Director: Fr. Virgílio Antunes * Proprietor: Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima (Portugal) * Quarterly publication * Year VI * Nr. 23 * 2009/11/13

Pope Benedict XVI Visits Fatima in 2010 Like Jacinta, pontiffs, Benedict XVI is the one who more we pray and delved into the core of the message of Fa- tima and better interpreted it for our times. make sacrifi ces The better article on Fatima is the theologi- cal commentary made by him on the Third The love of the Pope is part of the Part of the Secret of Fatima, in 2000”. message of Fatima because it is part of In early October, during the meeting the Catholic tradition of the Church. of the Permanent Council of the Bishops To speak about loving the Pope is Conference of Portugal, held in Fatima, the much more than to say that he is the bishops of Portugal wrote a Pastoral Note Successor of Peter or the visible sign on the “Visit of the Pope to Portugal”. of the Church’s unity. It is, indeed, a In this document, they thank again the doctrinal matter, but also a question of Pope for having accepted the invitation they affection, of the heart. had sent him and reiterated the main inten- Our devotion to the Holy Father tion to be placed on welcoming the Pope: manifests an attitude of love for the “The visible communion with the Successor Church, a real and personal friendship of Peter, physically present in our midst, towards all the members of the Church, will again be an occasion for the spontane- beginning with the one who received ous expression of that love for his person, the mission of confi rming his brothers September 24, 2009, was the date of his magisterium, his universal service and in the faith. It is a love not only of the great announcement: the Holy Father his fi delity to the Church”. words, but one made real and visible in the love of the brothers and specially is visiting Fatima in May 2010. His visit The document goes on to say: The visit has the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima as its of that brother, who takes upon himself of the Holy Father intends also to encour- the greatness and weakness of all the main destination; there Benedict XVI will age the constant and generous commitment preside over the Anniversary Pilgrimage of others. to the work of evangelization, by helping During the centennial of the birth May 12/13. the faithful to go beyond a mere tradition- of Blessed Jacinta in 2010, it is a great The news that Benedict XVI had accept- al religiosity and embrace a mature and grace to be able to welcome the Holy ed the invitation, made by the Bishops Con- thoughtful faith, capable of a courageous Father to the Shrine of Cova da Iria. ference of Portugal and by the Presidency testimony both in private and in public; a And it is a happy coincidence, above of the Republic of Portugal, was welcomed, faith capable of facing the challenges of all because Jacinta was, from amongst throughout the country, with much jubila- secularism and doctrinal and moral rela- the three Little Shepherds, the most tion. tivism, so typical of our times and of which devoted to the Pope. She used to make In a press release, the Bishops Confer- Pope Benedict reminds us so often”. sacrifi ces for him, for him she suffered ence of Portugal manifested “joy for this At the time of the announcement, it was and was ready to give her life. Like the visit of the Holy Father to Portugal” and added that the schedule of events during good child of God that she was, she emphasized that “the love of Portuguese the visit of Benedict XVI to Portugal would always showed her love for her Church, Catholics for the Successor of Peter is a key only be divulged later on, perhaps at the specially poor sinners, the ones in most element of our Catholic tradition and of our end of November 2009, at the time of the need of the mercy of God and of the fi delity to the Church”. Plenary Assembly of the Bishops Confer- solidarity and help of men. On that same day, at Fatima, the Bish- ence of Portugal, to be held also at Fatima. Her kind lamentation ‘Poor Holy op of Leiria-Fatima and the Rector of the A few days later, during October’s An- Father!’ expresses well a devotion, a Shrine of Fatima were unanimous in mak- niversary Pilgrimage, on 12/13, again the love and a compassion that move us. ing public, immediately, the “joy” they Catholic Church in Portugal, through her Amidst so many divisions, ideologies and expectations, we need to return felt on hearing this news and prayed to Pastors and also through the voices of the to a personal attitude of love and God “that, through this pontifi cal trip, the faithful, manifested publicly the great love compassion for all members of the Church in Portugal and the world may be and fi lial connection with Benedict XVI strengthened in the faith”. Church, beginning with the Holy (See pag.2). Father. The media reported the various reac- Therefore, the Country will welcome With Jacinta, we rejoice with the tions to the announcement and so this pa- His Holiness Benedict XVI, in May 2010, coming of the Holy Father and promise pal visit to Portugal ended up marking the with joy and hope and as a great gift from to pray and sacrifi ce for him who is the news services of the day and of the follow- God to Portugal, 93 years after the fi rst fi gure of Christ and sign of unity for all ing days. apparition of Our Lady at Fatima and ten Christians. At the time, several voices were heard years after the beatifi cation of Francisco Fr. Virgílio Antunes, echoing the words of Bishop