Our Lady of Fatima statue to visit suburban churches
Nine suburban Catholic parishes are cooperating to host the September visits of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima with the intention of promoting a message of world peace.
Spokesmen agreed to commemorate what they believe was a miracle that occurred in 1917, when it is said the Virgin Mary appeared several times to 11-year-old Lucia dos Santos and her two cousins in Portugal, with a peace message and a promise of a spectacular event to convince folks to return to prayer, praise and God.
At the time, the children told officials that the Virgin Mary promised the children an October phenomenon to convince unbelievers that Mary's appearances to the children were true. The three children were illiterate, causing town officials to disbelieve.
The statue has already made its way to Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek and St. Walter in Roselle.
St. Ansgar, Hanover Park, will receive the statue on Friday, Sept 9; Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein, Sunday, Sept 11; St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates, Monday, Sept 12; St. Peter, Volo, Tuesday, Sept. 13; St. James, Arlington Heights, Wednesday, Sept. 14; St. Mary, Lake Forest, Thursday, Sept. 15; and St. Thomas Becket, Mount Prospect, Friday, Sept. 16.
Each parish will determine times and festivities that may include a procession, Mass, Rosary, devotions and time for private prayer.
The renowned traveling statue, which had its inception in 1947, draws crowds in its quest to spread the story of the miracle of the sun witnessed by more than 70,000 believers and skeptics assembled Oct. 17, 1917, when it is said the sun "danced in the sky, spun wildly and once hurled itself toward the crowd" before returning to its orbit.
The "Encyclopedia of Catholicism" says, "Although approved by the church, the events at Fatima are considered private revelations."
The faithful do not honor the statue itself, but use the devotion to recall the Virgin's message and warnings.
Now considered by the designation Servant of God, one of the steps before sainthood, Lucia dos Santos became a Carmelite nun and died in 2005.