PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA (Peregrinatio Mariae) PROGRAM
1) INTERNATIONAL
2) INDIAN NATIONAL
1) INTERNATIONAL
2) INDIAN NATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
1- The request
must be addressed to the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas,
in a written letter signed by the Chairman of the Bishops’s Conference of India
(if it is to be a national visitation). If the Statue is only visiting one or two
dioceses, then the bishop of each diocese should sign the letter with the
request to have the statue in his diocese.
Address of the Shrine of
Fatima:
Rev. Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas, Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
Apartado 31, 2496-908 FÁTIMA, Portugal
Email: reitoria@fatima.pt
2- The letter
must indicate the dates you would like to have the Statue available for the
visit in India.
In that letter, it should also be said who is
going to be responsible for organizing the itinerary, prepare the program
and look after the Statue during the period of the visitation. In your case,
if we understood well, it would be the World Apostolate of Fatima in your
Diocese in India.
The program for the visit must be prepared in
detail. When the program is finalized it can be sent to the Shrine and to the International
Secretariat Email:
info@worldfatima.com for knowledge. The message
of Fatima must be promoted together with the Statue’s visitation. Pilgrims who
gathered around the Pilgrim Virgin Statues from the Shrine receive the same
graces and indulgences than those who come to Fatima, and next year, special
indulgences are granted because of the Centennial.
PLENARY
INDULGENCE: In order to
celebrate solemnly the Centennial of the Apparitions of Fatima, by mandate of
Pope Francis, a Jubilee Year is granted, with the inherent Plenary Indulgence,
from the 27th of November 2016
till the 26th of November 2017.
The plenary indulgence of the jubilee is granted:
a) To the faithful who visit the Sanctuary of Fatima on pilgrimage and
devotedly participate in some celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin
Mary, pray the ‘Our Father’, recite the symbol of the faith (Creed) and invoke
Our Lady of Fatima;
b) To the pious faithful who visit with devotion an image of Our Lady of Fatima, solemnly displayed to public veneration in ANY Church, Chapel, oratory or adequate place, on the anniversary days of the apparitions (the 13th of
each month, from May to October 2017), and who devotedly participate there in some
celebration or prayer in honour of the Virgin Mary, pray the ‘Our Father’,
recite the symbol of the faith (Creed) and invoke Our Lady of Fatima;
c) To the faithful who, due to their age, illness or another serious
cause, are hindered of moving, if repented of all their sins and with the firm
intention to carry out, as soon as it will be possible to them, the three
conditions indicated below, in front of a small image of Our Lady of Fatima, on
the days of the apparitions, joining spiritually the jubilee celebrations,
offering with confidence to the merciful God through Mary their prayers and
pains, or the sacrifices of their own life.
In order to obtain plenary indulgences, the faithful who are truly
repentant and filled with charity must fulfil the following ritual
conditions: sacramental confession,
Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Copy of that letter can be sent to the WAF
Secretariat by e-mail so that we are informed and can also give follow up with
the Rector.
3- The Pilgrim
Virgin Statue from the Shrine, if granted, will either be shipped to India or
will a delegation come to Fatima to take it. In whatever case, expenses are
always covered by the country receiving the Statue. The same for returning it.
4. At the end
of the visit, a full report can be made to be sent to the Shrine, Indian
National Centre celciodias86@gmail.com and International
Secretariat and other places.
A side note just for you:
Although the Shrine of Fatima does not require a fee or donation as a
result of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue visitation, it is common that people often
make donations when the statue is visiting a particular diocese/parish…. So,
there is no problem in having a donation box near the statue when it is on
display, if agreed before.
The money collected should be used for the purpose of spreading the
Message of Our Lady of Fatima. The International World Apostolate of Fatima,
years back made a policy regarding this matter which is applied when the
Pilgrim Virgin Statue visitation is coordinated by the WAF. This can be
adjusted to each particular country but we share it with you for your
reference.
a) Part of the
donations received can be used for covering the expenses with the program of
the visit of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue(transportation, flowers, pamphlets,
donation to the parish, etc). Once this is paid off, 20% of the net income
should remain for the WAF of the hosting country for it to continue its
mission.
The remaining amount can then be distributed as:
b) 60 % of
offerings should be handed to the Shrine of Fatima for pastoral use. This can
be done when the statue is returned to Fatima.
c) The
International WAF also stipulates that 20% donation can be made to the WAF
International Secretariat to help its work of spreading the Message of Our Lady
of Fatima around the world.
This is the policy we have followed in some countries, like Philippines,
Italy, etc. but you will see if it is appropriated in your own context and
always respecting the donator’s intention. In fact, if there is a donation box,
it is important that the donor knows the general purpose for the funds.
God bless you!
