Meeting with Lordship Bp Stephen on 14th April 2026 at Salvation Kendra, Dadar at 10.00 am
1) Bp. Stephen informed that the matter on the Pilgrim Statue was discussed at the Bishops meeting and he was asked to discuss with us the points they had noted.
2) Bp. Stephen took a review of the WAF members and Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group of Marol.
3) Sr Fatima informed that she does not belong to the WAF, but came to support the WAF members for establishment of a unit in Mumbai and to discuss about the Pilgrim Statue to be brought to Mumbai.
4) Members highlighted that the First Saturday Devotion is taking place only in Karjat and Andheri. Format of the FSD was explained to Bp. Stephen. Members requested that FSD should be started in all parishes. Bp. Stephen said that we can ask the Parishes, but starting it depends on the Parish Priest.
5) Members requested the Pilgrim Statue to be sent around to all Parishes, Convents, Hospitals and Religious institutions. Bp. Stephen said it was not possible to do so. The Bishops had decided to sent the Statue only to a select few churches, and Pilgrims could come and visit.
6) The Pilgrim Statue to be sent to Fatima Parishes namely,
1.OLF Shrine Karjat
2.OLF Kirol
3.OLF Sewri
4.OLF Majiwada
5.OLF Ambernath
7) The Pilgrim Statue will be sent to Marian Parishes, namely.....
1. Our Lady of Egypt
(Kalina)
2. Our Lady of Victories (Mahim)
3. Mount Carmel (Bandra)
4. Our Lady of Salvation (Dadar Portugese Church)
5. Our Lady of the Rosary Church (Dockyard)
6. Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Orlem)
7. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Sion)
8. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (Boravali)
8) Fatima requested that Pilgrim Statue could also be sent to non-Marian Parishes if requested by them.
9) Fatima mentioned that Mumbai has a population of nearly 22 million people, and is a day/night city with a commercial infrastructure. It was imperative that Night Vigil be held in some Parishes. She requested if the Pilgrim Statue could be sent to St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol for a night Vigil where the OLF prayer group is active.
Furthermore, members mentioned that Nigt Vigil is organized by Clint at Fatima Parish in Kirol. The points were noted by Bp. Stephen to be discussed at the next Bishops meeting.
10) Bp. Stephen wanted to know when the Statue could be brought to Mumbai. Fatima mentioned the ideal time would be in October as there are 2 Feasts of Our Lady, one on 7th October - Feast of the Holy Rosary and the other one 13th October- Feast of OLF. Members said that the Statue could arrive on 4th October and remain depending on the requests made by the Parishes.
11) An organizing and managing committee to be formed for detailed outline and planning of the Visitation program one month before the arrival of the Pilgrim Statue.
12) Bp. Stephen wanted to know who would fund the expenses. Members said we could appeal for donors or collection made at the Parshes and given to the Parish Priest.
13) Members also discussed with Bp. Stephen about transporting the Statue from one Parish to the other and arranging the Palki for procession.
14) Bp. Stephen discussed guidelines to be given to the parishes, either on paper or digitally sent by email.
15) Prayer format during the Pilgrim Statue Visitation also needed to be looked into and draft made to be given to each Parish.
16) Bp. Stephen checked if any printed material would accompany the Statue, as also waving of white handkerchiefs be arranged as needed.
17) Bp. Stephen will get back to us with the feedback after discussions with the Bishops team.
The meeting ended with a hymn and blessings by Bp. Stephen.
25 Aug 2025 meeting with Arch Bishop John Rodrigues of Bombay
FATIMA CENTENARY INDIA PILGRIMAGE for Prayer, Penance and Peace (30th Oct to 3rd Nov 2017)
Covering 29 Indian States in 35 days from 1st Oct to 3rd Nov 2017 and 14,350 Kms by Jeep.
Our Lady was venerated by 21 Bishops,
384 Priests, 4000 Nuns and 48,640 lay
in 45 locations.(approximate numbers).
MAHARASHTRA: Bombay St John the Evangelist Church, Mariol Andheri E, 3rd Oct
2017:
Around 7,000 attended under Fr Clement PP and
Fr Glen D’Mello.
Consecration
of Maharashtra state done to the IHM by Bishop
Domnic Savio. He preached well on the Rosary and First Saturdays
devotion.
Mrs Carmelina Vaz, WAF National Ex Com member coordinated. The Fatima
Shrine at Karjat is under renovation, so could not be held there. This was a
convenient location central in the Metro.
13 May 2017; Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Karjat: 
13 May 2017: India
celebrates Fatima apparitions in Asia’s first shrine: Vatican Radio
Around
3,000 people, Catholics and of other religious confessions, crowded the
celebrations for the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in the
Sanctuary of Karjat in Maharashtra, India on May 13.
