“Our Lady has been chosen to be known by the name of FATIMA, which was the name of the daughter of Mohammed, because She has come not only for the conversion of Russia but also for the millions of Mohammedans...without whom there could never be true world peace.”

This powerful statement is not the only observation the Archbishop made on this subject. In his marvelously inspiring book on Our Lady, entitled, “The World’s First Love,” Archbishop (then Bishop) Sheen had a chapter on Our Lady and the Muslims. Published in 1952, just one year after the “Peace Congress,” the Archbishop shares more of his prophetic insight. The point the Bishop makes here is:

“...why the Blessed Mother, in this twentieth century, should have revealed herself in the insignificant little village of Fatima, so that to all future generations she would be known as ‘Our Lady of Fatima.’ Since nothing ever happens out of heaven except with a finesse of all details, I believe that the Blessed Virgin chose to be known as ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ as a pledge and a sign of hope to the Muslim people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her Divine Son, too.

Evidence to support these views is found in the historical fact that the Muslims occupied Portugal for centuries. At the time when they were finally driven out, the last Muslim chief had a beautiful daughter by the name of Fatima. A Catholic boy fell in love with her and for him she not only stayed behind when the Muslims left but even embraced the faith. The young husband was so much in love with her that he changed the name of the town where he lived to Fatima. Thus, the very place where Our Lady appeared in 1917 bears a historical connection to Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed.

...Missionaries in the future will, more and more, see that their apostolate among the Muslims will be successful in the measure that they preach Our Lady of Fatima. Mary is the advent of Christ, bringing Christ to the people before Christ Himself is born. In any apologetic endeavor, it is always best to start with that which people already accept. because the Muslims have a devotion to Mary, our mission- aries should be satisfied merely to expand and to develop that devotion, with the full realization that Our Blessed Lady will carry the Muslims the rest of the way to her Divine Son. She is forever a ‘traitor,’ in the sense that she will not accept any devotion for herself, but will always bring anyone who is devoted to her to her Divine Son. As those who lose devotion to her lose belief in the Divinity of Christ, so those who intensify devotion to her gradually acquire that belief.”

In view of the present world crisis wherein Christianity and Islam seem locked in bitter opposition, the Archbishop’s conviction that “there could never be true world peace” without the conversion of Islam appears amazingly accurate. Even the Communists, seen in China and her allies, are no longer the number one threat to world peace. That number one threat comes from Islam. The Archbishop would no doubt point us further in Our Lady’s direction to her “Peace Plan” elaborated at Fatima. Let us put Our Lady’s directions into practice, namely.

1. Pray the rosary every day for world peace.
2. Offer everything we do throughout the day as a “sacrifice to Jesus through Mary.”
3. Practice the devotion of the First Five Saturdays in reparation for sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
4. Daily accept the crosses God permits to come our way.

There is no doubt that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s statements are both prophetic and urgent for our times!

Check back soon for our next feature article!