St. Mary Parish in Westville to mark Fatima anniversary with vigil May 12-13
This postcard, set for release by the Vatican May 4, marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary to the three shepherd children in Fatima May 13, 1917. (CNS/courtesy of Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office)
WESTVILLE — To honor and remember the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, members of St. Mary Parish will host a vigil on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13. All are welcome, especially those in the Danville Vicariate, said Father Timothy Sauppé, pastor.
The vigil will begin at 6 p.m. on May 12 with an overview of Our Lady’s message at Fatima and other apparitions. At 6:50 p.m. the group will move to the church for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and four rosaries, one each for the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous mysteries.
It will close with Benediction at 9:50 p.m.
Tell us your Fatima plans: Is your parish, school or vicariate planning a celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions at Fatima? Send your plans to The Catholic Post at cathpost@cdop.org or call the newsroom at (800) 340-5630.
A Mass in honor of Our Lady will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on May 13. Father Sauppé is seeking prayers for peace and asking people to make reparation for sins, citing the rising tensions with North Korea and Russia.
Respect for life and the need to pray for an end to abortion also will be remembered at the Mass.
Father Sauppé said the 100th anniversary year will conclude with a vicariate mission in October.
The Marian apparitions began May 13, 1917, when 9-year-old Francisco Marto and his sister, 7-year-old Jacinta Marto, along with their cousin, Lucia dos Santos, reported seeing the Virgin Mary. The apparitions continued once a month until Oct. 13, 1917, and later were declared worthy of belief by the Catholic Church.
The October apparition is remembered for the “miracle of the sun,” when the sun seemed to “dance” in the sky over the 70,000 people who wanted to be present when Mary appeared to the children.
Father Sauppé said a group of St. Mary parishioners, known at the Rosary Group, have met every day for the last 12 years to pray the rosary.
“Their intention is for the welfare of our parish and for the intentions of any parishioner,” he explained. “It is quite a tribute to those who faithfully meet at St. Mary’s every day and lift their voices in prayer to Our Lady.”
For those who would like to add their voices, St. Mary is located at 231 N. State St.
