Fatima Crusader 112

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F THE ATIMA CRUSADER ISSUE 112 • SUMMER 2015 Dedicated In Loving Memory to Father Nicholas Gruner The Fatima Priest Dedicated In Loving Memory to Father Nicholas Gruner The Fatima Priest

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Fatima Crusader 112

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  • FTHE

    FFFFATIMAFFFFCRUSADER ISSUE 112 SUMMER 2015

    DedicatedIn Loving Memory to

    Father Nicholas GrunerThe Fatima Priest

    DedicatedIn Loving Memory to

    Father Nicholas GrunerThe Fatima Priest

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    Words of Wisdom From Father Gruner

    Fatima is fi nally coming into its own, so to speak. Too many people have thought that Fatima is just for pious or simple-minded people but the fact is, Fatima is very profound. Its a Prophetic Message for our time. And its important for us to realize that the Blessed Virgin Mary is our Mother and She comes and speaks to us as a Mother.

    What She says is very profound. She is the Mother of Good Council, She is the Seat of Wisdom, and we need to listen, not so much with our ears, (although its important) but to listen to Her Message with our heart.

    I urge you to pray the Rosary every day for the Pope and bishops to receive the graces required to fulfi ll Our Lady of Fatimas command.

    The fate of the world is in the hands of the Pope and the only way to world peace is knowledge of and obedience to the Message of Fatima more precisely, for the the Pope to consecrate, together with the Bishops, on the same day, at the same time, the country and the people of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    When that happens, Our Lady promises, in the Name of God, great miracles unseen before in the history of mankind. A period of peace will be given to mankind as a result of this simple act of obedience.

    The time is late, pray the Rosary every day that Our Ladys Fatima Apostolate receive the graces and support we need to continue this work of spreading the full Fatima Message to the world.

    The salvation of many souls, the preservation of our Catholic rights and peace in the world depends on it.

    Fond MemoriesS u c h a r e G o d s p l a n s . . . I t h i n k h e m u s t h a v e b e e n a d m i t t e d

    v e r y s o o n b e s i d e O u r L a d y s t h r o n e . . . . I f e e l h e i s n e a r e r t h a n e v e r . ...Souer Marie- Rose P

    Compiled from various lectures by Father Gruner

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    The Holy Ghost Working Through

    Father Grunerby Father Paul Kramer

    Of the three persons in the Trinity, the Holy Ghost is perhaps the most dicult for human beings to visualize. For we are greatly dependent on our senses for knowledge, and purely spiritual realities are not easily grasped.

    Yet, the Holy Ghost can be known when it shines through a human personality. For more than 40 years, I was privileged to watch the Holy Ghost working through my oldest and dearest friend and fellow priest, Father Nicholas Gruner.

    We met during our studies for the priesthood in Rome in 1972. These were turbulent years, when what Pope Paul VI described as the auto-demolition of the Church was happening with devastating eect. Often we were perplexed and dismayed.

    It was during our most trying hours that we found among us a leader, a young man of dauntless

    faith and deep love - Nicholas Gruner. Time and again, he would rally us from our discouragement, clear us of our confusion, and put heart back into us. Many of us may have faltered without his guidance and the example of his ardent dedication.

    We knew that this man was marked by his gifts and his determination for some great task. I personally watched Father Gruners career unfold, from his ordination on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart in 1976, through all the years of his heroic work in building the international Fatima Apostolate.

    We worked together often, and Father encouraged me to research and write my books, which he then published and promoted. He was truly an inspiration and a practical help; an integral part of my life and work.

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    Now Father is gone, at least physically. But all that he built remains. And it can flourish, with your continued support.

    For all of us who loved Father,

    there can be no doubt that he would want us to carry forward the

    work to which he gave his life up

    until his last breath.

    We owe a debt of gratitude to this great priest, one that we can best satisfy by pledging ourselves to the cause of Our Lady of Fatima, which this apostolate serves. The Holy Ghost, which lived in Father Gruner, lives in the apostolate he built and in all its works of love. May He live in us, too.

    Stay The Course!

    So I want to urge each and every one of you: Stay the course! Be faithful to Our Ladys Apostolate, which needs you now more than ever.

    Father left behind a competent group of dedicated people, trained in the mission of making the Fatima Message known, loved

    and obeyed. Although Fathers departure has left a hole in our hearts, there is no one in this apostolate who does not want to continue doing the work he trained us to do.

    I have been doing what I can to answer the need for priestly guidance and spiritual counsel that those who work in Our Ladys Apostolate need to have.

    The Apostolate will, however, need a chaplain and counselor on a full-time basis. To that end, I ask for your prayers that Our Lady will send to us the person or persons we need to fill this role.

    The Fatima Timeline

    Father believed that once people know the facts about Fatima, they will turn to the Immaculate Heart and urge the Pope and bishops to obey Our Lady, which is our only hope. The Fatima Timeline was one of the last booklets he worked on, choosing the final pictures, approving the final text and sending it on to the printers on the very day of his death. He saw it as a powerful instrument of instruction.

    I must soon return to Ireland, where I am living in retirement, doing what my health and talents allow. But I want to

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    urge you, with all my heart: Stay faithful to Father Gruner and this apostolate! Do all you can to make certain this great work continues until the glorious day of Our Ladys Triumph dawns on this dark world.

    A hero has been stricken, taken from the fi eld of battle

    at least in this world. But we who remain must rally behind the fl ag he planted with the crest of Our Lady emblazoned upon it, as it was upon his heart. Now is the time to rally behind Father, who may be a greater help to us now than ever before.

    Fond Memories

    You Iought the good ght. 1ow rest in peace and please intercede Ior us to 2ur /ady oI )atima. You will be Iorever in our hearts

    )ather Gruner our beloved )atima Priest ...Dal e J

    Your Iaith your love oI our Blessed 0other and your steadIast love and perseverance taught me so much. 7hanks be to God Ior your countless years oI labor Ior our sake. Please intercede Ior us in heaven. 'ear )ather Gruner thank you so much. ...E l iz abeth R

    5est in peace )ather Gruner. Your &rusader maga]ine which carried beautiIul photos oI 2ur Blessed /ady inspired me to get a veIoot statue oI 2ur Blessed 0other blessed at the shrine in )atima on 2ctober by &ardinal 5at]inger. 2ur Blessed /ady has worked many miracles Ior our Iamily since saving ve oI my Iamily members Irom serious accidents. 7hank you )ather Gruner Ior alerting us to all the Iacts about )atima saving many souls Ior the last years. You were a shining light in a very dark world. Your comrades who gave so many truly inspiring talks at your conIerences will be well able to continue the ght. ...K athl een B

    5est in divine peace dear )ather 1icholas. You Iought the good ght like not many others. :hat a warrior Ior -esus and +is 0other 0ary 0ay the Good /ord -esus grant eternal rest to your precious soul. You are simply irreplaceable 7hank you and goodbye )ather Gruner. Pray Ior our conIused shepherds. ...Mic hel l e

    II it were not Ior )ather Gruner spreading the 0essage oI )atima with such dedication I doubt iI )atima would be known at all today. )ather Gruner kept the lamp glowing. ...P eter S

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    Above: Enrollment in the Brown Scapular. Right: With Rosary from Pope Paul VI.

    His Faith and Love Shone Upon Us

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    Fond Memories

    I a m v e r y m u c h s h o c k e d t o h e a r a b o u t t h e d e a t h o f F r . G r u n e r . I s h a l l o f f e r a H o l y M a s s f o r t h e r e p o s e o f h i s s o u l t o d a y . M y

    G o d ! S u r e l y G o d w i l l h e l p u s . P l e a s e a c c e p t m y h e a r t f e l t f e e l i n g s a n d o f f e r t h e m t o h i s c l o s e r e l a t i v e s . ...S.Mic hael A ug ustine, A rc hbishop E meritus of P ond ic herry & Cud d al ore, I nd ia

    I a m d e e p l y s o r r y f o r t h e d e a t h o f o u r d e a r F r . G r u n e r . M a y h i s s o u l r e s t i n p e a c e . M a y h e r e s t i n p e a c e . ...Tony Borw ah, Cathol ic Dioc ese of G barng a, Liberia

    I j u s t n o w r e c e i v e d t h e s a d n e w s t h a t o u r R e v . F r . G r u n e r p a s s e d a w a y . J u s t a f e w d a y s a g o I s e n t a l e t t e r t o F r . G r u n e r t o w i s h h i m a h a p p y b i r t h d a y o n M a y 4 . F a t h e r G r u n e r h a s g o n e t h r o u g h t h e g r e a t t r i b u l a t i o n d u r i n g h i s e a r t h l y l i f e t o t h e h o n o r o f O u r L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t a n d o f O u r L a d y o f F a t i m a . H e i s n o w a l r e a d y r e c e i v i n g a h i g h h o n o r i n H e a v e n .

