Who is Our Lady of Fatima? History, apparition and where she is

Who is Our Lady of Fatima?

Our Lady of Fatima, also called Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, is an invocation of the Virgin Mary. It arises from the apparitions of Our Lady to three little shepherds in 1917 in Portugal.

These facts and the messages of conversion that Mary gave to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco have survived to the present day.

History and origin of Fatima

The year 1917 was special. Europe was at war. On Sunday, May 13, in a hidden village in the Serra do Aire in central Portugal. Three children, Lucia dos Santos and her siblings Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were playing while tending a herd, on a plot of land belonging to Lucia's father.

Towards noon, after attending mass as usual, they saw two luminous phenomena, like two flashes of lightning and then a beautiful Lady more resplendent than the sun.

- "Where are you from, Madam?"
- "I am from Heaven."

Thus began the first conversation between the Virgin and Lucia.
This was the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

Statue of the Little Shepherds of Fatima in Valinhos, the monument of an apparition of the Angel of Portugal.

Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima

This was the first of six apparitions that the three shepherds will have until October: always on the 13th, except in August, when from the 13th to the 15th they are retained by the town authorities. Likewise, the Our Lady of Fatima will appear before the three children on the 19th.

In October 1930, the Bishop of Leiria declared the visions worthy of faith, authorizing the cult of Our Lady of Fatima.

In all of her apparitions Our Lady placed special emphasis on the recitation of the Rosaryand asked the children to say after each mystery when they prayed it: O Jesus forgive us for our sins, deliver us from hell fire and take to heaven all souls, especially those most in need of your Divine Mercy''..

Our Lady also requested the construction of a chapel at the place of the events, today the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.

The three little shepherds reported that Our Lady had also told them of the premature death of the two little brothers, adding that Lucia would remain on earth for a long time. And so it was. Francisco and Jacinta died between 1919 and 1920 of influenza. Lucia entered the order of the Sisters of St. Dorothy in 1925 and in 1948 she joined the Carmelites in the convent of Coimbra, where she remained until her death in 2005.

The Miracle in the Sun announced by the Virgin Mary

Thousands of pilgrims began to arrive in Fatima as soon as the rumor of Our Lady's apparitions spread.

On October 13, a crowd of up to 100,000 people, including numerous journalists, witnessed the "miracle of the sun".

This was a sign that had been announced by the Virgin Mary, after a torrential rain that soaked the ground and clothes, the sky opened and they saw the sun change color, size and position for about ten minutes. After what happened, the clothes and the ground suddenly appeared dry.

It was the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

"Cor Mariæ dulcissimum, iter para tutum! - Most sweet Heart of Mary, prepare the sure way!". To Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Josemaría.

Secrets revealed by Our Lady of Fatima

The message of Fatima contains an aspect of universal Christian demand: it is necessary to make atonement to the Lord for all sins committed, to do penance, to pray the Rosary, to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and to pray much for the Pope.

It also includes some particular revelations that Our Lady made to the shepherd children in the apparition of July 13. The Holy See released all the messages during the pontificate of St. John Paul II.

The first two were written by Lucia in her diary when she took the habit. The third, written on January 3, 1944, she gave it in a sealed envelope to the Bishop of Leiria, an envelope that was later delivered in 1957 to the secret archives of the Holy Office and whose contents were revealed in 2000.

The vision of hell

Our Lady of Fatima showed the three shepherd children what awaits people after death if they do not repent, they had the vision of hell:

"A great sea of fire that seemed to be under the earth. Immersed in that fire, demons and souls..."

The Sacred Heart and the conversion of Russia

The second part contains these words of Our Lady of Fatima:

"I will come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of Reparation on the first Saturdays."

Maria spoke of a war that would begin during the pontificate of Pius XI. And she was right. World War II broke out in 1939.

The Angel and the blood of the martyrs

The third part of the secret is unveiled by Sister Lucia "The good will be martyred and the Holy Father will have much to suffer; several nations will be annihilated.".

