Q&A: In the message of Fatima, there seems to be an excessive emphasis on reparation due to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What are these sins against Mary? If I rob, cheat, lie, steal, I break the law of God, not the law of Mary. If reparation is due, then it is due to God.
Fr. James McMillan, SMM
Submitted by: L.N., Burlington, VT
Reparation to Mary or God?
If you rob, cheat, lie and steal, you commit sins against God by violating His law. You also sin against your neighbor by violating your neighbor’s rights. Therefore, you owe God an act of repentance, and you owe your neighbor restitution for the crimes you committed against him.
You cannot shrug off that restitution by claiming that your sin was against God alone and not against your neighbor. No priest could give you absolution if you refuse to admit that you must pay back what you owe.
Any sin we commit is an offense against the entire Mystical Body of Christ, of which we are the members. We owe restitution or reparation to the Body of Christ for every sin we commit. That includes reparation to Our Lady, for she is the Mother of the Body of Christ.
Virtue and sin have social consequences. They are not only personal matters between you and God. Just as virtuous acts build up the Body of Christ, so sinful acts diminish the holiness of Christ’s Body, the Church, the People of God.
