Gregory Ho
October 13th is significant for Catholics as it marks the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun, witnessed by thousands in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, during the final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.
On this day, the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Macau held their parish feast day. The event also marked the 60th anniversary of the Parish as community of faith. The liturgical celebration was officiated by Bishop Stephen Lee, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Macau. During the celebration 16 parishioners received the sacrament of confirmation in the hands of the bishop. A procession followed towards the evening, and a good number of the faithful joined the procession, including those from different parishes in Macau. The procession route began at the church on to the surroundings areas and looped back to the church. Our Lady of Fatima Parish is intrusted by the Diocese of Macau to IVE Priests – or the priests of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. The present parish priest is Fr Michael Cheung Chun Kin, IVE.
Margaret Chan, who has been with the parish since its early days, described the beginnings of the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in the mid-1960s as an exciting time for the community. “It was reasonably well established, with the Macau locals very keen to have a church here,” she said. She noted that 1966 brought significant changes as Second Vatican Council reforms began reaching local churches. Today, the parish’s emphasis on community has remained constant throughout its history. Margaret recalled how prayer and rosary groups, scripture readings, and parish events were common in the formative years. “We were encouraged by our priests to always be a welcoming community, to welcome new parishioners and anybody who felt interested in learning about our Church,” she said.
Embracing the Message of Fatima
On October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto—at the Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal. This event was the culmination of a series of apparitions that began in May of the same year. During these visits, Mary conveyed messages about prayer, repentance, and the need for conversion, particularly urging the recitation of the Rosary.
During the apparition, Our Lady identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary and emphasized the importance of prayer, particularly the Rosary, for peace and the end of World War I. She also instructed the children to have a chapel built in her honor and conveyed that some petitions would be granted while others would not, urging people to amend their lives and seek forgiveness for their sins.
The site of the apparitions has become one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, especially on the anniversaries of the apparitions. The messages conveyed during these apparitions continue to resonate with many Catholics today, emphasizing themes of prayer, repentance, and the call to conversion.
Let us remember that the message of Fatima is a gift. It is a guiding light that leads us toward a more profound relationship with God. Together, as families, we can respond to this call with open hearts and willing spirits. As we embark on this journey, may we always strive to embody the virtues of the Holy Family. By doing so, we not only honor their example but also fulfill our mission to spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima. This is our path to spiritual growth and the foundation for building stronger, more faithful households and parish communities.
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