Caption: "Fatima is a treasure for the whole Church. It is not a luxury, because everything is done with great dignity and without ostentation. But it is a treasure: here hearts and souls sponge, here the Church is felt, the presence of the Blessed Virgin is felt. It is something that cannot be explained, but here you can see that Our Lady's prayer is very effective. Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, Tertulia at the Shrine, 1985.

The Popes and their devotion to Our Lady of Fatima

On October 1, 1930, Pope Pius XI granted a special plenary indulgence to pilgrims to Fatima. Years later, in 1942, Pius XII consecrated humanity to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In addition, Pope John Paul II personally visited the site of the apparitions on three occasions. One of his most relevant visits was when he gave Our Lady the bullet with which he had been shot in St. Peter's Square. For Wojtyla, it was Our Lady of Fatima who saved his life in the attack of May 13, 1981.

Also, Benedict XVI personally visited the site of the apparitions and consecrated all priests to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

More recently, Pope Francis consecrated his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima and in May 2017 visited the Shrine to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions.

Our Lady of Fatima: Where is she?

Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is located on the site of the apparitions. A temple to which every year thousands of people from all over the world come on pilgrimage.

The shrine of Fatima and the story of the apparitions has been a help to many people.

Throughout the 20th century, Catholics in Europe have especially turned to Our Lady of Fatima to pray for peace and reconciliation on the continent.

Upon entering the Precinct of Prayers, at one end you can see the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, with its great tower of 65 meters. In the center is the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, on one side, the Chapel of Apparitions, in the same place where Our Lady asked the little shepherds to build a chapel.

Fátima, altar of the world

Fátima, altar of the world, is a common expression in Portugal. In Fatima all the roads of the world converge. There, like St. Josemaría, the first pilgrim to this shrine who ascended to the altars, the minds and hearts of so many Christians also go there today to pray to our Lady.

Bishop Javier Echevarría, during one of his stays in Fatima, encouraged us to place ourselves under the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy in all circumstances of life: "Mother, how good it is to be with you! What serenity one feels in the soul thinking that you know us, that you understand us, that you help us, and that you are going to present our needs to God much better than each one of us can do! We have recourse to you who are the All-Powerful Supplicant".

Bibliography

Women's clothing charity market

Brand name clothes, new blouses or shirts that even come with their labels; party dresses that have only been worn once... More than thirty women have donated their clothes, party dresses, necklaces and earrings for the CARF Foundation's PAS spring charity sale.

All the volunteers, besides being generous, have done so with the enthusiasm that the proceeds will go to the formation of seminarians and diocesan priests and religious men and women from all over the world.

mercadillo solidario ropa mujer
Visitors to the women's clothing flea market looking for accessories.

Prayer and market in support of vocations

On Sunday, April 21, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and the Day of Native Vocations. The CARF Foundation knows a lot about vocations. Because one of its missions is to help in the integral formation of vocations in countries with scarce resources so that no vocation is lost.

Carmen Ortega and Rosana Diez-Canseco, chairpersons of the CARF Foundation Board of Trustees for Social Action They tell us how they organize themselves to organize this solidarity flea market that helps so much with their resources and prayers to the future formation of these vocations: "Throughout the year we move among friends and acquaintances so that they donate us clothes in good condition that they do not use. Of course, it has to be practically new. We make a selection and what we think is in a condition that cannot be sold, as if it were almost first hand, in many cases it is, we donate it to a parish in Vallecas".

Market with a good purpose

There are ladies who give us a dress that they have only worn once for a special party, and they are convinced that they will never wear it again. "We even have girls who have given them a blouse, who have not looked good in it, that, with the passage of time, they have not changed it; it is new and they donate it to us. They know they are contributing to a very good purpose."

This solidarity market of the PAS of the CARF Foundation, of women's clothing and accessories, is organized every spring. This year from the April 16 to 18from Tuesday to Thursday, in the afternoon, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Patronato's premises (22 Reina Mercedes Street).

mercadillo solidario ropa mujer
Rosana and Carmen, from left to right, smile in a store full of clothes.

