uk-world-fatima

our Lady of Good Council -26th April

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:58:56 GMT

The devotion is associated with a miraculous apparition in 1467 at Genazzano, Italy, where an image of Mary and the Child Jesus appeared in an ancient church. This shrine transformed into a site of pilgrimage, with numerous miracles later linked to Mary's intercession there.

Catholics celebrating this feast seek Mary’s assistance in obtaining wise counsel, particularly when faced with challenging decisions, family issues, and spiritual matters. The title “Good Counsel” signifies Mary as a wellspring of wisdom and steadfast guidance.

April 2026 Newsletter

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:51:10 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER

Featured this month: The Angel of Peace & Adoration ,

Divine Mercy Sunday, Message to Spiritual Directors on WAF Activities / St Mark's Feast and Events

Dear Readers,

The Angel of Peace leads us into the quiet joy of Easter even as our world is shaken by war. In the midst of conflict, sorrow, and uncertainty, we are invited to lift our eyes in adoration to the Risen Christ, who restores hope where fear and violence have taken root. This season of New Life calls us to welcome His peace into our hearts, allowing the light of the Resurrection to break through the darkness of our times, renewing our faith and guiding our steps toward compassion, courage, and reconciliation.

APRIL - THE ANGEL OF PEACE & ADORATION

" Adoration, shown beautifully in the lives of the children of Fatima, is the worship owed to God alone and is fulfilled most perfectly in the Holy Eucharist, where we unite ourselves to Christ’s sacrifice and receive His transforming grace. Their example reminds us to adore Jesus with reverence, offer our daily sacrifices for sinners, and live our baptismal call as God’s priestly people ", says Sr Mary Goncalves, from the congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES & FATIMA ARTICLES

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

IMPORTANT FEAST DAYS

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

PLEDGE MEMBER TESTIMONY

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS- WAF E&W FORMATION CONFERENCE AND CONCERT

WAF VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

Eastertide calls us to renew joy, prayer, and the message of Fatima, especially the call to peace and the First Five Saturdays Devotion. Upcoming WAF events continue this mission as we visit parishes across England and Wales.

Dear Members ,

As we move into Eastertide (Easter Sunday to Pentecost) we enter a period of 50 days of celebration, following Christ's resurrection. Eastertide is a time for joy, with Christ's victory over death and new life. The Paschal candle is lit and symbolises the presence of the Risen Christ. In this period, we also celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday, which is deeply intertwined with the Fatima message. This similarity is perhaps most strikingly noted in the Angel's prayer taught to the Fatima Seers during the Third Angel Apparitions in the summer of 1916 and 20 years later to the prayer taught to Sr Faustina Kowalska and forms part of the Divine Mercy Chaplet (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. 474-476). Please remember the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday.

The Fatima Seers witnessed the Apparition of the Angel of Peace as described by Sister Lucia in her fourth memoir written in 1941. Sister Lucia recounts, the angel spoke to them words of reassurance and authority: “Do not be afraid! I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.”

As you know the Angel appeared in the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 1916 to prepare the Seers for their mission in which the hearts of Jesus and Mary would be attentive to the voice of their supplication.

The need for peace seems ever greater now, as once again nations turn to war, and we need to remind ourselves of the message of Fatima and how lasting peace can be obtained. We need to start with peace in our own hearts, and our families and the practice of the First Five Saturdays Devotion.

Please encourage this devotion within your parishes as we continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this request as we visit cathedrals and parishes around the counties of England and Wales. In the end Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart will triumph, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.

This month we visit the Cathedral Church of St Marie, in the diocese of Hallam. See Events / Visitations for Poster, as well as other parishes noted here .

Notices of Events coming up (see Notice Board & Events for details)

20 April 2026 On-Line Promoter Training – The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
23 May 2026 WAF-E&W Formation Conference
23 May 2026 Charity Concert (evening)
20 November 2026 WAF-E&W AGM, Belmont Abbey. *
21 November 2026 Fatima Symposium, Belmont Abbey, Hereford. *
22 November 2026 Fatima Symposium, London. *

*Details to be confirmed.

