M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Has your parish experienced a “visit”, as yet, from the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima? Last night our parish experienced this and as I gazed upon the statue of Our Lady, I was blessed by realizing again and more deeply what a gift Mary is, and how beautiful!
From 6 to 7 PM, we had a full hour of silent veneration, which was like “water in the desert” of our noisy world. The 2 “custodians” (men who travel with the statue), took turns with our parish Knights of Columbus as an Honor Guard on either side of the statue facing her. They stood two at a time, with a “change of the guard”, about every 15 or 20 minutes.
The statue was on the altar step to the side of the main altar, placed on a small table with flowers. A box was there for petitions. Parishioners came before the statue to stand or kneel and pray – sometimes singly or a few together. The Church was only dimly lit for the entire hour with a soft spotlight on the statue. A tape in the choir loft played sacred music also very softly so as not to be a distraction. It was very reverent, and prayerful.
At 7 PM, Holy Mass began with traditional Marian Hymns. The Opening Prayer and Readings were from the Mass of the Immaculate Conception; First Reading from Genesis 3:15 and Second Reading from Ephesians 1: 3- 9. The Gospel was from Luke’s Annunciation Scene in chapter 1. Father’s homily centered on the Immaculate Heart of Mary, speaking of her Apparitions and the Three Secrets of Fatima. He spoke of Pope St. John Paul II and read parts of the Theological Commentary on the Third Secret, requested by JPII and written by then Cardinal Ratzinger, (now Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI).
Mass was followed by a talk by the custodians, and the Rosary prayed together in Church. If you would like to read more about the statue see HERE
Has your parish experienced a “visit”, as yet, from the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima? Last night our parish experienced this and as I gazed upon the statue of Our Lady, I was blessed by realizing again and more deeply what a gift Mary is, and how beautiful!
From 6 to 7 PM, we had a full hour of silent veneration, which was like “water in the desert” of our noisy world. The 2 “custodians” (men who travel with the statue), took turns with our parish Knights of Columbus as an Honor Guard on either side of the statue facing her. They stood two at a time, with a “change of the guard”, about every 15 or 20 minutes.
The statue was on the altar step to the side of the main altar, placed on a small table with flowers. A box was there for petitions. Parishioners came before the statue to stand or kneel and pray – sometimes singly or a few together. The Church was only dimly lit for the entire hour with a soft spotlight on the statue. A tape in the choir loft played sacred music also very softly so as not to be a distraction. It was very reverent, and prayerful.
At 7 PM, Holy Mass began with traditional Marian Hymns. The Opening Prayer and Readings were from the Mass of the Immaculate Conception; First Reading from Genesis 3:15 and Second Reading from Ephesians 1: 3- 9. The Gospel was from Luke’s Annunciation Scene in chapter 1. Father’s homily centered on the Immaculate Heart of Mary, speaking of her Apparitions and the Three Secrets of Fatima. He spoke of Pope St. John Paul II and read parts of the Theological Commentary on the Third Secret, requested by JPII and written by then Cardinal Ratzinger, (now Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI).
Mass was followed by a talk by the custodians, and the Rosary prayed together in Church. If you would like to read more about the statue see HERE