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Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Why Muslims are attracted to Christianity
The following article, written by Abu Daoud, comes from his very interesting blog called 'Islam and Christianity'. Abu Daoud is a non-Catholic Christian missionary living in the Middle East. This article, one in a series he wrote with regards to Islam, gives an interesting insight, from a missionary among Muslims, into why Muslims embrace Christianity. The article can be read from its original source here.- RCMS Administrator
"I don't know if this can be verified, but I heard that more Muslims have converted to the Way of Jesus Christ in the last ten years than in all the other years since the advent of Islam in the 7th Century. I'm not sure it's an accurate figure, but I will say that something is certainly happening among Muslims and that there is an openness in their society that was not there before. I also want to point out that large numbers of nominal Christians, especially in Europe, are converting to Islam--a main reason being so they can marry Muslim women. Who has more converts? I have no idea. I will say that Muslims converting to Christianity often pay a heavy price in terms of persecution, and that Westerners converting to Islam are afforded generous protection by their governments.
But here is the question: why are Muslims attracted to the way of Jesus Christ? Here are some of the main reasons:
1) The Bible. We forget how compelling and convincing Jesus' teachings and parables are. He was certainly, among other things, a highly talented teacher, and his parables and sayings have the ability to lodge themselves into a person's mind, even after only one hearing. His insights into human nature, society, kindness, forgiveness, and God's power--not too mention the many miracles he worked--are convincing to a good number of Muslims. Of course Islam teaches that the Christian and Jewish Scriptures are muharraf--corrupted. But after a fair reading of the Gospels, sometimes the integrity and wisdom found therein can break through this Islamic doctrine. Incidentally, Muslim background believers from my experience tend to center their thought on the Gospels much more than Paul's epistles--very different than the evangelical tradition which has, in practice at least, tended to give primacy to the Pauline epistles.
2) Dreams, Miracles: What can I say? They are happening, and folks here don't have the initial inclination that Westerners do to "disprove" or "figure out how it was done." A miracle is from God--it's that simple. Often times in dreams people see Jesus, though at times it is one of the saints. This may not result in conversion, but it opens a path of inquiry that sometimes leads to conversion.
3) Charity: "They will know that we are Christians by our love." One refugee from a neighboring country received some help from some Christians, and he said, "We come here and we receive nothing form the Muslims--the Christians are the only ones who take care of us. I know nothing of your religion, but I will become a Christian." We think of the things like the Inquisition and the Crusades, but we forget the quiet, persistent witness of kind, caring Christians from all traditions, including Catholics and Orthodox. Which brings to mind something that Saint Francis, another apostle to the Muslims, said, "Let us not seek to be loved, so much as to love others." If you need to be reminded of the quiet work of the Church around you, just look at how many schools and hospitals are run by Christians or where founded by the various churches.
4) Christian Community: Islam teaches that a man should not speak to a woman unless they are married or of the same family. It is a witness to the beauty of the Christian community, and thus its faith, when Muslims see genuine respect and friendship between men and women who are neither related or married to each other. The assumption among Muslims is that this sort of thing must lead to fornication or adultery; on the other hand, young men and women sincerely yearn for fellowship with members of the opposite sex. When they see this among Christians it reveals that we are a peculiar people, that there is something different about us: fellowship, conversation, and friendship but without all the adultery and fornication they are told must result.
There are other reasons as well, but my experience is that these are the main ones. The challenge is getting people to think. Islam teaches that it alone is the reasonable and logical religion. Since people in the Middle East have extremely weak critical skills due to various reasons, this assertion is simply accepted. These are four things which I know have been important in challenging that assumption, which have led people to ask new questions and venture down new paths.
Peace be with all of you.
Abu Daoud"
"I don't know if this can be verified, but I heard that more Muslims have converted to the Way of Jesus Christ in the last ten years than in all the other years since the advent of Islam in the 7th Century. I'm not sure it's an accurate figure, but I will say that something is certainly happening among Muslims and that there is an openness in their society that was not there before. I also want to point out that large numbers of nominal Christians, especially in Europe, are converting to Islam--a main reason being so they can marry Muslim women. Who has more converts? I have no idea. I will say that Muslims converting to Christianity often pay a heavy price in terms of persecution, and that Westerners converting to Islam are afforded generous protection by their governments.
