Signs are also beautiful things. Family coming back to Church, little miracles every day. Roses from St Therese.. You can interpret things any way you wish. We already know we are in for a rough ride but God has the wheel, not us.
Throughout the 2,000 years of the Church's history, there have always been signs of great miracles and wonders, as well as the gift of prophecy. In both cases, these have served as instruments of conversion. Many people have converted after witnessing miracles, while others have converted because of announced chastisements and their full realization. After all, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Any chastisement foretold in these prophecies is less terrible than the vision of Hell shown to the three shepherd children at Fatima. This is something that can leave some people quite perplexed. After all, why would the Mother of God show three children the worst possible fate awaiting sinners, especially when countless miracles and wonders had already been recorded throughout Church history as instruments of conversion? When John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, he criticized those he called "prophets of doom," who did nothing but announce catastrophes, as though the end of the world were imminent. Yet, following the concealment of the Message of Fatima, what unfolded was a catastrophe far greater than any other: the massive loss of faith across every continent. This made any sign in Church history pointing toward conversion seem irrelevant to many people, whether terrifying conditional prophecies or even signs and wonders announcing brief periods of grace.
God is in control, not us. That is something I have never doubted, not even for a single moment. True private revelations come from Him and testify that He is always in control, even as He uses them as instruments of conversion to help us make better use of our free will.
Deplorable! But then, we must realize that All hallows Eve has more and more become a "Feast Day" for satanic activity.
You are right. But with God all things are possible. I find it interesting that the man backed away. The power of Our Lady is very much in evidence. And I suspect a phalanx of angels were there as well. I've got to say that I think the days of innocent trick or treating are over for our children. It simply isn't safe any more.
