The parish community—richly multicultural and deeply welcoming—responded with heartfelt devotion. Around 150 parishioners gathered on Saturday for the day’s celebrations, demonstrating a warm and sincere openness to the message of Our Lady of Fàtima. A profound sense of reverence for the Immaculate Heart of Mary permeated the day, as individuals shared their intentions, hopes, and desires to learn more, live faithfully, and help spread Our Lady’s call for conversion and peace in our times. Many were enrolled in and invested with the Brown Scapular, embracing this sign of Marian protection with gratitude. Others renewed or undertook the consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary, committing themselves more deeply to a life shaped by prayer and trust. Items of piety were eagerly received—rosaries, medals, books, and devotional aids—each one a practical means of living out Our Lady’s appeal for prayer, reparation, consecration, and conversion. The visit of the Statue and Relics became a moment of grace for the parish, strengthening unity, deepening devotion, and inspiring renewed commitment to the Fatima message. Our Lady of Fàtima, pray for us Saints Francisco and Jacinta, pray for us St Helen, pray for us **
Rev Fr Matthew Carney, OSB, parish priest, received, crowned and blessed the NPVS and the Relics. The day was attended by at least 100 including those from neighbouring parishes. The requirements of the Five First Saturdays Devotion of Reparation were duly fulfilled by all: confession, receiving Holy Communion, recitation of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, and 15 minutes meditation on the Joyful Mysteries. Each of these was done in reparation to the offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Veneration of the Relics, short documentary-film, and the talk on the message of Our Lady were well received by those who came. The Chaplet of Adoration and Reparation was recited beautifully by all lead by the volunteers of the WAF in E&W. The weather was sunny at times with no rain. This encouraged people to participate in one or more of the segments of the visitation. There was fellowship with the parish having prepared refreshments for all at various times of the day.
Gratitude for a Blessed and Beautiful Day Sincere thanks to Canon John Harvey, Parish Priest and Dean of the Cathedral, together with his dedicated staff, the Cathedral Choir, and all volunteers who contributed to the smooth and prayerful unfolding of the day. Their service helped create an event marked by dignity, devotion, and a palpable sense of grace. The celebration stands as a memorable moment in the spiritual life of the Diocese—an invitation to deeper prayer, reparation, and trust in the maternal care of Our Lady of Fàtima. May Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart be your refuge and the way that leads you to God. Our Lady of Fàtima, pray for us. St Francisco Marto, pray for us. St Jacinta Marto, pray for us. St Helen, pray for us.
A Sanctuary of Grace and Reconciliation
