Our Lady of Fatima in Southwark Cathedral

The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima being brought into Southwark Cathedral in procession

Following on from the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) National Statue visitation at Westminster Cathedral in February, the Statue, and Relics of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, were brought to Southwark Cathedral over the weekend 13-14 May.

The event was so popular the cathedral began to fill up from about 10.30am onwards in anticipation of Mass at 12.30 celebrated by Archbishop Peter Smith. By the time Mass began, the cathedral was full with a congregation probably in excess of 1,000 persons.

Members of the WAF England and Wales national Committee, and also representatives of the Southwark WAF Committee, met briefly with the Archbishop before Mass, and then the Statue and Relics were processed into the Cathedral.

During his homily, Archbishop Peter spoke of how at the very same time, Pope Francis was in Fatima canonising the two youngest seers of Fatima, who would now be known as Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco Marto. The Archbishop also repeated the Act of Consecration made by Cardinal Nichols.

After Mass there was an opportunity for the congregation to venerate the relics of the new saints and pray before the Statue of Our Lady, before they were taken in procession to Sacred Heart church in Camberwell, with probably about 300-400 people accompanying them, all praying the Rosary and singing hymns on the way.

All in all it was beautiful occasion, with weather to match, and also a great sign that the people of Southwark were very glad to have the opportunity to show their love and devotion to Our Lady and Saints Jacinta and Francisco.