Dear Readers,  

As September arrives and we return from the summer holidays to the familiar rhythm of school, work and family life, it is a wonderful opportunity to begin afresh and refocus on what truly matters. The message of Fatima gently reminds us of the simplicity and power of prayer, sacrifice and trust in God. 

As our homes and communities settle into new routines, may Our Lady of Fatima, walk with us, helping us to make time for prayer, especially the Rosary, and to keep her Son, Jesus, at the heart of our everyday lives.

The story of the three shepherd children reminds us that, amid the turmoil and distractions of life, we are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, especially the Rosary, which brings us closer to Jesus and Mary. Their example also teaches us to embrace simplicity, humility and childlike trust in God, offering our daily sacrifices and duties for the salvation of others. 

Read more here. on the call to prayer and simplicity, by Fr Richard Nesbitt

Dear Members, 

Fatima is often remembered primarily for its miraculous signs, apocalyptic secrets, or specific devotions, yet its core call is simply grounded in everyday life.  

In the Catholic tradition, "daily duty" (or the duties of one's state in life) refers to the simple, daily obligations of a person's routine—whether as a parent, worker, student, or religious. By prioritizing this over external devotions, Sister Lúcia aligned the message with a classical spiritual principle: Extraordinary devotions mean very little if they cause someone to neglect their fundamental duties to God, family, and neighbour.  

Sister Lúcia later expanded on this, explaining that offering up the routine sacrifices, frustrations, and responsibilities of daily life acts as a continuous prayer of reparation. While Our Lady of Fatima certainly requested the daily Rosary and the practice of the First Saturdays, those prayers were meant to sanctify and support a faithful life, not replace the essential work of living virtuously in one's station.   

John Haffert, our co-founder went on to integrate this focus into the Pledge of the Blue Army (which later became the World Apostolate of Fatima), placing the faithful fulfilment of daily duty right alongside the First Saturday devotion, the Rosary and the Scapular.  

The article explains that the message of Fatima begins with the Angel of Peace, who taught the three shepherd children that adoration of God and reverence for the Eucharist come before everything else. 

It emphasises that true peace begins with reconciliation with God, since peace in the world cannot exist without peace in the human heart. 

The article also connects the multiplication of the loaves to the Eucharist, describing the Eucharist as Christ’s greatest gift and the heart of the Church. 

It stresses that Mary’s role at Fatima is to lead people to Christ and, hence, to a deeper love of the Eucharist. Ultimately, it also reflects the modern world’s deepest crisis, which is a loss of the sense of reverence, loss of the sacred and a failure to recognise the importance of worship and adoration. 

Read more here.

The following article reminds us that prayer is God’s gift and invitation to enter into a deep relationship and communion with Him, calling us to pray with simplicity, humility, trust, and perseverance.  

Through Jesus and Mary, we learn to surrender ourselves to God, intercede for others, and remain faithful even in times of dryness, suffering, or distraction.  

The following article reminds us that ultimately, prayer does not change God but transforms us, drawing us closer to Him and enabling us to become instruments of His love and peace. 

Read more here.

The WeBelieve Festival at St Mary’s College, Oscott, brought together bishops, priests, religious communities, families and lay faithful for four days of Mass, prayer, Adoration, fellowship, teaching and mission, celebrating the richness and diversity of the Catholic Church. The festival encouraged everyone to remain open to the Holy Spirit, reflect on their vocation, deepen their relationship with Christ and recognise the Eucharist as the heart of the Church. Inspired by Mary’s faithful “yes” and St Paul’s words, “We believe, therefore we speak,” participants were sent home renewed in faith and ready to share the Gospel in their families, parishes and communities. 

Read more here.

August 15, feast of the Assumption - October 7, feast of Our Lady of the Rosary 

Our Lady’s Blue Army is inviting you to join with the Coalition of Eucharistic and Marian Apostolates and thousands of people across the nation in praying the 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation, beginning on the feast of the Assumption to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Aug. 15 – Oct. 7). Please join us! 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.  

Link to download the special 54-day novena prayers:

https://www.bluearmy.com/54-day-rosary-novena/

“KEEP ME COMPANY FOR 15 MINUTES”, said Our Lady to Sr. Lucia, on the 10th December 1925. 

For this First Saturday of the Month:

The Fifth Joyful Mystery 

The Losing and Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple 

Let us look for Jesus through Mary.

Read more here.