But here is the question: why are Muslims attracted to the way of Jesus Christ? Here are some of the main reasons:
1) The Bible. We forget how compelling and convincing Jesus' teachings and parables are. He was certainly, among other things, a highly talented teacher, and his parables and sayings have the ability to lodge themselves into a person's mind, even after only one hearing. His insights into human nature, society, kindness, forgiveness, and God's power--not too mention the many miracles he worked--are convincing to a good number of Muslims. Of course Islam teaches that the Christian and Jewish Scriptures are muharraf--corrupted. But after a fair reading of the Gospels, sometimes the integrity and wisdom found therein can break through this Islamic doctrine. Incidentally, Muslim background believers from my experience tend to center their thought on the Gospels much more than Paul's epistles--very different than the evangelical tradition which has, in practice at least, tended to give primacy to the Pauline epistles.
2) Dreams, Miracles: What can I say? They are happening, and folks here don't have the initial inclination that Westerners do to "disprove" or "figure out how it was done." A miracle is from God--it's that simple. Often times in dreams people see Jesus, though at times it is one of the saints. This may not result in conversion, but it opens a path of inquiry that sometimes leads to conversion.
3) Charity: "They will know that we are Christians by our love." One refugee from a neighboring country received some help from some Christians, and he said, "We come here and we receive nothing form the Muslims--the Christians are the only ones who take care of us. I know nothing of your religion, but I will become a Christian." We think of the things like the Inquisition and the Crusades, but we forget the quiet, persistent witness of kind, caring Christians from all traditions, including Catholics and Orthodox. Which brings to mind something that Saint Francis, another apostle to the Muslims, said, "Let us not seek to be loved, so much as to love others." If you need to be reminded of the quiet work of the Church around you, just look at how many schools and hospitals are run by Christians or where founded by the various churches.
4) Christian Community: Islam teaches that a man should not speak to a woman unless they are married or of the same family. It is a witness to the beauty of the Christian community, and thus its faith, when Muslims see genuine respect and friendship between men and women who are neither related or married to each other. The assumption among Muslims is that this sort of thing must lead to fornication or adultery; on the other hand, young men and women sincerely yearn for fellowship with members of the opposite sex. When they see this among Christians it reveals that we are a peculiar people, that there is something different about us: fellowship, conversation, and friendship but without all the adultery and fornication they are told must result.
There are other reasons as well, but my experience is that these are the main ones. The challenge is getting people to think. Islam teaches that it alone is the reasonable and logical religion. Since people in the Middle East have extremely weak critical skills due to various reasons, this assertion is simply accepted. These are four things which I know have been important in challenging that assumption, which have led people to ask new questions and venture down new paths.
Peace be with all of you.
Abu Daoud"
Monday, 29 July 2013
Support Roman Catholic Mission Somalia
Dear Reader,
I appeal to you on behalf of the millions of Somali souls who remain outside the True Fold of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I appeal to you on behalf of the tiny minority of hidden and persecuted Catholics of Somalia, who have no priest and who receive not the Sacraments.
What I am asking for is your support for the Catholic Church's mission to Somalia:
1) First and foremost by praying fervently for the conversion of Somalia and for the Church to work freely in this country
2) To make as many other people, whether in your family, friends, or parish to pray for this same end
3) To spread the word and create awareness about the spiritual plight of Somalia; you can do this by promoting this blog and its message through your own website, blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account, or some such other social media.
Roman Catholic Mission Somalia can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.
Please show your support- our prayers can save souls!
God bless you and Mary Immaculate protect you,
RCMS Administrator
I appeal to you on behalf of the millions of Somali souls who remain outside the True Fold of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I appeal to you on behalf of the tiny minority of hidden and persecuted Catholics of Somalia, who have no priest and who receive not the Sacraments.
What I am asking for is your support for the Catholic Church's mission to Somalia:
1) First and foremost by praying fervently for the conversion of Somalia and for the Church to work freely in this country
2) To make as many other people, whether in your family, friends, or parish to pray for this same end
3) To spread the word and create awareness about the spiritual plight of Somalia; you can do this by promoting this blog and its message through your own website, blog, Facebook page, or Twitter account, or some such other social media.
Roman Catholic Mission Somalia can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.
Please show your support- our prayers can save souls!
