Fatima, Portugal: May 13, 1917 was a memorable day for 3 shepherd children viz.Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia Marto on account of the apparition of our Blessed Virgin Mary. They went onto inspire the world and preached the importance of reciting the ‘Rosary’ to bring peace to this world. Marking the 100th anniversary of apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Francis will lead the evening recitation of rosary and celebrate Mass on the anniversary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima when he visits Portugal on May 12-13.
He will be the fourth pontiff after Blessed Paul VI, St John Paul II and Benedict XVI to visit the Marian shrine to mark the anniversary of the first apparition. In a video message released by the Vatican on May 10, Pope Francis said he would visit Fatima as a pilgrim of peace and to entrust the world to Mary’s immaculate heart. He will be engaged in a meeting with the President of Portugal at the Monte Real Air Base on May 12. He is expected to visit and offer prayers at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions where the Pope shall address the gathering and recite the rosary.
He is also expected to meet the prime minister of Portugal at Our Lady of Mount Carmel house in Fatima the next day. At 10 am, outdoor Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima shall be conducted. Thereafter, the Pope shall greet the sick. Pope Francis is expected to leave for Rome at 3pm from Monte Real air base, Fatima.
In his video message, the Pope said, ” I come to you in the joy of sharing with you the Gospel of hope and peace. I will give you all to Our Lady, asking her to whisper to each one of you: ‘My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
Sources:
1] www.catholicherald.co.uk
2] www.catholicnews.com
Photo credits: Alexey Gotovskiy / EWTN News Rome
