Our Lady of Fatima

Above is a spectacular painting of Our Lady of Fatima.

There is a very personal connection for me related to that painting, & tho I have no way of giving credit to the artist, I would like to share how it has changed my life.

The original painting I saw was in the chapel @ the local Catholic hospital.

One morning a year or so ago, I looked out my front window to recognize the view above in awe, as incredibly comparable to the background in the painting of Our Lady above!

changed; one; from; knew; a; called; at; thru; creator. christ's; sacrifice. you} the ground I walked on. She always, always 'needed to be touching me. Then, I understood, the worship due to our Lord & Savior. A constant being in touch.

It is very easy to see our loving God @ work in nature, in our beloved companion animals, as well as in the lives of those who dedicated their lives to our Lord's work.

If you have read other pages of this site, you will know that, my beloved Echo passed away Jan 8th, 1996. @ the time, I was totally devastated, not understanding the reasons that God had chosen to call her home. Months went by before I was able to begin to search for answers.. not to Echo's passing, but what *I* was meant to learn from this. Altho, I had attended a few masses with friends before this, & had chatted re Catholicism with them, from that time on, I visited the chapel @ the hospital, frequently & quietly looking @ the picture of our Lady @ Fatima shown @ the top of this page... there are candles beneath this picture, & I would often light a candle there as well....

I gazed @ & questioned Our Lady, why, why, why.... finally I got the answer... there was no answer... other than it began my search.

During this time, ever so slowly a quest continued toward spirituality, & roots regarding the meaning of our living in this 'human reality'. I read volumes of information attempting to make some sense...of sooo many things. Some time was spent studying the spirituality of our American Indians, Taoism, & several others. From each I learned much. There were attempts thru the years, to affiliate with other religions {baptist} , & religious organizations, but none that I sensed I could 'be @ home' worshipping God.

I began to understand that we are Spiritual beings living a human experience, rather than human beings having a spiritual experience.

In the fall of 1997, I felt Echo urging me to work with the wonderful priest @ our local catholic hospital in creating the first celebration of the Blessing of the Animals for St Francis day. This small step drew me a little closer to 'looking @' Catholicism as a source of spiritual 'foundation'.

During this time as well, a friend shared the powerful movie, Song of Bernadette. The incredible effect this movie made on my heart can only be described as one of great longing to share & understand the depth of love that Bernadette had for our Blessed Lady. I cannot say how many times I watched this film, before I began to notice the doves, several places in the movie. You see.. angels with doves have been one way my sweet Echo has remained 'connected' with me 'here'. Some were music boxes, some candleholders, some statues. Seeing the doves in this film helped me understand...this was another of Echo's contributions to my journey, and understanding re the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

Also during this time, this same friend's mother gave me my very first rosary, which @ the time I had no idea how much would mean. Tho I had no idea how to use it or how much it would change my life, I did understand that it was precious, very precious.

The gentleness, too, of the Sisters @ the hospital, with whom I am in nearly daily contact, also aided in my stepping to look closer @ my spiritual path.

There was an experience associated with a friend's missing sheltie, & learning of the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, & her life, & miracles related to her.

Then a year ago this past December{2001}, I somehow understood & sensed an urgency to speak with one of the Sister's @ the hospital re: becoming Catholic. She agreed, & set up an interview with the Sister who is the director of the RCIA program here.

My interview with Sister went well, & I continued to feel 'lead'.. and came home to something that still astounds me today. I had ordered a rosary called the 'Pilgrim Rosary a few days earlier. In my mailbox, much to my surprise.. the Rosary was there!.. Now there is absolutely no... reason... none @ all why this should have especially arrived that day... *unless*, I felt that day & still do.....that God was assuring me, yes... this is the Spiritual journey I was to take.

Please, return soon as this story is only beginning, the rest of the story is even more incredible! However, on this, St Bernadette's Feast day, I wanted to introduce the beginning of this page.

Please click on Our Lady to go to page 2

Please click on link above to e-mail

NOTE: If there are graphics on *any* of Echo's pages for which I have not given credit, that are not public domain, please notify me, and I will immediately credit the author, or remove @ the author's request. thanx

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created February 11, 2003

updated April 14, 2007