God Bless 

Patrick Cunningham 

National President WAF-E&W 

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES and FATIMA ARTICLES

Useful Resources and Media

Adoration of the Eucharist: A Guide to Encountering Jesus

By Fr. Robin Mampallithadathil CRM

The Eucharist is at the very heart of the Church’s life. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, it is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—offering Himself to us not only in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass but also in the quiet, profound mystery of Eucharistic Adoration.

In a world filled with noise, distraction, and restlessness, Eucharistic Adoration invites us into silence, into presence, and into love. It is here that we learn not merely to speak to God, but to be with Him. Read more here...

The Angel of Peace and Divine Mercy Sunday
By The Rev. Alexander D. Pumphrey, MIC; Interim Director  - Divine Mercy Apostolate

In 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three seers of Fatima and implored for them to pray for sinners, especially for their conversion, using these words: “O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ…”.

To those of us who pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, these words sound strikingly familiar! “Eternal Father, I offer You, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ…” Coincidence? I think not. Read more here...

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Guidance message from Our National Spiritual Director

By Canon Jason Jones, National Spiritual Director

Subject: Saturday Fulfilment on Holy Saturday being 4th April

Dear WAF Family,

The Holy Season of Lent will be with us and the preparations for Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum.

You will note that in this centennial year of the First Saturday Devotion, as we try to promote and raise awareness of this essential but sadly neglected part of the Fatima Message, the 4th of April, a First Saturday of the month, is Holy Saturday.

Read more here... and watch the video below.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

15 Minute Meditations with WAF England & Wales

IMPORTANT FEAST DAYS

Liturgical Feast Days & Events this month

04 April – First Saturday Devotion & Holy Saturday (See message from Canon Jason Jones)

05 April – Easter Sunday, Solemnity of the Resurrection of Our Lord

12 April – Sunday Feast of Divine Mercy (see below)

23 April – St George, Saint Patron of England

25 April – St Mark, the Evangelist – (see below)

26 April – Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel – (see below)

Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April: The Angel of Peace and the Heart of the Paschal Mystery

The first Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast that is not an added devotion or a spiritual “extra,” but a profound continuation of the Paschal mystery.

It draws our attention to the heart of the Gospel: that the death and resurrection of Jesus reveal a God whose mercy is stronger than sin, fear, and even death itself. In a world overshadowed by conflict and uncertainty, this truth becomes a source of hope that cannot be shaken. Read more here...

Feast of St Mark, The Evangelist – Saturday the 25th of April

St Mark the Evangelist feast is celebrated on the 25th of April with the liturgical colour red , honouring him as both Evangelist and martyr. His 16-chapter Gospel is the shortest, yet one of the most vivid, is usually read in Liturgical Year B , which starts on the first Sunday of advent the 29th of November 2026. Read more here...

Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel – Sunday the 26th of April

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

05 April – Easter Sunday 7pm :  WAF-E&W On-Line Rosary. Meeting ID: 86088111745, Passcode: 734012 or by clicking on the poster or scanning the QR code on the poster below

20 APRIL, Monday 19.00-21.00 hrs : MEMBER'S ONLINE FORMATION & TRAINING, MS Teams, meeting id: 346 856 902 920 16, passcode: eZ9sH6Ct or by clicking on the poster below . The talk, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, will be given by Fr Lawrence Lew

PLEDGE MEMBER TESTIMONY

WAF Visitation to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral: A Reflective Account

By Marie Yakeza Te-Mendoza

My journey towards the visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, together with the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta, to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral began quietly on 7 March 2026. After the previous parish visitation, we brought the statue, her crown, the relics, and other essentials to the Cathedral. Entering through the back door, climbing up to the music room, and meeting Father Vitaly, I found myself filled with questions. There was a deep sense of anticipation—this was no ordinary visit. This would be the first time the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue would come to the Ukrainian Cathedral in London. Something historic was about to unfold, and I was both curious and expectant.

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi Paschal Journey

Eastertide & the Franciscan Jubilee

In this joyful season of Easter, we continue to celebrate the Jubilee Year of 2026 and the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s transitus. The light of the Resurrection reveals even more deeply how Francis allowed the Risen Christ to shape his life with simplicity, joy, and trust.