António and Jacinta Marto. Rector of the Shrine of Fatima Marto, of Leiria-Fatima: “Amongst all the LeopolDina Simões 2 2009/11/13 We want to welcome the Holy Father with fi lial affection Special rubber-stamp Due to the fact that the Apostolic Nun- While he was uttering these short cio in Portugal, Most Rev. Rino Passigato, words, the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima was, to mark the passage was in Fatima taking part in the celebra- more than once, interrupted by the ap- tions of October 12/13, where he concele- plause of the pilgrims, who thus wanted to brated, the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, at the show their agreement with his message. through Fatima of the end of Mass, decided to send, through this It is estimated that about 140,000 pil- representative of the Pope in Portugal, a grims took part in this Mass presided over Pilgrims of Santiago message of appreciation to His Holiness by the Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence Benedict XVI. José Cardinal Policarpo, and concelebrat- “Friends, we have just celebrated the ed by the Apostolic Nuncio, 11 Bishops last great anniversary pilgrimage this year and 355 Priests. in Fatima. The fi rst anniversary pilgrim- According to information from the De- age next year will be in May, which will partment of Pilgrim Service, 113 organ- be presided over by our beloved Holy ized groups from 25 countries signed up Father Benedict XVI. I want to send, on for the morning celebrations of October behalf of all of you, a message to the 13, held at the Prayer Area of the Shrine Holy Father, through his Apostolic Nun- of Fatima. 205 pilgrims received, at the cio, who is here with us and whose pres- end of Mass, the Blessing of the Sick. ence I thank him for, to let him know of During the whole pilgrimage of Oc- our great joy and heartfelt gratitude for tober 12/13, 262 people were attended the gift of his coming visit and also to tell at the First Aid Station and 336 used the the successor of Peter – who is coming to Foot-Wash Service. visit us and confi rm the brothers in faith It is estimated still that 8,000 pilgrims - that we want to welcome him with joy, arrived on foot to take part in this pilgrim- enthusiasm, our presence and fi lial affec- age. tion”, he said. LeopolDina Simões For a while now, pilgrims who walk the Way of Santiago, on their way to Santiago de Compostela, try to pass through Fatima, where Berlin Wall torn down 20 years ago they ask the Department of Pilgrim Services of the Shrine of Fatima to On November 9, 1989, the wall dividing Berlin in two zones began being torn down. prove their presence at this Mar- Its construction had been ordered by the authorities of the Eastern sector of the city and ian Shrine by rubber-stamping their began on August 12/13, 1961. After the tearing down began, some fragments of the ‘Passport of the Santiago Pilgrim’. “iron curtain” found their way to the Shrine of Fatima, some of which are in exhibition The Shrine, which has always, at two different sites. from the beginning, responded Next to the eastern entrance to the Prayer Area of the Shrine there is a large piece of positively to this request by using a the Berlin Wall, transformed into a great monument. It weighs 2600 kilograms and it is generic rubber-stamp of the institu- 3.6 meters high and 1.2 meters wide. tion, has developed a specifi c rub- It was acquired, by subscription, by a group of Portuguese people, headed by Virgílio ber-stamp for that purpose, which Casimiro, Portuguese emigrant residing in Germany, and arrived at the Shrine with the was designed by Fr. Ángel Ramírez, support of the Consulate General of Portugal in Frankfurt, on March 5, 1991, around who is currently the Chaplain of the 18h00. Shrine of Fatima in charge of wel- The Berlin Wall Monument of Fatima, symbol of the reunifi cation of Germany, was coming the Spanish-speaking pil- inaugurated on August 13, 1994. grims. In showcase #19 of the permanent exhibition of the Shrine of Fatima called ‘Fátima The rubber-stamp represents the Luz e Paz’, at the Rectory Building, there are also several small concrete pieces from Shrine of Fatima by means of an im- the Berlin Wall. age of one of the apparitions of Our In this case, though, the small fragments were made into the beads of a rosary that Lady to the three Little Shepherds, the same emigrant wanted to donate to Holy Father John Paul II, when he visited Fatima the seers of Fatima, and the Shrine on May 13, 1991. of Compostela in the shape of a This rosary is still peculiar, for it has shell, symbol of the pilgrim walk- the fi ve Glory be’s representing the fi ve ing the Way of Santiago. new States of the reunifi ed Germany, At the time of the presentation which were made with stone pieces taken of this initiative to the media, dur- from the Government Houses of each one ing the October 12/13 Pilgrimage, of those states, donated by the respective the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima, presidents. Fr. Virgílio Antunes, explained that Msgr. Luciano Guerra, then Rector of this rubber-stamp “is a very simple the Shrine of Fatima, having in mind the thing, but intends to establish, in a signifi cance of this rosary, related to the more visible way, this connection message of Fatima, suggested that it stay between Fatima and Santiago de at the Shrine, where it is a memorial to the Compostela”. events which many say have a lot to do with the second part of the Secret of Fatima. 2009/11/13 3 “Share with joy, like Jacinta”

