This window is
centered on the apparition of our Lady at Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady appeared
to 3 simple shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta between May 13 and October 13.
1917 near the End of World War I. As in all authentic marina apparitions Mary
calls us back to live the Gospel message of her son. The core of which is
repentance, prayer, self- denial (sacrifice) and perseverance in doing good
works. In its prophetic aspects, her specific message was one of hope as well
as warning. Some of the specific prophesies such as the second world war, the
spread of militant atheistic communism throughout the world, the magnitude of
the persecution of the Church including the near fatal assassination attempt on
pope John Paul II in 1981, are very sobering. John Paul II attributes the
failure of the assassination
attempt to Mary's direct intercession. She said in 1917 that unless men
return to God (His Love - His commandments - His will) that there would be an
increase in the severity and number of wars, hunger, and persecution of the
church throughout the world. John Paul II. In his first encyclical letter
Redemptoris Hominis (Redeemer of Man, 1979) put her message to us so succinctly
in these words - When we turn away from God we turn on each other. A great
shrine has been built in Fatima to which millions of pilgrims flock to every
year. John Paul II has himself made several pilgrimages to Fatima. Her simple
biblical message has spread throughout the world and is more relevant today
than ever before. For more information on Our lady of Fatima and her message go
to www.bluearmy.com.
Immediately surrounding the apparition
image are twenty small light blue circles that represent the twenty mysteries
of the rosary which our Lady urges us to pray and contemplate every day. On top
of the image is blue triangle, with a white/yellow center that represents the
Trinity, who sent Mary to us at Fatima. Surrounding the central image are large
red/orange/yellow/blue fiery shapes that represent the grace that God willed to
pour out unto the world through
Mary's apparition at Fatima. In between some of the light blue circles
are seven stars that represent the seven spirits (angels) that surround the
throne of God in the book of Revelation. In the lower right hand corner of the
window is the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which symbolizes the
depths of her maternal and sacrificial love for us. In the lower right hand
corner of the window is an image of Pope John Paul II, who had a great devotion
to our Mother and in particular to Our Lady of Fatima, in her prophetic role in
the twentieth century and her exhortation to live the Gospel. Just below the
central image is the Cross-, on which is superimposed the Eucharist, which is
the central Christian image of the depths of God's love for us. To the right of
the cross is a capital M, which represents Mary's unique and special
cooperative role in effecting our salvation.