100th Anniversary of Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima (Wellington)
| FATIMA 2017 |
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2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima. She appeared to three shepherd children each month beginning from 13th May 2017 to 13th October 2017
To mark this occasion, the Centre for Marriage and Family (CMF) has a series of initiatives to promote the centennial event and devotion to the Holy Rosary which formed part of our Lady’s message to achieve peace in the world. Pope John Paul II who attributed the failed assassination attempt on his life (which occurred on the Feast of our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 1981) to the Blessed Virgin Mary said that, “The message of Fatima is more relevant and more urgent today than even when our Lady first appeared.” In truth, when today there is a great persecution of the church as never seen before; increasing immorality; and the threat of World War III hangs like a cloud on the horizon, the Message of Fatima needs to be heard and listened to afresh, for it is the message of the gospel for our times. You are invited to attend the celebration to mark the first apparition this Saturday, 13 May 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 169 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington. There will be a Living Rosary and the Launch of the Visitation of the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima to families to promote devotion to the Holy Rosary. The parish will also be having a Eucharistic celebration together with the St. Francis Xavier school on the 21st of May during the 10:30 am Mass. Everyone is invited! Below is a snippet, the first in a series of snippets, which will be shared every month from May to November (the end of the centenary). The snippets tell the story of Fatima and what we need to do to respond and live the message of Fatima for peace in our families and in the world. FATIMA: The Great Sign “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head”. Rev 12:1
2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. Fatima highlights many central truths and devotions of the Catholic faith: Trinity, Eucharist, penance, the Rosary and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Pope Francis has decided to grant plenary indulgence in 3 ways throughout the anniversary year:
“Jesus wishes to establish devotion to my Immaculate Heart in the world, I promise salvation to those who embrace it.”
In Christ, Patricia Alfonso-Sison |
