Fatima apparitions remembered
Pilgrimage at Ta' Ħamet church marks centenary of the Fatima apparitions
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima, Portugal between May 13 and October 13, 1917.
To commemorate the first apparition on May 13, a solemn Eucharistic adoration was held at Ta’ Ħamet church in the evening, followed by mass celebrated by the new rector, Canon Michael Xuereb. After mass, a prayer pilgrimage with the diocesan statue of Our Lady of Fatima was held along the surrounding streets. At the conclusion of the pilgrimage, the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was recited, followed by Holy Eucharist benediction.
The six apparitions will continue on the 13th day of each month until October, except the fourth in August, when it will be commemorated on the 19th. The programme on these dates will be Eucharistic adoration from 5.30pm onwards, followed by meditated rosary, mass and a prayer pilgrimage.
Appearing to the three children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, the Blessed Virgin told them that She had been sent by God with a message for every man, woman and child living in that century.
Coming at a time when civilisation was torn asunder by war and bloody violence, She promised that Heaven would grant peace to all the world if her requests for prayer, reparation and consecration were heard and obeyed.