Our Lady of Fatima Parish Celebrates Feast Day On Oct 13
Cynthia Montemayor
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, celebrated on May 13th, holds profound significance for Catholics in Macau and around the world. This day commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. This is a big religious event in Macau, where devotees come and participate in a long and meaningful procession dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. For this reason, Our Lady of Fatima Parish celebrates their parish feast day on October 13 commemorating the last apparition of our Lady to the three Portuguese children–Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos who witnessed apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near Fatima, a city 110 miles north of Lisbon. Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. The apparitions coincided with a tumultuous period in history, marked by World War I and the rise of communism. The messages of Fatima were not only a call to personal holiness but also a plea for global peace and an end to conflict.
For Our Lady of Fatima Parish, the feast day is marked by various celebrations, including mass at 4:00PM celebrated by Bishop Stephen Lee followed by a procession. The faithful around Macau joined the mass and the procession. Devotees carried the holy image of Our Lady of Fatima, singing hymns, and praying the Rosary as they walked through the streets. These processions symbolize the journey of faith and the desire to spread the message of peace.
Before the feast day, prayers were organized where the faithful reflected on the messages of Fatima, to delve deeper into the significance of the apparitions and how they apply to modern life. The feast day coincides with the month of the Rosary. The Rosary holds profound significance in the message of Our Lady of Fatima, serving as a central practice encouraged by the Virgin Mary during her apparitions.
We recall that during the Fatima apparitions, Mary emphasized the necessity of prayer, particularly the Rosary, as a means to combat sin and promote peace. She urged the children to pray the Rosary daily, highlighting its power in bringing about spiritual transformation and intercession. The Rosary is often referred to as a “spiritual weapon.” Mary conveyed that through this prayer, individuals could fight against evil and seek divine assistance. The repetitive nature of the Rosary fosters contemplation and deepens one’s relationship with God. Each decade of the Rosary invites the faithful to meditate on key events in the life of Jesus and Mary. This meditation not only strengthens faith but also aligns the believer’s life with the virtues exemplified by Christ and His Mother. In Fatima, this practice helps believers reflect on the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the importance of living a holy life.
The messages of Our Lady of Fatima remain remarkably relevant in today’s world. Her call for prayer, especially the Rosary, serves as a reminder of the power of intercession and the importance of a personal relationship with God. The emphasis on peace, particularly the need for conversion and reconciliation, resonates strongly amid ongoing global conflicts.
As we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, we are invited to renew our commitment to prayer, to foster peace in our communities, and to live out the virtues of faith and hope. The message of Fatima is not just a historical event but a living call to action for all believers.
Follow
