Sister Lucia: One Carmelite Nun's Christmas Message

Dear Friend
 
​The angel “was whiter than snow, transparent and brighter than crystal pierced by rays of the sun.” Sister Lucy of Fatima description of the liminus being who appeared to the three shepherd children in 1916 could well have been that of the humble shepherds on that first Christmas night when “ the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Lk 1:9).
Sister Lucy also related that the children were left in a state of physical prostration by the appearance of the angel. Likewise, the Christmas shepherds “were left in a state of physical prostration by the appearance of the same message: “Do not be afraid” and “peace to those on whom God’s favor rest” (Lk 1:9.
 Angels are servants and messengers of God.  “They have been present since creation and throughout salvation history, announcing this salvation from afar or near, and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan” (CCC#332).  Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Angels, also uses them as her messengers.  Just as at Christmas, when the angels announced the Good News of Jesus’ coming, an angel was sent to announce her coming, which was to serve “the accomplishment of the divine plan” for peace in the world.
Sr. Lucia recounts the angel’s message: “Do not be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me. “ Then prostrating himself with his forehead touching the ground, he gave the children this prayer. “My God, I believe, adore, I hope and love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you. Pray in this way. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are ready to listen to you. “In another visit the angel exhorted the children: Pray, pray constantly . . . In everything you do offer sacrifices to God to make up for the sins by which He is offended. In this way you will draw peace upon your country.
 The angel’s message were the prologue to those of Our Blessed Mother, who promised that, if what she asked: prayer, sacrifice, reparation, devotion to her Immaculate Heart, was heeded, there would be peace. Obviously, her words have not been accepted by enough of her children, but hopefully the graces of this special Year will inspire many more to respond to her.
 Christmas has been called the feast of angels, whose song of praise, first heard at Jesus’ birth, still resounds in the Church’s liturgy: “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk2:14). Christmas of this Centenary Year can be special feast of the Angel of Fatima. It is an opportune time to reflect on his words and renew ourselves in living out Our Blessed Mother’s request. And, as Jesus was born and held close to her Immaculate Heart on that first Christmas.  Then the angel’s promise of “peace to those on whom God’s favor rest” will be our’s  There is no gratitude for your faithful generosity, we will ask this for you in prayer as our particular Christmas gift and as a special intention of the Novena offered for you , your family and your personal needs.  May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary listen to our prayers for you and for our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

                                                                                                          
                                                                          Your devoted Carmelite Nuns
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