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Fatima For Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope
Though the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima took place almost a hundred years ago, Our Lady's call to prayer and penance for the salvation of souls and peace in the world is as relevant now as when first delivered to three Portuguese peasant children in 1917. At the peak of the First World War, our Lady warned of another worldwide conflict, the rise and spread of Communism, and a terrible persecution of the Church unless people repented of their sins and returned to God. She also requested devotion to her Immaculate Heart and a special consecration of Russia. Much of what Our Lady of Fatima said was revealed soon after her appearances, but the third and final "secret", which was not a message but a prophetic vision seen by the children, was not unveiled by the Vatican until 2000. Pope John Paul II, who read the third secret while recovering from the attempt upon his life in 1981, believed the vision signified the sufferings the Church had endured in the twentieth century. Because of the prophetic nature of her messages, Our Lady of Fatima has been the subject of much controversy and speculation. In this book, Father Andrew Apostoli carefully analyzes the events that took place in Fatima and clears up lingering questions and doubts about their meaning. He also challenges the reader to hear anew the call of Our Lady to prayer and sacrifice, for the world is ever in need of generous hearts willing to make reparation for those in danger of losing their way to God. "Our Lady's call to conversion and penance, issued at the start of the twentieth century, remains timely and urgent today."
-Angelo Cardinal Sodano , Vatican Secretary of State Emeritus
-Angelo Cardinal Sodano , Vatican Secretary of State Emeritus
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 28, 2017
2017 is the 100 year anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima. Occurred during WW I and around the time of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. An intense read. The vision of hell is terrifying.
The take away is pray the rosary again and again.
The take away is pray the rosary again and again.
July 3, 2025
I feel that this book on Fatima was a balanced one. I have heard of a conspiracy-theory type narrative around this topic which I did not like. So to that podcaster, unfollowed! It just stirs a lot of unneeded controversies rather than the main message of Our Lady of Fatima for our time. This book did just that — focus on the message of Fatima for our time which is what is needed the faithful to do today.
Fr Apostoli did a great job in discussing all the important parts of the message of Fatima. He also discussed and addressed controversies or objections raised by some people about certain issues, like in the Third secret. He also cited from the Theological Commentary written by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. There is also a copy of that in the Appendix of this book. I think this is a well-rounded discussion and scrutiny of the message of Fatima yet a balanced way to present it. Also, it has a lot of references and endnotes which makes it a well-written and well-researched work.
Around the time I finished this book, World Youth Day is happening in Portugal. People are going to Portugal and also visiting Fatima. With all of that happening, I can’t help but remember some events in my life when Our Lady made a way for me when I was having a difficult time in my life. When I look back, I just somehow felt and knew that Our Lady in her title Our Lady of Fatima interceded for me. However broken and sinful I am, I just knew that there is still a Mother always there for me, to guide and console me. Prayer really does work! Her hands and prayers are powerful that it even deflected a bullet and saved a pope from death. As for me, I hope to be faithful to God with Our Lady’s help so to also strive to live out the message of Our Lady for our time.
Fr Apostoli did a great job in discussing all the important parts of the message of Fatima. He also discussed and addressed controversies or objections raised by some people about certain issues, like in the Third secret. He also cited from the Theological Commentary written by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. There is also a copy of that in the Appendix of this book. I think this is a well-rounded discussion and scrutiny of the message of Fatima yet a balanced way to present it. Also, it has a lot of references and endnotes which makes it a well-written and well-researched work.
Around the time I finished this book, World Youth Day is happening in Portugal. People are going to Portugal and also visiting Fatima. With all of that happening, I can’t help but remember some events in my life when Our Lady made a way for me when I was having a difficult time in my life. When I look back, I just somehow felt and knew that Our Lady in her title Our Lady of Fatima interceded for me. However broken and sinful I am, I just knew that there is still a Mother always there for me, to guide and console me. Prayer really does work! Her hands and prayers are powerful that it even deflected a bullet and saved a pope from death. As for me, I hope to be faithful to God with Our Lady’s help so to also strive to live out the message of Our Lady for our time.
June 12, 2021
ENGLISH: 3.5 stars.
A good summary of the apparitions and the Fatima miracle. I liked it more than Sousa e Silva's book, because it is better organized. I found very interesting the appendix with the study of Fatima by Cardinal Ratzinger.
