“Repent, and believe in the Gospel!”

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel!” (Mk 1:15) These are the first words that the messiah addressed to humanity. The message of Fatima is, in its basic nucleus, a call to conversion and repentance, as in the Gospel. This call was uttered at the beginning of the 20th century and it was thus addressed particularly to this present century. The Lady of the message seems to have read with special insight the “signs of the times,” the signs of our time.

The process of penance typically involves the following steps:

Examination of Conscience: This is a self-reflection on one’s thoughts, words, and actions, in order to identify and acknowledge sins committed.

Confession: The individual goes to a priest and confesses their sins. The priest serves as a spiritual guide and lends a listening ear, providing guidance and counsel.

Contrition: The penitent expresses genuine sorrow and remorse for their sins, and a sincere desire to amend their ways.

Penance: The priest assigns a penance, which is typically a prayer or good deed, to help the penitent make amends and grow spiritually.

Absolution: The priest, acting in the person of Christ, offers absolution, granting forgiveness and reconciling the penitent with God and the Church.

Marian consecration is a form of penance

Marian consecration is a practice within the Catholic Church where an individual dedicates themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It involves a conscious and deliberate act of entrusting oneself to Mary’s maternal care and seeking her intercession and guidance in one’s spiritual journey. It is a way of deepening one’s relationship with Mary and growing in devotion to her as a model of faith and discipleship. Marian consecration can be done through various prayers and rituals, such as the popular method of consecration outlined by St. Louis de Montfort in his book “True Devotion to Mary.” It is a personal and voluntary act that can bring about a closer union with Mary and ultimately with Jesus.