The statue of Our Lady in Karjat was brought by
the Portuguese in 1920, whilst the Shrine itself was consecrated in 1935, the
first to be dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary in Asia.. Since then, the
site has become a place of pilgrimage. On the 13th of every month, the faithful
gather to mark the first apparition
Marking
the occasion, Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, consecrated and
blessed the new altar of the Church. The Cardinal also renewed the Act of
Consecration of the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He told the
crowd: "Let us live the message of Fatima. Pray for peace and make
sacrifices emphasizing the power of prayer."
Speaking
in front of the devotees of Our Lady, whose worship is increasingly widespread
among non-Christians, the Cardinal said: "At Fatima the Blessed Virgin
spoke of World War. Wars continue today, with different forms and dangers,
turmoil, upheaval and violence all over the world. Wars are also in our
personal lives, in the struggle between good and evil. " For this, he
stressed, "It is important to pray, pray for peace".
According
to Card. Gracias, "in families there is a growing need to pray." So
he invited everyone to "pray the Rosary in families, praying for peace in
our homes, in family relationships and in the world."
The Shrine, under Fr Callistus Fernandes had organized a novena of votive prayers that culminated on this day with the Eucharistic Sacrifice, Act of Consecration of families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Eucharistic Adoration. (AsiaNews)
Marian
Mini Congress at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Kirol Vidyavihar, Bombay India on Sunday
29th May 2016:
The Mini Congress was held at Our Lady of Fatima School hall. It began with Rosary at 2 pm at led by Sr Jacinta Zabeth. This was followed by Fatima Reparatory Adoration exposed by Fr Philip Gonsalves, OFM Cap, Parish Priest. Fr Callistus Fernandes, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Karjat, WAF coordinator for Bombay Archdiocese and main organizer for the day and Mrs Carmel Vaz, WAF Bombay and National Ex Bd Member conducted the prayers. Fr Santosh Salve, msfs, WAF coordinator for Pune Diocese reposed Jesus.
Auxiliary Bishop Domnic Savio Fernandes of Bombay was the main celebrant at Mass with 5 concelebrants. In his homily, he mentioned about unity among Priests and even lay groups. Many even theologians say that too much devotion to Mary is not good, but devotion to Mary always glorifies God. We must carry Jesus in our hearts like Mary. We must make Jesus visible to people around. Where ever Mary is there, Holy Spirit is active. Fr Callistus blended well the local language Marathi. The choir was very lively throughout.
After the tea break, the flower bouquets were offered. Then, Fr Callistus briefly spoke on today’s importance of the Fatima message. Dr Celcio Dias, WAF National Vice Chairman and International Secretary then made a power point presentation of the Fatima narratives, Forgotten Message: First Saturdays and Consecration. He mentioned about celebrating the Divine Mercy Feast on any ordinary Sunday if not done on the usual day, for the Spiritual treasures of Grace and Indulgences to flow. The Centenary is to be celebrated by beginning now the First Saturdays, public meditation of Rosary, Reparatory Adoration, processions as possible, etc. He challenged Bombay WAF to take over the WAF National Center later.
Bishop Domnic Savio who
was present throughout, then emotionally testified to the power of effectively
praying the Rosary with full
concentration and how court cases just collapsed. He explained about his Bishop’s motto. Mrs
Carmel then thanked everyone for the successful and fruitful Program. About 350
attended with many nuns. The WAF Bookstore was manned by Julius, Secretary of
the National Center. A short interaction followed with about 20 members and
their contact details were taken.
Spiritual fruits:
1.
Strengthening of the Archdiocesan Unit
under
Fr
Callistus Fernandes with focus on
the pleas of Our Lady of Fatima: Five First Saturdays, Consecration, Reparatory
Adorations, etc.
2.
“FIRST” Communion
of Reparation of First Saturdays started at Fatima Shrine Karjat on 4th
June at 1030 am and WILL CONTINUE, besides the traditional 13th of
every month. 35 attended. (“Arree karke dhekho”, translation: “Just Do and
Show”). Free lunch provided was very tasty.
3.
Spreading out to other 4 Parishes dedicated
to Our Lady of Fatima and even other Parishes, communities, etc. in the
Archdiocese.
Fr
Callistus, Fr Philip, Mrs Carmel, Mr Victor and so many silent workers of Legion
of Mary excelled as hosts.
On 13 Oct 2012, Fr Conceicao D'Silva Spiritual Advisor WAF Goa alongwith Mr Francis Barreto and Mr Julius Fernandes gave formative sessions at the Fatima Shrine Karjat
On 10 Oct 2006 a devotee from Germany gifted a Statue through Dr Celcio Dias at Fatima, which was later presented to Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay
Dr Celcio Dias conducts meeting: Dr. Celcio Dias, President, World Apostolate of Fatima (Asian Region) enroute to Philippines alongwith Mrs Tessa D'Souza conducted a meeting at St. Peter’s, Bandra on August 19, 2006 530-7 pm to spread the 1st Sat Repartion and Message of Fatima, About 60 attended.