Nuno and Ana
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PROGRAM
The World Apostolate of Fatima Goa
Archdiocesan Unit and the National Centre now has two Statues sent from the Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal by H E Emeritus Bishop Serafim Souza, as requested by our earlier Indian WAF National President H E Archbishop Henry D'Souza of Calcutta of happy memories. The statue can be the focal point of renewing interest in the Message of
Fatima and informing many Catholics who are unaware of the important message of
conversion and peace brought by the Mother of God to the world through three
shepherd children in 1917 at Fatima Portugal.
Filled with bitterness for reasons known only to himself, a
wealthy Portuguese man named Gilberto went to Fatima on May 13, 1920, just
three years following the first apparition.
His pilgrimage plans did not include prayers like the intentions of most
of the pilgrims. He went there with the
intention of throwing bombs at the pilgrims he would find praying there. Heaven, however, intervened, and Gilberto
returned to his home converted.
In thanksgiving for the peace he now felt within himself through
this conversion, he hired the most widely acclaimed sculptor in Potugal, Jose
Thedim, to carve a statue in the likeness of the vision of Our Lady seen by the
three children.
The story of the Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue is one that
touches the past, present and future. In
1942, Silver Jubilee of Fatima, the Girls’ Catholic Youth Movement organized
the first ever Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima. On April 8th, the Statue was taken
from the chapel of the apparitions to Lisbon and returned to the Cova da Iria
on May 13th.
Four years later, when Portugal celebrated the Third Centenary
of the proclamation of Our Lady as Patroness of Portugal by King John IV,
ceremonies were held in every parish throughout the nation, Pope Pius XII sent
Cardinal Masella to crown Our Lady of Fatima as “Queen of Peace”. The climax of all celebrations was the
Pilgrimage of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue from the Capelinha to Lisbon and back.
About one month later, November 23rd, 1946, Our
Lady’s Statue was placed on a gilded stand and carried triumphantly on the
shoulders of her people in a walking procession. Thousands escorted the image as it moved from
parish to parish. Curios believers and
atheists rushed to see the famous statue as it entered Lisbon on December 5th
1946.
Then a most unusual happening occurred. In the small village of Bombarral, about 32
miles north of Lisbon, six white doves were set free by some children. Three doves vanished but three rested at the
base of the statue and remained peacefully at the feet of Our Lady during the
entire journey to Lisbon and also during the various ceremonies there.
As the statue moved from church to church, the doves continued
their vigil. Stories of this touching
event were published in papers throughout Portugal. After the visits to the new Church of Our
Lady of Fatima and the Cathedral of Lisbon, the statue throughout all its
travels, including the return trip to the Cova.
When the bishop of Leiria heard this news, he immediately
ordered a dove-cote to be built behind the shrine. He said:
“These doves symbolic of the theological virtues…. Faith, Hope and
Charity”. After the statue was venerated
at the Cova on October 13, 1947, it travelled for three months throughout the
provinces of Alentejo and Algarve. At
the request of the Spanish people, the image crossed the border at 2 points and
remained in Spain for a short time.
When the statue finally returned to Fatima, there were five
faithful white doves at the feet of Our Lady.
Many conversions and miracles of body and soul took place during the
statue’s journey. It has been said and written
that the people of Alentejo and Algarve were fearful of the first republican
authorities who threatened anyone who dared show any faith in God. After the visit of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue,
these people had the courage to practice their religion openly once again.
The original Pilgrim Virgin Statue is reserved in the little
chapel at the Cova de Iria and is carried in procession on the thirteenth of
each month from May to October. This is the same statue, to the crown of
which, the late Pope John Paul II has attached the bullet that almost took his
life on 13th May 1981.
The first Bishop of Fatima had the same sculptor carved a copy under the
supervision of Sister Lucia.
On May 13, 1947, during a youth congress at Fatima, a resolution was passed to have a statue like
the original one at the Cova carried throughout Europe and in Russia. Sister Lucia suggested the bishop give his statue
for this purpose and that it be known as the “Pilgrim Virgin”.
Since then, the Fatima sanctuary commissioned a number of International
Pilgrim Virgin Statues that have been carried far and wide throughout the world
as a means of making the Fatima message known.
The Indian WAF National Centre has been gifted two statues of Our Lady
of Fatima by the then Bishop of Fatima HE Serafim Silva.
On the fiftieth anniversary of the Fatima apparitions on May 13th,
1967, Pope Paul VI blessed twenty – five National Pilgrim Virgin Statues of Our
Lady of Fatima to be presented to individual countries around the world.
The message of Our Lady of Fatima carried by her Pilgrim Virgin
statue is the same: Christ, and Christ alone is our Redeemer. He is Love and mercy and the Giver of every
grace. Because Mary is the Mother of
Jesus, and His most perfect imitator, she can intercede for us, her
children. Mankind offends God by sin:
therefore we must offer reparation for our sins, and the sins of others.
