Grandma to Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most revered and beloved apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Her apparition to three shepherd children in the small town of Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, was marked by miracles, prophecies, and a call to repentance and prayer. The message of Fatima has been embraced by millions of Catholics worldwide, and has inspired countless acts of devotion, piety, and conversion.

One such story of devotion is that of my grandmother, a devout Catholic who had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. Grandma was born in a small village in Portugal, and grew up in a devout Catholic family. She learned the stories of the saints and the mysteries of the faith from her mother, who was a skilled embroiderer and made beautiful vestments and altar cloths for the local church. Grandma inherited her mother’s talent and devotion, and spent many hours embroidering images of the Virgin Mary, saints, and angels.

Grandma’s devotion to Our Lady of Fatima began when she was a young woman. She had heard the stories of the apparitions from her mother and other villagers, and was deeply moved by the beauty and power of the message. She began to pray the rosary daily, and to make pilgrimages to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. She also began to embroider images of the Virgin Mary, and always included a representation of Our Lady of Fatima among her works.

Over the years, Grandma’s devotion only grew stronger. She would often tell us stories of the miracles and signs that accompanied her pilgrimages to Fatima. She spoke of healing and blessings, of moments of grace and consolation, and of the profound sense of peace and joy she felt in the presence of Our Lady. She taught us to pray the rosary and to trust in the intercession of Mary in times of need.

Grandma’s devotion to Our Lady of Fatima also inspired her to acts of charity and kindness. She would often volunteer at the local parish, cooking meals for the poor and visiting the sick and elderly. She would also donate her embroidered works to the church, and would make special pieces for those in need. Her embroidery was not just a skill or a means of artistic expression, but a way of serving God and His people.

As Grandma grew older, her health declined, and she was no longer able to make pilgrimages to Fatima. But her devotion did not wane. She continued to pray the rosary, to attend Mass, and to offer her sufferings for the salvation of souls. She would also tell us stories of her experiences of Fatima, and would encourage us to follow her example of faith and devotion.

Grandma passed away several years ago, but her legacy lives on in the memories and hearts of those who knew her. Her devotion to Our Lady of Fatima was not just a personal piety, but a source of inspiration and strength for others. Through her example, we learned to love Mary as our mother and to trust in her maternal care. We also learned to follow the message of Fatima, which calls us to prayer, penance, and conversion.

In these troubled times of pandemic, uncertainty, and division, we need the message of Fatima more than ever. We need to turn to Mary as our refuge and hope, and to embrace her call to prayer and sacrifice. We need to heed her warning of the consequences of sin and the urgency of repentance. And we need to follow the example of faithful pilgrims like my grandmother, who teach us that devotion is not just a feeling or a ritual, but a way of life.

May Our Lady of Fatima intercede for us, protect us, and lead us to her Son. As Grandma used to say, “Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.”