CONTENTS IN THIS
PAGE:
1] GUIDELINES FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F.
UNIT IN A DIOCESE
SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR BISHOP FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F. UNIT
IN A DIOCESE
2] GUIDELINES
FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F. NATIONAL CENTRE IN A COUNTRY
3] INAUGURAL CEREMONY FOR NEW WAF UNIT IN DIOCESE / PARISH, etc
3] INAUGURAL CEREMONY FOR NEW WAF UNIT IN DIOCESE / PARISH, etc
1] GUIDELINES FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F.
UNIT IN A DIOCESE
1] First of all, the person or Priest that will lead
the process should be a member of the World Apostolate of Fatima in
order to know exactly what our mission and spirituality is. As member of the
WAF, you should devote yourself to our Marian Apostolate through the First
Saturdays Reparation, Marian Vigils, frequent Sacraments, Eucharistic
Adoration, promotion of the Holy Rosary and the Brown Scapular, Consecration to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lay formation through New Evangelization,
Penance, Cell Hour of Holiness Prayers and acceptance of God's Holy Will, etc. Such
person must be committed and dedicated. More information is also available in
our websites:
2] It is important to pray hard and then speak first with the Parish Priest or Religious Priest (ideal would be of a Fatima Shrine or Church or Chapel)
or other representative of the Church, as well as with
the Diocesan
Bishop (this can be done through or by the Parish Priest),
to explain what the WAF is and to ask permission in writing for establishing
the WAF, so that people in that diocese can become associated with our
Apostolate and live the Fatima spirituality. This will help creating an
official structure in the Diocese, following our WAF Diocesan / National / International
Statutes. Statutes are on www.WorldFatimaTv.org
3] The WAF International / National / Diocesan Statutes shall
be presented to the Parish Priest and to the Bishop. The Bishop will establish
the procedure for his approval of Statutes, amended where needed, at the
Diocesan level. The WAF always
works in communion with the Church authorities. That is why all WAF Dioceses,
apart from the responsible people, must also have a Spiritual Director / Advisor
that accompanies the work and activities of the Apostolate. The Spiritual Advisor
should ensure that the Association is Catholic, that it is well integrated in
the diocese and parish; that members are living the charisma or spirituality of
the association and work in harmony with the diocese and parish. He is a bridge
between the diocese, parish, community and the movement. The
Spiritual Advisor should ideally be a Priest or nun and appointed by the local
Bishop.
4] After having the permission of the Priest and
Bishop or other approved authority, you can start to speak with people in your
area and get them to join the WAF group. A simple prayer meeting can be organised at a convenient Parish.
Invitations and brief announcements can be made at the regular Priests and
Religious meetings for 2 or 3 from each Parish to attend. The simple prayer meeting
can include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Fatima theme), Holy Rosary,
Holy Mass and presentation on the Fatima narratives (story) and the Marian celebrations
as below. An Executive
Committee can then be formed
under the Spiritual Advisor and names sent to the local Bishop and also to the
National Centre. Committed and dedicated laity must be included. Regular
contact with the National Centre must be maintained.
5] The Statue
of Our Lady of Fatima Visitation Program is most fruitful. The Statue is gifted
by the Bishop of Fatima to the World Apostolate of Fatima India. Our Lady makes
Her Visitation to your Diocese: you are privileged that She comes to your
Diocese / Parish, especially for those who cannot travel to Fatima. More
information is on www.WorldFatimaTv.org.
6] The MISSION of the World Apostolate of Fatima is
to spread and live out the Message of Our Lady of Fatima of Prayer, Penance and
Reparation for Peace
of the World and for the Salvation of all in Christ. This includes
the First Saturday Devotion, Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
revival of the Rosary, offering sacrifices as demanded by our daily duties and
frequent Reparatory Adorations in Parishes, Communities, families, Catholic students,
Catechism children, Youth groups, etc. This is a great call to Holiness for us
all.
7]
Promotional, presentation material and a speaker from the National
Centre or National Executive Board may be requested. Individuals can affiliate
just by signing the WAF pledge becoming ordinary members. These
pledges are to be sent to the International Secretariat, through the National
Centre and buried at the site of the Apparitions at Fatima. Promoter members are those who wish to meet in
prayer groups, from time to time (decide the schedule) to pray the Rosary,
meditate on the Message of Our Lady and organise other Marian celebrations as
below.