As part of this Jubilee, the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence by:

Visiting a designated Franciscan or Jubilee church
Praying or taking part in a devotion in honour of Saint Francis
Receiving confession and Holy Communion within the usual time
Praying for the Holy Father’s intentions
Nurturing an interior detachment from all sin

May the peace of the Risen Lord, so dear to Saint Francis, fill our homes and parish community this Eastertide

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Our Cathedral visitations resumes. This month, 25th-26th April, we will be at the St Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Harrow HA3 6PU, UK. Please visit our webpages to find out when we shall be visiting a Cathedral near you. More information can be found here.

23rd May – WAF E&W Formation Conference

The World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales warmly invites you to its first Formation Conference , taking place on 23 May 2026 at 8:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR.

This special gathering is open to all members of the Apostolate and marks a meaningful milestone in our shared mission. The conference aims to:

Bring to life the insights gained from our online formation sessions through talks, group activities, and dynamic small-group discussions.
Inspire members—especially promoters—to embrace a more active and committed role within the Apostolate.
Foster fellowship and strengthen our bonds as spiritual comrades, united in learning, living, and spreading the Message of Our Lady of Fatima and reflecting on the witness of the three shepherd children.

Conference Theme

“Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the Way to Salvation (‘Calls’ from the Message of Fatima)”

This theme draws inspiration from Our Lady’s words during the July 1917 apparition:
“To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.”

The day will begin with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , followed by a rich programme of inspiring talks, engaging workshops, and interactive activities designed to deepen both understanding and commitment.

We are honoured that the conference speakers will include some of the Apostolate’s Spiritual Director/s and the lead/s of our Spiritual Programmes, who will guide us through reflection, formation, and practical application.

Registration Details

Fee: £15.00 (includes a simple lunch)
Registration Deadline: 15 April 2026
How to Register:
Click this link: https://bit.ly/WAFConference
Or scan the QR code on the poster below

We warmly and wholeheartedly encourage all members to take part in this landmark event. Let us come together in faith, unity, and renewed zeal to live, learn and spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima!

23rd May - Fundraising Charity Concert  

We warmly invite everyone to lend their generous support as we seek to raise funds for our Apostolate’s mission.

A Charity Concert will be held on the evening of 23 May 2026, following the WAF England & Wales Formation Conference, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR.

This special fundraising event is presented in collaboration with the Sinag Himig Chorale and will reflect the inspiring theme:  “Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Through music and prayerful reflection, the evening aims not only to uplift hearts but also to strengthen our shared commitment to the Apostolate’s sacred mission. Your presence and support will greatly contribute to the continued work of spreading Our Lady’s message.

The concert will begin at 7:30 PM, following the celebration of the Vigil Mass. Guests may look forward to an evening of beautiful sacred melodies, thoughtful reflection, and uplifting choral music, rendered by this world-class ensemble.

Indeed, it promises to be both spiritually enriching and artistically inspiring, abundantly filled with grace and joy. This event is open to the public.

The purpose of the concert is to support the Apostolate’s mission—most especially the forthcoming Cathedral visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, together with the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta, on 31 October 2026 at the Westminster Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus). 

Ticket Prices: 

£15.00 – Adult 

£10.00 – Child 

For tickets and reservation kindly contact the official WAF (E&W) mobile number:  07788473210 

May  Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart be our refuge and the way that leads us to God! Ave Maria!

WAF VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

Volunteering for WAF England & Wales:

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

We sincerely appreciate your decision to support the mission of the World Apostolate of Fatima - England and Wales. You have the option to make a one-time or monthly donation by clicking the button below. We embrace various forms of assistance, whether it be financial contributions, heartfelt prayers, or volunteer efforts.

Guidance message from Our National Spiritual Director

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:24:10 GMT

Subject: Saturday Fulfilment on Holy Saturday being 4th April

Dear WAF Spiritual Directors,

The Holy Season of Lent will be with us and the preparations for Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum.

The observance and fulfilment of the Devotion with the conditions requested by Our Lady may cause some confusion.

Many parishes will have a regular yearly schedule for the Triduum. May I kindly offer some practical ways to help keep the 1st Saturday.

