DIOCESE—This year marks the 100th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal, to three young children, Lucia Santos and her two cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
To celebrate what Pope John Paul II called “the most prophetic of modern apparitions,” Bishop David Malloy has issued a public invitation to all Catholics to join him for Mass Oct. 12.
“Since the appearance of Mary at that moment near the end of the First World War, her message about the need for repentance and penance calls the modern world to conversion to the message of the Gospel,” Bishop Malloy wrote in a letter to be read at all Masses throughout the Rockford Diocese this weekend, Aug. 12 and 13.
“Her words and her motherly care, demonstrated at Fatima, have been taken to heart by the Church and even the last three popes have made special visits to Fatima to honor Mary,” he continued.
Bishop Malloy will celebrate his Mass one day before the actual observed anniversary, Oct. 13, to allow parishes and other organizations to celebrate Mass or hold events in honor of Mary’s final appearance and of the famous Miracle of the Sun witnessed by tens of thousands which took place on that date.
Bishop Malloy’s Mass in honor of Fatima will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford at 7 p.m.
In the course of the Mass, Bishop Malloy said in his letter, he “will renew the consecration, made by my predecessor Bishop Thomas Doran in 2004, of the Diocese of Rockford to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At that same Mass, I will offer the consecration and service of the priests of this diocese to Our Blessed Mother as well.”
Bishop Malloy said, “I invite you to be present for that Mass,” which will begin with a procession with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
For more thoughts on Fatima, read Bishop Malloy’s column on Page 2.