Welcoming procession of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary and the arrival of the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima with Immaculate Heart on 8 September. Photo: Theresia Titus.
By Theresia Titus
The International Centennial Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima made a visitation to St Joachim’s Church, Victoria Park Parish, on 8 September – Mother Mary’s birthday.
The arrival of the statue also saw the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the same day.
Before embarking on its pilgrimage journey, the statue was blessed by Pope Francis on 11 January 2017.
The pilgrimage theme, which became the celebration theme on the day, “The urgent call for prayer and reparation: The appeal of Our Lady of Fatima” was chosen to reflect the current state of the world.
Rosemary Bennett, President of The Legion of Mary – Comitium of Perth, said the organiser of the statue, the Alliance of the Holy Family International, contacted the Legion of Mary to ask if the figure could be brought to the Mass for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“The Legion of Mary was mainly organising the Mass and presentation of the Rosary Scroll,” Ms Bennett said.
“We were delighted, and so with the permission of Monsignor McDonald this was included in our day.”
“This is the 30th anniversary of the 48-hour Rosary Bouquet. For Legionaries and those individuals and parishes who commit their Rosary to Our Lady for her use, it seems to be a highlight in their year,” Ms Bennett explained.
The celebration started with a welcoming procession where attendees went around the area of St Joachim’s Church while praying the Rosary, led by Brother Simon from the Alliance of the Holy Family International.
Father Paul Carey cut the birthday cake dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Victoria Park Parish Hall on Saturday 8 September. Photo: Theresia Titus.
The procession then continued with the imposition of the Rosary, Scapular and coronation of Our Lady in the Church, as well as St John Paul II Consecration Prayer by Fr Paul Carey.
Parish Priest Mgr Thomas McDonald celebrated Mass after the consecration prayer.
During his homily, Mgr McDonald spoke about the “miraculous and immaculate” circumstances of the birth of Our Lady.
Attendees and parishioners prayed in front of the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima following the Mass. Photo: Matthew Lau.
Monsignor said Our Lady’s birth was miraculous due to her parents being elderly, and she is immaculate as she was born free of original sin.
“The world had been in the darkness of sins, and the arrival of Mary brought light,” Mgr McDonald said.
Mgr McDonald also mentioned that “with God’s grace, Our Lady has showered us with many gifts”.
“It can be said that her greatest gift has been the gift of her Divine Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Another of her greatest gifts was her apparitions at Fatima in 1917,” he said.
Mgr McDonald said the message of Our Lady of Fatima could be summarised in two points, which are for us to pray for peace and do reparation by doing penance against sins and blasphemy of the Immaculate Heart.
“May we always listen and adhere to the request of Our Lady of Fatima,” Mgr McDonald concluded his homily.
During the Mass, there was an enrollment and investiture of the Brown Scapular which Ms Bennett said is important for the Legion of Mary as the organisation seeks to promote Mary in every aspect of life.
Brother Simon from the Alliance of Holy Family International, speaking to the attendees of the celebration. Photo: Matthew Lau.
After Mass, attendees lined up to pray in front of Our Lady of Fatima with the Immaculate Heart statue while Br Simon spoke about the theme of the pilgrimage.
In his talk, one of the points he emphasised was the need to pray and repent to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Br Simon also mentioned that “the problem is spiritual and the battle is in marriage and family”, making it necessary to adopt Marian-Eucharistic lifestyle by regular confession, adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Rosary and receiving Eucharist.
The celebration concluded with a lunch and birthday celebration for the Blessed Virgin Mary, adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy and benediction.