Besides the preparation, in a fes- quality. She is that child who is al- tive atmosphere, of the visit of Holy ways available for God and for oth- Father Benedict XVI, which will co- ers, namely, in the practice of sac- incide with the tenth anniversary of rifi ces, in prayer and in almsgiving. the beatifi cation of seers Francisco We think that, with that key phrase and Jacinta Marto (May 13, 2000), in mind, we can make a refl ection, a the Shrine of Fatima also marks, in catechesis, which would, at different 2010, the Birth Centennial of Jacinta levels, appeal to sharing, to love of Marto. That announcement was made neighbor, to generosity, solidarity, by the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima amongst other things”. during the anniversary pilgrimage of In the context of the celebration October: of this Centennial, there will held in “In 2010 we will try to establish, June – on a date and with a program in continuation with previous years, still to be announced - a congress that a connection between the Tenth will start off with the life and testi- Commandment- Thou shall not cov- mony of Jacinta Marto. Also, during et the goods of thy neighbor – and the annual Children’s Pilgrimage, on the celebration of the Birth Centen- June 9/10, the little seer of Fatima nial of Blessed Jacinta. We have will be the inspiring fi gure. sought a positive formulation for a Also, in this concrete context of theme which could help us to pro- the commitment of the Shrine of Fa- pose something based on Scripture tima to the children and youth pasto- or on the Catechism of the Catho- ral ministry, the institution plans to lic Church, and which could, at the organize on the third Saturday of the same time, capture a fundamental month, from December 2009 on, a facet of the life of Jacinta Marto. We program specially addressed to chil- came up with the key phrase, or slo- dren, marked by times of prayer and gan, “Share with joy, like Jacinta”. catechesis. In fact, Jacinta Marto possesses this LeopolDina Simões Francisco Marto, the child hero

From childhood, I am used to From a geographical point of view, I always link Fran- admire and, I can say it, contem- cisco to Valinhos Hill and, to be more precise, to the zone plate the fi gure of that innocent of ‘Loca do Cabeço’ : the green vegetation in the Spring, a child with a human and spiritual certain dryness in full Summer, the brute force of the rocky profi le that meant and still means formations, the mild sound of the breeze, the silence only a lot to me. broken by the singing of the birds or the murmurs of na- I always recall with emotion the ture. fi rst instances when his name was There it is the place for silence, contem- mentioned in elementary school plation, interior joy, the mystery and in catechism, in the parish. My of nature, humanity and God. visits and pilgrimages, on foot and It is, therefore, the place of in an environment of prayer and Francisco, who gathers in silence, to Aljustrel, Valinhos and, himself all that is very well most of all, to ‘Loca do Cabeço’ defi ned and unifi ed by the rea- lity of God. His expression (hilltop grotto) marked me a lot. “Oh, how is God!” is the unmis- From a personal point of view, takable mark of that child, that I’ve always somehow perceived place and that experience. that Francisco was a model, a hero, Together with Jacinta, Francis- with which I would like to identi- co is an immense treasure of every fy, during my childhood. I have an good thing created by God, most image of him as being very happy, of all, in his tenderness and in silent and reserved, otherwise as it his love for God and all men. was characteristic of the boys of the sierra. Fr. Virgílio Antunes 4 2009/11/13 Puerto Rico studies the message of Fatima