God bless you and Mary Immaculate protect you,
RCMS Administrator
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Are there Catholics in Somalia?
There seems to be a doubt among Somalis whether there are in fact Catholics in Somalia. It is a question that needs to be answered, because among Somalis, generally speaking, there is a huge amount of prejudice and misinformation with regards to the Catholic Church.
First of all, it must be proved there are in fact Catholics in Somalia, who are ethnically Somali, because they need to be accounted for and protected by the state, and given their rights to freedom of worship and religion.
Secondly, Somalis need to know that their fellow countrymen, albeit a small number of them, are members of the Catholic Church, and that being Catholic does not take away one's Somali identity, nationality or ethnicity.
Thirdly, it must be proved there are Catholics in Somalia, because the Church needs to provide her children with the Sacraments. If there is a doubt concerning the actual existence of Catholics in Somalia, it may make the Church's entry into Somalia even more difficult- and to some pointless.
All this being said, even if it were not necessary to prove the existence of Catholics in Somalia, that is, if the above reasons were not important or needing to be acknowledged, the fact remains that there are Catholics in Somalia today.
How do we know that there are Catholics in Somalia?
According to the Annuario Pontificio of 2005, there were 100 Catholics in the Diocese of Mogadishu, which encompasses the entire country. According to the Annuario Pontificio of 1951 there were 8 500 Catholics in the Vicariate Apostolic of Mogadishu.
Of course, in 1951, Somalia was still an Italian Colony, so many of those Catholics would have been Europeans. But the Church did make converts among the local populace- especially among former slaves and from the orphans raised by Catholic missionaries. When Somalia became independent the Catholic population dropped drastically, and at the start of the civil war about 200-100 Catholics were documented by the subsequent editions of the Annuario Pontificio.
On the 6th of July 2011, Vatican Radio did a report on the Church in Somalia, the same figure of about 100 Catholics was cited.
Bishop Giorgio Bertin OFM, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mogadishu keeps in phone contact with the Catholics of Somalia, and tries to visit them- the most recent visit being earlier this year, the first time he could do so in years. A good question to ask oneself is why would Bishop Bertin face the very real risk of death to visit a country with no Catholics? Remember, he is already the Bishop of the neighboring country of Djibouti, which has a significant amount of Catholics and a myriad of other problems to keep a Bishop busy full time. Why would Bishop Bertin risk life and limb, on top of an already busy schedule, for nothing? The obvious and most logical answer is that he is not doing it for nothing. He goes to Somalia to visit the persecuted members of his flock- and he risks his life because that is what every shepherd of souls is bound to do. Somalia is hardly the ideal holiday retreat for an already over worked Bishop!
Next, the very fact that fanatical Islamists, especially Al Shabaab, harp on about exterminating Christians (which includes Catholics), and in fact do actually kill Christians, is a proof that there are Catholics in Somalia.
Click here for a general overview of the ecclesiastical statistics of Somalia over the years, ending in 2004.
Please offer a pray for the persecuted Catholics of Somalia, and pray that the Church may soon be able to labor again amongst her Somali children. Our Lady of Fatima and Queen of Africa, pray for Somalia!
First of all, it must be proved there are in fact Catholics in Somalia, who are ethnically Somali, because they need to be accounted for and protected by the state, and given their rights to freedom of worship and religion.
Secondly, Somalis need to know that their fellow countrymen, albeit a small number of them, are members of the Catholic Church, and that being Catholic does not take away one's Somali identity, nationality or ethnicity.
Thirdly, it must be proved there are Catholics in Somalia, because the Church needs to provide her children with the Sacraments. If there is a doubt concerning the actual existence of Catholics in Somalia, it may make the Church's entry into Somalia even more difficult- and to some pointless.
All this being said, even if it were not necessary to prove the existence of Catholics in Somalia, that is, if the above reasons were not important or needing to be acknowledged, the fact remains that there are Catholics in Somalia today.
How do we know that there are Catholics in Somalia?
According to the Annuario Pontificio of 2005, there were 100 Catholics in the Diocese of Mogadishu, which encompasses the entire country. According to the Annuario Pontificio of 1951 there were 8 500 Catholics in the Vicariate Apostolic of Mogadishu.
