New book reveals inner suffering of one of the visionaries of Our Lady of Fatima in the face of misunderstandings and restrictions imposed by the Vatican
Restrictions imposed by the Holy See significantly shaped Sister Lúcia de Jesus's mission, limiting her public interactions and writings. The 'Fuentes case,' involving distorted remarks attributed to Lúcia, led to strict regulations on her communications. Lúcia's writings reveal both the pain and the obedience she experienced under these restrictions. Despite the constraints, Lúcia maintained a sense of gratitude towards the Church, viewing it as a protective mother. Writing became her primary means of spreading the Fatima message, always adhering to the imposed norms.
4 months ago
A new book, "Living in the Light of God: The Spiritual Journey of Lúcia de Jesus," co-authored by Sister Ângela Coelho, sheds light on the profound inner suffering experienced by Sister Lúcia de Jesus, the last surviving visionary of Our Lady of Fatima 1. The book reveals how Vatican-imposed restrictions significantly impacted her mission and personal life during her final decades at the Carmel of St. Teresa in Coimbra 1.
The Holy See began imposing limitations on Sister Lúcia in 1955 by restricting visitors, followed by a much stricter rule in 1958 that prohibited public disclosure of anything she wrote or said without Vatican approval 1. These measures, intended to protect her and the sanctity of Carmel, marked "a long period of suffering" for Sister Lúcia 1. The catalyst for these stringent rules was the "Fuentes case" in 1957-1958, where Mexican priest Fr. Agustín Fuentes distorted her remarks into sensational and apocalyptic claims after a visit 1.
Despite feeling used as an instrument and facing constraints, Sister Lúcia never harbored bitterness 1. She viewed the Church as "a mother," appreciating its protection even when it felt restrictive 1. Her spiritual diary, "My Path," kept under episcopal instruction, records her pain and unwavering obedience 1. Writing became her primary method for fulfilling her vocation to spread the Fatima message, always in adherence to the imposed norms 1.
Sister Ângela Coelho's book invites readers to look beyond the public image of the visionary to understand a woman whose greatest trial was the tension between her divine mission and the limitations placed upon it 1. The book emphasizes that Sister Lúcia never sought personal gain, choosing a hidden life and believing that holiness could only be achieved in communion with the Church, despite its imperfections 1.
How does the Church guide prophetic messages?
The Church guides prophetic messages through a process of discernment, primarily carried out by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in conjunction with the local Diocesan Bishop . This process aims to determine if alleged supernatural phenomena align with divine action and Catholic faith and morals, while also assessing their pastoral value and addressing potential risks .
Discernment is a divine gift that assists the Church's pastors in "testing everything" and "holding fast what is good" . It is sought and cultivated in prayer . The Church's role is not to accept new public revelation as part of the divine deposit of faith, but rather to preserve and faithfully expound upon the Revelation already handed down .
Instead of a declaration of "supernaturalness," which is now rare and reserved for exceptional cases by the Holy Father, the discernment process typically leads to one of six prudential decisions . These include:
The norms are not intended to control or stifle the Holy Spirit's work, but rather to protect the faithful from deception and ensure that any spiritual fruits are genuine and align with Catholic teaching . The Church recognizes that God is present and active in history, and the Holy Spirit can work through supernatural occurrences, leading to spiritual growth and devotion . The discernment process helps to ensure that these phenomena contribute positively to the life of the Church .