Marto “The Beauty of the Trinitarian Face of God in the Message of Fatima”. He also carried a message, in which Bishop António, referring to the newly-built shrine, consid- ers it sort of a prolongation “in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Isles, of the echo of the private message Our Lady brought for all mankind, to be spread from Fatima”. Personally, I was impressed by the great devotion of the people to Our Lady of Fati- ma in all the places I visited, and by the en- thusiasm they showed. Every day there was the prayer of the Rosary and, whenever we traveled by bus, the Statue of Our Lady ac- companied us. As we left, a procession was also organized to accompany us to the place of the meeting or celebration. The people ea- The living and the spread of the message ceed one thousand people, held at a local gerly received the commentaries on the mes- of Fatima is a precious contribution to the Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, sage of the Heavenly Messenger and shared new evangelization, for the Virgin Mary has where we fi nd a replica of the Little Cha- with others what was done in their countries shown to men Her Immaculate Heart as the pel of Apparitions. There was held the last for the spread of the message of Our Lady refuge and way to God and has given us the conference and celebrated the concluding and for the fulfi llment of Her requests. Little Shepherds as living testimonies of the Mass. In some of the activities were pres- The World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue power of His grace. This is the main con- ent the Apostolic Nuncio and the Bishops Army) is a public association of Catholic clusion of the I Congress for Latin America of the Dioceses of Ponces and Mayaguez. faithful founded in 1947 under the name of and the Caribbean Isles, which the World In San Germán, Mayaguez, was built a di- Blue Army, which is dedicated to the spread- Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army) held in ocesan shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the ing of the Message of Our Lady of Fatima. the Island of Puerto Rico, on August 26 thru Rosary of Fatima, in the parish of Saint Rose It has been recognized by the Holy See and 31, 2009. of Lima. its international headquarters are at Domus This Congress gathered representatives The Shrine of Fatima (Portugal) and the Pacis, Fatima, Portugal. It is present in more from several countries and was held in more Bishop of Leiria-Fatima were represented than 100 countries. than one venue, with sessions for the about by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lei- 120 participants and activities and celebra- ria-Fatima, who gave two conferences, one Fr. Jorge Guarda, Vicar General of the tions for a larger public, which came to ex- of them being the text of Bishop António Diocese of Leiria-Fátima

Our Lady of Fatima in the hearts of catholics of South Korea

The city of Pusan, of Christian families in South Korea, hosted, on Asia. Nuno Prazeres and September 10 thru 13, Ana Reis shared with the the II Asian Regional participants the memory Congress of the World of their relatives, who Apostolate of Fatima, had been directly in- entitled The Message of volved in the Appari- Fatima and the Chris- tions, calling for the tian Family. The event families to become true was attended by more prayer cells, following than 100 delegates from the example of Fatima’s India, Philippines and little shepherds. South Korea. The inter- The World Apos- national president of the tolate of Fatima was es- movement, Prof. Améri- tablished in South Korea co Lopéz-Ortiz and the in 1964, thanks to Msgr. international secretariat, Anton Trauner, a Ger- Nuno Prazeres and Ana man missionary. Nowa- Reis, from Fatima, also days, there are more participated. than one hundred thou- The meeting was pre- sand members. These ceded by a retreat which gathered more farewell to the Blessed Virgin Mary, wav- apostles of Our Lady in the Far East have than 2500 people around the statue of Our ing white handkerchiefs and singing the contributed a great deal for the spread of Lady of Fatima, a clear sign of the pro- hymn “Ave of Fatima”. the Fatima Message. found Marian devotion of South Korean During the congress, the various con- Nuno Prazeres and Ana Reis Catholics, who are only 10% of the coun- ferences emphasised aspects of the Fatima International Secretariat of the World try’s population. In the end, the crowd said Message that can better illuminate the life Apostolate of Fatima 2009/11/13 5 Angola at the feet of Mary Devotion to our Lady of Fatima in America

The devotion of the people of Angola reminiscent of past centuries. Simple The little chapel of Our Lady of Fatima to Our Lady keeps on growing. There and good people who don’t spare efforts in Hudson, Massachusetts, in the United isn’t a place, large or small, that doesn’t to praise God and venerate His Mother States of America, celebrated, on October venerate Our Lady of Fatima, but the Mary. 17/18, its 70th anniversary. The Portuguese great annual pilgrimage is the one to the An improvised large camp serves residing there have never stopped celebrat- Shrine of Muxima (meaning heart). as lodging, the great river supplies the ing the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and are On September 4 thru 6, more than a fresh air the place and the people need, intent on continuing to faithfully perpetuate hundred thousand pilgrims traveled to the statue of the Virgin gathers the peo- this devotion of their ancestors. the margins of the Kwanza River, close ple to sing, pray and praise, in a humble, There was Mass in the parish church, to a small church and a small fortress but simple and beautiful manner. Holy followed by the Rosary and Procession. The people take part, praying and singing while Mass, Rosary and candlelight procession walking through the streets. Passersby stop – clearly a Fatima inspiration – create, to admire the serious and convincing atti- together with rhythmic and enthusiastic tude of the foreign community, which has hymns sung by the crowd, an unforget- its own way of manifesting the faith. table environment. Amidst a secularized world, where signs Muxima is going to be a great Marian of Christian faith are missing, the public shrine in Angola as well as in Africa. A manifestations recall other dimensions of large church is being planned, as well as life and open doors to the new evangeliza- an esplanade, that might receive the thou- tion. Mary continues to be the Star of the sands of pilgrims. Muxima is going to New Evangelization and many Portuguese play a large role in the building of peace people, within and without the borders in that Continent, for Mary will also be of the country, accept the challenge of there the longed for Star of Peace. working with Her.