    I n t h e s a m e w a y t h e d e p a r t u r e o f F r . G r u n e r i s a g r e a t e a r t h l y l o s s f o r u s b u t , I a m s u r e , i t i s a f a r g r e a t e r g a i n i n H e a v e n . H e l i v e d a s a s a i n t a n d I a m c o n v i n c e d h e i s n o w p r o p e r l y a s a i n t . M a y h i s s o u l r e s t i n p e a c e . ...F ather Sav arinathan, Soc ial Serv ic e Soc iety of the d ioc ese of Thanj av ur, I nd ia

    W e c o u l d n t b e l i e v e t h e w o r d s o f F r . J u s t i n j u s t n o w w h e n h e c o m m u n i c a t e d t h e d e m i s e o f o u r b e l o v e d F a t h e r G r u n e r a n d g e n e r o u s h e a r t e d A p o s t l e . T h e r e a r e n o w o r d s t o t e l l y o u t h e l o s s w e f e e l a n d t h e p a i n w e e x p e r i e n c e . T h e c h i l d r e n r e m a i n e d s p e e c h l e s s a n d s i l e n t f o r s o m e t i m e a f t e r h e a r i n g t h e n e w s . H o w w e w i s h w e c o u l d b e t h e r e w i t h y o u t o s e e o u r b e l o v e d F r . G r u n e r p a s s i n g t o t h e h a n d s o f o u r F a t h e r i n H e a v e n a n d t o t h e l a p o f O u r l o v i n g M o t h e r M a r y . M a y H i s s o u l r e s t i n p e a c e . S u r e l y h e i s e n j o y i n g t h e l o v i n g p r e s e n c e o f t h e F a t h e r f o r a l l t h e g o o d t h a t h e d i d f o r t h e p o o r a n d t h e n e e d y .

    O u r p r i e s t i s o u t o f s t a t i o n . A s s o o n a s h e c o m e s w e w i l l c e l e b r a t e M a s s f o r F r . G r u n e r s s o u l , i n t h e m e a n t i m e , w e o f f e r o u r c o n t i n u o u s p r a y e r s f o r h i m a n d f o r a l l t h o s e w h o w o r k i n h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n d o i n g g o o d f o r t h e p e o p l e . O u r d e e p e s t c o n d o l e n c e s a n d p r a y e r s . W e s t i l l f e e l t h a t o u r b e l o v e d F r . G r u n e r i s o u r s p i r i t u a l i n t e r c e s s o r a n d b e n e f a c t o r i n H e a v e n . ...Sister Lil l y f rom The I mmac ul ate H eart of Mary orp hanag e in the A rc hd ioc ese of H yd rabad , I nd ia

    W i t h y o u r g o o d n e s s a n d a s s u r e t h e o f f e r i n g o f t h e H o l y E u c h a r i s t f o r t h e s o u l o f O u r F a t h e r R e v e r e n e d N i c h o l a s G r u n e r . L e t u s p r a y t o g e t h e r . ...F ather A ntony Syl v ester, St.A ntony s Churc h, d ioc ese of Triv and rum, I nd ia

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    At Ground Zero (New York City) to bless the remains of a fireman.

    At Ground Zero - enrolling workers in the Brown Scapular.

    Administering to the sick at one of Mother Theresas convents in India.

    Father Gruner, a welcomed guest speaker at a Congress in India.

    Spreading Fatima Worldwide

    Nuns at the convent in Coimbra where Sister Lucy lived, display our banner.

    Father with John (Jacintas brother) - Lucy paid John two nickels to find Jacinta when Our Lady appeared on August 19, 1917.

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    It is a great honor to speak about Father Gruner. He was a very close friend of mine.When I received the call

    Thursday night that Father had passed, I was shocked, as Im sure everyone here was. As I was praying for Father, I remembered a quote from a great saint of the early 19th Century, Saint Joseph Cafasso, who was the spiritual director of Saint John Bosco. I could remember only part of the quote so I looked it up, because it reminded me of Father Gruner.

    Please listen closely as I read this, because I believe it describes Father Gruner well. In this quote, Saint Joseph Cafasso speaks about priests who love the Mother of God. He says:

    Not only would it be a rare and dicult thing, but it would be almost impossible to imagine a good, virtuous, devoted priesta priest who

    Father Nicholas Gruner Our Ladys KnightFather Relyea delivered this moving tribute to Father Gruner at the reception which followed the funeral Mass and burial. We are very grateful to Father Relyea for his courageous testimony to the importance and truth of Father Gruners work.

    by Father Isaac Mary Relyea

    serves God, the Church, and soulswithout a tender aection for this beloved Mother. As the love of Gods Mother increases in a priest, he will just as surely make progress at the same time in the other virtues, becoming more detached from the world, more zealous, patient, humble, and pure. Therefore, whenever you happen to hear of a priest who is devoted to Mary, you need not inquire further. You may be sure that he cannot be otherwise than good, and perhaps of rare goodness, too. But if on the contrary you come to know that a priest is cold and insensitive in aection toward his Mother and to the sound of Her Name, you need not hope for much from him. For if he has not much aection for the Mother of God, neither will he have much love for the Son, or

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    much zeal for His glory or for the salvation of souls.Listening to this passage, Im

    sure many of you recognized the virtues of Father Gruner. He had such a deep love for the Mother of God. He really believed in Her love, and Our Lady called him and gave him a special mission to be Her knight, to be part of Her militia, to help crush the head of the serpent. And Father Gruner took that mission very seriously. For more than 37 years he was relentless, he never gave up, and he persevered to the end.

    Why Did He Die?

    Many people are shocked, and they are saying, Why did he die so suddenly? As His Excellency Bishop Fellay said, its a mystery. But in a certain sense, it fits Father. He went with his boots on. Father was working hard that day when Our Lord took him.

    Father had many of the virtues that Saint Joseph Cafasso speaks about. He was detached from the world. Those who knew Father Gruner know he had no love for the world. He lived a very simple life of poverty, and he was poor in spirit.

    Father Gruner was selfless. I never heard Father complain, and I have been around him many times. He worked for

    hourssixteen hours a day at least, sometimes he was up all night, often on the road. He never complained. He did it all for Our Lady. He never counted the cost. Never. He is an example for all of us.

    He believed in what he was doing. He believed that his mission was from the Mother of God. Those of you who are familiar with the Apostolate of Father Gruner know that many of us would shake our heads and say, This has to be from Our Lady! So many things would go wrong, but in the end it would all work out.

    Father had such a zeal for the salvation of souls, and thats what it was about. The highest purpose of the Church, above all things, is the salvation of souls. And that has been lost, unfortunately, in the Church.

    Father Gruner Meek and Humble

    Father was a very humble man, and he was a very meek man. I would say for me, as a priest, this is what stood out mosthis meekness. As the Bishop said this morning, he was attacked, constantly being attacked, but the attack wasnt so much from outside the Church. It was from within the Church.

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    That is a painful thing, my friends. I talked to Father many times, and I never heard him speak badly of his enemies. I never heard him attack them. And I have seen him cry tearsand they were real tearsbecause he wanted to help them. He wanted to enlighten them with the truth that he knew, but they wouldnt listen, just like so many people of previous times refused to listen to the Prophets or even to Gods Own Son.

    Painful Betrayals

    Many, many people wouldnt listen to Father Grunerpeople who should have listened, who have the power to change what is going on in the worldthe ones who have the power to perform the Consecration.

    Its very painful, my friends, to be betrayed by those whom you love. But, again, Father was very meek, and its a lesson for all of us.

    Father was a teacher. He taught us many things. He taught us how to love Our Lady, but he also taught us, too, if we really look at his life, to be meek, to be meek.

    I know Father was attacked physically. He carried many, many crosses. He knew that Our Lord said, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

    My friends, we are under a severe attack in the Church today, worst of all from within the Church. And were coming to a point, toowere not coming, were here!where many Catholics are being martyred by those of the false religion of Islam. Think of our brothers in Syria, whose little childrens heads are being cut o!

    Its coming here too, my friends, and we will all suer. Thats why we have to continue to pray that the Consecration will be done.

    But we must also pay attention to the whole Message of Fatima, which Father Gruner preached. We must prepare ourselves, my friends, for those chastisements, because I believe (and I may be wrong) that Father Gruners passing is a sign from God: Too many people didnt listennow the chastisements are coming!

    Let us not get angry at our enemies. We can win them over with meekness more than with anything else. Meekness doesnt mean that we dont stand up and speak the truth. We still speak the truth, we still evangelize, we still try to bring people into the true Church, because outside of the Catholic Church there is no salvation. This is being denied today. This is all part of the Message of Fatima, and this is all

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    as Father Gruner said many times.Please pray for the repose of

    Fathers soul. Have Masses said for him. Pray the Rosary for him. And once again, pray that we can follow in his footstepsthat we can persevere to the end.

    Final Perseverance

    Saint Alphonsus Liguori, a great Doctor of the Church, tells us that the gift of fi nal perseverance is never given all at once. Its like a chainits given one link at a time. Pray every day that you will be given that grace of fi nal perseverance. Pray that you will be anointed and receive Holy Viaticum before you die.

    part of Father Gruners mission.Let us pray to Our Lady that

    She will grant us the graces that we will need to endure the persecutions aheadthat with Gods grace, maybe we would even be privileged to shed our blood for Christ and His Church, and that we can imitate Father Gruners virtues of meekness and zeal for souls.

