Shrine of Fatima hosts 2013 Pastoral Theological Symposium

“«Be not afraid!» Trust – Hope – Believer’s Attitude” is the title of the 2013 Pastoral Theological Symposium to be held on June 21 thru 23, in the Salão do Bom Pastor (Good Shepherd Hall), at Paul VI Pastoral Center. It is an event being organized by the Shrine of Fatima and included in the program for the new pastoral year and the 3^rd cycle of celebrations of the Centennial of Apparitions.

Addressed to believers and non-believers alike, the 2013 symposium invites us to listen to and trust in the exhortation of Our Lady addressed to seer Lucia during the June Apparition: “My Immaculate Heart shall be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God”. Clothed in hope, the words of Our Lady invite us to hope and trust in God Our Savior and in His saving love.

With this symposium, directed towards discussion and reflection, the Shrine of Fatima and the Symposium’s Organizing Committee intend to contribute to the living, by individuals as well as by the community, of the theme proposed for the current pastoral year.

The program of the 2013 Pastoral Theological Symposium and the sign-up sheet are available in the Internet Site of the Shrine of Fatima and also can be checked here:

Program:
Sign-up sheet:

Source: Shrine of Fatima

Shrine of Fatima promotes course on the Message of Fatima

With the purpose of “studying in depth the different thematic aspects of the Message of Fatima and its implications for Christian living”, the Shrine is promoting a “Course on the Message of Fatima”, which will be held on June 7 thru 9, in the Retreat House of Our Lady of Sorrows, at the Shrine of Fatima.

The purpose of this course is to make known, in a comprehensive and articulate way, the message of Fatima, true announcement of hope for mankind, through the exposition of the fundamental elements of the apparitions in Cova da Iria, of the theological framing of the different aspects of the apparitions and through reflection on some of the implications of the Message for Christian living.

The course is addressed to devotees and pilgrims of Fatima, agents of different ministries, workers of the Shrine and members of Marian movements and still to all Christians interested in knowing a little better the spirituality of Fatima. The course will be taught by Sister Ângela de Fátima Coelho, religious sister of the Alliance of Saint Mary and Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

The course is free and one can sign up for it through the e-mail address of congressos@fatima.pt

Archbishop Orani Tempesta presides over International Anniversary Pilgrimage of May

The International Anniversary Pilgrimage commemorative of the 96 years since the first apparition of Our Lady will be presided over by Archbishop Orani Tempesta, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In declarations to the Shrine of Fatima, Archbishop Tempesta highlighted the joy with which he received the invitation to preside over this pilgrimage, during which he intends to consecrate to Our Lady of Fatima the works of World Youth Days, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro on July 23 thru 28.
The official opening of the pilgrimage – which has as its theme “To God nothing is impossible” (Lk 1, 37) – is scheduled for May 12, at 18h30, at the Little Chapel of Apparitions. At 00h00 of the 13^th will begin, as usual, a prayer vigil, which will end at 09h00 with Rosary in the Little Chapel followed by procession to the Outdoor Altar, where a Solemn Mass will be celebrated. On this same day, as decided by the Portuguese Bishops, in response to a request by the Supreme Pontiff to Cardinal José Policarpo, Archbishop Patriarch of Lisbon, the pontificate of Pope Francis will be consecrated to Our Lady of Fatima.

The complete program of the International Anniversary Pilgrimage can be found in the Internet Site of the Shrine of Fatima and also in this website.

Source: Shrine of Fatima

Photo: Luís de Oliveira – Shrine of Fátima.

Prayer for Canonization

In his homily, during the Mass of Beatification of Francisco and Jacinta on May 13, 2000, John Paul II referred to the Little Shepherds as “candles lighted by God”. These words remind us of the fact that Francisco and Jacinta, in offering themselves totally to God, became the light that not only illuminates mankind during its somber and anxious hours but also the way to God.

Let us pray together for the canonization of Blesseds Francisco and Jacinta, so that they may continue to be to us light and way. We ask the faithful to let the Postulation know the graces received through the intercession of the Little Shepherds of Fatima.

PRAYER FOR THEIR CANONIZATION
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly and I thank You for the Apparitions of the Most Holy Virgin in Fatima.
By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary I implore You – if it should be for Your greater glory and the good of our souls – to glorify in the sight of Your Holy Church Blessed Francisco and Jacinta, granting us through their intercession the grace which we implore. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Fatima prays for Pope Francisco

It was with great joy that we received, on March 13, the news that a new Pope had been elected. From that day we retain in our hearts the very first words of Holy Father Francis: “I ask you to pray to the Lord to bless me. It is the prayer of the people asking God to bless their bishop. Let us do this in silence”.

