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Dear Friend's in Christ,
Today we are going to rejoice with the family Manuel Pedro Marto and
Senhora Olimpia whom God used to glorify His Name in this world and
also the Blessed Virgin Mary whom the world has also recognize more
through the messages of Fatima and her visits to the little children
whom Heaven have chosen to accomplish their mission at Fatima and the
whole world. Today we are celebrating the birthday of Blessed
Jacinta Marto who was the smallest among the three little children
that our Lady appeared to at Fatima in the year 1917. Can someone say
happy birthday to you Blessed Jacinta Marto and Glory to God in the
highest Heaven for using these little children to accomplish some of
His mission in this world. The long awaited day here we come. This month of March, many people are going to celebrate their birthday. Somebody like Br. Emma Obele Maria will be co-celebrating with little Jacinta on the 13th of this month. And also, Sister Lucia Dos Santos the most senior among them are celebrating her birthday this month. So let us march forward people of March/lent as we celebrate our birthday this month. Al though, the one of Blessed Francisco Marto is in the month of June. So let me take his place as the only men among the little shepherds to make it correspond with what we are celebrating in this month of March. So relax and read below.
A CHILD IS BORN.
BLESSED JACINTA MARTO
Born on 11th March 1910
Died on 20th February 1920
Beatified on 13th May 2000
11 March: Born in Aljustrel, Parish of Fátima, seventh child of Manuel Pedro Marto and Olympia de Jesus
19 March: Baptism
1916
At six years of age began to work as a shepherdess
Spring: 1st Apparition of the Angel at the Cabeço
Summer: 2nd Apparition of the Angel at the well of Arneiro
Autumn: 3rd Apparition of the Angel at the Cabeço
1917
13th May, June July: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Apparitions of Our Lady
13th August: In the prison of Vila Nova de Ourém
15th August: Return to Aljustrel
19th August: 4th Apparition in Valinhos
13th September and October: 5th and 6th Apparition of Our Lady
1918
Autumn: Becomes ill with the Spanish flu and died on Feb.20th 1920.
In her humble family, with her brother Francisco, she learned Christian doctrine.
An Angel and the Most Holy Virgin urged her to pray and do penance for the remission of sins, to obtain the conversion of sinners and peace in the world. From then on, she made every possible sacrifice for the conversion of sinners and in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She also had a particular love for the Holy Father.
“I am suffering a lot but I offer everything for sinners, and in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and also for the Holy Father,” she confided to Lucia.
And shortly before she died she declared, “In Heaven I am going to love Jesus very much and the Immaculate Heart of Mary too.”
In Fatima, on 13th May, in the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II inscribed her name among the Blessed.
Francisco, 11, and Jacinta, 10, are the youngest non-martyrs to be beatified in the history of the Church. The brother and sister, who tended to their families’ sheep with their cousin Lucia Santo in the fields of Fatima, Portugal, witnessed the apparitions of Mary, now commonly known as Our Lady of Fatima.
During the first apparition, which took place May 13, 1917, Our Lady asked the three children to say the Rosary and to make sacrifices, offering them for the conversion of sinners. The children did, praying often, giving their lunch to beggars and going without food themselves. They offered up their daily crosses and even refrained from drinking water on hot days.
In October 1918, Francisco and Jacinta became seriously ill with the Spanish flu. Our Lady appeared to them and said she would to take them to heaven soon.
Bed-ridden, Francisco requested his first Communion. The following day, Francisco died, April 14, 1919. Jacinta suffered a long illness as well. She was eventually transferred to a Lisbon hospital and operated for an abscess in her chest, but her health did not improve. She died Feb. 20, 1920.
Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta May 13, 2000, on the 83rd anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, teaching us that even young children can become saints.
Remain Blessed in the Immaculate Heart till I come your way again tomorrow.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart,
Br. Emmanuel Obele Maria
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