    Little Jacinta is my favorite. After she had seen the Vision of Hell, she was always thinking of the terrible fate awaiting sinners. All she could think of was doing penance for sinners for the rest of her life (which wasnt very long). We need that same kind of zeal,

    Fond Memories

    I w o n d e r i f n o w t h a t G o d h a s t a k e n F a t h e r G r u n e r t o H e a v e n , H e w i l l s t a r t c h a s t i s i n g t h e w o r l d i n a p h y s i c a l w a y a n d n o t j u s t i n a

    s p i r i t u a l w a y . ...P eter S

    I c a n t h e l p b u t f e e l t h a t G o d l o v e d F a t h e r G r u n e r s o m u c h t h a t H e w o u l d n t a l l o w h i m t o s e e t h e w r a t h t h a t i s m o s t c e r t a i n l y o n o u r d o o r s t e p . I b e l i e v e h e w a s j u s t l y s p a r e d , a n d f o r t h i s e s p e c i a l l y , I t h a n k O u r D e a r L o r d . ...Rosie R

    W e h a v e l o s t a g r e a t w a r r i o r f o r O u r L a d y . M a y y o u b e s a f e i n H e r c a r e , d e a r F a t h e r , a f t e r y o u r a r d u o u s j o u r n e y o n t h i s e a r t h . W e a r e a l l b l e s s e d t o h a v e k n o w n a n d s u p p o r t e d y o u . W e w i l l g r e a t l y m i s s y o u r v o i c e c r y i n g i n t h e w i l d e r n e s s t o a m o s t l y i n d i f f e r e n t a n d u n c a r i n g w o r l d . O u r L a d y o f F a t i m a , p r a y f o r u s ! ...Sue K

    I w i l l m i s s o u r g o o d a n d h o l y s h e p h e r d , F a t h e r G r u n e r , t o w h o m I o w e s u c h a d e b t o f g r a t i t u d e . E t e r n a l r e s t g r a n t u n t o h i m O L o r d a n d l e t P e r p e t u a l L i g h t s h i n e u p o n h i m . ...Step hanie L

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    After 31 years of working for Father Gruner, my memory is full of joys and tears and sacrifices and successes that make up our daily life of working for a man of the cloth that had the virtues of Faith and perseverance like no other I have ever known.

    He never accepted No as an answer. Always, there was an alternative and he forged ahead and found it. Nothing was too much or too good for Our Lord and Our Lady. His love for Them was fierce.

    Where does one start to share with you all these memories? Fittingly, I will start at the beginning.

    Prayers and Patience For a Holy Tridentine Mass

    In 1984, I had permission from the Bishop to attend daily Mass at a local Contemplative Convent. The pastor had left on vacation and I was told a visiting priest would be oering Mass for the nuns that day.

    It was Father Gruner.

    Following Fathers Footsteps

    by Coralie Graham, Editor

    During the Mass, the nuns, of course, went up to the front of the chapel to receive Holy Communion first and I would remain praying until time to take my place at the end of the line. Sadly, the convent had been fairly modernized and most of the nuns, some out of preference and some out of obedience preferred to receive the Host standing and in the hand.

    I had my head down, praying, and suddenly there was an intense feeling of some sort of presence in the room. Not something tangible that I could see or hear, but a profound and intense feeling. It was so great that I lifted my head up and looked around the room to see what it was. I saw nothing at first but the feeling became even more intense. I gazed all around the room and to the front where the nuns were receiving Holy Communion. Then it hit me like lightning what it was. The nuns were ALL kneeling and receiving Communion on the tongue. As an afterthought I believe that intense feeling in the room was the joy of Our Lady (our Pilgrim Virgin Statue of

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    Another spiritual occasion of family Confirmations.

    Father and his German Shephard - aptly named Mischief.

    The children here presented Father with birthday spiritual bouquets on helium balloons and watched their prayers rise up to Heaven as Father released them.

    Here with his mother, his love and tenderness for babies shows on his face.

    Sharing the spiritual joy of First Holy Communion.

    Love of Children

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    Our Lady of Fatima was placed near the altar). And I am sure too, of the joy of Our Lord being received in the sacred manner He deserves. Father Gruner has only given Communion on the tongue. He has written many articles on this in previous issues of The Fatima Crusader.

    Truly, he brought a great blessing on the convent that day, and on myself as well. At that moment, I knew: Here is a priest I can follow.

    Father Gruner An Answer to Our Prayers

    My friend Virginia Halbach and I had been following our Tridentine Missal at Mass for over a year, praying daily to find one to go to.

    After Father Gruners Mass, I spoke to him privately and said: Father, I think I have just been to a Tridentine Mass! He smiled.

    Father told me he was visiting three or four churches in the area to preach on Fatima, and of course, with the Pilgrim Virgin statue of Our Lady of Fatima. I could not wait to tell Virginia... finally an answer to our prayers! Father Gruner was like a magnet to us. We followed him to every church he visited.

    Even then, he was persecuted. Your Confessions are too long. The priests would get angry because the people waited for

    hours in long lineups to go to him for Confession.

    You can preach but you cannot talk about or display the Brown Scapular. And so the Brown Scapular and leaflets were handed to people discreetly outside the door of the Church. And you know the rest of the story. Some churches would be locked with the pastor nowhere in sight. But it never daunted him. He continued to press on and never gave up.

    Time to Volunteer for FATIMA!

    Before Father left to return to his oce in Ottawa, I volunteered to help him in any way he needed. I had seen his holiness, his perseverance and the persecution he endured, and had always had a particular draw and love for Our Lady of Fatima.

    About two months later, I heard back from him.

    Will you help me to ship out the Canadian mail orders? No hesitation, my whole being said: Yes!

    Introduction to Our Life With Father Gruner and Fatima

    At that time, Virginias sister, Bernie Dumelie, and a friend, Frank Timms, also volunteered to help. Sister Francis had already been volunteering up

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 17

    in Ottawa. And so the three of us were invited to Fathers Ottawa oce to learn more about his operation.

    Father Gruners oce in Ottawa was a tiny apartment. He first took us upstairs to his oce. It was little more than a cupboard size. On one side was a big metal rack with stacks of file folders and papers and books.

    On the opposite side of the tiny room were boxes and bricks with a door (knob and all) laid across it. That was his desk. There was about a three foot corridor between the rack and the door no chair he spent endless hours there, standing, doing his work.

    It wrenched my heart. I prayed to God, If only he were in Fort Erie, I could help him!

    We went downstairs and Father oered us lunch. He opened his refrigerator and in it was one opened can of tuna fish and a cereal bowl of rice. He shared his meal with all of us.

    Again, it broke our hearts to see such a humble little priest with no thought whatsoever for his own comfort. His thoughts, as always, were promoting the Message of Our Lady of Fatima no matter the sacrifice.

    The Fatima Test

    Father Gruner then led us across the border to the Servants of Jesus and Mary in Constable, New York where Father Michael Jarecki, a dear friend of Father Gruner, would test us before approving our oer to volunteer.

    Father Jarecki was also one of the holiest priests I had ever met. We each, separately, were scrutinized by the Board of Directors and I was asked: Why do you want to volunteer here? I loved the traditional Mass and Our Lady and so I replied, Because it would be a great privilege for me. And to this day, I continue to feel privileged to be allowed to work here for Father Gruner in Our Ladys vineyard.

    After all, Fathers prayers and graces are still with us. He is just a little further away. And his work is not yet complete.

    The Fatima Center Beginning in Fort Erie

    A short time later, Father Gruner made the decision to move from Ottawa to Fort Erie. Fort Erie seemed logical. Our group of volunteers had already begun to set up a mini oce for those tasks that Father assigned us. It was situated on a highway artery an hour and a half away from Toronto

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  • 18 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    airport in Canada and only half an hour away from Bualo Airport in the U.S. Fort Erie is situated on one end of the bridge to the U.S.A. Bualo was on the other end. I always felt that one more reason as to Why Fort Erie? was because the bridge was called the PEACE Bridge. How appropriate!

    Father Gruner: Model of Humility and Poverty

    In Fort Erie, we bought an old electrical training building that literally started out as a horse barn. I used to think that, too, was appropriate. Our Lord was born in a stable and here we were, The Fatima Center in Fort Erie being born in a built-on stable.

    The building was old, many roof leaks, and an inch of water on the floors in places. It was a huge mess.

    We cleaned and sterilized the building and furnished it from garage sales. One small room in this damp cement-block building was Father Gruners living quarters. He had no bathtub or shower and would depend on being invited out to dinner, when he would ask to use the shower.

    He absolutely refused to spend one dime on himself and would not hear of us renting a modest apartment or even a room for him.

    There was one stove in the middle of the floor that heated the building. That was his building heat and warming oven. A bedboard with a plastic table cloth covering was placed on Crusader boxes for his makeshift kitchen. He cooked with an electric frying pan, electric kettle and a toaster. An old abandoned refrigerator from a garage became part of his kitchen. This was the Father Gruner that few people knew.