Let us imitate the Little Shepherds of Fatima, who always manifested a special communion with the Holy Father, shown by praying for him. Let us also pray, with faith and joy, for Pope Francis and his mission on Earth.

The Apparitions of the Angel are from now on celebrated on March 21

The Shrine of Fatima has set the date of March 21 for the evocation of the Apparitions of the Angel to the Little Shepherds of Fatima: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.

Since there is no record of the dates of the three 1916 apparitions, the Shrine of Fatima decided to recall these apparitions on a date close to the first apparition, for Lucia says in her Memoirs: “But I think it must have been in the Spring of 1916 that the Angel appeared to us for the first time in our Loca do Cabeço. (…); the second Apparition must have been at the height of Summer, when the heat of the day was so intense…; it seems to me that the third Apparition must have been in October, or towards the end of September, as we were no longer returning home for the siesta”.

March 21, date marking the beginning of Spring and respective Equinox, becomes then the date of celebration of the Apparitions of the Guardian Angel of Portugal to the Little Shepherds.

This year the program will consist of Rosary and Procession to the sites of the Apparitions of the Angel, starting at 91h30 in the Little Chapel of Apparitions.

Source: Shrine of Fatima

Children pray with the Little Shepherds

On the 13^th of every month, children gather in the Little Chapel of Apparitions, at 18h30, for the recitation of the Rosary – prayer which the Little Shepherds also prayed every day, at the request of Our Lady, for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world.

This initiative, promoted by the Movement of the Message of Fatima, goes by the name of “Rosary with the Little Shepherds” and intends to extend the request of Our Lady to all children and adults, so that the Message of Fatima may reach farther.

You may also follow the “Rosary with the Little Shepherds” by tuning in to Radio Renascença, Radio Sim, TV & Radio Canção Nova and Telepace.

Source: Shrine of Fatima

To Pray for the Canonization of the Little Shepherds

On May 13, 2000, at Fatima, Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta Marto. From then on, the two Little Shepherds are called “Blesseds” and February 20 became the day when we celebrate the Liturgical Feast in their honor.

Canonization is the next step after beatification, but for the Little Shepherds to be canonized we need another miracle. It becomes, therefore, necessary to make known the life and virtues of the Little Shepherds so that more faithful may feel closer to Francisco and Jacinta and, thus, pray to them to obtain graces. Because a miracle is a gift from God, we must ask God to grant it. We, therefore, ask all faithful to pray to God and to Our Lady for the gift of their canonization.

Liturgical Feast of the Little Shepherds being celebrated on February 20

“God of infinite goodness, You Who love innocence and exalt the humble, grant, we beg You, that, by imitating Blesseds Francisco and Jacinta, we may serve You with a pure heart, in order to be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Your Son, Who is God with You in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen!”
Opening Prayer

On February 20, anniversary date of the death of Jacinta Marto, the Church celebrates the Liturgical Feast of Blesseds Francisco and Jacinta. On this day, we recall Francisco and Jacinta and the commitment of these two children with a pure and simple heart, who offered their sacrifices and prayers to Our Lady for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world.

On the Liturgical Feast of the Little Shepherds, “two candles lighted by God to illuminate mankind in its somber and anxious hours” (John Paul II), the Shrine of Fatima presents the following program of celebrations for days 19 and 20 of February:

Day 19 – Prayer Vigil
21h30 – Rosary in the Little Chapel of Apparitions, procession and prayer in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Day 20 – Liturgical Feast of the Little Shepherds
10h00 – Rosary in the Little Chapel of Apparitions and procession towards the Basilica of Most Holy Trinity with the icons of the Blesseds.
11h00 – Mass in the Basilica of Most Holy Trinity and Blessing of children.

SESDI (Department of Research and Information of the Shrine of Fatima) is doing a survey on the manifestations of devotion to Our Lady of Fatima

SESDI is doing a survey on the manifestations of devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and on institutions where Her message is put into practice. This gathering of information, at the world level, is done from the difference sources that have contributed to this archive, by sharing data registered in individual files.

In 2004, SESDI counted more than six thousand files relative to the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima throughout the world. However, the information gathered is still very incomplete considering what the reality is. So, if you have any useful information on institutions and manifestations of devotion to Our Lady and wish to contribute to this survey, please contact SESDI through this e-mail address: sesdi@santuario-fatima.pt.

Source: Shrine of Fatima