The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In each of the four stages, the intention must be to make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Let us bear in mind that it is not a question of consoling the Virgin Mary out of compassion for her Heart pierced with a sword of pain due to the sufferings of her Son, although the message of Fatima also includes this traditional aspect of Catholic piety, since it is Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows who appeared on October 13, 1917, to the three shepherds. The precise meaning of the restorative devotion requested in Pontevedra consists of the consideration of the offences that the Immaculate Heart of Mary currently receives from the ungrateful and blasphemers who reject her maternal mediation and despise her divine prerogatives. So many cruel thorns that must be removed from her Heart by loving practices of reparation, to console her, and also to obtain forgiveness from souls who have not feared to offend her so seriously.

And let us note above all that this desire for love and, therefore, for reparation is essential, it is this desire that gives the practices their effectiveness in moving the Heart of God.

Visit of Our Lady to Sister Lucia, Asilo de Vilar, Porto, August 26, 1923:

“...Again she recommended prayer and sacrifice for sinners, saying that a great number were condemned because there was no one to pray and sacrifice for them.”

Sister Lucia, letter to one of her spiritual directors:

“...and to implore forgiveness and mercy in favour of the souls who blaspheme against her, because, to such souls, divine mercy does not forgive without reparation.”