Shrine has been a popular pilgrimage site, where visitors can often be seen praying on their knees as they make their way over the stone pathway and up steps of the Cathedral. Although Fatima and Lourdes are closed today and we are deprived of praying our Rosaries in our churches and Adoration chapels, we are blessed to be able to gather with our families in our home chapels and unite with friends and strangers over the Internet, where we can pray our Rosaries and devotions for the conversion of sinners, the salvation of souls — and for the end of our time of trial.

Takeaway: What small step can I take today in answer to Our Lady's call for prayer and sacrifice for a world in need?