    Strict Stewardship of Apostolate Funds

    He stewarded the supporters funds like no other. Literally, when employees would go into his oce to get checks signed for our expenses, they would make the Sign of the Cross. No penny was to escape his hands without full scrutiny. Every cent went back into promoting the full, urgent Fatima Message.

    Going Forward On the Wings of Prayer

    When we did not have money in our coers, that didnt stop Father Gruner. He would continue to spread the saving Message of Our Lady on the wing of a prayer.

    We didnt worry. The funds always came in to cover our bills. Father did not just have faith in

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 19

    Jessie Gruner and children in earlier years.

    He began his travels at a young age, working on ships.

    A full family picture with his mother and father.

    Young Father Gruner with his brothers and sisters.

    Father Gruner - the teacher.

    His Younger Days

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  • 20 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Our Lord and Our Lady to help us, he also had great faith in Our Ladys Apostolate supporters.

    And in all these years I have worked for Father Gruner, neither Heaven nor Our Ladys apostolate supporters ever let him down.

    Father Gruners Constant Advice

    In these confusing times, we hear from so many souls feeling confused and worried, seeking the truth. Who should we listen to? Which ones can we believe?

    Fathers simple, but profound answer was and remains: You stick with the truth the truth of the Faith of all time, the truth of the Faith of our Fathers.

    He had already begun to write his last book and hurried to complete it - Crucial Truths to Save Your Soul. I recall thinking as I read the first manuscript of it that truly, this is THE book for our times.

    I urge anyone who has not read it to get a copy of Crucial Truths to Save your Soul available from The Fatima Center. I would also encourage you to give his book to friends and loved ones to help them save their souls in these trying times. See order information on page 63.

    Father Gruners Grace-filled Manner

    There was something about Father Gruner when he spoke to you. No matter how bad you felt or how angry you felt or whatever your problem was he had a quiet ethereal way of squelching your problems and your fears and bringing about a sense of peace and direction into your heart and soul.

    Many of his opponents who previously pictured him as a fiercely aggressive opponent were shocked when they met him. All noted his humility and his calm atmosphere and many changed their mind about him just from meeting him. Except! Never make the mistake of saying something against the Catholic Faith or detrimental about Our Ladythat is where the fearless warrior protecting Our Lady and defender of the Faith was to be seen.

    Crusaderitis!

    Some of my best memories were when we had to prepare The Fatima Crusader. All we would have to do is think, Tomorrow we will start on The Crusader, and it would seem the bowels of hell would open. Problems, broken machinery, automobile breakdowns, misunderstandings, illness,

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 21

    anything and everything would emerge almost immediately.

    We called it Crusaderitis. We would joke with Father, Quick Father, finish your edits and lets get this magazine out of here to the printer before we have to start our own graveyard out back! And when it did go to the printers, there was a noted respite. However, as soon as the printed magazines came in the door, Crusaderitis would return in full vengeance. Again, we would beg Father, please get them shipped out to the people right away jokingly, yes, but seriously yes, too. We used to measure how good we thought The Fatima Crusader was going to be to save souls, by the level of fierceness of Crusaderitis.

    The managers and sta that worked alongside Father Gruner put in long and hard hours but none of us could measure up to the perseverance and stamina he had.

    Father Has Not Left Us His Inspiration and Teachings Remain With Us - to Carry On!

    Even Father Gruner could not have achieved what he has done without Our Ladys loyal supporters and workers. And through all the years, Father and the apostolate had (and still

    has) a staunch Catholic Board of Directors working with him along the way.

    Many priests and bishops who have supported The Fatima Center and Father Gruner, are still here to continue the mandate God gave us to bring about the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    The only difference in The Fatima Center right now is that Father Gruner is in a place where his prayers for graces to continue this work, for the salvation of souls and peace in the world are now even more powerful.

    He did not leave us alone. We have years of experience

    gained by working with him side by side and under his guidance, and we have his teachings, writings and recordings to use as manuals in carrying on this work.

    May Heaven bless our continuing eorts. Our Lady of Fatima pray for us.

    Father Gruner taught us so much. We are offering Fatima Priest and Crucial Truths to Save Your Soul at a Special Memorial price of only $9.95 each. Why not share his spiritual guidance with a friend or relative? See page 63 to order.

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  • 22 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Fond MemoriesT r u l y a g r e a t p r i e s t , s e r v a n t o f O u r L a d y , a n d s o l d i e r o f C h r i s t . O n e o f t h e f e w p r i e s t s t o w h o m I w o u l d e n t r u s t m y s o u l . ...B. R.

    I b e l i e v e F a t h e r G r u n e r w i l l b e m o r e p o w e r f u l n o w t h a t h e i s w i t h O u r B l e s s e d M o t h e r . W i t h F a t h e r G r u n e r s i n t e r c e s s i o n , S h e w i l l h e l p a l l o f u s t o s p r e a d t h e M e s s a g e o f F a t i m a . I n d e e d h e i s a s a i n t . ...Bryer S

    P r a y f o r u s , F a t h e r ! S u r e l y t h e t i m e s o f c h a s t i s e m e n t a r e a t o u r v e r y d o o r s t e p , g i v e n w o r l d e v e n t s , a n d a l s o t h e f a c t t h a t G o d h a s t a k e n f r o m t h e w o r l d o n e o f t h e l o u d e s t a n d f a r - r e a c h i n g v o i c e s o f t h e t r u e M e s s a g e o f F a t i m a ! L e t u s h o l d f a s t t o t h e M e s s a g e w i t h a r e n e w e d f e r v o r , o r b e g i n t o d o s o i f w e h a v e n t a l r e a d y ! A v e M a r i a ! ...Matthew R

    A v e r y s a i n t l y p r i e s t ! I w a s p r i v i l e g e d t o h a v e s u p p o r t e d h i s a p o s t o l a t e a n d w i l l m i s s h i m g r e a t l y . M a y h i s m i s s i o n c o n t i n u e . R . I . P . ...N orah H

    T H E S A L V A T I O N O F T H E M A N Y D E P E N D S U P O N T H E F A I T H F U L N E S S O F A F E W . E v e r s i n c e t h e p a s s i n g o f F a t h e r G r u n e r ( a n d e s p e c i a l l y i n l i g h t o f t h i s q u o t e f r o m P o p e P i u s X I I ) , I h a v e f e l t a n e e d t o p r a y m o r e f o r t h e c o n v e r s i o n o f R u s s i a . L e t s r e d o u b l e o u r p r a y e r s ! L e t s d o t h i s a l s o f o r g o o d F a t h e r G r u n e r w h o w o r k e d s o m u c h a n d s o h a r d . P e o p l e I m t e l l i n g y o u , w e n e e d t o p r a y m o r e . T h e f a c t i s t h a t w e a r e n o t o u t o f t h e w o o d s , a n d t h e a b o v e q u o t e p r o v e s t h a t w e a r e n o t p r a y i n g e n o u g h ! ...Star B

    F a t h e r G r u n e r d i e d y e s t e r d a y o f a h e a r t a t t a c k . T h i s i s R E A L L Y b a d n e w s . I a l w a y s a s s u m e d t h a t G o d w o u l d s p a r e h i m t o s e e t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n o f R u s s i a a n d t h e R e i g n o f t h e I m m a c u l a t e H e a r t . S i n c e h e h a s b e e n t a k e n a w a y , I f e a r t h a t this means that the world has put 2ur /ady oII too long now to avoid the nal p a r t o f H e r w a r n i n g : i f n o t , . . . v a r i o u s n a t i o n s w i l l b e a n n i h i l a t e d . ...Mic heal O

    I a m v e r y s o r r y t o l e a r n a b o u t t h e s u d d e n d e a t h o f F a t h e r N i c h o l a s G r u n e r . H e w a s a v e r y c o u r a g e o u s m a n . Y e s t e r d a y I c e l e b r a t e d M a s s f o r t h e r e s t f u l r e p o s e o f t h e s o u l o f F r . G r u n e r . T o d a y I a l s o d i d t h e s a m e d u r i n g t h e d a i l y 6 . 0 0 a . m . M a s s . I h a v e r e c e i v e d a p r o g r a m f o r t h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f a m e m o r i a l M a s s a t S a i n t F i d e l i s C h u r c h , w h e r e I a l s o w i l l b e i n s p i r i t o n M a y 1 5 w h e n t h e y c e l e b r a t e t h e l i f e o f F r . G r u n e r . H e w a s n o t o n l y t h e o u t s t a n d i n g C r u s a d e r , b u t a n o u t s t a n d i n g C h a m p i o n o f O u r L a d y o f F a t i m a i n o u r t i m e . H e w a s a v e r y s p i r i t u a l p r i e s t . M a y h i s s o u l r e s t i n p e a c e . G o d b l e s s . ...F ather I g natio Bok osi, Sac red H eart P arish, d ioc ese of Z omba, Mal aw i

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 23

    Promoting Fatima at Conferences and

    at the Vatican

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    Father Gruner was a good friend. We only have here a few minutes to talk about him. As Chesterton would say, how do you paint on so small a canvas so large a man?

