BACKCOVER
In the early part of this
century, that is, until 1914, human society seemed to shine brilliantly. There
was undeniable progress in every field. Life had reached an unprecedented
economic prosperity. Social life was easy and attractive. Humanity seemed to be
heading for a golden era.
On the other hand, symptoms of
deep trouble contrasted with this rosy picture. Both material and moral misery
existed, but few people gave this matter the importance it warranted. Almost
everyone expected that science and progress would put an end to all the
problems. World War I came and shattered these expectations. In the war's
aftermath, difficulties of all kinds steadily increased until 1939 when World
War II broke out. All this has brought us to the present situation, where it
could be said that no country has remained unscathed by the grave crises that
touch almost every aspect of life.
Every nation is beset by agitation, disorder, the
unrestrained appetites and ambitions, the undermining of values, in short, if
not by total anarchy, at least by a state of affairs that closely resembles it.
And no statesman has yet come forth to offer a remedy in proportion to this
morbid universal process.
The essence of the messages of the Angel of
Portugal and Our Lady is to open our eyes to the gravity of this situation, to
explain it in light of the plans of Divine Providence, and to point out what is
necessary in order to prevent the catastrophe. Our Lady is thus teaching us the
history of our epoch and, more than this, its future.
The Roman Empire of the West closed with a
catastrophe illuminated and analysed by the genius of a great doctor. Saint
Augustine. The great prophet Saint Vincent Ferrer foresaw the waning of the
Middle Ages. Saint Louis de Montfort, another great prophet and teacher,
foresaw the French Revolution. However, our times, which seem about to close
with a new catastrophe, have an even greater privilege: Our Lady herself came to
speak to us.
Saint Augustine could only explain for posterity
what caused the tragedy he witnessed. Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Louis de
Montfort laboured in vain to turn aside the tempests – men would not listen to
them. Our Lady explained the reasons for the crisis and pointed out the remedy,
predicting catastrophes if she were not heeded.
From every point of view, by the nature of their
content as well as the dignity of her who brought them, the revelations of
Fatima surpass all other times when Providence has revealed to man the
imminence of the great tempests of history.
Hence, we can affirm, without fear of
contradiction, that the apparitions of Our Lady and of the angel at Fatima
constitute the most important and most striking event of the 20th
century.
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