These are the main procedures, which can be adapted to
a particular context.
MARIAN
CELEBRATIONS TO ENHANCE THE PROMISED TRIUMPH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY TO
THE GLORY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
1]
Sacrifice
of daily duties, observance
of God’s law as penance and keeping God first.
2) First
Saturdays Eucharistic Reparation: The Mother of God, in the Fatima Message, desires
the Communion of Eucharistic Reparation on the First Saturdays of the month.
This is the forgotten Message of Fatima. GRACE obtained: (1) Final perseverance i.e. help at the hour
of death; (2) conversion of many
sinners; (3) salvation of many souls; (4) peace in families,
communities, clergy, etc; (5) unity and strength of the
Universal Church; (6) Help the
promised Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and (7) Plenary Indulgence
given by Pope Pius X.
The REQUIREMENTS for the practice of the First Saturday Devotion are: On five
consecutive First Saturdays of the month, (1) Go to Confession, (2) Receive Holy Communion, (3) Recite Five Decades
of the Rosary and (4) Keep Our Lady company for a quarter of an hour while
meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, (5) All (1 to 4) with the intention
of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the sins committed by
mankind. This is complementary to the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus and can be done individually or collectively.
Why
are there FIVE First Saturdays? Our Lord answered: “…. There are five kinds of
offences and blasphemies against My Mother: (1)… against Her Immaculate
Conception; Virginity; Divine Maternity; those who foster in the hearts
of Her children indifference or even hatred for their Immaculate Mother
and those who directly outrage Her in Her Holy Images. Each of
the Five Saturdays corresponds to a specific offence. These offences are also the attacks on the family.We pray here for
many of our Catholics who have left our
Church and joined others.
3] Act
of Consecration of the Diocese / Parish / Family / Individual to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary
once a year on any Feast of Our Lady – and EVEN DAILY.
This is the antidote against present evils (1) to prevent the loss of
faith and morals (apostasy) among the faithful in our days; (2) to atone for
the sins of the society of our time; (3) to bring down on the Church the
special Marian protection given to those “favoured disciples of Jesus,” like
John the Apostle, who was closer to the Heart of His Master and Redeemer and
who received Mary as Spiritual Mother at the foot of the Cross. Wearing the Brown Scapular is a sign of this Consecration.
Daily Act of Consecration to The
Immaculate Heart of Mary (Modified from St. Louis De
Montfort) I,
N……..…, a faithless sinner, renew
and ratify today in Thy hands, O Immaculate Mother, the Promises
of my Baptism; I forever renounce satan, his pomps and works; and I give
myself entirely to Jesus Christ,
the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and
to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose
Thee this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to Thy
Immaculate Heart, as Thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and
exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present
and future, leaving to Thee the entire and full right of disposing of me, and
all that belongs to me, without exception, according to Thy good pleasure, for the
greater glory of God, in time and
in eternity. Amen.
Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Immaculate Mantle of Our Lady, protect us!
St Joseph, pray for us
(Note: All
-- especially mothers -- are called to entrust all their children to the
Blessed Mother, by name, each morning. She will protect them, for She is
the Mother of all humanity! )
Consecration Prayer of Community
/ Parish / State / Diocese on Marian feasts : We faithless sinners renew and ratify
today in Thy hands O Immaculate Mother, the vows of our baptism. We renounce
forever satan, his pomps and works, and we give ourselves and the State /
Diocese of ................entirely to Jesus Christ the incarnate wisdom to
carry our Cross after Him all the days of our life and to be more faithful to
Him than we have ever been before. In the presence of all the heavenly court,
we choose Thee this day as our Mother and Queen.
We
deliver and Consecrate to Thy Immaculate Heart our State /
Diocese.......CM......ministers...Govt. Officials (Bishop, Priests, religious)
and all the secular and religious leaders, families, youth, children, all our
problems..........all the resources of this State / Diocese and all our actions
of past, present and future, leaving to Thee the entire and full right of
disposing of it according to Thy good pleasure for the greater glory of God in
time and eternity. Amen.