    Two points occur to me.First, a characteristic that was

    unique to Father Gruner: he had a charism to pretty much get along with everyone of good will.

    This was no small feat. From the time of the Second Vatican Council, and the crisis of Faith that ensued, the shepherd (in Rome) is struck and the sheep are scattered. Catholics have never been so divided. Various individuals and groups are trying the best they can to live the Faith as they understand it. A number of these groups end up at odds with one another.

    Yet Father Gruner had a special charism to touch all of those of good will, no matter from which camp, and he did this without compromising himself.

    Goodbye to theSoft-Spoken Warrior

    This is an edited transcript of a brief eulogy given at Father Gruners funeral reception, May 9, 2015.

    by John Vennari

    For the most part, Catholics in these diverse groups loved and respected Father Gruner. They knew he was genuine, and they recognized the importance of his work that promoted the Fatima Message.

    If you put a light inside an alabaster vase, the vase glows. And Father Gruner had a kind of glow emanating from the goodness within. He was also a fighter. I used to call him The Soft-Spoken Warrior.

    Father Gruner had genuine dedication to the Faith and to Fatima that was clear for all to see. Father Gruner had authentic devotion to Our Lady, for he personally lived the Fatima Message. He was one of the most prayerful men I knew.

    But devotion and dedication will not take you far without the third element he possessed, and that was competence. No one could honestly question Father Gruners competence; whether

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 25

    it be in dogmatic theology, moral theology, his rights and duties as a priest, and most certainly, regarding the Message of Fatima.

    I cant think of anyone who knew the Message of Fatima, in its entirety, in its detail, better than he. Father Gruner could talk about any and every aspect of Fatima at the drop of a hat. This is something I witnessed not only when we shared a speaking platform, but in casual conversation with others and myself. He did not have to consult notes; the details were always within his reach. He kept it all in his head. In fact, he would often say in a matter-of-fact manner, Regarding Fatima, I have never met an objection or question I could not answer.

    Father Gruner was a unique package of dedication, devotion and competence, along with possessing a formidable business sense, to carry out his unprecedented work.

    This takes me to my second observation.

    Saint Catherine of Sienna

    A number of people express surprise that Father Gruner did not live to see the fulfillment of a central component of his work: the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the

    Pope in union with the worlds bishops.

    When thinking about this aspect of Father Gruners death, St. Catherine of Sienna comes to mind.

    St. Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) lived during what is called the Great Western Schism, one of the most tumultuous periods in Church history. The Papacy had moved to Avignon, France. St. Catherine of Sienna worked and prayed with all her strength, suering a good deal of detraction in the process, to bring the Papal See back to Rome where it belongs. She would write to the Pope and tell him to do his duty like a man!

    As a result, Pope Gregory XI eventually moved the Papacy back to Rome by 1377 (the Papacy had resided in Avignon for more than seven decades) but the Ponti died suddenly in March, 1378. A Conclave was immediately held that elected Urban VI, one of the worst men for the position at the time. The new Pope was ill tempered, arrogant and abusive.

    Alice Curtayne, in her biography of St. Catherine of Sienna, writes, Urban began his campaign with a zeal for reform which was formidable. In supreme command, his brusqueness became domineering rudeness

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  • 26 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    The consistories were stormy aairs. The Pope would interrupt a Cardinals speech with Stop that foolish chatter or You have said enough or You dont know what you are talking about. He called one a blockhead and told another he had stolen Church money. You lie! the latter retorted. Things could hardly continue like that.

    A number of Cardinals quickly regretted the election. A faction of Cardinals returned to France, claimed they had been coerced into electing Urban, and went on to elect a second Pope Clement VII to reign from Avignon.

    There were now two Popes, and a number of people blamed St. Catherine of Sienna for causing the divide, for it was she who insisted the Pope return from Avignon in the first place.

    Chaos reigned. Many dioceses now had two bishops: one from the Pope in Rome, the other from the Pope in France. St. Catherine worked unceasingly to remedy the tragic split and died before she saw her work fulfilled.

    In fact, the situation only worsened. A third Pope was elected, unleashing even greater confusion. To make a long story short, the issue was finally resolved in 1417 when various claimants had either abdicated

    or been eectively deposed. The Conclave elected a new Pope, Martin V, and the Great Western Schism came to an end 37 years after Catherines death.

    I tell the story for this consideration: even though St. Catherine of Sienna did not live to see the fulfillment of the work she started, a punishing work for which she prayed and suered, her labors eventually came to fruition; the Western Schism ended with the Pope back in Rome where he belongs.

    St. Catherine of Siennas Feast Day is April 30. Father Gruner died on the vigil of St. Catherine, around 7:00 pm, April 29.

    Even more interesting: the Church celebrates St. Catherines Feast on April 30, but the actual day of her death was April 29, the same date as Father Gruners death.

    This gives me hope that Father Gruners labors regarding Fatima and the Consecration of Russia will move forward and eventually come to fruition. We will continue to work for this end, and it is a privilege to be part of this work.

    We thank Father Gruner for all he has done in promoting the Fatima Message like no man before.

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 27

    Many of Father Gruners supporters from around the world have contacted The Fatima Center, asking for more information about Fathers untimely and unexpected death. What?! How can this be? What happened? These same questions seemed to be in everyones mind as soon as he or she heard the shattering news.

    It is natural even a sign of our love to want to know the particulars of a loved ones death. This longing is prompted by the pain of our loss and by a desire to share with that person, in a sense, his last moments on earth.

    Father Gruner held each of his spiritual clients dearly at heart, treasuring their companionship in his eorts to see Our Lady of Fatima properly obeyed before Her terrible warnings come to pass. Knowing that he considered supporters of Our Ladys Apostolate among his truest friends, we therefore want to

    Some Details of Fathers Passing

    Precious in the Sight of the LordIs the Death of His Saints (Psalm 115:15)

    by James Hanisch

    share with you some of the details of Fathers last day among us, and of his holy death.

    Fathers Last Mass

    Fathers last day was in many ways no dierent from others. He had shown no signs of feeling poorly, and he was able to pursue his routine of prayer and work to the last moment of his life with as much acuity and determination as ever.

    At his Mass that morning in The Fatima Centers chapel, he exhibited the same serene composure of mind and heart as usual. Father Gruner was always profoundly recollected during Mass, and his last Mass was no exception.

    It was Wednesday, April 29th, the feast of St. Peter of Verona a saint whose life exhibited strong parallels to Father Gruners own priestly life and mission. Like Father Gruner, St. Peter of Verona was a widely-traveled preacher

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  • 28 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    who labored against the errors of his day at a time of tremendous confusion in the Church, including widespread errors against the Faith. Also like Father Gruner, he was continuously persecuted and calumniated in spite of his orthodoxy and extraordinary innocence of life. (It is said of St. Peter of Verona that in the entire course of his life, he never committed a mortal sin.)

    This striking similarity in the lives of Father Gruner and Saint Peter of Verona led to an extraordinary coincidence, in that the readings of the day were uncannily appropriate to what would be Fathers last Mass. The Epistle, for instance, was particularly descriptive of Father Gruners own extraordinary service to the Church, and of his own boundless priestly zeal which had enabled him to endure so much persecution and opposition.

    Here is the gospel for that day:I labor [in the Gospel] even

    unto bands, as an evildoer: but the word of God is not bound. Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,

    longsuering, love, patience, persecutions, afflictions, what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me.

    Every Mass an Other-worldly Experience

    Those who have had the opportunity to assist at Father Gruners Mass know well what an other-worldly experience each of his Masses was. Fathers Low Mass would last well more than an hour.

    Oftentimes, from the Oertory onward, Father would stand motionless for long minutes, gazing silently at the Crucifix before him. (The Centers chapel has an almost life-size Spanish-style crucifix which vividly represents Our Lords terrible suerings for our Redemption.) One such time was at the very beginning of the Oertory. While holding up the paten and host before beginning the Oertory prayers, Father would look long and deeply into Our Lords eyes, completely absorbed in His anguished gaze.

    At other times Father would stand looking into the sad eyes of Our Lady of Fatima, Whose statue stands on the Gospel side of the altar. Often, too, as the timeless Sacrifice unfolded on the altar, Fathers eyes would be fixed on

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 29

    Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal re.

    Our Lady to St. Simon Stock

    In the Brown Scapular of Mt.

    Carmel, Our Blessed Mother has given us our best

    protection against evil and the strongest defense against

    the terrible dangers of our times. Countless miracles have been associated with

    wearing the Brown Scapular. Our Lady solemnly promises at the hour of death to

    save any Catholic from Hell who devoutly wears the Scapular.

    Protect yourself. Protect the ones you love.With any size offering to help send this issue of Our

    Ladys Fatima magazine to others around the world, we will send you our special Scapular Kit, containing

    a blessed Brown Scapular of Mt. Carmel and our beautiful 32-page, full color booklet, Fatima! Through the Eyes of a Child, which tells the story of Our Lady of Fatimas 1917 apparitions to three little shepherd children.

