Statue of Our Lady of Fatima visits Rome

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima is coming to Rome this weekend, for the key event of the Year of Faith, the Marian Day, which is scheduled to take place in Rome on 12 and 13 October.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, from the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation told a press conference on Friday that the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima will arrive in Rome on Saturday, and return to Fatima on Sunday evening. The archbishop emphasised the importance of this event, recalling that “the statue never leaves the shrine, except in the case of entirely exceptional and extraordinary events. The last time was during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 when, on 13 May, Blessed John Paul II carried out the act of consecration to the Virgin. … The date of 13 October has been chosen as it recalls the final appearance of the Virgin to the three shepherd children in 1917”.

As is traditional in these events, on Saturday morning there will be a pilgrimage to the Tomb of Peter and in the afternoon, Pope Francis' catechesis. In the afternoon St Peter's Square will open to pilgrims at 2.30pm. At 3pm there will be a moment of reflection, and at 4pm the procession of the Virgin around the square will begin.

In accordance with tradition, pilgrims are asked to wave with white handkerchiefs as the statue of the Virgin of Fatima passes. At 5pm the Holy Father will greet the statue of the Virgin in front of the Basilica. Following a moment of prayer in St.Peter's Square, the statue will be transported to the Santuario del Divino Amore, where an all-night prayer vigil will take place. On Sunday morning, the Virgin will return to the Vatican where the procession across St Peter's Square will be repeated at 9.30am, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Finally, the Pope will carry out the act of consecration to the Virgin and will pray the Angelus with the pilgrims present.

It is expected that more than 150,000 pilgrims from all over the world will take part in the services, with international representations from 48 countries.

Source: VIS