Morning Prayer of the Church Lauds.

The celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, perhaps at a tomb or an image of Our Lady of Sorrows as suggested in the Directory of Popular Piety, could include some time for confession and a 15minute meditation and recitation of the Rosary.

Holy Saturday is the day that reminds us of the sorrows of Our Lady but also of the hope in her Immaculate Heart as she awaits Easter Sunday. A meditation on the crucifixion, the 5th Sorrowful Mystery, can easily incorporate the 13th and 14th Stations of the Cross and the grief of Our Lady.

Confession and meditation and the Rosary, three of the four conditions, can thus be fulfilled on Holy Saturday morning. The confession requirement, of course, can be fulfilled during Holy Week or the following week of Divine Mercy Sunday.

The remaining condition of Holy Communion can be fulfilled at the Easter Vigil or indeed on Easter Sunday morning. This is a possibility clearly attested to by Sr Lucia when she asks the Lord about Vigil Mass or a Sunday Mass when it is not possible through the year to receive Holy Communion on a Saturday morning.

May I encourage you to plan ahead the schedule as best as you can and, if necessary, to ask some of the faithful to lead the Rosary and meditation to free priests up for confessions.

Ave María

Canon Jason Jones

National Spiritual Director

Divine Mercy Sunday: The Angel of Peace and the Heart of the Paschal Mystery

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:10:14 GMT

Just one week after Easter, the Church brings us to Divine Mercy Sunday , a feast that is not an added devotion or a spiritual “extra,” but a profound continuation of the Paschal mystery.

The Angel of Peace , who calls humanity to repentance, reparation, and Eucharistic adoration, stands as a heavenly reminder that peace begins not in political strategies but in the human heart. Before peace can be built, it must be received. Before it can be shared, it must be adored.

The Risen Christ and the Gift of Peace

In the Sunday’s Gospel, the disciples are gathered behind locked doors, fearful and disoriented after the violence of Good Friday. Their world has been shaken by betrayal, injustice, and brutality. Into this atmosphere of fear, the Risen Christ enters and speaks the words that echo across every age: “Peace be with you.”

This is not a fragile peace. It is the peace of the One who has conquered death. It is the peace of a God whose mercy is not defeated by human cruelty. It is the peace that the Angel of Peace invites us to adore in the Eucharist, the peace that flows from the wounded Heart of Christ.

Jesus shows His wounds, not as reminders of failure, but as signs of a love that absorbs violence without returning it. These wounds are the wellspring of Divine Mercy. They reveal that God’s answer to sin is forgiveness, God’s answer to fear is peace, and God’s answer to death is life.

Adoration as the Path to Peace

The Angel of Peace taught the children of Fatima to bow low before the Eucharistic Lord, offering reparation for the sins of the world and praying for peace. This gesture of adoration is not passive. It is the beginning of transformation.

To adore Christ is to let His mercy reshape us. To adore is to surrender our fears, our resentments, and our helplessness before the One who alone can bring peace. To adore is to allow the Paschal mystery, Christ’s death and resurrection, to become the pattern of our own lives.

In a world wounded by war, adoration becomes an act of spiritual resistance. It refuses to let hatred have the final word. It opens the heart to the mercy that alone can heal nations, families, and individuals.

Thomas and the Mercy That Meets Us Where We Are

A week after Easter, Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles, encounters the Risen Lord. He is struggling, wounded by grief and confusion. Jesus does not rebuke him. Instead, He meets Thomas with tenderness, offering exactly what he needs to believe. Divine Mercy is always personal. It reaches into the places where fear, doubt, and sorrow have taken root.

Thomas’s journey ends with one of the most beautiful confessions of faith in Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” This is the cry of adoration. This is the cry the Angel of Peace invites us to make before the Eucharistic Christ. This is the cry that transforms the heart and opens it to peace.

Mercy Stronger Than the World’s Wounds

Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that the Paschal mystery is not only something Christ accomplished long ago, it is something He continues to pour into the world today. His mercy is stronger than the wars that rage, stronger than the divisions that tear communities and families apart, stronger than the fears that trouble our hearts.

As we adore the Risen Lord, may the Angel of Peace guide us into deeper trust, deeper surrender, and deeper compassion. And may the mercy flowing from the Heart of Christ bring healing to our world, our communities, our families and our own hearts.

Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet is a simple yet powerful prayer given through St Faustina, prayed on ordinary rosary beads. It can be offered at any time, but especially at 3 p.m. , the Hour of Mercy.

It is an act of adoration, intercession, and peace uniting our hearts to the Heart of Christ for the healing of the world.

1. Begin with:

The Sign of the Cross
(Optional) “You expired, Jesus…” prayer

2. On the Our Father bead:

Our Father…

3. On the Hail Mary bead:

Hail Mary…

4. On the Creed bead:

I believe in God…

5. On each “Our Father” bead of the five decades:

“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

6. On each of the ten “Hail Mary” beads:

“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

7. After five decades, repeat three times:

“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

8. End with the Sign of the Cross.

Feast of St Mark, The Evangelist –25th April

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:09:20 GMT

St Mark the Evangelist feast is celebrated on the 25th of April with the liturgical colour red , honouring him as both Evangelist and martyr. His 16 chapter Gospel is the shortest, yet one of the most vivid, is usually read in Liturgical Year B , which starts on the first Sunday of advent the 29th of November 2026.

St Mark is traditionally represented by a winged lion , a symbol drawn from the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the four living creatures and later applied to the four Evangelists.

The lion reflects the strength and boldness of Mark’s Gospel, which opens with the powerful voice of John the Baptist “crying out in the wilderness” like a lion’s roar. The wings point to the divine inspiration of the Gospel and its mission to lift hearts toward God.

Mark’s message also resonates deeply with the Fatima call to conversion, prayer, and peace. His Gospel opens with Jesus’s summons: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” , the very appeal the Angel of Peace and Our Lady repeated at Fatima. Mark’s emphasis on watchfulness (especially in chapter 13) mirrors Fatima’s warning to remain spiritually awake.

His bold portrayal of Christ’s Passion echoes Fatima’s vision of redemptive suffering offered for the salvation of souls. And in scenes such as the calming of the storm, Mark reveals that true peace flows only from the presence of Christ, just as Our Lady of Fatima promises the triumph of God’s peace through conversion and adoration. St Mark guides us to adore Christ with renewed awe, to seek peace rooted in God’s mercy, and to proclaim the Good News with the same courage that marked the early Church.

His Gospel invites us to stand before Christ as the Angel of Peace taught the children of Fatima: in humility, in trust, and in adoration that transforms the world.

Read St Mark's gospel here...

The Angel of Peace and Divine Mercy Sunday

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:04:23 GMT

By The Rev. Alexander D. Pumphrey, MIC; Interim Director  - Divine Mercy Apostolate

Lent is underway, Easter approaches and Divine Mercy Sunday (the 2nd Sunday of Easter) is in our sights. As we approach the sacred and silent days of the Triduum, we can reflect on the significance of it all and how we play a role in all of it.

Just as Our Lord offered Himself on the Cross and offers Himself to us in the Eucharist, we can participate in His offering to the Heavenly Father by offering our prayers and praises as well. As members of the common priesthood, which was conferred in our Baptism, we too are able to unite ourselves to the Sacrifice of Christ, a sacrifice which brought redemption, atonement and salvation for us all.

The Eucharist is not a thing, it is a person: Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Only He can save souls and convert sinners. While there are many here in the UK (and around the world), who do not know of Him and the great gift He gives us in His Body and Blood, we can intercede for these our lost brothers and sisters and beg the Lord to give them the grace of conversion.

We do so through our Rosaries, through our sacrifices and offerings, through Masses and through Chaplets of Divine Mercy. We do so through saying the prayers taught to the children of Fatima (and taught to us) by the Angel of Peace and we do so through Holy Hours and times of Adoration and prayer.

If one were to look at the seers of Fatima with merely human eyes, we would see three little children. There’s nothing extraordinarily special about that. With spiritual eyes, however, we can see that the message given to these three changed the world and many souls, thousands, millions, have been enriched and converted by their efforts and prayers and our efforts and prayers as well.