    To request your Scapular Kit, see inside back cover for addresses and phone number.

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  • 30 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    the wounds in Our Lords hands or side.

    Fathers own face at such times (visible only to the altar-server) bore the most moving, child-like expression. In the dozen-or-so times in which I myself was privileged to serve Fathers Mass, I often felt like an embarrassed intruder at the most intimate of meetings sometimes even half-convinced that Father was in an ecstasy, in the presence of some Heavenly vision. (But Father always denied ever having had any such gift.)

    An Unhurried Encounter With Our Lord

    Also unique to Fathers Mass was his minutely careful ablutions after Holy Communion. Without exaggeration, this was fully a ten-minute process unhurried, but without any dallying either. With the greatest care, he would gather the Particles of the Blessed Sacrament from the corporal onto his paten, and then meticulously purify his fingers and the altar vessels. Witnessing these ablutions was itself an unforgettable lesson on the awesome truth of Our Lords Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

    Finally, too, there was the accustomed litany of beautiful prayers which Father led aloud after each Mass, in which he

    prayed by name for all of the various intentions which were his daily concern. He besought Heaven specifically for all aspects of the work of Our Ladys Apostolate, as well as for the temporal and spiritual needs of all those associated with The Fatima Center, whether as supporters or even as simply having asked for his prayers.

    Among these prayers after Mass were always the ancient and beautiful novena prayers to St. Joseph and to Our Lady under Her various titles Our Lady of Good Remedy, Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The two Fatima Prayers which Our Lord taught to Sister Lucy were each recited five times:

    Sweet Heart of Mary, be the salvation of Russia and the whole world

    By Thy Pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, obtain for me the conversion of Russia and the whole world.

    In all, it was a fifteen-minute thanksgiving and which, like each of Fathers Masses, was dedicated to the needs and intentions of all those for whom he had promised to pray. (Father never accepted Mass stipends for himself. Each of his Masses was oered for the Apostolates benefactors.)

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 31

    As always, however, there were many other pressing tasks on Fathers list for the day as well.

    It was a day that brought its full share of stresses, especially in regard to the conference preparations since these were now at their zero hour. (Fatima Center sta members would be leaving for Boston early the next morning.) But all in all, the day was no more stressful than most others, and Father seemed no less able to cope with the various pressures of the moment.

    No one seems to have heard Father speak a word of complaint about not feeling well that day. He did appear to be rather tired, as some of the Centers staff members have commented in retrospect. But that was by no means unusual. Father truly drove himself like a slave in Our Ladys service, throughout all hours of the day and night. He was often visibly fatigued, and when questioned about how he was doing, he would sometimes reply nonchalantly, I could have used some more sleep.

    One possible indication of what was coming that evening, as some have recalled, was that Father seemed to feel bothered in his left arm throughout the afternoon. No one least of

    Fathers own silent thanksgiving after Mass generally lasted another ten or fifteen minutes. Whichever sta member was the last to leave the chapel would typically see Father seated near the rear of the chapel, still absorbed in prayer with his eyes fixed on the tabernacle.

    How poignant it would have been for all of those present that day if they had known that this would be the last time they would ever hear Father Gruner pronounce the words of Consecration, bringing Our Blessed Lord down from Heaven onto the altar for them; the last time that they would be fed with the Bread of Life through his gentle, consecrated hands; the last time that they would ever receive his final blessing!

    How poignant and yet consoling it might have been for Father Gruner himself to have known that in a matter of mere hours, he would be meeting Our Blessed Lord again that day, having completed his earthly course!

    At the Office

    Much of that days work at The Fatima Center was focused on the final preparations for the three-day conference which was scheduled to take place during the coming weekend in Boston.

    Continued on page 34

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    p27 CR112 Some Details of Father's Passing - Hanisch.indd 32 04/06/2015 1:14:39 PM

  • ONLY POPE FRANCIS CAN SAVE WASHINGTON!

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    TimeTuesday, Sept 22/15

    Feast of Saint omas of Villanova

    Wednesday, Sept 23/15Saint Padre Pio`s

    Feast Day

    ursday, Sept 24/15Our Lady of Ransom

    7:00 - 8:45am Breakfast time

    7:15 - 8:30am Mass Times

    8:35am Holy Rosary

    Procession to Congress and Pope Francis

    8:55am Announcements

    9:00am Talk Father GrunerVideo speech from Father Gruner introduced by John Vennari

    Christopher FerraraUpdate: e ird Secret Still Silenced10:00am Q&A

    10:30am Break

    10:45am Talk Peter Chojnowskie Miracle of the Sun at Fatima: e Indisputable Historic Fact

    John SalzaHow 8 Popes Failed To Consecrate Russia11:45am Q&A

    12:15am Angelus

    12:20pm Lunch time

    1:45pm Holy Rosary

    2:00pm Talk Suzanne PearsonNew Light on the Consecration of Russia

    Cornelia FerreiraEucharistic Heresies and the Warnings of Fatima

    John VennariMany Marriages Are Not of God; e Unprecedented Assault on Matrimony3:00pm Q&A

    3:30pm Break

    3:45pm Talk Christopher FerraraChurch Law: What Bishop, Priest and Lay Person Can Do and Must Do About Fatima

    His Beatitude Ignatius Youssif III YounanIs World War III Now Starting in the Middle East?

    Dr. David Allen Whitee Links in Our Ladys Rosary from Fatima to Washington, D.C.4:45pm Q&A

    5:15pm Break

    5:30pm Talk John VennariOur Lady Keeps Her Word: A Fatima Miracle of Peace

    Stasia VogelOur Lady of Fatima IS the Answer to the War Against Life

    TBA6:30pm Q&A

    7:00pm Rosary and Mass

    7:45pm Dinner time on your own

    p27 CR112 Some Details of Father's Passing - Hanisch.indd 33 04/06/2015 1:14:40 PM

  • 34 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    all, Father himself gave much attention to this, but it did draw a comment from Fathers personal secretary, Darlene Jackson. Is your arm bothering you today? she asked. No, he answered, still massaging his forearm.

    Later, as the work-day drew toward its end, Darlene oered Father a sympathetic remark in regard to some of the things that had not worked out as fluidly as they had hoped. Father gave her a warm smile and countered playfully, What do you mean? I got a lot done today! They laughed together for the last time, these two close friends, who had worked together for so many years.

    Final Moments

    At about 6:45 p.m., Dan Smith (who was assisting Father as the main coordinator for the weekend conference) was preparing a vehicle for the next days trip to Boston. Having discovered that the cars wiper-fluid level was low, he mentioned to Father that he was on his way to the store. But Father suggested instead, No, dont buy more. Theres a whole gallon in my car. Use it. So Dan went back out to the parking lot to top o the fluid. Then, after loading a few last boxes

    of registration materials for the conference, he went back inside.

    By this time (approaching 7 p.m.), Darlene, Dan, and Kelly, one of the apostolate managers, were the only workers still at the oce with Father. Dan came to return Fathers keys, but he received no answer to his knock. Listening at the door, he heard nothing. Knocking more loudly and calling Fathers name, he still got no response.

    Entering, Dan saw that Father was unconscious. It appeared as though he had collapsed sideways onto a seat his legs were extended, his left hand was still clutching a trash can (which he must have grasped for support), and his back and head were leaning against the side wall.

    Darlene was already calling 911, but as Dan recalled later, there was such composure and peace in Fathers facial expression that he wondered at first if Father might merely be asleep.

    Unable to rouse Father and finding no vital signs, Dan positioned Father on the floor and began trying to resuscitate him. Paramedics arrived almost immediately and took over Dans eorts to save Fathers life. At length, however, they realized that their labors could not prevail.

    Continued from page 31

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 35

    A great grace is received as his father, Malcom kisses his sons blessed hands.

    Father Gruner was ordained on August 22, 1976 on the Feast of The Immaculate Heart.

    Father Gruner gives Holy Communion to his parents Malcolm and Jessie at his first Mass.

    Holy Orders

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  • 36 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    I Promise to Assist at the Moment of Death,

    with All the Graces Necessary for Salvation

    Darlene had also summoned a priest, who came in the greatest haste to anoint Father Gruner. At the arrival of this good priest (who was Fathers long-time friend), everyone immediately made way for him to perform his sacred oce.

    Shouldering his purple stole, and with his Ritual and consecrated oil in hand, he administered the Last Sacrament to Father Gruner: Per istam sanctam Unctionem (Through this holy Unction and His own most tender mercy, may the Lord pardon thee whatever sins or faults thou hast committed.) The holy words of this ancient rite of the Church were repeated with each anointing on Fathers members.

    With visible grief for his dear friend, he then imparted to Father Gruner the Apostolic Blessing at the Hour of Death, and then commended his soul to God: Go forth, O Christian Soul, from this world, in the Name of God the Father Almighty, Who created thee; in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, Who suered for thee; in the Name of the Holy Ghost, Who was poured

    forth upon thee; in the name of the glorious and ever blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

    It was all so sudden and heartbreaking, and yet at the same time it was the very picture of what we as Catholics aspire to all our lives to persevere to the end in the belief and practice of the Faith, and to leave this world cleansed and strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church. Our Lady had amply fulfilled in Her devoted servants regard Her unfailing First-Saturdays promise:

    I promise to assist at the moment of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep Me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, [doing each of these acts] with the intention of making reparation to Me.