Workshops and activities

The PAS volunteers meet here once a week for their workshops, such as furniture restoration, which are then sold at the biannual flea markets and at the annual market, which is held at the end of the year and will celebrate its 27th edition in 2024. They also meet another day to knit baby clothes that are sold on request.

Another of the star activities is the embroidery of the albs and liturgical linens that they give to the seminarians, from Bidasoa and Sedes Sapientiae, when they return to their countries of origin to be ordained priests after their period of intense formation.

Backpacks of sacred vessels

The PAS of the CARF Foundation and its activities cover the cost of the iconic sacred vessel backpackselements that touch the soul of future priests. These backpacks go beyond being a mere tool; they allow priests to carry with them everything they need to celebrate Holy Mass and the sacraments in a dignified manner, even in the most remote corners of the world. And they also carry the alb sewn in the PAS workshops.

If you have not had time to go to this charity market, where you can purchase women's clothing and accessories To help the integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests from all over the world, don't worry, "We will keep the flea market open so that we can offer our clothes and accessories. All you have to do is call us and make an appointment," say Carmen and Rosana.

Request an appointment: Rosana, 659 057 320. Carmen, 659 378 901.

Mail: patronatodeaccionsocial@gmail.com

Marta SantínJournalist specializing in religious information.

Needs and challenges of the priest's affective life

You have recently published a book on celibacy. What led you to make this decision? I have had the good fortune to share training with over a thousand different priests and as many lay people, and there is a growing interest in better understanding and living celibacy.

So it is born out of real contact with people living celibacy, their contributions and doubts? Indeed, it was of practical interest to people who wanted to delve into the meaning and significance of this reality in their lives or in the lives of family members. In recent years I have had many conversations about celibacy in formation meetings with priests, religious and lay people. As I experienced that what we talked about gave them light and helped them, it seemed to me that putting it in writing could be useful.

Isn't it old-fashioned? My experience is that it is not, but very much alive and with many people who want to live it fully. I think it is interesting and exciting to talk about celibacy as a reality proper to Catholics that brings a lot of richness. I suggest that, whoever wants to question celibacy, should do so in a festive and celebratory atmosphere, with the interest of understanding it, living it, feeling it and being enriched by it.

Who is the target audience? I have written it primarily for those who live it as a particular vocation, but also for any Christian. I hope that it will serve to better understand how celibacy enriches the life of the Church, the Christian life and the particular vocation of each one of us.

Also for married people? Yes, this is very enlightening because, as the Catechism says, celibacy and marriage "...are two of the most important aspects of marriage.are inseparable and mutually supportive". Thus, I hope it will be thought-provoking both for those who live celibacy and for those who share it more directly in the family-for example, for parents who are told by a daughter that she will live celibacy-and for anyone who wants to learn more about how to enrich their Christian life through the presence in their life of people who live celibacy.

And for all styles of celibacy? There is a greater emphasis on the celibacy of the laity in the midst of the world and at the same time references and foundations for common factors such as spousality and nuptiality; the priesthood as a priestly ministry and as a common priesthood of all the faithful; the specific mission; the Eucharist; the imitation of Christ; the witness of union with God; motherhood and fatherhood, etc.

Friendship, a gift that saves the priest

You are a psychiatrist and author of a study on affectivity and priestly life. What does your study conclude that can help in the affective life of the priest? This study is now published in the academic journal Scripta Theologica and is accessible. After interviewing 140 priests, we concluded that there are eight dimensions of development of priestly affective life: the relationship with God and the spiritual life; friendship in general with all kinds of people; having a good spiritual accompaniment and maintained over time; living the priestly fraternity in an active way, both to let oneself be loved and to love; ongoing formation, both as a background attitude to have a beginner's mind and to receive formation and study the various and new aspects of priestly life; personal care in the physical (eating, sleeping, physical exercise, hobbies) and mental (rest, limits, balance in relationships); psychological knowledge about how we function as persons; and having a clear and structured mission, which facilitates concrete service.

