Imagine
my reaction when today I discovered that a priest recently used, as the basis for one of his 2013 Lenten homilies, my 2008 detailed article,
Hidden Revelations: The Star of Esther and the Secrets of Fatima, which is now an extended chapter in my book, Fatima: The Signs and Secrets.
Fr.
Peter West, who in that same homily advocates devotion and reparation to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary, “joined Human Life International as the Vice President for Missions in the Fall of 2011. Also in 2011, Father Peter West
celebrated both his 20th anniversary as a priest, and 25 years of defending the
right to life of the most vulnerable members of society. Fr. West came to HLI
after 13 years with Priests for Life, with whom he served most recently as
Associate Director.”
To
my initial consternation (followed by joy), Fr. West implemented into his homily
various parts of my article (even to a footnote wherein I explained figure-types!)
to explain the Star of Esther on Our Lady’s robe. This
afternoon, I attempted at least five times to write Father on his blog and
thank him (on so many levels), but technical difficulties kept popping up. Although
I will make another attempt, I do hope he sees this post and knows of at least
one person’s appreciation as he urges people to live a sacramental life, prayer, penance, the daily Rosary, and the
Five First Saturday devotions. Incidentally, Fr. West ended his homily, “Queen Esther and Our Lady of Fatima,” as follows (with all emphasis mine):
“Like
Esther, Mary came at Fatima to spare her children from destruction. She asked
people to repent of sin, pray the rosary, go to confession, and receive the
Eucharist worthily. On July 13, 1917, Our Lady said to the child Lucia: ‘…I
shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart, and
the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded,
Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her
errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The
good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various
nations will be annihilated. ... In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.
The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and an
era of peace will be granted to the world.’”
Fr. West continued: “Had her
requests been heeded the world would have been spared the horrors of World War
II in which over 50 million people died and countless other wars and
persecutions provoked by Communists throughout the world. In 1920, Russia was
also the first country to legalize abortion. In 1913, Communist leader Vladimir
Lenin demanded ‘the unconditional annulment of all laws against abortions or
against the distribution of medical literature on contraceptive measures.’ ”
“Great
evils threaten our world. Sin increases. So many hearts are hardened. We need
to call on Our Lady in prayer. Heed her requests at Fatima and Lourdes. Do
penance, do the Five First Saturday devotion by going to
confession, receiving the Eucharist, praying the rosary and meditating 15
minutes on the mysteries for five first Saturdays of the month in a row.”
“Queen
Esther asked her people to do pray and do penance with her. We must listen to
the Blessed Mother today and ask her to intercede with her Son that he might
spare us, our nation and our world.”
Thank you,
Fr. West. Yes, had Our Lady's requests been heeded (especially the still necessary collegial consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the papal promulgation of the Five First Saturdays), we would now be living in the promised era of peace.
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