Blinded By the Light - The Occult of Roman Catholicism

ìAt the famous apparition site in Fatima, Portugal, pilgrims

numbering more than 1 million are in attendance during

the October 13th anniversary of the 1917 apparition. Total

annual attendance at Fatima is estimated to be 4.5 million,

and growing.î 12

ìFive and one-half million pilgrims visit [the] apparition site

in Lourdes, France annually.î 13

ìConsider that 15 to 20 million Marian followers visit [the]

shrine in Guadalupe, Mexico, every single year!î 14

These pilgrimages oft times come with a high price in the way of suffering for
those that make the trek.

Penance

When the Blessed Virgin appeared in Lourdes, one of her admonitions was:

ìPenance, penance, penance.î 15

Penance is defined as ìAn ecclesiastical punishment imposed for sin; or
voluntary suffering as an expression of penitenceî and is one of the foundational
doctrines of the Catholic Church.

ìExamples of [penance] practices included wearing ashes and

sackcloth, lying at the entrance of the church so everyone

who entered had to step over you, and total isolation from

family, [which] sometimes had to be continued for years.î 16

This doctrine has caused some of the most devout followers of the Roman
Institution to go to extremes in practicing penance. This particular aspect of
penance is called ìmortificationî, and is believed to assist in a personís salvation.

ìBelieving that the pain and deprivation experienced by the

mortal flesh would greatly facilitate the salvation of the soul,

many went to great lengths in their self-imposed suffering.î 17

This practice is in direct conflict with scripture!

ìFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of

yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man

should boast.î Ephesians 2:8-9 (emphasis mine)