Fr. Virgílio Antunes Fr. Virgílio Antunes Our Lady of Fatima in Concesio, Italy The Pilgrim Statue of Fatima, during the was welcomed by Bishop Olmi; then on to a week earlier returned to the roofs of Sto- national itinerary for the commemoration of the Parish of Pieve, where it stayed two days chetta, where they might have found peace. the 50th anniversary of the consecration of and was venerated as ‘Help of Christians’ Finally Our Lady returned, by helicopter, Italy to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was, and ‘Mother of the Church’. to the skies. This Week was marked by the on October 4 thru 11, at the parish com- Very moving was the Mass for the sick great faith and prayer of the people, many munities of Concesio, hometown of Pope and the elderly. Continuing on in proces- confessions, wide participation and prayer Paul VI. sion, the Statue reached the Parish of Costo- throughout the processions. Dozens of vol- Fr. Pietro Minelli, former missionary of rio, where it was venerated as ‘Queen of the unteers worked on tirelessly. Everyone par- Mozambique and now pastor of St. Andrews, Family’ and ‘Queen of Apostles’ , and where ticipated actively, including the pastors of who already in Africa had experienced the it stayed another two days. Many of the faith- the different parishes, who were one in the power of Marian devotion, planned this ful joined the Vicar General, Msgr. Mascher, celebrations, in the planning and in the re- Marian Week. He was joined by Fr. Gian- and welcomed the Virgin in St. Vigilio. fl ections. luca Gerbino, pastor of Costorio. He was The Statue of Our Lady then returned, on Our people still needs sensible signs; our also joined with joy by the parishioners of the following Sunday, to Stocchetta, where religion, which proclaims the Incarnation of St. Vigilio, who wanted to ask Our Lady for about three thousand people took part in the God, is partly made up of signs which touch a new pastor. He was also joined by Fr. Dino celebration presided over by Archbishop Ve- the whole man. Osio, who at fi rst showed some reluctance, lasio de Paolis, President of the Prefecture Seeing the great number of people in the but who, in the end, showed more emotion for economic affairs of the Holy See, and procession, Fr. Clemente Dotti exclaimed: ‘It and surprise. Another invitee was Fr. Mario where the four pastors accompanying the is really true: Our Lady calls us and presents Toffari, pastor of Stocchetta and chaplain of Statue consecrated to the Immaculate Heart to us Her Son. She calls us and we respond to the immigrant community. of Mary the parishes of Concesio. Still dur- Her call, by saying: ‘Here we are!’ The statue of Our Lady arrived by heli- ing the consecration, two of the doves freed Fr. Mario Toffari copter on Sunday, Oc- tober 4, at the football fi eld of the Parish of Stocchetta, accompanied by Fr. Clemente Dotti, priest living at the Shrine of Fatima, Portugal, for the past twenty years. It was he who animated the whole week with com- petence, enthusiasm and patience. The Statue traveled in procession to the Parish of St. Andrews, where it 6 2009/11/13 Congregation ‘Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima’, Bahia, Brazil

