12th National Meet and 2nd Goa Marian Congress: 15–17 July 2026
Pilar, Goa | 15-17 July 2026
In a significant expression of the synodal character of the Church in India, Mr. Lester DeMello, a lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, was elected Chairman of the Indian National Council of the World Apostolate of Fatima during the 12th Indian National Meet, held from 15–17 July 2026 at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Goa.
His election as a lay faithful to lead a national Catholic apostolate, with the support of Bishops, clergy and authorised lay delegates from across India, powerfully reflected the vision of a synodal Church in which clergy and laity listen, discern and serve together in communion.
The 12th National Meet was conducted alongside the 2nd Goa Marian Congress, which brought together Bishops, priests, religious, delegates and lay faithful from 16 Archdioceses and Dioceses across India under the theme:
“Learn – Live – Spread the Message of Fatima in a Synodal Church.”
Mr. DeMello succeeds Rev. Fr. M. V. Sunny of the Diocese of Raiganj, who completed his term as National Chairman. The election was presided over by Most Rev. Fulgence Tigga, Bishop of Raiganj, with delegates comprising Bishops
Most Rev Fabian Toppo - Most Rev Jalpaiguri & Most Rev Francis Tirkey - Purnea, Vicar Generals of Agra and Bagdogra, clergy and authorised lay representatives from across the country.
The Ex Com of the newly elected Indian National Council are:
* Chairman: Mr. Lester DeMello – Archdiocese of Goa and Daman
* Vice-Chairman: Mr. Shelton George Pyster – Archdiocese of Calcutta
* Secretary: Mrs. Candida Shadap – Archdiocese of Shillong
* Treasurer: Dr. Celcio Dias – Archdiocese of Goa and Daman
* Member: Mrs. Clara Fernandes – Diocese of Belgaum
* Member: Rev. Fr. Luis Kajar – Archdiocese of Bombay
* Member: Rev. Fr. John Charuvila – Diocese of Sultan Bathery, Syro-Malabar Church
* Member: Very Rev. Fr. Edward Kerketta, Vicar General – Diocese of Bagdogra
* Member: Rev. Fr. M. V. Sunny – Diocese of Raiganj
*National Ecclesiastical Advisor: Rt. Rev Peter Machado , Archbishop of Bangalore*
The composition of the Council itself reflects the synodal spirit of the Church, bringing together lay men and women, priests, a Vicar General, and representatives from different regions and rites of the Catholic Church in India.
The National Meet formed part of a three-day programme of prayer, formation and fellowship. The Congress featured Eucharistic celebrations presided over by Bishops from different dioceses, the solemn Rosary Procession of hundreds of Devotees with the Indian National Pilgrim Virgin Statue, Peregrinatio Mariae, of Our Lady of Fatima and the Sacred Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, formation sessions on the Message of Fatima, testimonies, youth presentations, and the investiture by the Bishops and Priests present of approximately 500-600 faithful with distribution of One thousands Brown Scapulars of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
One of the highlights of the Congress was the pastoral exhortation delivered by Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, an animatic presentation on the Congress theme, encouraging the faithful to learn, live and spread the Message of Fatima within a truly synodal Church. The programme also included a Conversation in the Spirit, inviting delegates to discern “How the Holy Spirt is directing practical ways of establishing the World Apostolate of Fatima in every parish of their respective Archdioceses and Dioceses”
The World Apostolate of Fatima is a Public International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, recognised by the Holy See. Its mission is to promote the Message of Fatima—Prayer, Penance and Reparation—through devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the daily Rosary, the Five First Saturdays Devotion, Eucharistic Adoration and Reparation, the offering of daily sacrifices, and the spiritual formation of the faithful in full communion with the Church.
With the election of the new National Council, the Apostolate renews its commitment to strengthening existing diocesan structures and expanding its mission so that the Message of Fatima may reach every parish, every family and every heart throughout India (courtesy: Goan Reporter)
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