Did you encounter any results that surprised you? Yes, with regard to loneliness. New research hypotheses were generated about the loneliness felt by priests. They referred to it as a challenge and it was the main risk referred to, but we do not know if they were referring to physical loneliness due to the isolation they may have, affective loneliness due to not feeling loved, institutional loneliness due to lack of support, psychological loneliness due to having an insecure attachment system, pastoral loneliness due to the excess of tasks, social or emotional.

Doesn't it make sense that a priest should cultivate solitude? Yes, this is something we raised in the discussion. It could be that they were not taking advantage of the solitude of the celibate to cultivate their particular and complicit relationship with God, an intimate environment in which to court him. Shortly we will begin a specific study on loneliness in priests, with the intention of knowing better what it is that worries them and to propose practical tools to solve it. 

doctor carlos chiclana
Dr. Chiclana at an Omnes Forum.

What tools are already known to be effective in reducing this loneliness? Specific studies with priests have found protective factors such as living in community, having a well-cared spiritual life, having the support of other priests, having a good social network (general friendship and with other priests), taking care of one's health and being able to rest, the organizational system being less hierarchical and more motivating/collaborative, teamwork, maintaining the limits in the different dimensions of life, extroversion, optimism and the capacity for commitment. As a song by Ariel Rot says: he who has a love that takes care of him / and keeps the illusion.

I am now working on another study on priestly loneliness on which I am in the middle of fieldwork.

Do you address this issue of loneliness in your book on celibacy? Yes, the subtitle of the book is "Enjoy your gift". Being a gift that enables you to love everything, everyone and everything, it should be a protective factor against loneliness, because the celibate life is called to be constantly inhabited by many people, without any of them staying to live in your "inner home" or you staying to live exclusively in any of them. However, it has a proportion of loneliness that is necessary to tolerate and that at the same time facilitates your entry into that area where you can be alone with God, in that exclusive spiritual relationship, even though you are a priest, not a coach or an NGO cooperant or a social agent.

The current Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazzaro You said to Omnes that "a person is never alone if he seeks to live in God. Our God is not solitude, he is One and Triune". Perhaps this solitude is the safe where the treasure is hidden and it is necessary to find the key and thus be able to sing with St. John of the Cross: In solitude she lived / and in solitude she has already placed her nest / and in solitude she guides her / alone her beloved / also in solitude of wounded love.. It is a solitude where the self can detach itself from ego, selfishness, narcissism, egotism, and enter the tent shared with the Trinity, without masks or clothing.

Priest's loneliness can lead to addiction

Loneliness or isolation can also lead to addictions. Yes, it is something known for both substance and behavioral addictions (gambling, sex, pornography, screens), because they complete a need you have for satisfaction and fulfillment.

How to prevent them? In order for an adult priest to help prevent them, he must know if he has a predisposition to get hooked, because in him or in the family there is a history, because he is more impulsive, with a greater tendency to seek novelty or because he has anxiety or low spirits. Thus, he will be more vigilant and will take care of how to deal with this.

In addition, to have an interesting personal life design, with a concrete individual life project, with objectives and goals that involve them in their development. They must be alive and not robots without initiative.

 You need to keep your feet on the ground and know that it is easy to develop harmful habits with screens, series or pornography if you don't take care of yourself. They are ordinary people. If they take care of the eight dimensions mentioned above, the effectiveness of prevention is assured.

How to seek help to get out of them? It is enough to go to the primary care physician, to a public or private specialized center. In Internet search engines they appear immediately.

Like a car that needs all four wheels on properly. What would they be? Biological: treating underlying diseases, drugs to control symptoms. Psychological: motivation to change, hope for a better life, to enjoy again, to re-humanize, to fill in their deficiencies and develop new habits, and emotional regulation and coping strategies. Help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous can be useful, and there are groups of all kinds. Personal attitude: recognize reality, accept it, be honest and sincere, assume responsibilities. Environmental: a change of scenarios and relationships will be necessary.

