October 13commemorates the final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima,
Portugal,to the three shepherd children, the first apparition being held on May
13, 1917.In a special way, for the people of Panjim, this event is very dear to
their heart and is celebrated with great religious fervour. It is an old
practice that the feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated with an open air
Mass in the square of the Archbishop’s palace, presided over by the
Archbishop-Patriarch. This year, the liturgical theme of the Eucharist is in
line with the theme of the current pastoral year. It reads thus, ‘Maria, Amche
Maiechi, Dekh Gheum-ia. Gorjevon tam Sovem Udhar Zaum-ia’ (Let us imitate Mary,
Our Mother. Let us be generous towards the needy).
At the end of the Mass, the faithful with
lit lanterns in their hands begin the traditional procession winding its way
through Fr Agnelo Road to the zig-zag steps of the Church. During the
procession, keeping in mind the message of Mary, they pray the Rosary and sing
hymns in Her honour with a reflection on the mysteries.
The procession has a penitential
character, and also symbolises the pilgrimage aspect of our earthly journey
till we reach the heavenly Jerusalem.
The statue of Mother Mary, mounted on a
flower-decked and illuminated vehicle, is carried devoutly and kept on the
stand for public veneration. An act of consecration is recited by the people
whereby the parishioners renew their self-commitment to Mary, pledging to
follow in Her footsteps in order to merit the eternal salvation brought about
by Her son Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection. At the end,
benediction of the blessed Sacrament is imparted to all those present for the event.
The significance of the feast lies in seeking Mary’s protection
for the entire humanity in its efforts for peace and conversion as She
admonished the three visionaries, Lucia, and her cousins, Francisco and
Jacinta, to pray the Rosary daily, and that the war would soon come to an end.
She is rightly acclaimed Queen of Peace and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.
The site where Mary appeared is known ‘Cova da Iria’ where today
stands a chapel. Lucia was then nine years old while Francisco and Jacinta were
seven and six years old respectively. They remained speechless and motionless
on seeing Mary, who revealed to them Her name as the ‘Lady of the Rosary’. They
saw Her dressed in white with a blue mantle, shinning brighter than the sun.
Francisco and his sister, Jacinta, died of influenza at a very
young age of ten and nine, on April 4, 1919 and February 20, 1920 respectively.
Lucy died at a ripe old age of 97, on February 13, 2005. She is buried
alongside Francisco and Jacinta. She accompanied Pope Paul VI to the shrine on
May 13, 1967, and also met Pope John Paul II on two occasions in 1991 and 2000
at Fatima.
While Francisco and Jacinta were canonised by Pope Francis on
May 13, 2017, Lucy’s cause for canonisation is in progress. As a matter of joy,
she was present in Fatima for the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta by
Pope John Paul II on May 13, 2000.
On
this auspicious occasion, we implore God’s blessings on all the people through
the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary.