Today we begin the year-long celebration honoring the 100 year anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Mary appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta in Fatima, Portugal beginning on May 13, 1917. She returned every month with a final sign, known as the Miracle of the Sun, on October 13, 1917 to a crowd of more than 70,000 witnesses.

The message Mary brought was the urgent need for peace and prayer. World War I was in progress, and as we know, World War II followed in addition to continuous unrest around the world.

Mary said that prayer was the pathway to peace. She also encouraged changing our selfish and negative ways, following God’s call to action, embracing suffering, and spreading the Word of God.

If we put God first in our thoughts and actions, we’d see God in everyone and everything. We’d become beacons of love and light, which can only result in peace.

From the state of the world, we know we have not followed Mary’s guidance. A century later, and we are no more peaceful. But peace is possible. We only need to take responsibility and do our part to make it happen.

If you want peace for yourself, family and friends, and generations to come, make a commitment to taking steps that you can realistically maintain. And begin right now!

(Fatima at 100. Fatima Today is available from ACTA Publications and my website. Paperback, 40 pages, 99 cents.)