Saint Francesco was the contemplative soul in the group.
I have long been interested in hearing the story of Saint Jacinta Marto, one of the shepherd children of Fatima.
Jacinta – the youngest of the three children, who was only six years old when the Blessed Virgin not only appeared to her, but showed her and her brother, Francesco, and cousin, Lucia, a vision of Hell – is certainly a remarkable Saint.
She was very holy and a serious child who was notably determined to pray for sinners and offer sacrifices for them.
I recently read the letters written by Saint Lucia, many years after the deaths of her two young cousins and Saints. In those letters, she recounts the holiness of the little cousins. She recalls how Jacinta would offer sacrifices like abstaining from drinking any water (or any clean water) for an entire day out in the sun and the heat so that she would be able to suffer for sinners.
Sher was particularly distressed to know that God sent sinful souls to Hell and found it utterly heartbreaking that people would risk eternal damnation for a few short minutes of pleasure or a little lack of self-control. The child often remarked that if only people could see Hell for themselves, they would never sin, because if they knew just how terrible it truly was, then they would die of fright.
In fact, Saint Lucia wrote (years later in her letters) that perhaps the only reason the three children did not die of fright after first seeing the vision of Hell (for just a few moments) was because they had already asked the Blessed Virgin if they would have a place in Heaven and she had assured them that all three of the children would be going to Heaven – Jacinta and Francesco soon and Lucia a long time later…
So, while this beautiful little girl has always fascinated me, it was Saint Francesco who I discovered in reading those few letters the other day.
You see, Saint Francesco did not hear the Blessed Virgin or the Angel of Portugal, when they appeared to the three children. Though he could see the apparitions, he was unable to hear the messages directly. And so, I have often almost disregarded him in the story. And yet, Saint Lucia offered a unique perspective on the little Saint boy… He was the contemplative soul in the group.
For example, after the children had received all the apparitions and were following the directives of the Blessed Virgin in attending school (as she particularly wanted Saint Lucia to learnt o read and write so that God could make use of her during her long life on Earth), Saint Francesco took a different view. While the two girls would attend school, Saint Francesco would ask them to leave him behind in the local Church so that he could adore the Hidden Christ in the Eucharist in the Tabernacle. He particularly wanted to console his God, for the Blessed Virgin had told the children that they must pray to console their God who suffered due to the sinfulness of wicked men (and women). Saint Francesco reasoned that as he would soon die (for the Blessed Virgin had told him that) there would be no need for him to have a formal education and he would rather spend his time in silent contemplation of the Blessed Eucharist.
When Saint Jacinta became overcome by her own sacrifices, Saint Francesco would encourage her.
He was a quiet soul who lived only to console his God. First, he prayed to Console his God, then for poor sinners, and then for the love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the cause of which the children were instructed to communicate…
And I have been reflecting on that. For it seems that little boy did very much to console his God – and when I compare his saintliness to my own, I am ashamed…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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