Hallowedground has some thoughts on this subject. Turns out it was right under our nose. Also that renowned Archbishop Fulton Sheen had the answer. Go see Sheen & the Muslims. He also supplies as usual a lot of rare pictures in his post. The link he provides go more in Sheen's thoughts. I have always been struck that the Blessed Mother appeared at Fatima. That village and the name of course is very significant.
One thing that has striked me over the years is how the Lord does not do anything by accident or happy stance. I suppose this should be obvious. However it appears that at times that even the Geographical locations of sites where important events in salvation history occur sometimes passes our notice. For instance when Christ changed Peters name to Rock and thus made him head of the Church we often miss out on the geography and history of the area.
We see
Not only was there significance in Simon being given a new and unusual name, but the place where Jesus solemnly conferred it upon Peter was also important. It happened when "Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi" (Matt. 16:13), a city that Philip the Tetrarch built and named in honor of Caesar Augustus, who had died in A.D. 14. The city lay near cascades in the Jordan River and near a gigantic wall of rock, a wall about 200 feet high and 500 feet long, which is part of the southern foothills of Mount Hermon. The city no longer exists, but its ruins are near the small Arab town of Banias; and at the base of the rock wall may be found what is left of one of the springs that fed the Jordan. It was here that Jesus pointed to Simon and said, "You are Peter" (Matt. 16:18). The significance of the event must have been clear to the other apostles. As devout Jews they knew at once that the location was meant to emphasize the importance of what was being done. None complained of Simon being singled out for this honor; and in the rest of the New Testament he is called by his new name, while James and John remain just James and John, not Boanerges.
There is actually much more. On top of this Rock was sight of the great temple atop the huge rock at Caesarea Philippi on which stood a temple dedicated to Augustus. Who of course was designated a "god" by the Govt. Much more can be find here on all that is going on.
Since we are in advent time it is interesting to note another example. Is it not something that The old Hebrew name bêth lehem, means "house of bread".
I have always thought it significant that Our Lady would have her herself joined forever to to such a significant Moslem person and place in Our lady Of Fatima. These things do not always occur by accident.
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