The apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 have become a cornerstone of modern Catholic devotion, leading millions to a deeper understanding of the faith and encouraging practices like the praying of the Rosary. But one often-overlooked aspect of the Fatima story is the role of the angelic messengers who visited the shepherd children before Our Lady herself appeared. Known as the Angel of Portugal or the Angel of Peace, these visits laid the groundwork for the later Marian apparitions.
In this article, we’ll delve into the prayers given by the angel at Fatima, emphasizing their importance for every Catholic today. These prayers have been a source of immense spiritual nourishment for many, and their theological richness is worthy of exploration.
The Importance of Prayer in Catholic Life
Before delving into the Angel of Peace’s prayers, it’s crucial to understand the role of prayer in Catholic life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559). In the biblical tradition, Jesus himself exemplifies the importance of prayer. He withdrew to pray in solitude (Luke 5:16) and taught us how to pray through the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
Background of Fatima Apparitions
In 1916, a year before Our Lady appeared to the shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—an angel visited them three times. These visits were preparatory and taught the children how to pray and offer sacrifices, essentially laying the spiritual foundation for the Marian messages to come. The children reported that the angel taught them specific prayers and forms of adoration, emphasizing the need for reparatory acts for the offenses against God.
The Prayers Taught by the Angel of Peace
Pardon Prayer
The Pardon Prayer is one of the earliest prayers taught by the Angel of Peace during his first apparition. It is a short but deeply meaningful plea for the forgiveness of sins, and for the conversion of sinners.
Here is the prayer:
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You.
This prayer, simple in its wording, encapsulates the core Catholic beliefs in the existence and goodness of God, while also asking pardon on behalf of all humanity. It beautifully harmonizes with the universal plea in the Lord’s Prayer: “and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12).
Angel’s Prayer
During the second apparition, the Angel of Peace taught the children the following prayer, often referred to as the Angel’s Prayer:
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and 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 the outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences by which He is offended.
The emphasis here is on the doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, two cornerstones of Catholic theology. This prayer serves as a mini-creed, reminding Catholics of the essential elements of their faith while promoting the virtue of reparation.
Eucharistic Prayer
In the third apparition, the Angel of Portugal gave the children Holy Communion and taught them a prayer that has become known as the Eucharistic Prayer:
Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Like the Angel’s Prayer, this one centers on the theology of the Eucharist and the Holy Trinity, which is a non-negotiable and universal belief in the Catholic Church.
The Theological Significance
The prayers taught by the Angel of Peace bear universal teachings of the Catholic Church. They are grounded in the Trinity, the Eucharist, and the necessity of prayer for spiritual sustenance and intercession for others. These prayers harmonize seamlessly with the prayers and teachings found in the deposit of faith—the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition—which every Catholic should aspire to integrate into their daily lives.
Conclusion
The Angel of Fatima’s prayers are more than historical artifacts of a specific time and place; they are treasures for the universal Church. Grounded in Catholic doctrine, they provide a rich source of spiritual nourishment. Every Catholic would do well to become familiar with these prayers and incorporate them into their spiritual routine as a powerful means to grow in faith, hope, and love, drawing nearer to God and fulfilling the command of Christ to “pray always without becoming weary” (Luke 18:1).
Remember, as the Catechism teaches, “Prayer and Christian life are inseparable” (CCC 2745). It’s time for us to take the messages and prayers of Fatima seriously, not only because they were a specific revelation given to the shepherd children but also because they echo the universal and eternal truths of our Catholic faith.