WESTFIELD-An epic journey is underway for the World Apostolate of Fatima’s United States Tour of Peace with a stop at Saint Peter & Saint Casimir Church on State Street on April 25.
The world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima was sculpted in 1947. The image reflects the precise instructions of Sister Lucia.
The historic tour, marking the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal, will feature the world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue. The tour is titled “Fatima Centennial U.S. Tour for Peace: 100 Years – 100 Dioceses.”
Alicia Belanger, a parish council member, discovered only a month ago that there were still two openings in Massachusetts to host the statue.
“I heard about the tour and with two dates still open, we locked one in immediately,” said Belanger. “It was meant for her to come here.”
Belanger added that this event is part of Saint Peter’s 100th anniversary celebration, as well as one of its Year of Mercy programs. Saint Casimir Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2018.
The tour includes 50 states and will be an extraordinary occasion of healing, hope, and grace, noted Belanger.
Alicia Belanger of Saint Peter & Saint Casimir Church in Westfield encourages area residents to visit the church on April 25 when the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima stops on its U.S. tour of peace.
The journey across the country is to allow Our Lady of Fatima, the Queen of Peace, to claim her dominion over the United States and to bring the message of Fatima to a world in need, according to event organizers. The tour began March 21, the 100th anniversary of the start of the first apparition of the Angel of Peace at Fatima, Portugal, and continues through December 2017, the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima.
The tour is dedicated to the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, visited at Fatima by Our Lady, on the 13th day of the months of May through October, 1917. Her message, imparted through specific requests, has become known as the Peace Plan from Heaven. It is noted the Lord told Sister Lucia that he had placed the peace of the world in the Immaculate Heart.
The Pilgrim Virgin Statue has visited more than 100 countries, bringing Mary’s powerful and timeless message of salvation and hope to millions. The purpose of the tour s is to bring Our Lady’s message of hope, peace and salvation to those many millions of people who may never have an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Fatima itself. Countless favors and graces have been reported wherever the Virgin Statue has traveled.
The world famous statue was sculpted in 1947 by sculptor Jose Thedim. The image reflects the precise instructions of Sister Lucia. Her desire was that the pilgrim image represent Our Lady’s position when she revealed herself as the Immaculate Heart to the shepherds in 1917.
In the presence of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Fatima, the statue was blessed by the Bishop of Fatima on Oct. 13, 1947. It was the second “twin” statue commissioned as the Pilgrim Virgin that would carry the blessings of Fatima to the West, while the first statue, commissioned on May 13, 1947, would travel to the East.
Principal statue custodian Patrick L. Sabat will lead talks throughout the day on April 25.
In addition to the Westfield visit, the statue will also travel to Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Belchertown, on April 22; Our Lady of Fatima, Ludlow, on April 23, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holyoke, on April 24.
“Our day includes Masses at 7:15 a.m. and 7 p.m., talks by principal statue custodian Patrick Sabat, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, meditations on the Holy Rosary, confession and quiet time all day,” said Belanger.
The April 25 schedule is as follows:
6:45 – 7 a.m.: Prayer of the Joyful Rosary Meditations.
7:15 – 8:30 a.m.: Welcome Procession by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and Holy Mass by the Rev. William Wallis. A talk is planned by statue custodian Patrick Sabat, as well as Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Prayer of Consecration to Our Lady, Litany to Our Lady.
8:30 – 9 a.m.: Prayer of the Luminous Rosary/Confession and Brown Scapular Enrollment.
9 – 11 a.m.: private veneration time.
11 a.m. – noon: Prayer of the Sorrowful Rosary/Confession, talk by Sabat, Prayer of Consecration to Our Lady, Recitation of The Angelus/Scapular Enrollment.
Noon to 2 p.m.: private veneration time.
2 – 3 p.m.: Prayer of the Glorious Rosary/Confession, talk by Sabat, Prayer of Consecration to Our Lady, and Divine Mercy Chaplet/Scapular Enrollment.
3 – 6 p.m.: private veneration time.
6:15 – 7 p.m.: Rosary for Peace/Confession, and Recitation of the Angelus.
7 – 8:30 p.m.: Farewell Holy Mass and Procession, talk by Sabat, Consecration Prayer, Brown Scapular Enrollment.
During the course of the day there will also be commemorative rosaries for sale, as well as books on Our Lady of Fatima and a book written by Sister Lucia of her experiences with Our Lady.
Belanger noted that since the Pilgrim Virgin Statue has a clothing garment on, she cannot be touched.
“There will be rows of ribbon so visitors can kiss or hold on to the ribbon to be connected with her,” said Belanger.
The statue will be on the right side of the altar with kneelers available. Visitors may also use the pews if they prefer for prayerful meditation.
Sabat noted on the official Fatima website that people respond differently upon seeing the statue.
“There are many reasons people come to see the statue; some out of curiosity; others to seek physical or spiritual healing; some are miracle hunters,” said Sabat. “They all want to see the statue for different reasons, but most people ‘see’ differently upon looking into her eyes. They see a concerned, loving Mother with a message for all her children. I have met so many people who were moved to go to confession after seeing her, and they leave a different person.”
Belanger noted that Wallis and priests from throughout the Diocese of Springfield will volunteer their time to hear confessions throughout the day.
“Our Lord sent her to bring peace to the world,” said Belanger. “This tour represents a reawakening of the story of Fatima.”
For more information, visit www.fatimatourforpeace.com.
