Fatima: The only solution to the SSPX controversy

A new upheaval in the church, an old problem. The debate about the SSPX and unauthorized episcopal consecrations is essentially the same as it was back in 1988.

Catholics continue to argue on either side of the issue. To give the benefit of the doubt – both sides have good intentions, both sides have a sincere desire to follow Jesus Christ, both sides bring evidence to support their position. But both appear to begin with different principles. The debate includes argument form, first principles, canon law, theology, philosophy, and Church history. All of these are important. But to master even one of these would take a lifetime.

I have spent a lot of time and energy on using metaphysics to help shed light on the truth. My recent articles on Meaning of Catholic attempt to provide a framework to aid in understanding many theological and doctrinal issues (“The Schools of Christendom: A Common Metaphysical Grammar”; “Beyond Rupture and Continuity: the Problem is Metaphysical”).

But what I see in the comment section is similar to what I see when I speak to family friends and even many informed Catholics about this. People say, “I’m a simple man,” “I don’t understand all this technical stuff,” or “it can’t be this complicated.” Catholics don’t want complexity they want simplicity. And I don’t blame them. And heaven has accounted for this.

Most average Catholics don’t have the luxury of time or resources to be a part-time theologian/philosopher/historian. The good news is you don’t have to be. Our Lord never expected that. And heaven provided a much easier solution. Our Lady Of Fatima promised that when her commands were fulfilled, the crisis would end, and there would be a glorious triumph of her Immaculate Heart. Peace would follow.

Ah peace. Wouldn’t we all like that? Both sides of the SSPX argument would love peace and unity - there can be no doubt about that. But amidst all this confusion, it would seem to be impossible that this peace will come from logical and rational argumentation. There’s just too many accusations. There’s too much name-calling. People have biases and many organizations have a monetary interest in preserving their positions. Our Lady knows all this, and that is why she made it easy.

The real solution to the SSPX topic is the same solution to the German bishops, Vatican II, liturgical wars, and on and on. Fatima is the answer for our time. The directives given to the three shepherd children in 1917 are just as relevant now as they were back then. Of course, the major difference is that the crisis has gotten worse over time and Russia has continued to spread its errors, as Our Lady predicted.

It is the faithful, cooperating with the grace from God, who will merit the triumph of the Immaculate Heart. A lot of people forget that. Many people put too much focus on what the pope and the bishops were directed from heaven. This is important. But the greater focus should be on what is within our control as the faithful. Remember Our lady gave marching orders to us too. And until a certain number of souls are following Our Lady’s commands, the triumph will be delayed. We know throughout salvific history that there has always been a faithful number of people who have fulfilled heaven’s commands to merit a blessing for the world - think about God’s promise that if they were just ten faithful people in Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities would’ve been spared.

So we should focus on what we can control. We should do what Our lady told us. That will end every crisis.

What exactly did Our Lady command? Lúcia was asked repeatedly what must the faithful do. We often hear about praying the Rosary (five decades) daily. And this is central. However:

She immediately answered, “But the Rosary is not the most important request.”

And she went on to explain that the essential request of Our Lady of Fatima was conveyed to the children in the very first question Our Lady put to them when she said: “Are you be willing to accept whatever God will send you and to offer it up for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary?”1

Lúcia gave five commands. These commands have been known as the Blue Army pledge. A simple way to remember it is the helpful mnemonic: C.R.O.S.S.

• Consecrate yourself to the immaculate heart of Mary

• Rosary daily

• Offer up your daily duties and sufferings

• Scapular (wear the Brown Scapular)

• Saturdays (First Saturday devotion)

When enough Catholics do this, the crisis ends. It’s that simple. These are our marching orders. This is what Our lady wants you and me to do. And this we must do until heaven is satisfied.

We could keep trying to fight in our own way. I’m not saying it’s completely useless. Obviously, I’ve spilled some ink over a metaphysical solution. But we also have to be practical and humble. Heaven did not promise that any human would provide the answer. Our intelligence and logic is not enough. Heaven requires faith and obedience to Our Lady.

A mother knows exactly how to solve conflicts that arise between her children.

Whatever the dispute may be, the children all love their mother, and at the end of the day, want to make her happy. How much more so for our Blessed Mother. She cuts right through all the confusion and provides a solution that everyone could agree upon.

Any time a new issue comes up in the world, everyone seems to forget about Fatima. The one and only solution gets pushed aside in favor of headline news and futile argumentation. We’ve all seen this online. Rarely are people listening to one another and really trying to understand the other point of view. I am guilty of this too.

So let us all listen to Our Lady Of Fatima. We must do what she said. We have all heard that, “only she can save us.” Let us resolve to not make the same mistakes over and over and get sucked in to the most recent news and crisis. Let us continually sound the trumpet with the solution. The only solution. Our Lady’s solution.

And that’s how we’re going save the world.