Priestly vocations: a call for support and formation

In the context of the distribution of the Pontifical Yearbooks and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae, published by the Libreria Editrice Vaticana and edited by the Central Statistical Office of the Church, a certain growth in the number of seminarians in different regions of the world has been observed in recent years. These numerical data provide a detailed view of the evolution of priestly vocations and their importance for the Church on a global level.

Priestly vocations around the world

According to data provided by the Pontifical Yearbook 2022 and the Ecclesiastical Statistical Yearbook 2020, published by the Vatican, have shown an increase of decrease in the number of seminarians in different parts of the world in recent years. The data reflect, however, the interest and increasing vocation of many people to religious life.

Statistical reports indicate that the upward trend in the number of religious and Catholics is a global phenomenon, although with significant regional variations. Areas such as Africa and Asia are experiencing an increase in the number of priestly vocations, while in other regions the growth may be negative.

It is important to note that this growth refers not only to the number of seminarians, but also to the quality of their formation and their commitment to the Church and the community. Priestly formation is an integral process that requires not only theological knowledge, but also ethical, spiritual and service values, among others.

Numerical data variation and localization

During the period under review, an absolute increase of 16 million baptized Catholics in the world has been observed, from 1.344 million in 2019 to 1.360 million in 2020, representing an increase of approximately 1.2 %. This growth is a positive sign that reflects the interest and vocation of many people towards religious life and the priesthood. In analyzing the distribution of Catholics by continent, the following trends stand out:

Highlights of the pontifical yearbook and statistical data

The pontifical yearbook is an important source of information on the Catholic Church worldwide. It provides data on the number of Catholics in the world, the number of diocesan and religious priests, as well as the evolution of religious vocations and consecrated life.

1- Number of Catholics in the world: The report states that the number of Catholics in the world has maintained an upward trend in recent decades, especially in regions such as Africa and Asia. This trend reflects the growth of the Catholic Church in areas with larger populations and also the evangelization effort in different parts of the world.

2- Number of diocesan and religious priests: provides data on the number of diocesan and religious priests in different countries. This number has experienced significant variations in different regions, with areas such as Africa and Asia showing an increase in the number of priests. Some parts of Europe and North America have seen a decrease of 4,117 priests compared to the previous year.

3-Number of seminarians and priestly formation: the number of seminarians in formation and priestly formation are key aspects of the yearbooks. In 2019, the total number of candidates for the priesthood was 114,058, while in 2020 it decreased to 111,855 worldwide. This downward trend was especially evident in Europe, the Americas and Asia, with Africa being the only region to experience an increase in the number of major seminarians during that period.

4- Evolution of religious vocations and consecrated life. As for the evolution of religious vocations and consecrated life, significant changes are observed. The number of permanent deacons increased from 48,238 in 2019 to 48,635 in 2020, representing a relative increase of close to 1 %. This increase was highlighted mainly in the Americas, while Europe saw a slight decrease in this group.

On the other hand, non-priest professed religious increased from 50,295 in 2019 to 50,569 in 2020, with notable increases in Africa, Asia and Europe. However, professed religious women experienced an overall decrease of 1.7 %, with Europe and the Americas as the continents most affected by this downward trend in consecrated religious life.

Importance of vocational support

Supporting priestly vocations is fundamental for the growth and vitality of the Catholic Church worldwide. The numerical data reflect the need to strengthen the formation and accompaniment of seminarians to ensure an integral and committed preparation for the community and the Christian faith.

The CARF Foundation plays a crucial role in financially supporting the formation of seminarians, providing concrete opportunities for those who feel called to the priesthood to receive an integral education.

The cost of training a seminarian may vary depending on the country and specific circumstances, but, in general, it represents a significant investment in time, resources and dedicated effort. This investment not only benefits the individual in formation, but also positively impacts all Catholics by ensuring committed and well-prepared priests to guide and serve the faithful.

