Our Lady of Fatima Prayers: Unveiling the Angel's Prayer and Pardon Prayer

The apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917 to three shepherd children – Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta – left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. While the message of penance, prayer, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is widely known, many may not be fully familiar with two profound prayers taught before Our Lady's appearances by an Angel. These are the Angel's Prayer and the Pardon Prayer, foundational to the Fatima message and powerful tools for spiritual growth.

Understanding these prayers, their origins, and their significance is crucial for anyone seeking to deepen their devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and embrace the full scope of her urgent call.

The Angel's Prayer: A Call to Adoration and Reparation

Before the Blessed Mother appeared, an Angel, identifying himself as the "Angel of Peace" and later the "Angel of Portugal," visited the children three times in 1916. During his third apparition, the Angel taught them a prayer that beautifully encapsulates the essence of adoration, reparation, and fervent belief in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Angel appeared holding a chalice with a Host suspended above it, from which drops of blood fell into the chalice. He left the Host for Lucia and the Blood for Francisco and Jacinta. Kneeling with them, he recited this prayer:

The Angel's Prayer (also known as the Eucharistic Reparation Prayer):

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners."

Significance and Practice:

This prayer is a profound act of adoration and reparation for the indifference, sacrileges, and outrages committed against Jesus in the Eucharist. It calls us to:

• Profound Adoration: Acknowledge God's supreme majesty and His real presence in the Eucharist.

• Reparation: Offer acts of love and atonement for sins committed against Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

• Intercession: Beg for the conversion of sinners through the infinite merits of Jesus' Sacred Heart and Mary's Immaculate Heart.

Praying this prayer regularly, especially before or after Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, or simply in quiet devotion, can deepen one's understanding of the Real Presence and foster a spirit of self-sacrifice for the salvation of souls.

The Pardon Prayer: A Plea for Unbelievers

During the first apparition of the Angel of Peace in 1916, he taught the children another short, yet immensely powerful prayer. This prayer highlights the importance of intercession for those who have strayed from God.

Kneeling on the ground with their foreheads touching the earth, the Angel taught them:

The Pardon Prayer:

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee. I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee."

Significance and Practice:

This prayer is a direct plea for the conversion of hardened hearts and a profound act of charity. It emphasizes:

• Foundational Virtues: Reaffirms the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love) as central to our relationship with God.

• Intercession for Others: Moves us beyond our own needs to pray for those who desperately need God's mercy but may not recognize it.

• Spiritual Solidarity: Encourages us to stand in solidarity with God, advocating for the salvation of all humanity.

The Pardon Prayer reminds us of our responsibility to be instruments of God's mercy in the world, actively praying for the conversion of those who live in spiritual darkness or indifference.

The Profound Significance of the Angel's Prayers in the Fatima Message

These two prayers, given by the Angel of Peace, are not merely supplemental; they are foundational to the entire Fatima message. They prepared the children for the Blessed Mother's subsequent appearances and underscored key themes that would later become central to her requests:

• The Primacy of God: Both prayers begin with a direct address to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and our complete dependence on Him.

• The Eucharist: The Angel's Prayer specifically highlights the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, foreshadowing Mary's emphasis on frequent Communion and Eucharistic devotion.

• Reparation and Sacrifice: The theme of making reparation for sins, especially against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, runs deep through these prayers.

• Conversion of Sinners: The fervent plea for the conversion of "poor sinners" is a recurring motif throughout the Fatima apparitions, reflecting God's immense desire for all souls to be saved.

By integrating the Angel's Prayer and the Pardon Prayer into our daily spiritual lives, we actively participate in the prophetic call of Fatima. We join millions around the world in a profound act of faith, adoration, and intercession for a world in need of God's mercy and grace. These prayers are not just words; they are an invitation to a deeper, more sacrificial, and more intercessory spiritual life, perfectly aligned with the heart of the Catholic faith.