4] Public Meditative Prayer especially Rosary
processions, besides daily family Rosary
5] Statue Visitation of
Our Lady of Fatima; you can request for the National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady
of Fatima from the National Centre for your Diocese, through your Bishop. More information is on www.WorldFatimaTv.org
6] Frequent Reparatory Adoration of the Most Blessed
Sacrament following
the example of St. Francisco Marto, praying for the triumph of good over evil in our days, with special focus on the
Catholic Schools, Colleges and Catechism
children in your Diocese. (See WorldFatimaTv.org).
7] Spiritual Retreats
8] Fatima Day on 13 May and/or 13
October in Parish/Diocese/Community, etc.
NOTE: Marian Initiatives: Sd/-
by + Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum, Ecclesiastical Advisor: WAF India dated 23 Jan 2018.
The
entire Message of Fatima is a great call to Holiness for the Church of our
time. It is a Message which reveals the desire of the Maternal Immaculate Heart
of Mary: an Urgent call to Holiness for the Peace of the World and for the
Salvation of all in Christ. [Sr. Lucia in her book “Calls from the Message of Fatima.”]
So, the LASTING FRUIT for the WAF is the First Saturday Devotion,
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, revival of the Rosary, offering
sacrifices as demanded by our daily duties and frequent Reparatory Adorations in
Parishes, Communities, families, Catholic students, Catechism children, Youth
groups, etc. for goodness to triumph over evil. This Message reveals the desire of the
Maternal Immaculate Heart of Mary: an Urgent call to Holiness for the Peace of
the World and for the Salvation of all in Christ.
Contact: Dr Celcio Dias celciodias86@gmail.com Mob: +919822981418
SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR BISHOP FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F.
UNIT IN A DIOCESE
Your Grace,
Greetings
in Christ!
1] The World Apostolate of Fatima is an International Association
of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, approved
permanently by the Holy See on October 7, 2010. It is a movement of the
Catholic Church, with millions of members around the world, who follow the requests
made by the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three children of Fatima, in 1917: “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore,
because He is already too much offended”. Our International Moderator is
Antonio Cardinal Marto, Bishop of Fatima. Our Indian Ecclesiastical Adviser is Archbishop
Peter Machado of Bangalore, appointed by CCBI.
2] The Message calls for Sacrifice of daily duties, observance of God’s law as penance and keeping
God first, daily Rosary for peace, prayers and sacrifices
daily offered for the sinners and in reparation to the Eucharistic Jesus and
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, through the devotion of the Five First Saturdays
of the month and Consecration. The Mission of the WAF is to spread and live out
this Message of Our Lady of Fatima of Prayer, Penance and Reparation for Peace of the World and for the
Salvation of all in Christ. This is a great call to Holiness for us all.
3] We seek your permission to start a WAF unit in our Diocese,
so that those interested can become associated with this official Church Apostolate
and live the Fatima spirituality, following our WAF Diocesan / National / International
Statutes
as attached and also on www.WorldFatimaTv.org
4] The WAF always works in communion with the Church
authorities. So, we request for a Spiritual Director / Advisor who will accompany
the work and activities of the Apostolate. The Spiritual Advisor should ensure
that the Association is Catholic, that it is well integrated in the diocese and
parish; that members are living the charisma or spirituality of the association
and work in harmony with the diocese and parish. He is a bridge between the
diocese, parish, community and the movement. The Spiritual
Advisor should ideally be a Priest or nun and appointed by the local Bishop. May
we suggest the name of.....................................................
5] A simple prayer meeting is
planned at........................... on........................................This
will consist of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Fatima theme), Holy Rosary,
Holy Mass and presentation on the Fatima Message. We plan to form an Executive
Committee under the Spiritual
Advisor and names will be sent to your Grace and also to the National Centre.
With
warm wishes and prayers and devoutly yours in our Lady of Fatima, as we pray
for you and the Diocese,
.............................