SCHEDULING THE NATIONAL PILGRIM VIRGIN IN YOUR DIOCESE
The ultimate goal of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue Program
is to have the statue spend some days in each diocese. Wherever there is an established World
Apostolate of Fatima Diocesan unit, one of the main goals of the unit should be
to have the national Pilgrim Virgin Statue visit the diocese. Requests should be sent to the World
Apostolate of Fatima, Indian National Centre to reserve the statue for your diocese. After the statue is scheduled for you
diocese, planning for the spiritual director who is a priest designated by your
Bishop should be in charge. When a
letter of approval is received at the World Apostolate of Fatima from bishop,
you will receive your Pilgrim Virgin Kit, containing all the tools you will
need in planning this very special event.
Hosting a visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue offers
a wonderful opportunity for Diocesan
units to recruit new WAF materials, especially pledges, and a good supply of
subscriptions forms (available from the National Center). The Statutes/Constitution of the Goa Unit of
the WAF as approved by Bishop is available on request which can be suitably
adapted to suit your diocese.
Sponsoring groups such as Legion of Mary or any other
Association / Movement approved by the local diocesan authority can also
schedule the statue if there is no active World Apostolate of Fatima diocesan
division. But ideally it would be better to establish an unit of the World
Apostolate of Fatima with an executive committee and your own statues duly
approved by your local bishop.
The statue shall have the assigned role as documented in Lumen
Gentium No. 67; Redemptoris Mater No. 33 DS 600 as exhorted by Pope John Paul
II in his 29th Oct 1997 General Audience: “Lumen Gentium intended to
stress the legitimacy and validity of sacred images, in contrast to certain
tendencies to remove them from Churches and Shrines in order to focus full
attention on Christ. When one venerates
images of Mary; the believer’s act is ultimately intended as a tribute to the
person of the Mother of Jesus”.
One of the most fruitful programs ever in the WAF is that of the visiting Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. The youth, children and families and society’s “outcasts” especially should be targeted. The number of conversions, of people returning to the sacraments, of family peace re-established, of all sorts of physical and spiritual graces granted from Heaven, is impossible to calculate. The marvels of the Visit of Our Lady are proverbial. The Visits should be prepared carefully as a MISSION, so that the Message of Fatima will be preached, the Holy Rosary mediated, the Eucharistic celebration will take place, vigils, holy hours and abundant confessions will be available. The First Saturday’s devotion should be spread. Approved materials are to be promoted.
The statue is to be taken care of from breakage or even soiling by touch of hands. The World Apostolate of Fatima India National Centre will have to be compensated for any damages caused while in transit or at your end. Such damages if any will be assessed by a competent repairer/painter. Once you get an Ok from the WAF National Centre, the responsibility of taking the statue with appropriate packing etc. will be yours. Similarly after the number of days that it has been allotted to you are over, it is your responsibility to reach it safely and without any delay to our office in Goa, since such delays will disrupt the schedule agreed/ planned for other units/ dioceses.
It is suggested that you publish a souvenir on the
occasion. The souvenir should be ready
before the visit of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.
It should contain all details such as themes for sermons and the
schedule of visits to various parishes within your diocese. The souvenir could also be a source of income
by means of advertisements, good wishes, birthday wishes, anniversary wishes
etc. from parishioners and business houses.
Advertisements should be carefully selected so as to avoid anything that
is not suitable such as liquor ads.
A proper record of all incomes by means of donations, souvenir
advertisements etc. should be maintained.
After deduction of all expenses 25% of the net profit is to be sent to
the WAF India National Centre, 50% to the local unit of WAF/Church and 25 % to
the International Secretariat, through the WAF Indian National Centre. A fully refundable Bank draft as a guarantee
should be sent in advance to our Panjim address for Rs 30,000/- in the name of
“The World Apostolate of Fatima”
Approved
+ Archbishop S. Lucas
National President WAF India Dated
: 21/9/2009
Contact:-
Mr Francis Barreto: strikerichgoa@gmail.com Whattsapp: 9822151468
Dr Celcio Dias: celciodias86@gmail.com Whattsapp: 9822981418
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Contact:-
Mr Francis Barreto: strikerichgoa@gmail.com Whattsapp: 9822151468
Dr Celcio Dias: celciodias86@gmail.com Whattsapp: 9822981418
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STATUES, RELIGIOUS ARTICLES, BOOKS, ETC AT
SHOP OWNED BY THE FATIMA SHRINE
Loja de Artigos Religiosos | Serviço
de Administração
SANTUÁRIO DE NOSSA SENHORA DO ROSÁRIO
DE FÁTIMA
Apartado 31, 2496-908 Fátima –
Portugal
1) Wooden
statue, (MEDEIRA) 100 cms about 2000/- Euros + Crown about 80 to 120/- Euros,
13 kgs weight
2) Fibre
Statue, 100 cms about 100 to 272 Euros with crown
70 - 75 cms about 80 Euros with crown
(lasts about 2-3 yrs then color changes)
70 - 75 cms about 80 Euros with crown
(lasts about 2-3 yrs then color changes)
The wooden statue does not have the
pigeons down, only the fibre one has
Sr. Gloria
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