ESPAÑOL: Buen resumen de las apariciones y el milagro de Fátima. Me ha gustado más que el libro de Sousa e Silva, porque está mejor ordenado. Muy interesante el apéndice con el estudio del cardenal Ratzinger sobre Fátima.
A good summary of the apparitions and the Fatima miracle. I liked it more than Sousa e Silva's book, because it is better organized. I found very interesting the appendix with the study of Fatima by Cardinal Ratzinger.
ESPAÑOL: Buen resumen de las apariciones y el milagro de Fátima. Me ha gustado más que el libro de Sousa e Silva, porque está mejor ordenado. Muy interesante el apéndice con el estudio del cardenal Ratzinger sobre Fátima.
December 20, 2011
I've done a lot of reading and writing about Mary over the last few years, and of course I've learned about Our Lady of Fatima.
When I was researching Our Lady of Fatima a couple of years ago, I discovered the EWTN mini-site on her and was enchanted. I read many articles, wrote some of my own, and pretty much left it at that.
In other words, the message of Fatima was lost on me.
I realize that now. I thought she was beautiful, found the tale enchanting and riveting, and had a dearth of material to write and write and write. But did she inspire real change in me?
Maybe she did. I've been praying a daily rosary for some time (though not always because I want to, mind you, but because I have to), and maybe it's the influence of all my reading and studying about Mary.
I can now say, though, thanks to the help of Fr. Andrew Apostoli's new book Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope that I have taken the Fatima message to heart.
It's hard not to. Not only does Fr. Apostoli share the facts, but he delves into background that makes the facts relevant to me today, now, here. He transforms the three visionaries--Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco--from saintly figures in a holy card into real people who struggled and yet courageously gave as Mary asked them to.
Though I consider myself overdue for a good novel (I try to pepper my nonfiction reading with fiction in at least a 2-to-1 ratio), I found reading Fatima for Today to be invigorating and a page-turner.
Good storytelling will do that to me, I guess, whether in the pages of a novel or in a well-written account of a Marian apparition.
The other night, one of the ones where I was up countless times and feeling bleary about five minutes into the first sleep interruption, I found myself praying for the reparation of sinners and for the triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart. In the midst of praying it, I had a moment of wonder. Where did THAT come from? I wondered. And then I remembered: Fr. Apostoli covers in depth just what it means and why it should be something we all do in a knee-jerk, devoted, all-the-time way.
The messages of Fatima aren't restrained to a time and place. In fact, they're more applicable to us today than they've ever been!
Do you find yourself wondering (or even worrying) about conflicts with Muslims and Christians? Are you interested (or even anxious) about the growing secularization of our formerly Christian culture? Is there an intention (or 17) that have you floored and desperate?
This book outlines, brilliantly, the message of Fatima and how it matters to YOU, to ME, to each of us. It gives purpose to our prayers, explains the first Saturday devotion so clearly I can probably teach it to others now, and, in general, is a handbook we should all read and reference as we dive into the most important praying we can do.
When I was researching Our Lady of Fatima a couple of years ago, I discovered the EWTN mini-site on her and was enchanted. I read many articles, wrote some of my own, and pretty much left it at that.
In other words, the message of Fatima was lost on me.
I realize that now. I thought she was beautiful, found the tale enchanting and riveting, and had a dearth of material to write and write and write. But did she inspire real change in me?
Maybe she did. I've been praying a daily rosary for some time (though not always because I want to, mind you, but because I have to), and maybe it's the influence of all my reading and studying about Mary.
I can now say, though, thanks to the help of Fr. Andrew Apostoli's new book Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope that I have taken the Fatima message to heart.
It's hard not to. Not only does Fr. Apostoli share the facts, but he delves into background that makes the facts relevant to me today, now, here. He transforms the three visionaries--Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco--from saintly figures in a holy card into real people who struggled and yet courageously gave as Mary asked them to.
Though I consider myself overdue for a good novel (I try to pepper my nonfiction reading with fiction in at least a 2-to-1 ratio), I found reading Fatima for Today to be invigorating and a page-turner.
Good storytelling will do that to me, I guess, whether in the pages of a novel or in a well-written account of a Marian apparition.
The other night, one of the ones where I was up countless times and feeling bleary about five minutes into the first sleep interruption, I found myself praying for the reparation of sinners and for the triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart. In the midst of praying it, I had a moment of wonder. Where did THAT come from? I wondered. And then I remembered: Fr. Apostoli covers in depth just what it means and why it should be something we all do in a knee-jerk, devoted, all-the-time way.
