The "Angel of Fatima," a young Portuguese nun in the simple black and blue habit, brought the Fatima message to Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington last Friday. With a slight accent Alliance of Holy Mary Sister Angela spoke comfortably to the youths, and they listened intently.

Sister Angela, 34, came from Portugal to spread the message of Fatima in the Washington Metro area. On this, her seventh visit to the U.S., her mission has remained the same.

"It’s more important now than it was in 1917," she said, adding that Fatima’s message was sent to prepare people for the age of materialism that is now prevalent.

"What Our Lady asks is so simple and clear," Sister Angela said. Her call to daily rosary, first Saturday devotions and the sacraments is still pertinent.

Sister Angela explained that in 1917 three young people, ages 7, 9 and 10, were able to see Our Lady. While they were tending their sheep, they saw a flash like lightning. They gathered the sheep together thinking it was a storm, but when the second lightning flashed at noon, Lucia and Jacinta saw the Blessed Mother. Francisco could not see her at first, but when Lucia told him to start praying the rosary, he could.

The Blessed Mother appeared to the three children on the 13th of every month from May to October, except for August when they were in jail. On the last day, Oct. 13, the miracle of the sun occurred, proving the apparitions true.

"The greatest prophecy of Our Lady is that in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph," Sister Angela said. "Never be afraid. Her Immaculate Heart will be your refuge, shelter and protection. It will be the way that will lead you to God."

In addition to being superior of her convent, Sister Angela works part time in an emergency room and on the cause for canonization of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco. Using her medical background, she investigates miracles attributed to the children’s intercession.

Every year, the cause for their canonization receives thousands of letters from people who have received help after praying to Blessed Jacinta and Francisco. Many of these are evidence of graces through conversions and help through adversity, but only a few have the potential of being considered real miracles.

Sister Angela recently researched a boy who was cured of diabetes. This makes the second miracle for their cause. Sister Angela hopes that Pope Benedict will canonize them soon.

Pope John Paul II called the Fatima message, a "school of sanctity."

"Don’t think sanctity is for special people," like priests, nuns or saints, she told the youths. "Sanctity is for people like you and me."

Like Blessed Francisco, those who pray the rosary daily will be able to see Our Lady. Not many will see her with their eyes, but they will begin to see better the will of God, Sister Angela said.

This is important, especially for high school students. They are at a time in their lives when they will need to start deciding which path to take for college, career and vocation. She encouraged them to be open to hearing God’s call to religious life or to Catholic family life.

"Through the rosary, you can see this," she said. "We are looking to the way Jesus and Mary acted in their lives when they were in joy, sorrow or in triumph."

Sister Angela explained the third part of the secret that Sister Lucia revealed to Pope John Paul II. During one of the visions, the children saw a bishop dressed in white climbing a mountain with many people following him. He knelt in front of a cross on the mountain and when he knelt, someone killed him. Many of the people following him were also martyred.

When the Pope John Paul II woke up in Gemelli Hospital on May 13, 1981, after the assassination attempt on his life, he immediately asked to receive information about the Fatima apparitions. When he heard the description of this vision, he felt that he was the bishop in white.

According to Sister Angela, it is not important to name the person described in the vision. What is important is to continue praying for the current pope.

Earlier that day, Sister Angela joined the O’Connell community for the living rosary. The Blessed Sacrament was processed out to the football field, where the student body assembled in a large circle. Each decade of the rosary was led by students from different grades as the school prayed together.

"That was the best way to start the day," she said. "I’ve never prayed like that."

The living rosary was the culmination of O’Connell’s Campbell’s Chunky Soup Drive. More than 9,000 cans will be donated to Christ House in Alexandria.

"We give thanks to God for the gifts we have received by being generous and giving to the poor," said Father Frederick Edlefsen, chaplain.

"This soup isn’t a big deal for you, but it is for others," said Principal Dick Martin. "Christ House depends on this and every year, we come through."

Sister Angela is speaking at parishes and schools throughout the diocese. Dates and locations for her talks are listed in the Coming Events section on page 30. For more information contact Jim or Jean Dudek at 703/281-3387 or jeandudek@aol.com.