Updates On the Way

Yikes...sorry about the wait

Hello everyone! Apologies for the radio silence, but there has been a lot of change recently in my life. Things like quitting my job, going to a rare disease conference, starting a new semester, family struggles and more. It’s hard to write when the world tips over like a snow globe and everything is shaken up. It’s much easier to wait until the flakes settle and there has been time to reflect on the changes. I will be sending out a full length article later this week talking some more about these.

However, since today is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, I thought I would share some photos from my pilgrimage during World Youth Day a couple of years ago to Fatima, Portugal to the sights where the three children lived and had visions of the angel and Our Lady.

I wrote an article several months ago telling a little bit about the story of Fatima and how close the devotion is to my heart, feel free to check it out here: A Spiritual Bouquet for Mary.

Attending the Our Lady of Fatima shrine close to where we live for Mass, weekly Bible Study, and just to pray in a peaceful environment has strengthened my devotion to Our Lady and her Son over the years. When I traveled to the actual sights of Fatima, Portugal, this devotion only grew stronger and deeper. Being able to see where the children slept and played, the original shrine, and more were an immense blessing. Tonight I will be attending a procession and Mass in Our Lady’s honor at the local shrine, offering up all of these recent changes to her as a spiritual bouquet through the rosary and reception of the Holy Eucharist.

Throughout my sickness, I relied heavily on the graces of the rosary and the Eucharist as sources of strength and comfort. I still do as I navigate living with a chronic disease and looking forward to the future. As Our Lady said, “Well then, you will have much to suffer. But the grace of God will be your comfort.”¹ As we celebrate Our Lady of Fatima today, ask for the graces offered by her Son, Jesus. Pray for the conversion of sinners, repentance for sins, and peace in the world. I know that’s what I’ll be doing.

God bless and talk to you soon,

Ryleigh

1. https://americaneedsfatima.org/articles/the-apparitions-of-our-lady-of-fatima