Fatima for Today

By: Andrew Apostoli

Narrated by: Bernard M. Collins

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Though the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima took place almost a hundred years ago, Our Lady's call to prayer and penance for the salvation of souls and peace in the world is as relevant now as when first delivered to three Portuguese peasant children in 1917.

At the peak of the First World War, Our Lady warned of another worldwide conflict, the rise and spread of Communism, and a terrible persecution of the Church unless people repented of their sins and returned to God. She also requested devotion to her Immaculate Heart and a special consecration of Russia.

Much of what Our Lady of Fatima said was revealed soon after her appearances, but the third and final "secret", which was not a message but a prophetic vision seen by the children, was not unveiled by the Vatican until 2000. Pope John Paul II, who read the third secret while recovering from the attempt upon his life in 1981, believed the vision signified the sufferings the Church had endured in the twentieth century.

Because of the prophetic nature of her messages, Our Lady of Fatima has been the subject of much controversy and speculation. In this audiobook, Father Andrew Apostoli carefully analyzes the events that took place in Fatima and clears up lingering questions and doubts about their meaning. He also challenges the reader to hear anew the call of Our Lady to prayer and sacrifice, for the world is ever in need of generous hearts willing to make reparation for those in danger of losing their way to God.

©2010 Ignatius Press (P)2011 Ignatius Press

A good story, but...

full disclosure: I'm not a Catholic and not ever likely to become one. Having said that, that doesn't mean that I don't believe the Fatima message, and in Marian Apparitions in general. With this in mind, I found this book provided great details of the Fatima event, and details not normally known by the casual observer. However, I have a real problem with the apologist approach by the author, and the horrible narration of Bernard M. Collins. In fact, the narration is probably the only thing really wrong with this audio book. I can handle the Catholic apologist approach Andrew Apostoli takes. It's to be expected by one devoted to his church. What else is he supposed to do? His audience is expected to be mostly Catholic with the same beliefs. However, Collins narration is a different story entirely.

When listening to the book, I thought I was listening to someone in an enunciation contest. It was as if Collins was determined to pronounce each and every word with precision and without error. It got to the point that it became a distraction. There was no free flow in his reading. No error, or allowance for regional dialect and pronunciation. When one listens to his reading, it;s as if one is listening to a machine PRONOUNCE. EACH. WORD. DELIBERATELY and without a natural punctuation. It's just not a pleasant way to listen to an audio book.

Overall, I would recommend the book, but, not the audio book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fascinating

Very well researched and presented, broad coverage of an amazing event very relevant in today’s world.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A better understanding of Fatima

For a long time I had questions about Fatima, this book answers them. I have wanted to make a pilgrimage to Fatima. Now after reading this book, I know that I must.

True to the real story of the Fatima apparitions.

Any additional comments?

Although the book is true to the actual Fatima story keep in mind that the appariton contradicts actual scripture with every other statement.

0 of 4 people found this review helpful

A Message For Our Time

When the Mother of Jesus decides to visit we do well to take heed.In a most accessible way "Fatima for Today" provides us with the means to understand the Will of God for our times. To unite or lives with His through prayer and the Eucharist. To recognize the precarious position the world is in and to stop, take note and redirect our lives to Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Interesting topic poorly executed

The Fatima phenomenon is fascinating but this flabby manuscript, so badly in need of an editor, is filled with irrelevance and repetition and lacks any critical thinking about the third secret. The reading is slow and monotonous and it often seems like the narrator is seeing the text for the first time.