founder and some pho- through city after city, farm after farm, tos taken on that happy through the entire Diocese, and had noticed day when we received how the people suffered and how pressing the Diocesan Bishop of was the need for a prompt and realistic so- Bom Jesus da Lapa, the lution. Most Rev. José Valmor On December 12, 1954, in Santana, this César Texera, a photo- Bishop, Fr. Félix, pastor of Santana and copy of the decree of director of the ‘Educandário Diocesano Erection of Canonical Sant’ana’ (Diocesan Educational Institution Law, which was prom- of Saint Anne), and Frei Paulo Bus, a Dutch ulgated on May 27, Carmelite, at the time pastor of Correntina, 2009. got together. They talked about their plans The Solemn Mass, and, by coincidence, they all had the same during which we re- thought: to found a congregation with girls ceived the Decree, was from the region. celebrated in the Chapel They all agreed to leave the materializa- of Our Lady of Fatima, tion of their dream to Bishop Muniz, who Through an e-mail message addressed to a semi-public oratory belonging to Our doesn’t lose time. He soon fi nds four girls the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima in Por- Congregation. willing to become sisters. And, thus, on tugal, we were able to know better the reli- This week, we received from two return- March 19, 1955, Solemnity of St. Joseph, gious sisters of the congregation ‘Daugh- ing religious sisters, who had traveled to the congregation is born. The name he goes ters of Our Lady of Fatima’, founded in Fatima, as pilgrims, and had stayed there and picks it from amongst the many titles of Brazil. in May thru July of 2008, the statues 35cm Our Lady. Thus ‘Daughters of Our Lady We publish below the message of greet- high of the three Little Shepherds, made in of Fatima’. ings sent by Sister Maria do Carmo Vicente acrylic. They are beautiful! (…) Bishop Muniz had accompanied the Pil- and give you a little of the history of the Please pray for us! We promise to pray grim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, brought congregation’s foundation, based on the for you!” from Portugal, throughout his entire Dio- ‘Book of Records of 1980’, sent to us by the cese and had seen the wonders and graces same Sister, in June of this year. History: ‘Daughters witnessed at the passage of the holy statue. of our Lady of Fatima’ The purpose of the congregation is to Greetings In the Far West of the State of Bahia, collaborate with priests in the evangeliza- “We received, some time ago, the news- along the São Francisco River, is the Dio- tion of the people and run, preferably, par- letter ‘Fátima Luz e Paz’, at the following cese of Barra do Rio Grande. Some years ishes without a priest; to promote the liv- address: Santana – Bahia –Brazil. It is with ago this was a vast territory full of prob- ing of the messages of Our Lady given at great joy that we would like the Rector and lems. Fatima, through a Marian devotion well everyone working for that publication to Bishop João Muniz, C.SS.R., arrived in understood; to dedicate their lives to works know a little about us. December 1942 and tried, at the time of his and initiatives which intend to protect hu- Therefore, we are sending to you a brief pastoral visits, to fi nd a place to take care man life from conception to natural death; history of our group, the picture of the of the problems of the people. He had gone and to promote a mature Christian life. Echo of Message of Fatima in Sicily, Italy

The day of the Solemnity of the Sacred which preceded the ecclesial event of that Heart of Jesus, in the small community of day. It all began when the Good Lord, Who Birgi, saw an important event take place. A has His own designs, made ripen in the former wine cellar became a Shrine on that heart of a person the desire to do something day. (for Him). Afterwards, circumstances and For several years now, the place was the the encounter with other people led that destiny of numerous pilgrims, who felt at- person to see things more clearly. The Good tracted to the Message of Fatima. Lord made a lot of hearts see the possibil- But let us try to understand the signifi - ity of making that desire come true. A lot cance of this action, which coincided exact- of faithful from the local church and others, ly with the 20th anniversary of the presence throughout the years, came in ever increas- of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of ing numbers to pray at the feet of Mary. Mary in this part of the country. The Work What was done here is nothing else than of Our Lady of Fatima of Birgi is present the dedication of a place to Our Lord Jesus in the western tip of Sicily, between the cit- Christ in honor of the Virgin Mary, where ies of Trapani and Mazara, in the territory of they can express their affection for Her. the ancient Diocese of Mazara del Vallo. The permanent celebrations at the Shrine The Most Rev. Domenico Mogavero, are: Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sac- Bishop of the Diocese, presided over the rament, Marian procession, the practice of tima, intends to become a center of spiritu- ceremonies; but present were also the Min- the First Saturdays of the Month and the ality at the service of everyone, a small echo ister General of the Institute Father Eugenio 13th of the month May thru October, togeth- of Fatima in this part of Italy. Pozzoli, numerous Religious and Diocesan er with the spirit of reparation and penance Brothers, as well as about a hundred of faith- requested by Our Lady at Fatima. Loredana Giacalone ful who came to be present at the event. This Work, which administers the shrine Religious belonging to the Movement of the Let me make a reference to the story dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fa- Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 2009/11/13 7 Love of Fatima in Bonfi m, Bahia, Brasil