The benefactors and friends of the CARF Foundation also pray that the growth in priestly vocations is a positive indicator for the Catholic Church, and the support and proper formation of seminarians is essential to strengthen the Church's presence in the world.

How to help seminarians?

Types of grants that can be made to CARF Foundation

We work so that no vocation is lost and so that the seminarians, once ordained priests, can transmit in their pastoral work all the light, science and doctrine received. Thanks to our benefactors, we help in the formation of priests, spread their good name and pray for their fidelity and for vocations.

There are different ways in which the CARF Foundation can help seminarians:

Donate online to seminarians

A fast and secure way to help seminarians, support the seminary and finance their formation. From anywhere, just with your mobile device, you can make a donation by following a few simple steps. Select the amount you want to donate and whether you want to make a one-time or recurring donation. Many seminarians depend on this act of generosity to complete their studies.

Donate to form seminarians and priests

Donate Sacred Vessel Backpack

With your donation of 600 euros, you can help seminarians about to be ordained with a Sacred Vessel Backpack that contains all of the liturgical objects necessary to impart the sacraments and celebrate Mass wherever he may be.

He will pray for you for the rest of his life, and you will know who he is and in which country he will carry out his pastoral work, to commend him to be holy and faithful to his vocation.

Donate a Sacred Vessel Backpack

Donations in kind

Another way to help seminarians with their formation is by making donations in kind. Donations in kind are those in which, instead of contributing money, the benefactor makes a contribution of certain goods: jewelry, watches, works of art....

Most of the time, these are valuable assets that the donor already knows he or she will not enjoy, and considers that they will be more useful if they support a worthy cause. The goods will receive a professional appraisal and, once they are auctioned, the money they bring in to support seminarian vocations will be tax-deductible.

Donate valuables such as jewelry and artwork

He donates legacies and wills to train seminarians.

This testamentary disposition is a procedure that favors a non-profit institution, such as the CARF Foundation. Your legacy of solidarity is a commitment to the future and a way to perpetuate your life's work in others: to continue to support seminarians and diocesan priests on five continents. To do so, all you have to do is decide, in the form of an entire will or a part of a legacy of solidarity, your desire to help seminarians through the CARF Foundation.

Make a perpetual joint and several bequest or will

seminarista donar Seminario internacional Bidasoa

International seminars with which the CARF Foundation collaborates

Under the inspiration and encouragement of St. John Paul II, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo initiated in 1989 the activity of the CARF Foundation to help seminarians and diocesan priests. Currently more than 800 bishops from the five continents annually request places and study grants for their seminarians and priests at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and at the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies of the University of Navarre.

The CARF Foundation collaborates with two international seminaries, two priests' colleges and three major colleges, so that they can receive seminarians from all over the world who come to Europe to prepare for their formation.

We should be grateful to God for priests. Let us not cease to pray for them or to collaborate in their ministry. Let us ask the Lord to continue to give us many good priests, for work is abundant and vocations are scarce. Let us begin to help seminarians and support seminaries so that there will be no shortage of priests who, in the name of Christ, care for the people of God.

The example of St. Joseph, guardianship and service

 
The ministry of the pope is at the service of Christian life. The Christian life is at the service of everyone and of the created world. And every person also finds there, The meaning of his life is in care and service: to guard God's gifts, something that can only be done with love, as St. Joseph did.

St. Joseph's mission and ours

San José's mission (cf. Mt 1:24) He began by referring to the feast day of Benedict XVI: "We are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude". St. Joseph was custodianCustodian of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but it is a custody that is then extended to the Church.As Blessed John Paul II has pointed out: 'Just as he lovingly cared for Mary and devoted himself with joyful commitment to the education of Jesus Christ, and his paternity also guards and protects her mystical body, the Church, of which the Holy Virgin is the figure and model'. (Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos, 1).

Pope Francis continued by asking himself: "How does Joseph live his vocation as guardian of Mary, of Jesus, of the Church? With constant attention to God, open to his signs, available to his plan, and not so much to his own.(...) He knows how to listen to God, he allows himself to be guided by his will, and precisely for this reason he is even more sensitive to the people entrusted to his care, he knows how to read events realistically, he is attentive to his surroundings and knows how to make the most sensible decisions. (...) He responds to God's call, with availability, with readiness".

