Ave! Ave! Ave, Maria! resounded in procession as the community at Saint Benedict Center, along with students, family, friends and first-timers joined in spirit with the thousands across the globe in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima.
The historic day, May 13th, 2017, began with a Solemn high Mass followed by the blessing of the crowns which would be placed on the five statues of Our Lady during the procession. Beautiful flowers which IHM families helped to provide adorned and decorated the altars and shrines and decked the sedia on which was a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal.
Thankfully the impending rain held off as the procession made its way around the monastery grounds in song, prayer and petition, and at each statue reciting a decade of the Rosary.
For this special occasion balloons with tags, “Celebrate Fatima 100 years”, and “Pray the Rosary for Peace” were released after the Litany of Our Lady and the last crowning, with the hope of spreading to those who find them, encouragement in saying the Rosary, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and her Immaculate Heart.
The procession was concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and afterwards everyone joined together to enjoy a pot-luck picnic, ending a beautiful day in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!