    Who could count how many times Father Gruner had made the Five First-Saturdays devotion? All those who confessed to him on a First Saturday know well his zeal for this devotion, as he invariably reminded and assisted them to make a formal intention for that Confession as an act of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 37

    Our Lady, of course, was no less generous and faithful to Father Gruner than he had been toward Her. Father left this world with the full advantage of the prayers and blessing of the Church, having made a recent Confession, having received Holy Communion that day, and with the Sacrament of Extreme Unction at the very hour of his death.

    Our Lady knows well our particular needs in our last hour. While some may require a deathbed-Confession in order to conclude their lives in the state of grace, others can be found prepared and watching for their Lord at any moment. Father Gruner seems to have left this world with the instant readiness of the blessed servant described in the book of Job: Thou shalt call me, and I will answer Thee (14:15).

    Our Lord Himself speaks of such rare souls:

    Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching. (Luke 12:35-37)

    Parting Tears

    Much of The Fatima Centers sta had returned to the oce by now. With the conclusion of these rites of the Church, they then came up one by one to make their individual broken-hearted goodbyes to their beloved leader and friend. For many of these sta members, there was no possibility of restraining their grief.

    Coralie Graham, who had worked with Father Gruner for more than thirty years, commented that the terrible shock and devastation which she felt at the moment was mitigated by two things. The first was seeing that Fathers Brown Scapular had not been removed (remembering Our Lady of Mt. Carmels promise that whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suer eternal fire). The second was the wonderful look of peace on Fathers face.

    You could just see it, she said. The peacefulness on his face was so tangible you couldnt help but see it. And having seen all of the turmoil that he had been put through for so much of his life, I couldnt help but think, God bless you, Father. You finally have the peace that you deserve! It made me feel in my heart that Our Lady had come to take him with Her to a happier and better place, and I was happy for him.

    p27 CR112 Some Details of Father's Passing - Hanisch.indd 37 04/06/2015 1:14:43 PM

  • 38 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Thus can the eyes of faith penetrate the veneer of such tragic appearances.

    Let us draw the curtain here on this sad but precious scene, and commend Fathers soul to God in our own hearts.

    May his so-generous soul, having labored to the point of exhaustion in the service of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary, be quickly admitted into the presence of those same Holy Hearts. Having served Them so faithfully, may he speedily hear the promised words of welcome and praise from Christ our God: Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! Come, ye blessed of My Father! Come, ye champion of My Mother. Yea, come!

    Commendation

    We commend you, dear Father Gruner, to Almighty God, and we entrust you to Him Whose creature you are. Having paid the debt of human nature in surrendering your soul, may you return to your Maker who formed you out of the earth.

    May your spirit be met by the noble company of Angels. May the high court of the Apostles come forward to plead for you. May the victorious army of white-robed martyrs welcome you. May the lily-white throng of glorious confessors surround you. May the joyous choir of virgins escort you. May St. Joseph, the tender patron of the dying, sustain you in high hope. May the holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, turn Her kindly eyes upon you. May Jesus Christ appear before you with a gentle and joyous countenance, and may He appoint a place for you in His presence forever.

    May Christ, the Son of the living God, give you a place in the ever-verdant gardens of His Paradise, and may He, the true Shepherd, own you for one of His fl ock. May he place you at His right hand among His elect. May you see your Redeemer face-to-face, and, standing ever in His presence, may you gaze with delighted eyes on Truth itself made manifest. May you there take your place in the ranks of the blessed, and enjoy the blessed vision of your God forever.

    M a y y o u r s o u l r e s t i n p e a c e w i t h O u r L o r d a n d S a v i o r J e s u s C h r i s t , a n d w i t h O u r B l e s s e d M o t h e r M a r y . I w i l l f o r e v e r b e

    g r a t e f u l f o r y o u r a m a z i n g w o r k a t t h e F a t i m a C e n t e r ! G o d b l e s s y o u , F a t h e r N i c h o l a s G r u n e r ! ...J onathan S

    Fond Memories

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 39

    Father Gruner with Cardinal Renato Martino and Bishop Khoarai (RIP) at our 2011 Consecration Now Conference in Rome.

    In procession at Fatima on May 13th.

    Father Gruner with Father Lizzotti, a close friend for many years.

    Young Father Gruner speaking with Pope Paul VI.

    Spiritual Memories

    p27 CR112 Some Details of Father's Passing - Hanisch.indd 39 04/06/2015 1:14:50 PM

  • 40 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Reviled and Yet Blessed

    by Louie Verrecchio

    Prior to the supposed release of the Third Secret of Fatima in the year 2000, Cardinal Ratzinger said that it contains essentially the same warning that was issued by Our Lady at Akita, Japan, where the Blessed Virgin said:

    The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see Cardinals opposing Cardinals, Bishops against other Bishops. The priests who venerate Me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres. Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises, and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

    Evidence suggesting that we are experiencing these terrible events at this very moment is all around us; e.g., events surrounding the Synod of Bishops on marriage and family, priest

    shortages and dwindling religious orders, the persecution of the Church throughout the world, etc.

    One of the first things that come to my mind when I read these words of Our Lady, however, is Father Nicholas Gruner.

    The priests who venerate Me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres.

    I can think of no other priest in our day who has been attacked more vigorously by his confreres than Father Nicholas Gruner, and this for a crime no more egregious than trusting our Blessed Mother.

    Father Gruner dedicated the greater part of his life to spreading the message of Our Lady of Fatima and encouraging others, including popes, to do the same.

    For this, he was scorned and opposed; ridiculed and mistreated.

    An ordinary man would have succumbed to bitterness and abandoned the mission a long time ago.

    p40 CR112 Reviled and Yet Blessed Verrecchio.indd 40 04/06/2015 3:21:28 PM

  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 41

    Father Nicholas Gruner, however, was no ordinary man. He was living proof that those who are persecuted and reviled for righteousness sake are among the most blessed.

    Those who had the privilege of spending time in his presence could not help but be touched by his gentleness and kindness. The genuine, heartfelt passion with which he spoke of Our Ladys virtues, oftentimes to the point where he struggled to hold back tears, is something that Ill never forget.

    The ignorant and the haughty will likely continue to utter all

    kinds of evil against Father Gruner even in death, and there can be no doubt that their vitriol will only intensify for those of us who attempt to fi ll the void that is left in his passing.

    Let us beg the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking that She implore Her Divine Son to bless those of us who continue to spread the Message of Our Lady of Fatima; bestowing upon us the grace of perseverance that He so generously showered upon Father Gruner.

    Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

    7hank you Ior your valiant ght Ior the truth You have already suIIered your own chastisement Irom the enemies oI 2ur /ord.

    1o need Ior you to stay on earth now and suIIer through any Iurther calamities. Because oI your work many souls will be saved. 0ay 2ur

    /ady welcome you into the loving arms oI +er 'ivine 6on. ...J osep h C

    Praying the 5osary Ior the repose oI your soul dearest )ather Gruner. I pray that the Blessed 9irgin was there to meet you and escort you to 2ur /ord. I think it tting that you not be present to witness the chastisement that is surely coming our way soon. You oI all the IaithIul deserve to be taken to +eaven and be spared. God rest you and may I one day Moin you in +eaven. ...Maria W

    I believe that 2ur /ord has called )ather Gruner home early as a reward Ior his committed work and to spare him the upcoming horrendous and catastrophic suIIerings and chastisement that is going to be poured out upon the world. 7hank you )ather Gruner Ior your instruction and advice and Ior the love and care that you demonstrated to the IaithIul throughout your entire priestly liIe. AIter your departure the world is now a poorer place. ...Mark G

    Fond Memories

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  • 42 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Fond MemoriesF a t h e r N i c h o l a s G r u n e r , w e l o v e y o u s o m u c h . W e w i l l c o n t i n u e w h a t y o u h a v e s t a r t e d . Y o u a r e a l w a y s i n o u r p r a y e r s . ...J ohn C

    A l l t r u e f a i t h f u l C a t h o l i c s , w e n e e d t o l o v e e a c h o t h e r a n d h e l p e a c h o t h e r n o w . W e a r e i n s e r i o u s t r o u b l e . W e n e e d a l o t o f h e l p f r o m H e a v e n . W e n e e d t o s p e n d m o r e t i m e p r a y i n g t h e R o s a r y . W e n e e d t o c o n t i n u e F a t h e r G r u n e r s m i s s i o n u n t i l w e w i n t h e g r e a t v i c t o r y f o r O u r M o t h e r . F a t h e r G r u n e r , L i t t l e S a i n t s J a c i n t a a n d F r a n c i s c o , a n d S i s t e r L u c i a , p l e a s e p r a y f o r u s . ...J osep h S

    T h o s e o f u s w h o w e r e t o u c h e d b y h i m m u s t c o n t i n u e h i s w o r k . I p r a y f o r t h e F a t i m a C e n t e r a n d a l l t h o s e w h o g i v e s o m u c h . M a y G o d i n H i s M e r c y e n a b l e t h e m t o c o n t i n u e w h a t F a t h e r n e v e r g a v e u p o n . ...K ev in and Maria P

    T h a n k y o u F a t h e r G r u n e r f o r a l l y o u r g o o d w o r k . P l e a s e c o n t i n u e t o g u i d e u s a n d y o u r f a t i m a . o r g . ...Leil ani C

    O u r L o r d h a s t a k e n o n e o f o u r l e a d e r s . L e t s a l l f o l l o w F a t h e r G r u n e r s e x a m p l e a n d e n s u r e t h a t h i s w o r k i s c a r r i e d o n f o r t h e g r e a t e r g l o r y o f O u r L o r d a n d t h e R e i g n o f o u r Q u e e n , t h e V i r g i n M a r y . ...Mic hael A

    F a t h e r C o u t u r e s u m m e d e v e r y t h i n g u p p e r f e c t l y w i t h a q u o t e f r o m J o h n 1 2 : 2 4 - 2 5 a t F a t h e r G r u n e r s b u r i a l : U n l e s s t h e g r a i n o f w h e a t f a l l i n g i n t o t h e g r o u n d d i e , i t s e l f r e m a i n e t h a l o n e . B u t i f i t d i e , i t b r i n g e t h f o r t h m u c h f r u i t . I p r a y t h a t F a t h e r G r u n e r w i l l h e l p t o h a v e O u r L a d y o f F a t i m a s r e q u e s t s Iul lled Irom +eaven. ...Moniq ue K

    S a d d e n e d a n d s h o c k e d t o h e a r o f F a t h e r G r u n e r s p a s s i n g ! W e h a v e l o s t a t r u e C a t h o l i c S o l d i e r f o r C h r i s t w h o t r u l y l o v e d t h e B l e s s e d V i r g i n M a r y . T h i s P r i e s t w a s a n e x a m p l e f o r u s o n h o w t o l i v e a n d h o w t o s t a n d u p f o r o u r F a i t h , o u r G o d , a n d w h a t t h e B l e s s e d M o t h e r a s k e d u s t o d o a t F a t i m a . F a t h e r G r u n e r s p e n t h i s l i f e m a k i n g s u r e h e c o n s t a n t l y s p r e a d t h e w o r d a b o u t w h a t O u r B l e s s e d L a d y w a n t e d u s t o d o ! I t i s n o w u p t o U S t o L I S T E N a n d A C T N O W b e f o r e i t i s t o o l a t e , i f i t i s n o t t o o l a t e a l r e a d y ! M a y w e a l l p r a y t h e R O S A R Y c o n s t a n t l y , u n t i l t h e B i s h o p s L I S T E N t o t h e r e q u e s t o f o u r B l e s s e d M o t h e r , t h e M o t h e r o f G O D ! ...Roseann S

    I m i s s y o u s o m u c h , k n o w i n g t h a t y o u a r e n o l o n g e r i n t h i s w o r l d with us. I miss you )ather. )ather Gruner we will keep ghting Ior y o u t o g e t t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n d o n e ! Y o u r w o r k w i l l n o t b e i n v a i n ! P r a y f o r u s F a t h e r ! Y o u a r e i n o u r h e a r t s a n d m e m o r i e s ! W e l o v e y o u ! ...P aul ine R

    p42 CR112 Images - Memories.indd 42 04/06/2015 3:27:04 PM

  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 43

    In Loving Memory

    p42 CR112 Images - Memories.indd 43 04/06/2015 3:27:13 PM

  • 44 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    Tribute to Father Gruner

    Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    by Robert Siscoe

    I have been informed of a great mystery, which aords us consolation in this conflict of the holy Church against her wicked enemies. Namely, on account of this triumph of Most Holy Mary and on account of another, which She gained over the demons after the Ascension of our Lord, the Almighty, in reward of Her battles, decreed, that through Her intercession and virtue all the heresies and sects of the world against the holy Church were to be destroyed and extinguished.

    The time appointed for this blessing was not made known to me; probably, the fulfillment of this decree is dependent upon some tacit and unknown condition ... (Mystical City of God, Venerable Mary of Agreda, Volume II, p. 291)

    The tacit and unknown condition required for the victory of holy Church over her enemies, spoke of by Venerable Mary of Agreda, three and a half centuries

    ago, was announced by our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. It was and is the collegial Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This simple act of obedience by the Pope and Bishops is the Divine remedy for our present crisis of the Church and the world.

    A Tremendous Loss

    On April 29, 2015, the Church Militant suered a tremendous loss with the sudden and unexpected passing of Father Gruner. His tireless eorts in defending and spreading the Faith in the present crisis helped to strengthen, enlighten, and encourage many struggling souls. His unwavering dedication to spreading the Message of Fatima, and calling for the collegial Consecration, in the face of unrelenting attacks, which can only be described as diabolical, was truly heroic. Father will always be remembered as The Fatima Priest.

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  • The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015 45

    Tears of Faith

    Father Gruner would often tear up when speaking of the Message of Fatima, and hardly a dry eye would remain in the large crowds that would come to hear him. He understood so clearly that Fatima holds the solution to the present crisis that he once said to me: Why dont people understand. I dont know what more I can say to make them understand.

    But the fault was not with Father Gruner, nor the Message of Fatima, but with those who refused to believe it. The powers that be had chosen a dierent path for peace: an ecumenical path of false unity and the establishment of a One World Church to bring about a New World Order.

    Scorn of the Modernists

    As a direct result of his dedication to the Message of Fatima, Father Gruner was scorned, ridiculed, and maligned by the modernists in the hierarchy as well as many of the misguided laity. When one considers the vicious attacks, the calumny, and detraction he endured throughout his priesthood, they cannot help but recall the words of Our Lady of Akita: The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres. Many heroic priests have suffered for the

    faith during the post-Conciliar era, but few have endured the degree of ridicule and calumny Father Gruner suered all due to his unwavering devotion to the Message of Fatima. He was a voice crying in the wilderness, and, like the prophets of old, was persecuted for justice sake.

    Unfaltering Perseverance

    Yet in spite of the persecution he endured, Father Gruners success in keeping the Message alive, in the face of powerful forces who were literally hell- bent on burying it, was truly remarkable. He published the quarterly The Fatima Crusader for 37 years, took part in countless radio and television interviews, and produced television shows that aired throughout the world. He sent multiple letters to bishops and priests around the world annually to remind them of Our Ladys promise and keep them abreast of recent developments.

    And his perseverance bore fruit. Bishops from all over the world began to attend his conferences, and in an incredible turn of events, in 2012, Father was invited to speak of the Message of Fatima before the European Union Parliament. The Message even reached the ears of Vladimir Putin, who was so intrigued that he brought it up in his meeting

    p44 CR112 Tribute to Fr Gruner - Siscoe.indd 45 04/06/2015 3:25:12 PM

  • 46 The Fatima Crusader | Summer 2015

    with the Pope. Father Gruner was clearly the instrument chosen by God to keep the true Message of Fatima alive during post-Conciliar crisis.

    In the face of the unrelenting attacks and lying rumors that would have caused others to grow bitter or fall into despair, Father Gruner, worn down by his trials, persevered with his end in view and died with his boots on. At the end of his life, he could say with St. Paul: I have fought a good fi ght, I have fi nished my course,

    I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:7). Father Gruner is a shining example for all those su ering for justices sake during the post-Conciliar era.

    The sudden and unexpected death of Father Gruner was a sad day for the Church Militant, but a precious moment in the eyes of God, for Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalms 15:15). May he rest in peace, and may his life continue to be a shining example and encouragement for us all.

    F a t h e r G r u n e r , y o u a r e t r u l y a h o l y p r i e s t , a D e a r O n e o f O u r B l e s s e d M o t h e r M a r y . P l e a s e p r a y f o r u s d o w n h e r e s t i l l s t r u g g l i n g

    v e r y m u c h . ...J . L.

    S u c h a s h o c k ! B u t t h e L o r d h a s r e l e a s e d h i m f r o m h i s l a b o r s , a n d w h a t a g o o d a n d f a i t h f u l s e r v a n t h e w a s ! H e f o u g h t l o n g a n d h a r d f o r t h e C o n s e c r a t i o n t o b e d o n e . R e s t i n p e a c e , o h g o o d F a t h e r ! Y o u d e s e r v e a r e s t ! P r a y f o r u s . M a y b e t h a t s w h y G o d t o o k y o u . N o w y o u can do more in +eaven than on earth You truly Iought the good ght ...J anic e D

    N o r e s t f o r p o o r F a t h e r G r u n e r . H e n o s o o n e r g e t s t o H e a v e n t h a n w e a l l ( i n c l u d i n g m e ) s t a r t a s k i n g h i s h e l p s o w e c a n h a v e w o r l d p e a c e . B u t I a m s u r e h e i s v e r y h