2] GUIDELINES
FOR STARTING A NEW W.A.F. NATIONAL CENTRE IN A COUNTRY
Regarding
the process/requirements needed for starting the World Apostolate of Fatima in
a new country, we enlist hereby the main procedures, which of course must be
adapted to each particular context:
1. First of all, the person that will lead the process
should be a member of the World Apostolate of Fatima in order to know exactly
what our mission and spirituality is. As member of the WAF, you should devote yourself
to the Marian Apostolate (through the First Saturday devotion, Marian Vigils,
Eucharistic Adoration, Lay people formation (New Evangelization), Promotion of
the Holy Rosary and the Brown Scapular, Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, Acceptance of God's will and Penance, Meditation, Cell prayers, etc.). More
information is also available in our webpageS www.worldfatima.com www.apostoladomundialdefatima.org
2. It is important to speak first with the parish
priest or other representative of the Church in the area the WAF is supposed to
start, as well as with the diocesan Bishop (this can be done through or by the
parish priest), to explain what the WAF is and to ask permission in writing for
establishing the WAF, so that people in that diocese can become associated with
our Apostolate and live the Fatima spirituality. This will help creating an
official structure in the new country, following our WAF Diocesan/ National/ International
statutes. Statutes are on www.WorldFatimaTv.org
The WAF International statutes (available at the
International Secretariat) shall be presented to the parish priest and to the
Bishop. The WAF always works in communion with the Church authorities. That is
why all WAF nations, apart from the responsible people, must also have a
Spiritual Director that accompanies the work and activities of the Apostolate. The
Spiritual
Advisor should ensure that the Association is Catholic, that
it is well integrated in the diocese & Parish, members are living to the
charisma or spirituality of the association, do not obstruct the diocese or
parish. He is a bridge between the diocese / Parish priest & the movement.
We also have the international WAF magazine in English
that can help to promote our organisation and work of spreading the Fatima
message.
3. Having said this, and after having the
permission of the parish priest and Bishop or other, you can start to speak
with people in your area and get them enthusiastic in joining the WAF group.
For this, ask for some promotional material at the International secretariat
that can be distributed to them. Individual people can affiliate just by
signing the WAF pledge, but there can also be members who wish to meet in
prayer groups, from time to time (decide the schedule) to pray the rosary,
meditate on the Message of Our Lady and organise other Marian initiatives.
An example of a programme for cell prayer groups can
be found in our webpage. With the formation of the first cell prayer group, the
new country gets the status of a beginning nation. After some time and with the
fulfilment of other requests, it will grow into an advancing and finally, into
a principal nation. These categories are clearly explained in our statutes.
For Marian
associations with their own Statutes but wishing to associate with WAF
1.
The association must receive copy of our International
Statutes in English.
2.
Should submit an application form to the WAF
international by enclosing their own constitutions and Church approval.
3.
Should follow this method:
a. Hold an Assembly where they pass a resolution of
joining the WAF International as a member of our Federation.
b. Their regulations and by laws must contain that they are a Division of the WAF.
They should establish contact with the National WAF and inform them that they are joining
our Federation by accepting our constitution. They should say that they were
known (for example) before as "First Saturdays Devotion to Our Lady of
Fatima in ……..(name of country)" and know they will be known as World
Apostolate of Fatima, Program for the Promotion of the First Saturdays Devotion
to Our Lady of Fatima in……..(name of country). They will stress on the
promotion, living and service to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by promoting the
Communion of Reparation of the First Saturday's.
c. They should sign the Pledge to Our Lady of Fatima
as individuals accepting the Spirituality of Our Lady of Fatima. These pledges
will be sent to the International Secretariat of the WAF and buried at the site
of the Apparitions.
d. After assuming this resolution, they should go to
their Bishop's conference in ……..(name of country) and inform them of their
resolution, that they accept our International Statutes and become part of the
WAF.
e. Their Bishop's Conference will give them their
approval.
f. The International President and the Secretariat of
the WAF International will send them a letter welcoming them into the WAF.
This procedure might slightly change according to the
nature of the association applying for membership.
COURTESY:
Mr
Nuno Prazeres and Mrs Ana Reis, WAF International Secretariat www.worldfatima.com
3] INAUGURAL
CEREMONY FOR NEW WAF UNIT IN DIOCESE / PARISH etc.
This is external sign of
our inner spirituality and is usually integrated with Mass. After the Lord have mercy there will be blessing of Fatima Sash
(optional), Scapular and Rosary. Then Pledge taking through question answer
format as below. After that blessing of the candidate for membership and
Investiture of Scapular (as below), Fatima Sash and Rosary. Then all present
clap and Mass continues with Gloria. Consecration must be done.
