HERALD of the FATIMA APPARITIONS: JOHN M. HAFFERT

I have just finished writing, what I believe is, the first (soon to be published) biography of John Haffert. V. Rev. Canon Galamba di Oliveira, D.D. of Leiria, Portugal wrote of John in 1961 in the Foreword of John's book, MEET THE WITNESSES of the Miracle of the Sun that: "there are three jewels of inestimable value which will immortalize his (John's) name in the noble gallery of illustrious lay Catholics of the United States of our age: His profound devotion to the Mother of God and to Holy Mother Church; the initiative of the great pilgrimage of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima (the Pilgrim Virgin) through Canada and the United States since October, 1947; and finally, that powerful and enthusiastic crusade of the Blue Army, which has spread through the entire world to bring all mankind the message and devotion of Our Lady of Fatima."

John M. Haffert's biography is now at the publishers. I expect it to be available sometime in July 2009.

Prayer and Pope John Paul II

In CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE by Pope John Paul II, he is asked to describe how he prays. I love the answer that the Pope gives. He writes: "YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT! The Pope prays as the Holy Spirit permits him to pray." To a contemplative like John Paul the Great, one has to wonder how literally these words of the Pope should be taken. The deeper meaning of this aspect of prayer is rarely addressed. Would any of my readers be willing to hazard an answer?