The messages of Fatima aren't restrained to a time and place. In fact, they're more applicable to us today than they've ever been!
Do you find yourself wondering (or even worrying) about conflicts with Muslims and Christians? Are you interested (or even anxious) about the growing secularization of our formerly Christian culture? Is there an intention (or 17) that have you floored and desperate?
This book outlines, brilliantly, the message of Fatima and how it matters to YOU, to ME, to each of us. It gives purpose to our prayers, explains the first Saturday devotion so clearly I can probably teach it to others now, and, in general, is a handbook we should all read and reference as we dive into the most important praying we can do.
October 12, 2022
Started this awhile ago, then picked it back up again and finished it. Fr. Apostoli gives a great account of the Fatima events and its implications for us today. I'd recommend this book to anybody, familiar or not with Our Lady of Fatima, to get them up to speed on these miraculous events and how we, as a Church, should respond in light of Our Lady's messages/warnings.
October 20, 2025
Great explanation of the details of the apparitions. It made my recent pilgrimage to Fatima very fruitful and meaningful. I really appreciated having the historical context and personal connections to the visionaries. I also really liked the addressing of alternate viewpoints/conspiracies about the apparitions.
The attempt to connect the Fatima message to the current events, controversial issues, and fixation on sexual theology of the church in early 2010s felt a bit forced, and detracted from my experience of the book. The beauty of the Fatima message is universal and not limited to, nor explicitly connected to, the issues presented in the book.
But overall, worth a read to understand the events and multiple perspectives around the apparitions.
The attempt to connect the Fatima message to the current events, controversial issues, and fixation on sexual theology of the church in early 2010s felt a bit forced, and detracted from my experience of the book. The beauty of the Fatima message is universal and not limited to, nor explicitly connected to, the issues presented in the book.
But overall, worth a read to understand the events and multiple perspectives around the apparitions.
July 6, 2017
For anyone who has a penchant for Marian apparitions and the Fatima apparition specifically, Fr. Apostoli’s book is a good work to delve into. The whole experience is thoroughly examined: the before (with the Angel of Peace and the chosen visionaries), the during (the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Miracle of the Sun) and the after (the global consecration to Mary with the specific focus on Russia). Fr. Apostoli discusses what the political climate was like in Portugal in and around 1917, how atheism and Freemasonry had taken a firm root within the consciousness of the political leaders and public of the time; he also gives straightforward profiles of the three child visionaries and of their own internal and family struggles: Servant of God Lúcia Santos and her two cousins Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto (the Church’s now youngest non-martyred saints). There is a lot of conspiratorial hoopla that surrounds the Fatima case, and Fr. Apostoli is also very good at culling out the sundry lot of theories and debunking them while also explaining how they came into being in the first place. He also looks into the Fatima Popes, the most notable being Saint Pope John Paul II and how he finally consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the first Pope to have done the consecration correctly (according to Lúcia Santos). A core difficulty was singling out Russia as an example of God’s dismay while at the same time Russia was a global power player on the grand chessboard of geopolitical politics. Saint Pope John Paul II certainly had to tread delicately. How do you admonish a communist and atheistic government while at the same time saying the admonishment is for your own good? How does one not offend egoistic and non-believing sensibilities? But if the Divine power demanded it, what was one to do but obey. This was a dense, interesting work chalk full of information, a work that combined the supernatural with the global political. The pawns of that global chessboard (reluctantly as well as eagerly) had to act out a kind of supernatural/political diplomacy that was really unheard of in the annals of human existence. And while no Catholic is certainly obliged to believe in apparitions of any kind-for Scripture is the root of ALL truth-experiences like this are worth investigating with an open yet cautious mind. I really knew nothing of the Fatima Apparitions, so this was an eye-opening work for me. Fr. Apostoli is a Fatima expert, so his knowledge is quite deep, reliable and rich.
November 10, 2016
Unanswered Questions
Our Lady promised a period of Peace of the consecration of Russia took place. Since 1960 there have been 57 wars somewhere . I am 66 years old I have yet to see where there was this Peace that the book claims was done. In saying that this book is supported by Cardinal Sedano, who I feel is not a true Catholic. This only my opinion. Read it out you like because John Paul II and Pope Benedict have stated those who think the mission of Fatima is completed is mistaken. Why say it Fr. Apostali if it were not true.
