June, Fatima and Iran

This June has proven to be a particularly chaotic month. We are only partially through it, and already, there is a new war, civil unrest, celebrated vice and a scrambled world order. It feels so disconcerting. Things are so far from the way they should be.

The worst part of being in this situation is that no human solutions appear on the horizon. All the best efforts on the part of politicians are getting us nowhere. No amount of money (which we don’t have) can fix our problems. We are left with a sense that we have lost our bearings. There seems to be no way out.

No Surprise to Fatima Devotees

None of this is surprising to Fatima devotees. When Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917, she foresaw these disorders. She gave us the formula of prayer, penance and amendment of life to avoid these disasters, which are now daily and common occurrences.

What is happening this June is the natural consequence of our sins and iniquities. The increased chaos comes from brazenly ignoring the Heaven-given solution. The more the world sinks into chaos, the more Fatima makes sense.

The Coming of Wars

One central theme of the Fatima Message, for example, is war. In 1917, Our Lady spoke constantly about war. She predicted the end of the First World War, which was then raging. She warned of another even bigger war, which could be avoided if men ceased to sin. That turned out to be World War II. Finally, Our Lady referred to a third great war that has yet to happen, but she gave us a glimpse of how terrible it will be: “Several nations will be annihilated.”

Our Lady said that wars are the chastisement of God for our sins. We bring these punishments upon ourselves. Given our iniquitous times, we should not be surprised when they happen.

Israeli-Iran War

And they are happening. The outbreak of the Israeli-Iran war last week fits into this perspective. It brings us to the brink of a worldwide conflagration. People are talking about World War III.

What makes the specter of war especially linked to Fatima is its prevalence around the world.

Massive wars used to be major events looked upon with great apprehension. Today, we are becoming accustomed to devastating wars that are brought to us live via mass and social media.

Wars have become habitual affairs that continue in the background without resolution. We have become used to scenes of mass destruction. It has deadened our sense of the horrors of war. We watch as Ukraine and other regions are laid waste.

The Iran war suddenly came upon us in the early hours of June 13, one of the dates of the Fatima apparitions. We experience it as yet another war with no solution or end in sight. It adds to the chaos that dominates the world.

Yet men keep sinning, making more wars increasingly probable.

The Month of June

For many years, June has served to remind us of our depraved society that celebrates unnatural vice and ignores Our Lady’s merciful warnings. This June is no exception, as Pride marches and even Pride Masses are being celebrated worldwide.

Like the horrors of war, our sense of sin is also deadened as sin proliferates everywhere. June stands out because it highlights the sins that continue throughout the year. Few are the voices (especially clerical ones) who denounce what is happening. Few are those who protest and pray in reparation. Is it any wonder that we find ourselves in such a dire situation with war and civil unrest?

This June Should Be One of Confidence

This June should help us realize that natural solutions are exhausted. We need supernatural aid if we are to endure and if Our Lady is to triumph as she promised at Fatima.

We must continue to use the means of prayer, reparation and amendment of life that she gave us at Fatima. Our attitude should not be one of hysteria over a situation that is out of our control. Happen what may, we should be full of confidence, calm and courage.

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This June, this same Heart beckons us to have recourse to Him and the Immaculate Heart of Mary amid the chaos. Let us do so.