St. Joseph, Fatima and Fatherhood: Reflections on the Miracle of the Sun

by Joseph A. Cirrincione, Thomas A. Nelson

On October 13, 1917, just before the great "Miracle of the Sun" was manifested to some 70,000 spectators at Fatima, Portugal, there appeared to the three child-visionaries an unusual scene. To the right of the sun, they saw the Blessed Virgin Mary robed in white with a blue mantle. Standing to the left of the sun was St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus, both blessing the world. 

Msgr. Joseph A. Cirricione, a 40-year student of the Fatima apparitions, appears to be the first writer to study and analyze for Catholic readers the significance and message of this singular apparition, especially with regard to what it says about St. Joseph. In the process, he arrives at some profound and sobering conclusions, both for the Church and the world. He also contributes several original and extremely germane ideas to the general study of St. Joseph, such that the contents of this little booklet must become universally known among all Catholics. 

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Parenting

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Monsignor Joseph A. Cirrincione is the author of several small spiritual booklets on Fatima, including The Rosary and the Crisis of Faith, The Forgotten Secret of Fatima, St. Joseph, Fatima and Fatherhood, and Fatima's Message for Our Times. For many years, he earnestly prayed for the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Plagued with serious health problems and even sent to the hospital a few times, Monsignor Cirrincione faithfully commended himself to the Fatima children in the early 1990s, when he suffered from heart trouble. He was later healed, and he made a pilgrimage to Fatima as an act of thanksgiving, where he learned the children had been declared venerable.

Reviews

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short booklet does a really good job of explaining the role and office of fatherhood. It does this using a very good theological review of things related to a few of the Marian apparitions at Fatima. It also details much of what secularism has done to the family and how the apparitions of Fatima provide hope.

Very highly recommended!

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleased with this little TAN handbook. Aside from small essays on the Holy Family and the mystery of the Incarnation that played out within it, the two major theses are very interesting:
* that the three significant visions on October the 13th, seen by one or other of the children at Fátima, are related to the three great groupings of mysteries of the Holy Rosary; and
* the gyration and apparent half-fall of the sun seen by thousands that day was a prediction of the general rejection of the fatherhood of God in the decades following, with the progress of atheism and secularism.
Decent collection of prayers and devotions related to S. Joseph at the end also.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tiny book with mighty content. It not only gives insight into St. Joseph’s role in God’s plan, but explains his role as an intercessor in the world today. It reviews the miracles at Fatima and enumerates the Blessed Virgin’s prophesies. It also reiterates Mary’s demands and promises on behalf of her son, Jesus. The last part of the book contains prayers to St. Joseph for his intercession on various matters. The book is straightforward and easy to understand. I expect to consult it frequently for the rest of my life.

[Michael Creavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly insightful little book! A must read for dads, priests, seminarians, and anyone who wants to know more about Fatima and the fatherhood of St. Joseph. Bravo!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to keep this slim volume in my bag of prayer books and return to it daily for the last few months.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used ST. JOSEPH, FATIMA and FATHERHOOD as daily spiritual readind during Eastertide, and the Feasts of St. Joseph and Our Lady of Fatima. Numerous prayers and reflections on the Fatima apparitions provide opportunities for private meditation or public prayer. Msgr. Cirrincione uses numerous scripture passages to enlighten the revelations of events at Fatima. A treasured study of the Holy Family and the manifestation of the "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima, useful as a devotional throughout the year.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tiny book packed full of gold. Probably the most well told of all the Fatima books I've read.

If only I could be a father like St. Joseph. At least that's my prayer. Gonna have to add some of the St. Joseph prayers in the back to my daily repertoire.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

The three shepherd seers Venerable Sister Lucia, St. Francisco and St. Jacinta, pray for us.

[Diana Kullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really a small pamphlet but was still very good. it has a little history of Fatima
and devotional material as well.

[ShepherdsDelight · Rating 2 out of 5]

66/100 (= 2.8/6) ≈ 2 Stars