At Fatima, Our Lady mentioned Russia many times. In 1917, she spoke of the nation as a scourge to other countries, but also of its potential for conversion.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominating the news, it is past time to define what this conversion would look like based on the Fátima message.
What the Fátima Message Said About Russia
Initially, the three Fátima seers were unaware of a country called Russia. They thought Russia referred to a very bad woman. Later, however, Sister Lúcia of Fátima, the oldest seer, received messages from Our Lord and Our Lady in 1925, 1926, 1929, and 1936 that mentioned Russia in the political context.
Instead of reprinting the Fatima texts, it is easier to make a list of keywords and phrases that can serve as a point of reference to some commentaries. Thus, this is a summary of what Our Lady of Fátima said regarding Russia:
- Russia will spread its errors throughout the world.
- It will promote wars.
- It will persecute the Church.
- It will martyr many good people.
- It will cause the Holy Father to suffer greatly.
- It will cause nations to be annihilated.
- She requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.
- The Pope and bishops should consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a public and solemn ceremony (1929).
- The work of converting Russia has been given to the Immaculate Heart.
- Russia will convert at the end of the process of chastisement.
- God will concede to mankind a period of peace.
The Errors and Crimes of Russia
Conversion means a rejection of past sins, crimes and errors. It means acting in a contrary sense, with a zeal for repairing the evil that was done.
Thus, a nation that converts would be expected to repudiate its past crimes, denounce its past leaders, and change its ways.
Since Our Lady said Russia would spread her errors throughout the world, it would be good to list those errors and crimes that would require repudiation. It would provide the groundwork to discern what a conversion would look like.
Thus, here is a list of some of the major errors:
- The persecution of the Catholic Church and religion in the areas under her rule (in Ukraine and Lithuania, for example).
- Communism (the destruction of private property)
- Socialism
- Atheism (official position of the State)
- Abortion (the first nation to legalize it)
- Destruction of the family (abolition of Christian morals)
- Anti-Christian culture (God expelled from the public square)
- Export of its revolution and violence all over the world.
- Egalitarian principles installed everywhere.
All these errors attacked Western and Christian civilization and quickened the process of moral decadence worldwide. Not only did Russia’s errors speed up the process of decadence, but Russia was also the instrument of punishment by its spreading of wars and revolutions based on its own communist revolution.
What Russia’s Conversion Will Look Like
With a description of Russia’s errors, it is possible to construct an idea of what its conversion might look like. Here are four considerations:
Special Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Russia should have a special devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which will serve as an instrument of its conversion. Churches and shrines will be built dedicated to her under this invocation instead of the innumerable monuments of Stalin raised today. Public rosaries and processions honoring her must be promoted and encouraged.
Conversion to Catholicism: This change presupposes that the country will convert to Catholicism. Our Lady of Fátima appeared in a Catholic nation with a Catholic message. If she is the one who will convert a nation, it must be a Catholic conversion to the True Faith, not the errors of national churches.
Champion of the Church: Russia must also become the Church’s champion, in reparation for having persecuted her and caused the martyrdom of the good. It must repent from its atheism, secularism, and materialism that communism implanted deeply in its heart and spread the faith and devotion to Mary. Russia should even defend the faith and Christians suffering from persecution everywhere.
Restoration of the Family: A converted Russia must be zealous of the rights of the family that the communist system tried to destroy. This means an end to abortion, divorce and contraception. It means a return to the traditional family unit and the procreative role of marriage, which is so contrary to the nation’s low birthrate. It means a fight against prostitution and pornography.
Like all countries worldwide, today’s Russia is far from the state of this imagined conversion. Without a special grace from Our Lady, it will not happen.
Russia Will Not Be the Prodigal Son, but Like Saul
However, the case of Russia is similar to that of Saul, who once persecuted the Church. He was struck blind by God, which led him to conversion. He was renamed Paul, the Apostle.
The conversion of Russia will take place through a smile of Our Lady. She has reserved this task for herself. Then Russia, which was once the scourge of the West, will rise up like Saint Paul and spread devotion to Her Immaculate Heart, assuring her promised triumph.
Photo Credit: American TFP Photo Archive