28th May 2017 - The Little Shepherds of Fatima: St Francisco & Jacinta Marto (Ascension Sunday)

On this weeks programme Michael Keating returns (at popular request 😃) to join with John and Shane to discuss the latest saints of the church - Francisco and Jacinta Marto - the little shepherds of Fatima. We have our regular reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel which is that of the Ascension as well as our regular round up of notices and saints of the week.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

The Little Shepherds of Fatima

Michael Keating joins us again on this weeks programme and tell us the story of the two latest saints to the churches calendar - St Francisco and St Jacinta Marto - the little Shepheds of Fatima. Michael takes us through their short life story and their reactions to the events of Fatima and afterwards upto their young deaths during the Spanish Influenze epidemic. He also tells us about the story of Lucas Baptista, who was 5 years old in 2013, when he fell from a window and suffered traumatic brain injuries that doctors said would leave him severely mentally disabled or in a vegetative state, if he even survived. Lucas’ recovery, after his parents prayed to Jacinta and Francisco, was one of the miracles attributed to the children as part of the canonization process.

CNA - This is the miracle that led to the Fatima children's canonization

You can listen to this section of the programme excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

Gospel - Mathew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Vatican Radio - The Ascension of the Lord
• Word on Fire - Why the Ascension of the Lord matters
• Sunday Reflections
• English Dominicans
• Centre for Liturgy
• Communio - Ascension of the Lord

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 3; 7th week of Easter

Saints of the Week

May 29th - St Raymond and Companions
May 30th - St Joan of Arc
May 31st - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
June 1st - St Justin Martyr
June 2nd - Ss Marcellinus and Peter (First Friday)
June 3rd - Irish Calendar - St Kevin (First Saturday)
June 3rd - Universal calendar - St Charles Lwanga & Companions, the Uganda Martyrs