Homilies from the National Shrine

The Readings for Today's Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051326.cfmOn the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on Our Lady’s urgent call to prayer, penance, reparation, and consecration for world peace. He explains Sister Lucia’s clarification to Pope St. John Paul II about the true way Russia was to be consecrated: Solemnly, universally, and in union with the bishops of the world. Father Chris highlights the significance of the March 25, 1984 consecration, and connects it to March 25, 2022, when Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the bishops of the world. Fatima is not just a message from the past — It is a call for our time._______________________________The Seven Fatima PrayersDuring the course of the apparitions at Fatima, the three child seers were taught five unique andpowerful prayers, two by the Angel of Peace and three by the Mother of God. Later, appearing toSister Lucy at Rianjo, Spain, Our Lord Jesus Christ dictated two further prayers. For millions ofpeople, these prayers are today a living embodiment of the Message of hope and peace whichOur Lady gave the world at Fatima.Recently a practice has developed of reciting one or more of these prayers on a daily basis. Feelfree to recite them in any order which you find most comforting and appropriate.MondayMy God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do notbelieve, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You!TuesdayO Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sinscommitted against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.WednesdayO my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially thosewho are most in need.ThursdayO Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the most Blessed Sacrament!FridaySweet Heart of Mary, be the salvation of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the whole world.SaturdayBy your pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, obtain for me the conversion of Russia,Spain, Portugal, Europe and the entire world.SundayMost Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I offer You the most precious Body, Blood,Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for thesacrileges, outrages and indifference by which He Himself is offended. And through the infinitemerits of His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of you the conversionof poor sinners. ★ Support this podcast ★

The Hour Is Coming: When Killing in God’s Name Is Mistaken for WorshipIn this homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, reflects on Jesus’ warning in the Gospel: “The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God” (Jn 16:2). He explains how, throughout history, people of different religions and ideologies have wrongly justified violence, persecution, slavery, and even murder by claiming they were doing the will of God. But this Gospel is not only about physical persecution: Father Chris also turns the message toward Christians today, reminding us that we too can “kill” with our tongues through slander, gossip, harsh judgment, and the destruction of another person’s reputation. ★ Support this podcast ★