Barry Pearlman has produced a well-written overview of Fatima in this book, one which is full of interesting details and theological insights. In 250 pages, and twelve chapters, he details what happened at Fatima and its significance for the world.

He begins by situating the place of the Blessed Virgin in salvation history and the Bible, focusing in some detail on how we are to understand what the New Testament tells us about her, and particularly such events as the Annunciation and the Visitation. He focuses on the idea that Mary represents the anawim, the poor in the Lord, and also on how she is our spiritual mother in the order of grace, particularly through her sharing in Christ’s sufferings on the cross. In keeping with the title of the book, he also analyses how the biblical account gives us insights into the nature of Mary’s heart, a heart made for contemplation and for doing God’s will perfectly.

The first chapter then briefly deals with some of the major approved apparitions of Mary, including Rue due Bac in 1830, La Salette in 1846, and Lourdes in 1858. There is a question mark, however, over some of the “prophecies” made by Melanie, one of the seers at La Salette, since her later writings were elaborations of an initial secret which was certainly genuine.

The book then describes the troubled situation in Europe on the eve of the First World War, and how the communists were able to seize power in Russia in 1917, following the disastrous influence Rasputin had on the Russian Royal family. The distressing condition of Portugal during this period is also dealt with—persecution of the Church was widespread, and it was the avowed aim of the Government to do away with Catholicism within two generations.

But all that changed with the apparition of Our Lady to the three little Shepherds of Fatima—Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos—in May 1917, and on five subsequent occasions, each month until October, when a wonderful “miracle of the sun,” promised in July, both entranced and terrified the huge crowd of 70,000 people who had come in anticipation to the Cova da Iria. Over seven chapters, Barry Pearlman skilfully retells the story of Fatima, interspersing his account with theological discussions and reflections. He makes good use of the main sources for Fatima and in particular somewhat neglected books such as William Thomas Walsh’s Our Lady of Fatima, first published in the 1940s, but still very readable.

The theological sections are certainly not light reading, containing, as they do quotes from the Fathers and some, at times, quite complex theological ideas, but for anyone prepared to make the effort, they are bound to be rewarding. Mostly, though, the author just tells the story through works such as Lucia’s memoirs, but succeeds in bringing out the significance of many aspects which might escape the notice of the casual reader, particularly as regards the importance of the rosary and a genuine devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. The necessity of reparation and personal sacrifice is also a strong theme in Fatima: A Heart for the World.

Barry Pearlman’s discussion of the Miracle of the Sun in October 1917, when the sun whirled around in the sky and changed colour successively, before plunging to the ground in a terrifying manner, is very good. In particular he gives an interesting explanation for the mechanism of the miracle, and surmises that it may well have been caused in some way by the luminous orb which many witnesses saw as the “vehicle” which brought Our Lady through the sky to the Cova. He conjectures that this orb may well have expanded to encompass the area over which the miraculous events were taking place—this explains how the miracle could have been both so convincing, and yet not involve any actual displacement of the sun in space, which would obviously have had world-wide repercussions.

The remaining chapters deal with the heroic deaths of Francisco and Jacinta in 1919 and 1920 respectively, following contagion with the Spanish flu which devastated post war Europe, and the later life of Lucia, who became a religious sister. There are also further reflections on the importance of the Fatima message, and particularly on the need for believers to become personally consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

In July 1917, Our Lady told the children, as part of the secret of Fatima, which was only gradually revealed, that, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.” Barry Pearlman, in dealing with the collapse of communism in the early 1990s speaks of this as being part of this Triumph, but it is clear that this Triumph also has a much larger scope since it certainly will involve the conversion of Russia and a period of genuine peace for the world. Just imagine the changes in world society that will have to happen for both of these prophecies to be fulfilled, and particularly the “period of peace.” The Triumph must in some sense also be a world wide triumph for the Church, and we are a long way from that at present.

The book finishes with an Epilogue which sums up the importance of the Message of Fatima, and particularly its focus on reparation and devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. We are told how we should respond to Fatima in terms of doing God’s will in all things, and consecrating ourselves to Mary’s Immaculate Heart—which includes the practice of Eucharistic reparation—along with the daily recitation of the Rosary. In its essence, the Message of Fatima is both profound and simple, and Fatima: A Heart for the World succeeds in bringing out both aspects of this crucial intervention from Heaven for our times.

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This review appeared in the 9 May edition of the Catholic Times

Fatima: A Heart for the World has been thoroughly revised and updated in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta in May 2010. It is fully documented and illustrated with some previously unpublished photographs.

While learning the remarkable story of Fatima and its powerful historical context, the reader will discover the full message of Fatima including the third secret. As a distinctive feature, the author also unfolds throughout the book the spiritual meaning of the message confided to the little shepherds.

Whether readers can make a physical pilgrimage to Fatima or not, with Fatima: A Heart for the World they will find themselves on a spiritual journey that will strengthen their faith and offer guidance and consolation, as well as bring them closer to Our Lady.

About the author: Dr. Barry R. Pearlman, Ph.D., B.Th., is a convert to Catholicism. His background and understanding in both Protestant and Catholic theology have given him a fresh perspective on Fatima. His experience in social psychology also gives him a unique vantage point. Previously a lecturer in the social sciences, he is now a religious writer and member of the World Apostolate of Fatima.

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