of the foundation of the Diocese, its new ple, joyful, happy for having, from now on, Bishop, Most Rev. Francisco Palhano, in their midst, the white statue of Mary, to conceived a long jubilee program, which Whom they pray and love a lot. included an extensive mission through all There are already clear signs that that the parishes and a well-organized visit of Diocesan Church, despite its poverty in the image of Our Lord of Bonfi m. That material possessions, is awaking up to a was an occasion for catechesis, meetings, new spring of vocations, for the number celebrations, times of prayer. A way of of seminarians continues to increase. It is shaking the people’s faith convictions and going to have men and women of faith and the sense of belonging to the Church, in a testimony, because there are solid young region marred by the proliferation of sects families willing to work in evangelizing. everywhere. Above all, one could see there a great hope This Bishop, who, according to his own in the action of Our Lady, Mother of the words, drank from his father the devotion Church and Star of the Evangelization. to Our Lady of Fatima, arrived at a dioc- The Church in Europe needs to take esan cathedral which was dedicated to Her, a close look at the Church in other conti- despite the fact that it didn’t have an image nents; needs to notice the existing contrast. of Her in it. So he took advantage of the When they asked me what was the differ- jubilee celebrations to enthrone and crown ence between the Church in Europe and Brazil has the distinction of being a there a statue donated by the Shrine of Fa- the Church in South America, my answer large country with a Catholic majority, but tima, for he believed that a strong devotion was ready: one is a decadent Church, the also of being very devoted to Our Lady. to Mary would help his Diocesan Church other a blooming Church. What a differ- The crowning of the statue of Our Lady of to grow in fi delity to Christ. ence, when one looks at the fervor and en- Fatima in the Diocese of Bonfi m, Bahia, It was very moving to see the sincere thusiasm in their lives and in their faith! was a moment marked by a moving mani- love that simple people from the interior I returned to Fatima well convinced that festation of love for the Virgin of Fatima of the country have for Our Lady. The sta- the Lord continues to work wonders in His and showed the vitality of the Catholic dium was full; there were diocesan priests, Church and in the world through Mary. Church. missionaries, seminarians, catechists, chil- During the celebration of the 75 years dren and youths, a sea of thousands of peo- Fr. Virgílio Antunes

Devotion to Our Lady and Evangelization in Japan

Here I go again with my travels… ippinos, constitute the majority of Catholics Arigato (Thank you in Japanese- from the In the parish of Honjo, Diocese of Saita- in this Japanese Church, which represents Portuguese ‘Obrigado’) ma, Japan, whose pastor is a French priest, only .4% of the total population. the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, in the It is a minority Church in the midst of Fr. Rui M. da Silva Pedro, C.S. month of May, made the rounds of the fami- Buddhists, Jingoists and widespread lies of Brazilian immigrants descendent of secularism. The immigrants are the Japanese parents. great evangelizers through their re- Grandchildren and great-grandchildren ligiosity and faithfulness. There are of Japanese who, one hundred years ago, many baptisms amongst youths and had emmigrated to Brazil are now emigrat- adults. ing back to Japan, notwithstanding the great The Scalabrinians look after the discrimination they suffer. These families, Portuguese, Spanish and Phillipino- thanks to the passing by of the statue of Our speaking communities in some dio- Lady of Fatima, gather to pray the Rosary. ceses, such as Tokyo and Saitama. The several Portuguese-speaking immigrant Some Portuguese priests (mostly communities (mostly Brazilian), together Boa Nova (Good News) and Soci- with the Spanish-speaking communities ety of Jesus) look after Portuguese- (mostly Peruvian) and communities of Phil- speaking communities. Fátima – Light and Peace FATIMA LIGHT AND PEACE – RENEWAL/NEW SUBSCRIPTION Director: Mgr. Virgílio Antunes FREE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Proprietor, Publisher and Editor: Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima Send your subscription request to: [email protected] Social Security nr. 500 746 699 Check out the language in which you wish to receive the issue: Address: Santuário de Fátima – Apartado 31 – 2496-908 FÁTIMA (Portugal) * Telf.: German , Spanish , French , English , Italian , Polish , Portuguese +351.249.539.600 * Fax: +351.249.539.668 Renewal or new subscription: * E.mail: [email protected] – www.fatima.pt National Bank Transfer (Millennium BCP): NIB: 0033 0000 50032983248 05 Printing: Gráfi ca Almondina International Bank Transfer: IBAN: PT50 0033 0000 5003 2983 2480 5 Address: Torres Novas BIC/SWIFT: BCOMPTPL / Check or Postal Money Order: To the order of: Fátima Luz Legal Deposit: 210 650/04 e Paz, Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Apartado 31, 2496-908, Fatima, Portugal Registration: ICS 124521 ISSN: 1647-2438 Please help us spread the Message of Our Lady through ‘Fatima Light and Peace’! 8 2009/11/13 Rectors of European Marian Shrines Meet in Poland

