Most readers of The Fatima Crusader, and devotees of Our Lady of Fatima, are aware that certain prayers were taught during the apparitions. In 1916, when the Angel of Peace appeared to the children, he taught them the well known prayer for the conversion of sinners: "O my God, I adore Thee, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, and I love Thee. I ask pardon for all those who do not adore Thee, do not believe in Thee, do not hope in Thee, do not love Thee." He also taught another prayer in reparation for the sacrileges against the Holy Eucharist.

       Similarly, Our Lady taught certain prayers to the children in Her apparitions of 1917, for example the prayer after each decade of the Rosary: "O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need." This is known as the "decade prayer".

Two Prayers Taught By Our Lord

       What is less well known is that Our Lord Himself taught Sister Lucia to say two prayers for the conversion of the whole world. In the second volume of his monumental work on Fatima, Brother Michael of the Holy Trinity explains the origin of these prayers. In August 1931, Sister Lucia was in bad health, and her superiors sent her to Rianjo, a small maritime town not far from Pontevedra, to take some rest.

       During this period of rest and recuperation, Sister Lucia took time to pray for the conversion of Russia, Spain and her native Portugal. She relates in her Memoirs how Our Lord replied, by an interior voice: "You console Me a great deal by asking Me for the conversion of those poor nations. Ask it also frequently of My Mother, saying:

       "Sweet Heart of Mary, be the Salvation of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the whole world.

At other times say:
       "By Thy pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, obtain for me the conversion of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the whole world."

       These prayers ought to be constantly on our lips. Not only do they greatly "console" Our Lord, but they are extremely well suited to inspire devotion to the Immaculate Heart, and the Immaculate Conception, which are — by Our Lord's own testimony — powerful enough to obtain "the conversion of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the whole world." These prayers are an act of the highest charity, for they ask for the conversion of the whole world, not just one nation or continent. Spiritual writers tell us that there is no greater charity we can practice towards our neighbor than to desire and pray for his salvation.

       We earnestly recommend these prayers, taught by Our Lord Himself, to all our readers. To facilitate their wide distribution, The Fatima Crusader will be printing them on prayer cards to be made available soon.

NOTE: For more information about the occasion when Our Lord taught these two prayers to Sister Lucia of Fatima see also the article "Jesus' Revelation to Sister Lucia Regarding the Pope" in this issue.

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