This must be done in a simple and humble way,
following Our Lady’s style. Prior
to Mass there will be 1 - 2 hours of explanation of basic Fatima history and Message,
which can be considered for those who had prior formation. If used, sash may
bear the words: WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA instead of Fatima Apostolate.
PLEDGE:
PRIEST
(P): New members will
now PLEDGE themselves to Our Lady of
Fatima, thereby JOINING the World Apostolate of Fatima. Old members will renew
this.
Dear Queen and Mother, who promised
at Fatima to convert Russia and bring peace to all mankind, in reparation for
our sins and the sins of the whole world, we will now make this solemnly
promise to Your Immaculate Heart:
Your
response will be: Yes, I am ready.
Are you ready to offer up every day
the sacrifices demanded by your daily duty?
RESPONDENT (R): Yes, I am ready.
RESPONDENT (R): Yes, I am ready.
(P): Are you ready to
pray at least five decades of the Rosary daily while meditating on the
Mysteries?
(R): Yes, I am ready.
(P): Are you ready to
wear the Scapular of Mount Carmel as profession of this promise and as an act
of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
(R): Yes, I am ready.
(P): Are you ready to
accomplish the devotion of the Five First Saturdays of the month, including the
fifteen minute meditation on the Mysteries of the Rosary?
(R): Yes, I am ready.
(P): We shall renew this promise often, especially
in moments of temptation.
(This pledge is not a vow and does not bind under sin. Nevertheless it
is a promise; our word to our Heavenly Mother)
BROWN SCAPULAR INVESTITURE CEREMONY (can be renewed on
16 july, etc.):
Priest - Please hold
the Scapular in your hand.
Priest
- Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Respondent -
And grant us Thy salvation.
P
- Lord, hear my prayer.
R
- And let my cry come unto Thee.
P
- The Lord be with you.
R
- And with your Spirit.
P
- Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race,
sanctify + by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the
intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the
evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who livest and reignest world
without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST SPRINKLES WITH HOLY WATER THE SCAPULAR AND
THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED. HE THEN INVESTS* HIM
(THEM), SAYING:
P - Receive this blessed scapular and beseech the Blessed
Virgin that through Her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend
you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.
AFTER INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE
PRAYERS:
P - I, by the power vested in me, admit you to
participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus
Christ by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father + and
of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. + Amen.
May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth,
bless + you, He who has deigned to join you to the Confraternity of the Blessed
Virgin of Mount Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent
so that you may enter into possession of your eternal heritage through Christ
our Lord.
R -
Amen.
THE PRIEST THEN SPRINKLES AGAIN WITH HOLY WATER THE PERSON(S) ENROLLED.
*: Normally the respondent hands the Scapular to the Priest, who
puts it on him. If the congregation is too big, each one wears on himself after
the holy water is sprinkled.
NOTE: To obtain the full benefit of the Brown Scapular devotion, one
must be validly invested in the Brown Scapular only by a Priest. The
investiture “enrolls” the wearer in the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount
Carmel. Once invested, you are invested until death.
The World
Apostolate of Fatima promotes the Brown Scapular because it is the sign of our
personal consecration to God through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Also,
because of the tremendous privileges granted to those who faithfully use it as
a sign of their efforts to come closer to God by living a Christian life.
Those
privileges are protection in this life, at the hour of death a promise of
salvation (either by the grace of perseverance or by the grace of final
contrition) and after death, the maternal promise of Mary to bring us to heaven
as soon as possible. In addition, Our Lady appeared at Fatima on October 13,
1917 as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to show us the way to spiritual perfection.
BENEFITS OF MAKING THE PLEDGE:
1.
You know you are fulfilling Our
Lady’s conditions to obtain the conversion and the peace of Christ for the
world.
2.
You obtain numerous indulgences through the
Rosary and the Scapular.
3.
You become eligible for the spiritual
graces of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Graces in this life, at the hour of death,
and after death
4.
Your name is sent to Fatima and
buried near the apparition site.
5.
You share in the prayers of millions
of members.
6.
You become a spiritual child of Saint
Padre Pio.
7.
You participate in the New
Evangelization proposed by the Holy Father.
 |
| Pledge ceremony during Mass, sash used here in Calcutta is optional |
