We often describe the Flame of Love Devotion as the Devotion of Grace which builds upon the Devotion of Mercy – the two great devotions given to the Church at this time. This understanding is powerfully validated in what is often referred to as the final vision of Sister Lucia (of Fatima):
” . . . . suddenly the entire convent Chapel was illuminated in a supernatural light, and a Cross of light appeared over the altar and reached the ceiling. On the superior part the face of man was seen and his body down to the waist. A dove of light was over his chest and nailed to the Cross was another man. Suspended in air over his waist I was able to see a chalice with a large Host. Drops of Blood from the face of Jesus Crucified and His pierced side fell into the the chalice, dripping from the Host. Beneath the right arm on the Cross was Our Lady. It was Our Lady of Fatima, with her Immaculate Heart in her left hand, without thorns or roses, but with a crown of thorns and flames. Underneath the left arm on the Cross, big letters, similar to crystal water came down to the altar forming these words: Grace and Mercy.”
Let me share a meditation on this image we received from Rose Sayen, an incredibly hard working woman who quietly, behind the scenes, makes so much happen for the Flame of Love Movement:
Wisdom 3
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
By living the Flame of Love life, we are ‘tried and proved’ by our sacrificial offerings. We are chastised a little (or a lot) by our sacrifices and trials in trying to live the life of a Catholic in today’s world. Mary asks us to be her ‘sparks’ to ignite the world to the singular/signal grace of her Flame of Love – Because ‘grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.’
More reflection can be found in the final Fatima image –
Mary is Our Lady of Fatima – she is holding out her heart (as she does in Flame of Love images) – her heart is CROWNED with thorns and flame, signifying that her Flame of Love messages are now elevated to the dignity of the Crown of her Heart, bearing with that image the symbol of truth and authority, given by the Father – and not the least – she is offering her heart, her Flame out to EVERYONE, so that everyone can become ‘the elect’, all can come and receive the Grace and Mercy of the Lord. All the graces, wrapped into one gigantic Gift! For everyone who asks for it, lives for it, accepts it.
We don’t want to ‘rule over peoples’ we want to trust, understand truth, and abide with Him in Love – all she asks…. in humility. The GRACE of Mary’s Flame of Love gives us that gift, and the MERCY of Jesus Christ rules over our souls.