Of course, in 1951, Somalia was still an Italian Colony, so many of those Catholics would have been Europeans. But the Church did make converts among the local populace- especially among former slaves and from the orphans raised by Catholic missionaries. When Somalia became independent the Catholic population dropped drastically, and at the start of the civil war about 200-100 Catholics were documented by the subsequent editions of the Annuario Pontificio.
On the 6th of July 2011, Vatican Radio did a report on the Church in Somalia, the same figure of about 100 Catholics was cited.
Bishop Giorgio Bertin OFM, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mogadishu keeps in phone contact with the Catholics of Somalia, and tries to visit them- the most recent visit being earlier this year, the first time he could do so in years. A good question to ask oneself is why would Bishop Bertin face the very real risk of death to visit a country with no Catholics? Remember, he is already the Bishop of the neighboring country of Djibouti, which has a significant amount of Catholics and a myriad of other problems to keep a Bishop busy full time. Why would Bishop Bertin risk life and limb, on top of an already busy schedule, for nothing? The obvious and most logical answer is that he is not doing it for nothing. He goes to Somalia to visit the persecuted members of his flock- and he risks his life because that is what every shepherd of souls is bound to do. Somalia is hardly the ideal holiday retreat for an already over worked Bishop!
Next, the very fact that fanatical Islamists, especially Al Shabaab, harp on about exterminating Christians (which includes Catholics), and in fact do actually kill Christians, is a proof that there are Catholics in Somalia.
Click here for a general overview of the ecclesiastical statistics of Somalia over the years, ending in 2004.
Please offer a pray for the persecuted Catholics of Somalia, and pray that the Church may soon be able to labor again amongst her Somali children. Our Lady of Fatima and Queen of Africa, pray for Somalia!
Monday, 22 July 2013
The Church's response to militant Islamic violence
The following video, produced by Aid to the Church in Need, concerns the current persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The video speaks for itself- but what is interesting- whatever you may think about inter-religious dialogue- is the Bishop's response to those militants who butchered so many Christians. It is not revenge he calls for, but for Christians to pray for the conversion of those who commit these terrorist acts and those who finance them. Further, the video brings to light the link between Boko Haram (Nigeria's terrorists) with the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (pretty much all of North Africa) and Somalia's Al-Shabaab. While the militants of Islam seek to destroy Christianity throughout Africa, by concerted and fierce military action, what are we Christians doing for our brethren who suffer a true martyrdom in these lands? We must fight back against the bloody sword of Islam- but our weapons are different- we must fight back with prayer and penance. Remember Lepanto? Remember Vienna? It was the Rosary that saved Europe then- it will be the Rosary that will save our brothers in Africa now. Pray for the Christians in Africa, and those around the world, who are suffering for Our Blessed Lord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QQJneNh0hNc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QQJneNh0hNc
Thursday, 18 July 2013
RABBI CIISE
"Ciise goortuu dhinacyada Kaysariya Filibos yimid ayuu xertiisii weyddiiyey, oo wuxuu ku yidhi, Dadku yay ku sheegaan Wiilka Aadanaha? Waxay yidhaahdeen, Qaar waxay yidhaahdaan, Yooxanaa Baabtiisaha, qaarna Eliyaas, qaar kalena waxay yidhaahdaan, Yeremyaah, ama nebiyada midkood. Markaasuu wuxuu ku yidhi, Idinkuse yaad igu sheegtaan? Simoon Butros ayaa u jawaabay oo wuxuu ku yidhi, Waxaad tahay Masiixa ah Wiilka Ilaaha nool. Ciise ayaa u jawaabay oo ku yidhi, Waad barakaysan tahay Simoon ina Yoonis, waayo, bini-aadmi tan kuuma muujin, laakiin Aabbahayga jannada ku jira ayaa kuu muujiyey."-Matayos 16:13-17