Our Lady promised a period of Peace of the consecration of Russia took place. Since 1960 there have been 57 wars somewhere . I am 66 years old I have yet to see where there was this Peace that the book claims was done. In saying that this book is supported by Cardinal Sedano, who I feel is not a true Catholic. This only my opinion. Read it out you like because John Paul II and Pope Benedict have stated those who think the mission of Fatima is completed is mistaken. Why say it Fr. Apostali if it were not true.
Read
March 21, 2016Excellent read all the way around.
The apparitions are treated succinctly, in their essence, without excesses of devotionalism or romanticism, while still capturing the love and tenderness of the Blessed Mother.
The appendices are modern theological solid expositions of the devotions and controversys regarding Fatima.
A must read in preparation for 2017.
The apparitions are treated succinctly, in their essence, without excesses of devotionalism or romanticism, while still capturing the love and tenderness of the Blessed Mother.
The appendices are modern theological solid expositions of the devotions and controversys regarding Fatima.
A must read in preparation for 2017.
March 24, 2016
Herein are the answers to all the issues facing our world right now; ISIS bombings, abortion, atheistic communism. A must read that must be a call to action for all my Catholic sisters and brothers.
September 22, 2013
Loved this book. Thorough treatment of the subject--includes background plus all you need to know to embrace the powerful first Saturday devotion.
July 25, 2016
Thought I couldn't learn anything new about Fatima. Wrong. Very good writing and held my focus for reading. Excellent
February 13, 2023
Book 11 of 2023 — Fatima For Today by Andrew Apostoli
I have had this book for about six years. I saw Father Apostoli speak at a conference and loved hearing about the apparitions at Fatima. As a Catholic convert, I knew nothing about this!
It took me a long time to read but that is mainly because I saved it for reading during adoration. I really enjoyed it. Apostoli combines the history of Fatima with the meanings and facts surrounding the apparitions and the three children involved.
Most incredible to me is that there is so much documented evidence of these apparitions and yet one really talks about it anymore! Over Christmas break, the kids and I watched the movie “Fatima” and they really enjoyed it. We have been reading a book called “The Children of Fatima” at bedtime, so they are getting a lot of the history involved, too!
5⭐️/5
I have had this book for about six years. I saw Father Apostoli speak at a conference and loved hearing about the apparitions at Fatima. As a Catholic convert, I knew nothing about this!
It took me a long time to read but that is mainly because I saved it for reading during adoration. I really enjoyed it. Apostoli combines the history of Fatima with the meanings and facts surrounding the apparitions and the three children involved.
Most incredible to me is that there is so much documented evidence of these apparitions and yet one really talks about it anymore! Over Christmas break, the kids and I watched the movie “Fatima” and they really enjoyed it. We have been reading a book called “The Children of Fatima” at bedtime, so they are getting a lot of the history involved, too!
5⭐️/5
October 25, 2019
Having previously read numerous books, pamphlets, and brochures about Fatima, I wondered if this book would be able to add anything to what I already knew.
Not only did it add a lot to what I thought I knew, it also filled in many of the blanks, the questions that I have had for years about Fatima and the appearances of the Angel of Peace and the Blessed Mother. Reading of the treatment of the children, about which I previously knew, was even more heart-wrenching in this account. Much of the book provided first- hand statements and writings of the children and those who were present.
This is a book that I will - no doubt - read again and again.
Not only did it add a lot to what I thought I knew, it also filled in many of the blanks, the questions that I have had for years about Fatima and the appearances of the Angel of Peace and the Blessed Mother. Reading of the treatment of the children, about which I previously knew, was even more heart-wrenching in this account. Much of the book provided first- hand statements and writings of the children and those who were present.
This is a book that I will - no doubt - read again and again.
June 12, 2020
Very well written, and gives a good overview of the chronology of Fatima and its aftermath. Fr. Apostoli was in accord with the conventional reading of the messages, which says that the mysterious last message was completely revealed in the year 2000, and was basically concerned with the events of the 20th century.
There is a lot of controversy about that, and I am guessing that this isn't the full truth of the matter. If you want to get the other side of the story, get a copy of The Fourth Secret of Fatima, by the Italian journalist Antonio Socci.
Still, even if Fr. Apostoli was wrong about certain things, his book is well worth reading.
There is a lot of controversy about that, and I am guessing that this isn't the full truth of the matter. If you want to get the other side of the story, get a copy of The Fourth Secret of Fatima, by the Italian journalist Antonio Socci.