Here you can see how St. Joseph of Nazareth puts into practice a true discernment of the will of GodThe second Vatican Council speaks of the "signs of the times". That is to say, the signs of the workings of the Holy Spirit that are perceived when they are looked upon with faith and realistically assess the situation in question and make the decision to act accordingly, both from a personal and Church point of view, Gaudium et spes, 4, 11 and 44.

At the same time, the pope notes that, in St. Joseph "we also see the center of the Christian vocation: Christ.". And so he invites us: "Let us keep Christ in our lives, to keep others, to safeguard creation.

All this is a school for Christians, especially for educators and formators.

Homily of the Holy Father Francis, St. Peter's Square, Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Solemnity of St. Joseph.

Custodianship, everyone's job, starting with oneself

But guarding, Pope Francis warned, is everyone's vocation: we must all guard the beauty of created realities; here, the evocation of St. Francis of Assisi, caring for the people around us, "especially children, the elderly, those who are more fragile and who often remain on the periphery of our hearts".

We must all take care of our relatives, our spouses, our parents and children, our friendships. "Be custodians of God's gifts," he advises us; for indeed, everything is a gift. If we fail in this, he says, destruction advances and the heart dries up.

If stewardship is everyone's responsibility, and this is understood and practiced by people of good will, it is the responsibility of all. particularly of "those who hold positions of responsibility in the economic, political or social sphere". We must take care of nature created by God, the environment. But we must start with ourselvesIn order to "guard", we must also take care of ourselves. Let us remember that hatred, envy and arrogance make life dirty.

To guard means then to watch over our feelings, our heart, because that is where good and bad intentions come from: those that build and those that destroy. We must not be afraid of kindness, indeed, not even of tenderness."It is not a virtue of the weak but of the strong, like St. Joseph.

Indeed. Hence the importance of examining one's conscience together with a good formation. And if a sentimentalism that is not integrated with reflection and Christian formation can produce havoc, so can a rationalistic or voluntaristic education that does not integrate feelings and their appropriate and necessary manifestations. Dietrich von Hildebrand, in his work "The Heart: An Analysis of Human and Divine Affectivity", puts it like this (Madrid 2009).

When Pope Francis delivered the homily of the Inaugural Mass In his pontificate, he invited everyone to be custodians of Creation as St. Joseph was custodian of the Holy Family.

The meaning of the pope's ministry

The pope then explained what the power of the Petrine ministry consists of:

"Let us never forget that true power is service, This is the title of one of his books, and that even the Pope, in order to exercise power, must enter more and more into that service which has its luminous culmination in the cross. Such is the power of love. We also learn it from St. Joseph.

And this is how the ministry of the pope should be exercised: "He must set his eyes on the humble, concrete, rich in faith, service of St. Joseph and, like him, to open his arms to guard the whole People of God and to welcome with affection and tenderness all of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the smallest.that which Matthew describes in the final judgment on charity: to the hungry, to the thirsty, to the stranger, to the naked, to the sick, to those in prison (cf. Mt 25:31-46).. And he concluded with another lesson: "Only he who serves with love knows how to guard.".

Carrying the warmth of hope

In the last part, he appeals to hope, on which Abraham relied (cf. Rom 4:18).. "Also today, before so many clusters of gray sky, we must see the light of hope and give hope ourselves.. To guard creation, every man and every woman, with a gaze of tenderness and love, is to open a glimmer of light in the midst of so many clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope."

For us Christians, "like Abraham, like St. Joseph, the hope that we carry has the horizon of Godwhich has been opened to us in Christ, is founded on the rock which is God".

This is his way of explaining that title of the pope that comes at least from St. Gregory the Great: "Servant of the servants of God".

Mr. Ramiro Pellitero Iglesias
Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra.

Published in Church and new evangelization.