The “Miracle of the Sun”

CELEBRATE FATIMA  Msgr. Robert Carroll, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Highland Lakes, members of the Rosary Altar Society and First Communicants pose for a picture with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

HIGHLAND LAKES  She is the “Miracle of the Sun” and in honor of the Blessed Mother, coinciding on the days she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal 99 years ago, Our Lady of Fatima Parish here hosts “Celebrate Fatima.” It is a six-month series in remembrance of the apparitions which took place in 1917.

The series began on May 13 at the Highland Lakes parish, which is the anniversary date when Mary first appeared to Lucia Santos and her siblings, Blessed Francisco and Blessed Jacinta Marto. She would appear to them for the next five months.

On the 13th day during the next five months, the parish will host different events to enhance the awareness of Our Lady of Fatima and to bring together the parish community and other Catholics in the Diocese. The monthly celebrations include a Holy Hour and the recitation of the international rosary.

For the Aug. 13 celebration, the parish will have a special celebration beginning with Mass at 5 p.m. followed by an outdoor procession and a covered dish supper in the hall for fellowship among the parishioners and other form around the Diocese.

Msgr. Robert Carroll, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, was inspired to create the “Celebrate Fatima” series nearly 10 years ago. He told The Beacon he has always had a personal devotion to Mary, going all the way back to his years in seminary, and he feels it is vital to share Our Lady’s message in today’s society.

Msgr. Carroll said, “It is important to first realize that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. Therefore, to know that Mary was chosen and kept free from sin, we should love, respect and by devoted to her.”

One of the highlights of the “Celebrate Fatima” series is the international rosary recited during the series. Msgr. Carroll remembers visiting Fatima and moved by seeing so many people from all over the world having a devotion to Mary. The international rosary is recited during the “Celebrate Fatima” series in five different languages for each decade of the rosary. An important message the Blessed Mother, who identified herself as “the Lady of the Rosary” gave to the children was to, “say the rosary every day” as a way for personal and world peace.

For Msgr. Carroll, this devotion to Mary also reminds him of his own mother, whom he traveled with to Fatima. “We went around a 13th of a month and it was very special and quite a moving experience to concelebrate Mass for the thousands of people there,” said Msgr. Carroll.

In addition to the “Celebrate Fatima” series, Our Lady of Fatima Parish will also welcome the International Pilgrim Virgin statue on June 7 from 7 p.m. to midnight and on June 8 from 6 to 10 a.m. Masses will be held at 8 p.m. on June 7 and 8:45 a.m. June 8 with a special talk about Fatima. The pilgrim statue was sculpted in 1947 by Jose Thedim, based on the description of Lucia Santos, one of the three children who saw the Blessed Mother in 1917.

“Mary is the mother of Jesus, she’s our mother,” Msgr. Carroll said. “The message of Fatima to pray the rosary, particularly encouraged the children. All of us should pray the rosary for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world, great repentance for the world and for ourselves.”