"Waxaa jiray nin ka mid ahaa Farrisiinta oo la odhan jiray Nikodemos oo Yuhuudda taliye u ahaa. Isagu habeenkuu u yimid Ciise, wuxuuna ku yidhi, Macallimow, waannu og nahay inaad tahay macallin ka yimid Ilaah, waayo, ninna ma samayn karo calaamooyinkan aad samayso haddaan Ilaah la jirin. Ciise ayaa u jawaabay oo ku yidhi, Runtii, runtii waxaan kugu leeyahay, Qof haddaanu mar kale dhalan, boqortooyadii Ilaah arki kari maayo. Nikodemos wuxuu ku yidhi, Sidee baa nin mar kale u dhalan karaa isagoo duq ah? Miyuu mar kale uurkii hooyadiis geli karaa oo ka dhalan karaa? Ciise baa ugu jawaabay, Runtii, runtii, waxaan kugu leeyahay, Qof haddaanu ka dhalan biyo iyo Ruuxa, boqortooyadii Ilaah geli kari maayo. Waxa jidhka ka dhashaa waa jidh, waxa Ruuxa ka dhashaana waa ruux. Ha la yaabin haddaan ku leeyahay, Waa inaad mar kale dhalataan. Dabayshu way u dhacdaa meeshay doonto, waxaadna maqashaa xiinkeeda, laakiin ma ogid meeshay ka timaado iyo meeshay u kacdo; waa sidaas oo kale qof kasta oo Ruuxa ka dhasha. Nikodemos ayaa u jawaabay oo ku yidhi, Sidee baa waxyaalahaas u noqon karaan? Markaasaa Ciise u jawaabay oo ku yidhi, Ma waxaad tahay macallinka Israa'iil, oo aadan weliba waxyaalahaasna garanayn? Runtii, runtii, waxaan ku leeyahay, Waxaannu naqaan ayaannu ka hadalnaa, oo waxaannu aragnay ayaannu ka marag furnaa, idinkuna maraggayaga ma aqbashaan. Haddaan wixii dunida idiin sheegay oo aad rumaysan weydeen, sidee baad u rumaysanaysaan haddaan waxa jannada idiin sheego? Ninna jannada kor uma tegin, kii jannada ka soo degay maahee, waana Wiilka Aadanaha oo jannada jooga. Sidii Muuse abeesadii kor ugu qaaday cidlada, sidaasoo kale Wiilka Aadanaha waa in kor loo qaado, in mid kastoo isaga rumaystaa uu lahaado nolosha weligeed ah. Ilaah intuu dunida jacayl u qabay ayuu siiyey Wiilkiisa keliya oo dhashay in mid kastoo isaga rumaystaa uusan lumin laakiinse uu lahaado nolosha weligeed ah. Ilaah Wiilka uguma soo dirin dunida inuu xukumo dunida, laakiin wuxuu u soo diray inay dunidu ku badbaaddo isaga. Kii isaga rumaystaa ma xukumna, laakiinse kii aan isaga rumaysan, hore ayaa loo xukumay, maxaa yeelay, wuxuusan rumaysan magaca Wiilka Ilaah oo keliya oo dhashay. Kanu waa xukunka, nuurka ayaa dunida yimid, dadkiise waxay nuurkii ka jeclaadeen gudcurka, maxaa yeelay, shuqulladoodu shar bay ahaayeen. Nin kastoo shar falaa nuurkuu nebcaadaa, umana yimaado nuurka, si aan shuqulladiisa loogu canaanan. Laakiinse kii runta falaa, nuurkuu yimaadaa si shuqulladiisu u muuqdaan in Ilaah laga sameeyey."-Yooxanaa 3:1-21
"Sayidyadow, maxaa igu waajib ah inaan yeelo inaan ku badbaado? Kolkaasay ku yidhaahdeen, Rumayso Rabbi Ciise, waadna badbaadi doontaa, adiga iyo dadka gurigaaguba."-Falimaha Rasuullada 16:30-31
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Our Lady Mary- the Hope of Somalia
The following article is taken from: http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/sheen.htm Bishop Sheen wrote this article in the 1950's, but it is still pertinent for today. -RCMS
Mary and the Moslems
By Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
By Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Moslemism takes the doctrine of the unity of God, His Majesty, and His Creative Power, and uses it as a basis for the repudiation of Christ, the Son of God. Misunderstanding the notion of the Trinity, Mohammed made Christ a prophet only.
The Catholic Church throughout Northern Africa was virtually destroyed by Moslem power and at the present time (circa 1950), the Moslems are beginning to rise again.
If Moslemism is a heresy, as Hilaire Belloc believes it to be, it is the only heresy that has never declined, either in numbers, or in the devotion of its followers.
