G. Dolf Olorin (with some assistance in editing from Super Grok)- May 13th: An Auspicious Day for Shepherds, Popes, and Presidents

 By: G. Dolf Olorin (with some assistance in editing from Super Grok)

May 13th stands as a remarkable date in Catholic history, intertwining the lives of humble shepherds, revered popes, and influential presidents through moments of divine intervention and spiritual significance. This day, along with related dates like October 13th and July 13th, reveals a pattern of faith, miracles, and protection against evil forces. Drawing from Pope John Paul II’s profound insights in "The Message of Fatima" (link), this article explores how these events form a divine narrative of hope and resilience.

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Our Lady of Fatima: A Call to Faith and Conversion

On May 13, 1917, three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—witnessed the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Fatima, Portugal. These apparitions continued on the 13th of subsequent months, including June, July, and October, delivering messages of prayer, penance, and warnings about the world’s spiritual decline. The series of apparitions culminated on October 13, 1917, with the Miracle of the Sun, a spectacular event observed by 70,000 people, affirming the authenticity of Our Lady’s presence.

The Fatima messages, particularly the Third Secret revealed on July 13, 1917, warned of Russia’s descent into atheistic socialism following the Bolshevik Revolution that same year. Our Lady cautioned that these "errors" would spread, undermining faith, family, and private property—values central to God’s design. Her call for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart was a plea to avert the global havoc wrought by these ideologies.

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Pope Leo XIII: Defender of Faith and Freedom

Decades earlier, Pope Leo XIII confronted the rising threat of socialism in his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. He argued that collective ownership of property violated natural law, asserting that land and goods rightfully belong to individuals and families, with the father as the head. This stance prefigured the Fatima warnings about socialism’s assault on Christian civilization.

On October 13, 1884—33 years before the Miracle of the Sun—Pope Leo XIII experienced a vision of Satan challenging God, followed by St. Michael’s triumph over evil. Inspired, he composed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

This prayer became a shield for the Church, echoing the Fatima call to spiritual vigilance.

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Pope John Paul II: A Life Spared by Divine Intervention

On May 13, 1981—the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima—Pope John Paul II faced a near-fatal assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square. Struck by two bullets from Mehmet Ali Ağca’s gun, one piercing his abdomen and another grazing his hand, the Pope miraculously survived. He credited Our Lady of Fatima, saying her hand guided the bullets away from vital organs.

Pope John Paul II’s survival allowed him to lead the Church through historic achievements: he played a pivotal role in ending communism in Eastern Europe, championed human dignity, and fostered global reconciliation. His canonization as a saint reflects the enduring impact of his pontificate, rooted in that miraculous May 13th moment.

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Donald J. Trump: A Miraculous Escape on a Fateful Day

On July 13, 2024—the anniversary of the Third Secret’s revelation—former President Donald J. Trump narrowly escaped death at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A sniper fired a high-powered rifle, but at the precise moment the bullet was discharged, Trump turned his head, suffering only a graze to his ear. This providential timing spared his life, reminiscent of Pope John Paul II’s survival.

Elected the 47th President of the United States later that year, Trump’s leadership brought peace and prosperity, working tirelessly to halt wars and promote global stability. His survival on this Fatima-linked date underscores a theme of divine protection for those shaping history.

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Pope Leo XIV: A New Era of Spiritual Leadership

On May 8, 2025, the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. His choice of the name "Leo" honors Pope Leo XIII’s legacy, particularly his devotion to St. Michael and his fight against evil. This election on a day tied to spiritual warfare signals a renewed commitment to defending the faith in challenging times.

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Conclusion: A Tapestry of Divine Providence

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May 13th, alongside October 13th, July 13th, and May 8th, weaves a story of divine providence through shepherds who received heavenly messages, popes who defended the Church, and a president who survived to lead. These events, illuminated by "The Message of Fatima" (link), call us to prayer and trust in God’s protection. In an era still shadowed by socialism, deep statism and moral threats, these auspicious days shine as beacons of hope and faith.