CHAPTER THREE
THE ANGEL COMES AGAIN
"What would you like to do this afternoon?" Lucia asked her cousins one summer morning as they were driving their flocks home.
"Sleep," said Francesco, "In this heat that's about the only thing you can do."
Jacinta's determined little voice spoke up from behind him.
"Sleep?" it questioned sharply. "Is that the only thing you can think about, Francesco Marto? In that case you'd better go home on your own, for I am going to spend the afternoon at the well in Lucia's backyard."
Indignantly she waddled on among her sheep, too angry to notice that the eyes of Francesco were brimming with laughter at the sight of her offended little back.
"Sorry Jacinta," Francesco called after her repentantly. "I was only pulling your leg. Of course we're going to play with Lucia."
Jacinta grunted something they couldn't hear, but, having got her way, she soon brightened up and chatted volubly until the last of their sheep had been herded into the shed and they were free to go and play games at the well.
No sooner had they started playing, however, when they became aware that something strange was happening.
Turning sharply they beheld the Angel of Peace, looking down at them.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
Nobody answered him.
"Pray." the Angel added, "Pray much. The hearts of Jesus and Mary have plans of mercy with you. Continuously offer prayers and sacrifices up to the Most High."
Lucia, to her own surprise, suddenly found the strength to answer him.
"How must we make sacrifices?" she asked.
The Angel regarded her silently. Then he said:
"You must make a sacrifice of everything you can find, in atonement for sins by which He is insulted, and to plead for the conversion of sinners. In this way you must obtain peace for our country. I am its guardian, the Angel of Portugal. In particular you must accept and bear with submission the sufferings the Lord will send you."
A moment later he was gone.
Silently the children stared into the direction from where he had been lost from view. Lucia felt as though her heart had grown during the past few minutes.
Although she had loved God for as long as she could remember, her love had now found a deeper dimension. The words of the Angel were burnt into her mind as a light which made her understand what God was, how He loved them, and - a revelation which all but shattered her with joy - how much He longed to be loved by thm in return.
That evening Francesco, nervously fingering his flute, approached his cousin.
"Lucia . . ." he began hesitantly.
"Yes? What's the matter?"
"I us . . . heard you ask the Angel something and I saw him answer you, but I couldn't hear what you said."
For a moment Lucia did not reply. That same curious reluctance to speak which she had experienced after the Angel's previous visit had beet her again. Then she demurred.
"I can't tell you now. Wait until tomorrow."
Seeing his crestfallen expression, her heart warmed to him.
"Why don't you ask Jacinta?" she suggested.
"no, no!" Jacinta objected hastily, "I'll tell you tomorrow morning. I wouldn't be able to tell you now. I can hardly speak."
It took two days before Lucia was able to summon the strength to tell Francesco what the Angel had said about making sacrifices in atonement for sins, for the conversion of sinners and for peace.
Francesco was very interested in her words and went on asking questions until Jacinta grew worried and begged him to desist, adding:
"Be careful, one should not speak too much about such matters."
When summer was over and autumn had begun, the children saw the Angel for the third and last time.
On this occasion they were again gathered in the cave of the Cabeco. Having recited the Rosary altogether, they began to say the prayer taught them by the Angel.
Suddenly he reappeared, bearing a chalice, above which hovered a Host, blood drops from Which fell into the chalice.
Leaving the chalice and the Host suspended in the air, he knelt down upon the ground.
Three times he recited the following prayer:
"Most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
I fervently adore Thee, and offer Thee
the most precious Body and BLood,
Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ,
present in all the sanctuaries on earth,
in atonement for the neglect,
curses and indifference by which He is insulted.
Through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart,
and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I ask Thee for the conversion of poor sinners."
Then the Angel rose and reached out his hand to the Chalice and the Host. He gave the Host to Lucia and allowed Jacinta and Francesco to drink from the Chalice, saying:
"Take and eat the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ,
dreadfully insulted by ungrateful men.
Offer reparation for their misdeeds and console your God."
Kneeling he again repeated the prayer to the Most Holy Trinity. Then he departed.
After this last visit from the Angel, the children's lives changed completely. Although they remained the same outwardly, inwardly they were filled with grace, their minds always dwelling on God. The thought of sin now filled them with a deep horror. When they were out with their sheep, they took every opportunity available to pray for the conversion of sinners, in atonement for the offences committed by them and for peace in Portugal and in the world. Whenever they re-entered Fatima after a day spent in prayer and meditation, they would feel like strangers. They could understand less and less how calmly people tell lies, swear, quarrel and gossip. Immersed as they themselves were in the light of grace, they did not quite realise how privilieged they were to have seen how God loves people and how He yearns to be lived by all in return.
Lucia, Francesco and Jacinta were happiest now when they were herding their flocks, because at these times they could talk about God and virtuous living without being misunderstood or mocked. Jacinta would often remember drinking from the Chalice containing the Blood of Christ. As she was considered to be too young, she had not yet received her First Holy Communion at the Parish Church. Remembering the Angel's gift, her little heart would fill with joy and she would sin:
"Oh angels, sing hymns with me
Oh angels, give praise without end
I cannot give enough thanks
Oh angels, give thanks for me.
Sing full of joy, Oh my soul,
A beautiful gem sparkles in Thee,
Already you plucked the ripe palm,
Already your Jesus came down.
Oh Jesus, how tender your love,
Oh Jesus, how great your love is.
Leaving your throne from up high,
You turned all our earth into heaven."
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