The great hours of Fatima

The celebration of the centenary of the apparitions of Fatima offers us the opportunity to retrace the thread of the message of mercy given to Fatima by Our Lady of the Rosary in 1917.
In this work, the author deals not only with the doctrine of the Message, but also with its pastoral purpose: the role of the Church in general and of the Popes in particular.
From Benedict XV to Pope Francis, the author shows the various acts of the nine pontiffs involved, especially the primordial and prophetic role of St. John Paul II, the Pope of Fatima par excellence. It shows the maternal solicitude of the One who received from the Cross the universal motherhood of humanity and of the Church.
The author reviews the evolution of pilgrimages to one of the largest Marian shrines in the world, together with the achievements of the local authorities. This makes it a particularly documented, varied and lively book, with illustrations (photos, maps and drawings) helping.

"A testimony of faith and life, this book shows us how God wanted to make the three visionaries privileged witnesses of His highest grace, the mystical experience. ...] Fatima is a hymn to the primacy of the spirit, which receives from God himself the certainty of his existence and of his call to eternal life. It is true that man sometimes gives in to the temptation of materialism and atheism. But God never ceases to help him. His Mercy is identified with his justice, for he can only be the Holy One (Lev 11:44). I confess that I had some difficulty in writing this preface, a task that I had never carried out before. But, in conclusion, I thank Bernard Balayn, our illustrious author, for having somewhat "obliged" me to do so. Thank you again and congratulations on this new book on Fatima, so rich in knowledge and devotion!" Mons. Luciano Guerra, Rector Emeritus of the Shrine of Fatima.

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"Dear Mr. Balayn, on this Centennial Day, I express my gratitude for your precious book on 100 years of Fatima. May it bear good fruit!

And may God bless you!" † Christof Card. Schönborn



"I sincerely congratulate the author for his immense work... It is not only his books that testify to his competence and dedication... It is not only his books that testify to his competence and dedication, but his works in the service of the Church for four decades, having dedicated his whole life and apostolate to God in profound union with the Virgin... As an attentive historian, he has focused all his attention on the role of the Popes in their response to the Message of Fatima, in accordance with the axis and central theme of his book, which occupies almost all the pages... Thank you again and congratulations for this new work on Fatima, so rich in knowledge and devotion. R.P. Luciano Guerra, Rector Emeritus of the Shrine of Fatima (preface)



"... I also thank you for your book " The Great Hours of Fatima ". Please accept my congratulations for this book, which also concerns Pope Saint John Paul II. May he reward you with his intercession to the throne of God..." Cardinal Stanislas Dziwisz, Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow, former Private Secretary of St. John Paul II

"Egregio Professore, I am grateful to you for sending me your beautiful and carefully written book on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima... We will all unite ourselves in prayer around Pope Francis in this great circumstance. . With my best wishes, and congratulations on your publication." 
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, former Secretary of State of St. John Paul II