Dear Diary,
Winter seems to be arriving early at Camp Littlemore. This morning the wind was so cold that even the puddles in the church driveway had a thin covering of ice. The apple tree behind St. Mary’s was bare and shivering, so we held our Reading Club meeting in the warm church basement.
Father LeRoy had built a little fire in the stove, and Sister Mary Claire served hot cocoa while we settled around the long table. Mini curled up close to my feet, where she could enjoy the warmth and keep watch for anything that might fall from someone’s plate.
I read today’s part of our Fatima story. After the beautiful events at the Cova da Iria, the crowd went home singing praises to the Blessed Virgin. Lucy’s heart was peaceful, and she knew that she would never doubt Our Lady again. However, her troubles were only beginning.
Lucy’s mother and sisters still did not believe her, and their harsh words caused her great sorrow. The newspapers began printing cruel stories, claiming that the children were foolish or dishonest and that the events at Fatima had been invented by the Church. The government officials were also becoming alarmed by the great crowds gathering to pray.
The Administrator of the district was especially determined to put an end to everything. He ordered Lucy, Francis, and Jacinta to appear before him. Francis and Jacinta’s parents refused because the children were so young, but Lucy went with her father. Although the Administrator questioned and threatened her, she would not deny what she had seen or reveal Our Lady’s secret.
Then, on August 13, he came to the Marto home pretending to be friendly. He told the children that he wanted to visit the Cova da Iria because, like Saint Thomas, he had to see before he could believe. Instead, he tricked the three children into his carriage and carried them away to Ourem. When the carriage stopped, they discovered that they had been brought to the town jail.
The Administrator told them that they would not be released until they revealed the secret. The children were frightened, but they resolved that they would rather die than betray the confidence Our Lady had placed in them.
When I finished reading, the basement was very quiet. Father said that courage does not mean that we are never afraid. True courage means remaining faithful to God even while we are frightened. Sister added that Lucy, Francis, and Jacinta were only children, yet they showed more strength than many grown people.
Then Father’s face suddenly brightened.
“I have some news for the Reading Club,” he announced.
Father said that he has been called to Iowa City for a meeting, and he invited all of us to travel with him! A generous and well-to-do member of the Church has offered to pay all of our expenses. Tomorrow morning Father, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and I will begin our journey.
For a moment I could hardly believe him. Robert immediately began asking how far it was and what route we would take. Sister reminded us to pack warm clothing, and Father said there would be plenty of room for our luggage in his Cadillac.
Of course, we are taking our Fatima books along. Father said that a road trip is no reason for the Reading Club to miss its meeting. We can read and discuss the story along the way, and perhaps hold one of our meetings in an entirely new place.
Tonight I must pack my warmest coat, gloves, pajamas, toothbrush, diary, and rosary. Sister helped me prepare a little blanket and dish for Mini. Mini does not know that she is going to Iowa City, but she knows that something exciting is happening. She has been following me from room to room, inspecting everything I place in the suitcase.
Before we left the church basement, we prayed for Lucy, Francis, and Jacinta as they entered the jail, and Father gave us his blessing for tomorrow’s journey.
The frozen puddles may have ended our meetings beneath the apple tree for a while, but they certainly have not ended the adventures of St. Mary’s Reading Club.
Tomorrow, we are off to Iowa City!
Love,
Kathy
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