The 7th Meeting of Rectors of European Marian Shrines took advantage of being close by and visited the Shrine of Our Lady place in Czestochowa, Poland, at the Shrine of Jasna Gora, on of Fatima at Zakopane and took part in the celebrations of the 5th September 9 thru 12. apparition of Our Lady on September 13. The so-called ‘Réseau Marial Européen’ (European Marian The celebrations began at 10h00. The Church-Shrine was Network) is made up of 20 Marian Shrines (reminding the 20 Mys- completely full, there was a choral group singing beautiful tra- teries of the Rosary), with each country represented by the shrine ditional songs of the mountainous region and also a group of 70 that, in popular opinion, is the most important in that country. children of catechetical age making a pilgrimage. A meditation This year saw gathered in Czestochowa the rectors and rep- was made on the message of Fatima, followed by a procession resentatives of 16 shrines: Altötting, Germany; Brezje, Slovenia; with the carrier of Our Lady, while the Rosary was being prayed. Csíksomlyó, Romania; Gibraltar; Levoca, Slovakia; Loreto, Italy; Holy Mass was at 11h00. Upon invitation of the Rector of Lourdes, France; Máriapócs, Hungary; Mariazell, Austria; Marija the Shrine of Zakopane, Fr. Virgílio Antunes, Rector of the Shrine Bistrica, Croatia; Vilnius, Lithuania; Walsingham, England; Sara- of Fatima, presided over the celebration. At the end, Fr. Antunes gossa, Spain; Zarvanyzia, Ukraine; Chestochowa, Poland; and - speaking in Italian (with translation into Polish by a concelebrant Fatima, Portugal. priest) – addressed those present, manifesting his joy for having The main topic of the meeting was ‘Spiritual Experiences of the opportunity to witness the great faith of the Polish people, and Pilgrims’. Each shrine was invited to share a little of itself as a said that he discovered a strong connection between the Polish place sought by pilgrims of different nationalities, different social and the Portuguese peoples, for three fundamental reasons: “1) classes and different religious education, and to make itself known the Catholic faith both profess; 2) the great devotion to Our Lady by presenting the pastoral programs available to its pilgrims, ac- of Fatima, whose image is found in many churches throughout cording to its own message and charisma. Poland; 3) fi nally, the great devotion and love for Pope John Paul The meeting’s program included a visit to the Shrine of Jasna II, always present in the heart and prayers of both peoples”. His Góra, which, as host, had prepared the schedule of celebrations last words were to thank the warm welcome he received from ev- and times of prayer for each day, a visit to the City of Czesto- erybody, specially from the Pallotin Fathers, who are in charge of chowa and a meeting with the civil and ecclesiastic authorities of the Shrine of Zakopane, whose friendliness couldn’t be outdone. the city and of the diocese. At the end of the meeting, the delegation from Fatima took Natalina Ferreira Poland to Fatima Pilgrimage by Bike 4,386 Km for the Family, for Europe and for the Future

Sixty-eight pilgrim bikers from Poland reached, on the during his fi rst pilgrimage to this shrine. The Prelate mentioned morning of July 23, the Shrine of Fatima. On arrival – behind the fact that the fi ve biker priests offered spiritual direction to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary – they were welcomed the pilgrim bikers and tried to sensitize them for the Christian by the Rector of the Shrine, Fr. Virgílio Antunes, and by Bishop vision implicit in the motto chosen for the pilgrimage: “Family, Kazimierz Górny, of the Polish Diocese of Rzeszów, from where Europe, Future”, based on the motto-message of the Diocese of the pilgrimage took off. Rezeszów: ‘To Defend Life and Family’. The “Catholic Sport Club ‘ALPIN’ of John John Paul II” LeopolDina Simões was in charge of organizing this initiative of national level. The purpose was to pay homage to Our Lady of Fatima and to thank Her for all the graces granted to Poland and the Polish people. After travelling 4,386 kilometres since June 20, this group of bikers, which included fi ve ladies and fi ve priests, reached their goal: the Shrine of Fatima. Devotion to Our Lady, love for John Paul II and sports unite all these people; and, consequently, they have made several pil- grimages to various places of pilgrimage. Five of them were to Rome and one to Lourdes. This year the fi nal destination was Fatima, but it included, on the way, stops in other shrine cities, namely, Mariazell (Austria), La Salette (France) and St. James of Compostela (Spain). In declarations to the Shrine of Fatima, Bishop Kazimierz Górny expressed his joy for being able to welcome the group