Still, even if Fr. Apostoli was wrong about certain things, his book is well worth reading.
August 15, 2017
Simply written and inspiring, this book was easy to sail through, and it finally explained for me the understanding behind all the requested devotions to Our Lady of Fatima, as well as the events the children experienced, the 3 secrets, and the Saint John Paul the Great's consecration of Russia and the world to Mary. Well researched. The appendix directly addresses the amusing controversy regarding whether the third secret was truly revealed or Russia truly consecrated yet....note JP2 loss of temper. People are testing saints here!
This book would also be good for kids 10 and over.
This book would also be good for kids 10 and over.
November 18, 2021
A really great contextualized sequential account of the visions at Fatima and what they mean for the world.
The only issue I had with this book is the author’s opinions concerning the meaning behind the words of Mary - and his distaste towards women’s rights, divorce, gay marriage, abortion, cohabitation, euthanasia etc…..and how he believes that this ‘culture of death’ will lead God to punish us with a nuclear war. I personally really doubt that God hates women’s rights etc… I personally believe that God instead hates evil people with evil intentions - but each to their own I guess.
The only issue I had with this book is the author’s opinions concerning the meaning behind the words of Mary - and his distaste towards women’s rights, divorce, gay marriage, abortion, cohabitation, euthanasia etc…..and how he believes that this ‘culture of death’ will lead God to punish us with a nuclear war. I personally really doubt that God hates women’s rights etc… I personally believe that God instead hates evil people with evil intentions - but each to their own I guess.
August 25, 2017
The book was precise and filled with a lot of facts. The story of the 3 children of Fatima, received Our Lady's message in 6 Apparitions beginning on May 13, 1917. The message was clear Pray the Rosary and sacrifice. She foretold of the greatest war which was WW11. It was written very well and it is written so anybody can understand it.
September 24, 2017
Well done. Clear. Offers historical facts of the apparitions, the message of prayer, sacrifice, and holiness of life, and finally questions and objects raised concerning the message of Fatima are addressed.
Best of the books on Fatima that I've been reading. I recommend it as a solid background for the message of Our Lady.
Best of the books on Fatima that I've been reading. I recommend it as a solid background for the message of Our Lady.
October 12, 2017
The children were first visited by an angel who taught them prayers. I was surprised by all the suffering these children had to go through and that 2 of them died very young. Some of the phrases I highlighted. Pray, pray, pray very much. Make everything you can a sacrifice. Mary requested we pray the rosary everyday for peace in the world.
August 10, 2019
Amazing book. The love the visionaries had for Mary and our Lord was just so wonderful. How these children stayed so strong and faithful through all that they had been through is truly admirable and inspiring. If only this book and the story of Fatima could be told to everyone, the world would be a better place.
July 6, 2020
I've always wanted to understand our Lady's visit to Fatima and have been enthralled with understanding the "third" secret. This book is a timely reminder about our participation in the divine plan and the great hope for the future if we change our focus and actions. An interesting, well-researched read with many notes and references in the appendix for deeper study.
June 17, 2022
The majority of the religious books I’ve read are… frankly, not all that great. There’s maybe 30% to 40% of worthwhile content, while the rest is just blurred pretentious theological jargon. “Fatima for Today” is a rare exception in that it’s easy to understand, packed with rich historical content, and understandable theological content.
February 11, 2018
I didn't realize so many people (80,000) witnessed one of the miracles of Fatima or that the miracles were so well documented. Everything in the book gave me pause to reconsider everything I'd been taught about Mary.
May 17, 2019
Fatima for Today is a great introduction and overview of the Marian apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. I'm invigorated to take up my rosary and dedicate time to the five-first Saturdays devotion. Pray for Russia and for the Pope.
October 27, 2020
Fatima For Today
Fatima For Today by Fr. Andrew Apostoli was a great read. I rated this as a five because it gave me so many insights into my faith. This is one of the few books that I have read in record time.
Fatima For Today by Fr. Andrew Apostoli was a great read. I rated this as a five because it gave me so many insights into my faith. This is one of the few books that I have read in record time.
August 21, 2017
Excellent book on Fatima.
Fr. Apostoli did an excellent job.
Fr. Apostoli did an excellent job.
October 14, 2017
Interesting interpretation of this Marian apparition. I knew nothing about it prior to reading this book.
October 8, 2018
This book was well written and gives a lot of detail on the visions applications.
February 23, 2020
I learned so much from this book. Very enlightening!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews