The secular road leads only to worldly goals not to eternal life. When faith is snuffed out, these eternal goals are removed. The person never seeks life after death. They only vaguely perceive heaven and do not make it their goal.

They veer off, enticed by what is here and now. They remember only vaguely the voice of God, their eyes turned to the glitter and their ears attuned to the new sounds arising from earth. They give themselves to “buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage” as Jesus said, while rejecting His words that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The problem is not what they find in a secularized society, but what they do not find. They never discover the pearl of a great price or the treasure hidden in the field. They are found asleep when the bridegroom comes. Not allowing their soul to be bathed in eternal light, they grasp for earth and are filled with what passes away. They have no room for the treasures of heaven. Worldly wealth cannot buy you eternal life? You must seek treasures that the thief of death cannot steal from you.

I came to Fatima to save the world from the great destructions of the 20th century, but, more important, I came to save millions from eternal fires. The same two issues are still on the table, only to a much greater degree in this 21st century. The secular world is like dry wood, an easy target for the demonic fires, which not only destroy the body but, even worse, cast the soul into eternal death.

I did not hold back these truths. At Fatima, I showed the three children the souls in hell. Hell is a word that the secular world does not want to hear but it has to be spoken. Let no one say that the secular world is neutral. It destroys faith, blinds people to the road to eternal life, steals Jesus’ power to grant eternal happiness, and leads to eternal death.