One Hundred and Four years of Fatima
It is well known that devotion to the Virgin of Fatima is among those most widely promoted by the Heralds of the Gospel. Accordingly, May 13 could not pass by without special celebrations in the countries where they operate, primarily with a view to offering an act of reparation. In fact, if the world is currently in the throes of multiple crises, it is in consequence of having rejected Our Lady’s words and disregarded her counsels.
What will the Blessed Virgin Mary say to her children?
In 1917, She warned of the coming of wars and revolutions; however, humanity ignored the means prescribed to avoid these cataclysms, such as the praying of the Rosary and the Communion of Reparation during five consecutive first Saturdays…
In addition to giving these cautions, the Blessed Virgin promised that She would return. Therefore, Our Lady will visit the world again! When this happens, how will She find us? Will we number among those children who rejected their Mother’s requests? God grant that She may find us with our “lamps lit” (cf. Mt 25:1-13), as loving and vigilant children!
However, we must concern ourselves not only with our own personal conduct but also with the actions of all men.
Many, instead of eagerly awaiting the return of Her who is able to deliver them from peril, lead lawless and immoral lives. They are ungrateful and unworthy sons, who scorn Our Lady’s maternal love and advice. What will She have to say to such children?
Let us do everything possible, therefore, to belong to the other category, that of children who truly deserve the name, and who eagerly await their Mother’s return and the implantation of her Reign.
Ecclesiastical authorities
In Spain, Masses in honour of Our Lady of Fatima were celebrated in the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, presided over by Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, and in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Gijon, Asturias, presided over by the Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes , OFM, of Oviedo. In Italy, the ceremony took place in the Parish of Sts. Anthony and Aniballe di Francia, where Auxiliary Bishop of Rome Dario Gervasi crowned the Pilgrim Statue on behalf of all.
In the Americas, Bishop Victor Emilio Masalle Pere, Prelate of Baní, Dominican Republic, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration held in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. In Paraguay, the ceremony held at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Ypacarai, was presided over by the most Rev. Ricardo Jorge Valenzuela Ríos, Bishop of Caacupé.
Below, photos of some of these ceremonies. ◊
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Dominican Republic – The Marian Missions have continued in this country (photo 1). At Good Shepherd Parish, a group of students from Follow Me Elementary School (photo 2) received their First Communion from the hand of the same Herald priest who oversaw their preparation. And in Our Lady of the Evangelization Parish, thirty-seven youths who had completed their catechesis in the house of the Heralds of the Gospel received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Auxiliary Bishop of Santo Domingo Faustino Burgos Brisman, CM, (photo 3), during a Mass he celebrated on May 22.
Mozambique – In May, Auxiliary Bishop of Maputo and Apostolic Administrator of Pemba, most Rev. António Juliasse Ferreira Sandramo, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a group of young people during a Holy Mass which he celebrated in the Heralds of the Gospel’s house in Maputo.
Campo Grande (Brazil) – Metropolitan Archbishop Dimas Lara Barbosa invited the choir and musical ensemble of the Heralds of the Gospel in May to solemnize the opening of the Catholic Education Convention with liturgical hymns and various musical selections.
Guatemala – Carried by the feminine sector of the Heralds of the Gospel, the Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary visited the City Hall of Guatemala City on May 13, and were received by members of the Municipal Police force in formation (photo 3). The mayor, Ricardo Quiñónez Lemus, crowned the statue together with his wife (photo 1) and placed his own municipal emblem into Our Lady’s hands. The statue then proceeded to visit the offices on the seven floors of the building, including the sector of transportation, where Our Lady was warmly received by the director of EMETRA, Jorge Palacios (photo 2).
Nova Friburgo (Brazil) – On May 14, the Oratory of Our Lady of Fatima, located at the house of the Heralds of the Gospel in Nova Friburgo, inaugurated its church bells (photo 1). The event was presided over by Diocesan Bishop Luiz Antônio Lopes Ricci, who blessed the bells and celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving (photos 2 and 3).
Ponta Grossa (Brazil) – The presence of the Heralds was solicited for the Easter Celebration for the Military, held on May 26, in St. Anne’s Cathedral. Diocesan Bishop Sérgio Arthur Braschi, (photo 1), presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. And, during Nurses Week, Herald missionaries visited the University Maternity and Neonatal Hospital (photo 2).