The missionary effort of the Church toward this group has been, at least on the surface, a failure, for the Moslems are so far almost unconvertible. The reason is that for a follower of Mohammed to become a Christian is much like a Christian becoming a Jew. The Moslems believe that they have the final and definitive revelation of God to the world and that Christ was only a prophet announcing Mohammed, the last of God’s real prophets.
Today (1950), the hatred of the Moslem countries against the West is becoming hatred against Christianity itself. Although the statesmen have not yet taken it into account, there is still grave danger that the temporal power of Islam may return and, with it, the menace that it may shake off a West which has ceased to be Christian, and affirm itself as a great anti-Christian world Power.
It is our firm belief that the fears some entertain concerning the Moslems are not to be realized, but that Moslemism, instead, will eventually be converted to Christianity – and in a way that even some of our missionaries never suspect.
It is our belief that this will happen not through the direct teaching of Christianity, but through a summoning of the Moslems to a veneration of the Mother of God.
This is the line of argument:
The Koran, which is the bible of the Moslems, has many passages concerning the Blessed Virgin. First, the Koran believes in her Immaculate Conception and in her Virgin Birth. The third chapter of the Koran places the history of Mary’s family in a genealogy that goes back through Abraham, Noah, and Adam. When one compares the Koran’s description of the birth of Mary with the apocryphal Gospel of the birth of Mary, one is tempted to believe that Mohammed very much depended upon the latter.
Both books describe the old age and the definite sterility of Anne, the mother of Mary. When, however, Anne conceives, the mother of Mary is made to say in the Koran: "O Lord, I vow and I consecrate to you what is already within me. Accept it from me."
When Mary is born, her mother, Anne, says: "And I consecrate her with all of her posterity under thy protection, O Lord against Satan!"
The Koran has also verses on the Annunciation, Visitation, and nativity. Angels are pictured as accompanying the Blessed Mother and saying, "O Mary, God has chosen you and purified you, and elected you above all the women of the earth."
In the nineteenth chapter of the Koran, there are forty-one verses on Jesus and Mary. There is such a strong defense of the virginity of Mary here that the Koran, in the fourth book, attributes the condemnation of the Jews to their monstrous calumny against the Virgin Mary.
Mary, then, is for the Moslems the true ‘Sayyida, or Lady. The only possible serious rival to her in their creed would be Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed himself. However, after the death of Fatima, (this appears to be a misprint as Mohammed died before Fatima - Ed CAI) Mohammed wrote: "Thou shalt be the most blessed of all the women in Paradise, after Mary."
In a variant of the text, Fatima is made to say, "I surpass all the women, except Mary."
This brings us to our second point, namely, why the Blessed Mother, in this twentieth century (1950), should have revealed herself in the insignificant little village of Fatima, so that to all future generations she would be known as "Our Lady of Fatima."
Nothing ever happens out of heaven except with a finesse of all details. I believe that the Blessed Virgin chose to be known as "Our Lady of Fatima" as a pledge and a sign of hope to the Moslem people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her Divine Son, too.
Evidence to support these views is found in the historical fact that the Moslems occupied Portugal for centuries. At the time when they were finally driven out, the last Moslem chief had a beautiful daughter by the name of Fatima.
A Catholic boy fell in love with her, and for him she not only stayed behind when the Moslems left, but even embraced the Catholic faith. The young husband was so much in love with her that he changed the name of the town where he lived to Fatima. Thus, the very place where Our Lady appeared in 1917 bears a historical connection to Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed.
The final evidence of the relationship of Fatima to the Moslems is the enthusiastic reception that the Moslems in Africa and India and elsewhere gave to the Pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Moslems attended the Catholic services in honor of Our Lady; they allowed religious processions and even prayers before their mosques; and in Mozambique the Moslems, who were unconverted, began to be Christian as soon as the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was erected.
Missionaries in the future will increasingly see that their apostolate among the Moslems will be successful in the measure that they preach Our Lady of Fatima. Because the Moslems have a devotion to Mary, our missionaries should be satisfied merely to expand and to develop that devotion with the full realization that Our Blessed Lady will carry the Moslems the rest of the way to her Divine Son.
As those who lose devotion to her lose belief in the Divinity of Christ, so those who intensify devotion to her gradually acquire that belief. [1]
[1] Taken from "The World’s First Love," by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, 1952, published by McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY, NY.
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