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The world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima has made many historic journeys for peace in our nation and conversion of hearts.
According to the World Apostolate of Fatima, the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue is one of two “twin” statues sculpted in 1947 by famous sculptor José Thedim according to the precise instructions of Sister Lucia, one of the three children to see Our Blessed Mother in 1917. Sr Lucia is reported to state that this Image of Our Blessed Mother most resembles Our Lady than any other image she had seen. The first Pilgrim Virgin Statue, began travels from Fatima in May, 1947 and was retired and is on display at the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. On October 13, 1947, the second statue was blessed and commissioned by the Bishop of Liera, Fatima to carry the blessings and bring the graces of Fatima and Our Lady’s message of hope, peace and salvation to millions of people who may never have an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Fatima. He also prayed that Mary herself accompany the statue wherever it goes.
In 1950, a Coast-to-Coast Fatima Pilgrimage took place, covering more than 50 dioceses in the United States.
Padre Pio was convinced that Mary accompanied the statue during the statue’s visit starting April 24, 1959 to major provinces Italy when he became very ill on this day with pleurisy which had prevented his celebrating Mass and hearing Confession. He eagerly awaited the statue’s visit.
“On the evening of August 5, he announced with a voice full of emotion: “In a few minutes our Mother will be in our home … let us open our hearts.”
On August 6 When the helicopter carrying the statue finally rose from the terrace of the Home for the relief of Suffering, “among the eyes that followed it were his, wet with tears.… He called her by name: ‘Beautiful little Mother, I have been sick during your visit to Italy; now you are leaving without curing me!’ …But the moment he lamented her departure, Padre Pio felt a chill through his body. He exclaimed to his fellow priests: ‘I am cured!’ "
Similar to the 1950 pilgrimage and in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Marian Apparitions at Fatima, the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima, under the sponsorship of The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA and its principal statue custodian Patrick L. Sabat, is making a 21 month pilgrimage called the “US Tour for Peace” across the United States. Instead of 50, this tour plans to reach 100 US dioceses. The statue traveled east of the Mississippi in 2016 (NJ, CT, RI, MA, ME, NH, ME, NY, PA, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, KS, MD, AR, LA, FL, HI). It is traveling west of the Mississippi in 2017 and has thus far visited MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, FL, VA, MD, Washington, DC, DE, WV and KY.
This beautiful image of Our Lady of Fatima visited the Diocese of Lexington, KY on April 18 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Winchester, KY and April 18 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Lexington, KY, where the celebration included a morning All School Mass at each location. Saint Joseph’s parish followed Mass with a Rosary for Peace and Adoration. The Cathedral of Christ the King also had a 5:30 PM Mass preceded by a Rosary for Peace. The tour included visits to other Kentucky locations before and after the Lexington visit.
On Dec. 8, 1952, The Pilgrim Virgin Statue came to the United Nations in New York City for prayers to end to the Korean War and peace in the world. The statue will return to the United Nations on May 12, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a conference titled "The Centenary of Fatima and the Enduring Relevance of Its Message of Peace". There will be a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral at noon on Saturday, May 13, the actual hundredth anniversary.
The International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima has visited more than 100 countries, including Russia and China and left many graces and blessings. If you have an opportunity, do not miss this special visit.
Our Blessed Mother gave a Peace Plan to three children in 1917 and we can certainly need to follow this plan for peace in our times. The Plan consists of :
1) Offering your daily sufferings for the conversion of sinners
2) Pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Blessed Mother made this request at each Fatima apparition from May through October.
3) Consecrate yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
4) Practice the First Saturdays Communion of Reparation (Go to Confession; Receive Communion; Recite 5 decades of the Rosary; Meditate for 15 minutes on the Mysteries of the Rosary)
Our Lady requested this First Saturday devotion on five consecutive months with the intention of making reparation for the offenses against her Immaculate Heart: 1) against her Immaculate Conception, 2) against her virginity, 3) against her divine maternity at the same time refusing to recognize her as Mother of men, 4) of those who openly seek to foster in the hearts of children indifference or contempt and even hatred for this Immaculate Mother, 5) of those who directly outrage her in her sacred images.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
References:
https://wafusa.org/the-apostolate/pilgrim-virgin-statue-tours/
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/padre-pio-and-the-madonna/
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