Our Lord promised that great graces would be poured out on us and the world on Divine Mercy Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter. We pray that those graces will include conversion for the world, for sinners and those who have left the Church, for our family and friends and for us as well. After all, all of us are in need of conversion. After all, all of us are sinners.

As we pray our Chaplets, our Rosaries and the prayers taught by the Angel of Peace, we can be confident that Our Lord and Our Lady hear them and that all we do in union with them is effective for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls. No prayer is wasted, no sacrifice wasted! They are all effective and made even more effective in the Providence of God.

Even if we are not physically able to adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we can adore Him in our thoughts and our hearts, making acts of spiritual communion and uniting our tasks and duties with our pious aspirations.

I encourage you, my friends, to continue in your praying for sinners in whatever way is best for you but especially through the recitation of the Fatima prayers, through your Rosaries and your Chaplets of Divine Mercy and especially through your Holy Hours and times of Adoration.

I pray also that you will have a blessed and fruitful Divine Mercy Sunday and that the Lord will pour forth His mercy and grace on you, your loved ones and on the whole world!

Adoration of The Eucharist: A Guide to Encountering Jesus

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:51:27 GMT

The Mystery of the Real Presence

At the foundation of Eucharistic Adoration lies the Church’s unwavering faith in the Real Presence of Christ. The Catechism affirms: “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ… are truly, really, and substantially contained” (CCC 1374).

This belief is not a later development but is rooted in the earliest Christian tradition. The Fathers of the Church spoke with clarity and conviction. St. Cyril of Jerusalem taught: “Do not doubt whether this is true; rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since He is the Truth, He cannot lie.” Likewise, St. Augustine urged the faithful: “Recognize in the bread what hung on the cross, and in the chalice what flowed from His side.”

Thus, when we come before the Eucharist, we do not come before a symbol, but before a Person—Jesus Christ Himself. Adoration, therefore, is not merely a devotion; it is an encounter.

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshiping Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance. The Catechism reminds us: “Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator” (CCC 2628).

In Adoration, we acknowledge God’s greatness and our dependence on Him. But more than that, we respond to His love with love. We come as children to the Father, as friends to a friend, as disciples to the Master.

A Simple Guide to Adoration

Many people hesitate to spend time in Adoration because they do not know what to do. Yet, Adoration is beautifully simple. It is not about saying many words, but about being present to the One who loves us.

Here are some practical steps:

Begin with Reverence
Enter the chapel quietly. Genuflect with awareness that you are in the presence of Christ. Allow your body to express your faith.
Offer Your Heart
Start with a simple prayer: “Lord, I am here. I believe You are here. I adore You.” Place yourself before Him just as you are—with your joys, struggles, and distractions.
Read and Reflect on Scripture
Sacred Scripture deepens our encounter. Passages such as John 6, the Last Supper narratives, or the Passion accounts help us meditate on the mystery of Christ’s love.
Spend Time in Silence
Silence is essential. It is in silence that we begin to listen. As St. John Vianney observed when seeing a man praying before the tabernacle: “He looks at me, and I look at Him.”
Speak to the Lord
Share your thoughts, concerns, and gratitude. Speak to Jesus as you would to a close friend. Nothing is too small or too great to bring before Him.
Intercede for Others
Adoration naturally leads to intercession. Pray for your family, your parish and parish priest, the Church, and the world.
End with Thanksgiving
Before leaving, thank the Lord for the time spent with Him. Ask for the grace to carry His presence into your daily life.

The Witness of the Saints

The saints have always been great lovers of the Eucharist. Their lives testify to the transformative power of Adoration.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote: “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments.” St. Teresa of Avila encouraged her sisters: “Let us remain with Him who we know loves us.”

St. Padre Pio once said, “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without the Holy Mass.” This same conviction fueled his deep love for Eucharistic Adoration.

These saints remind us that holiness is born not from activity alone, but from intimacy with Christ.

St. Francis Caracciolo and Perpetual Adoration

Among the great apostles of the Eucharist stands St. Francis Caracciolo (1563–1608), a pioneer of Perpetual Adoration in the Church. As co-founder of the Clerics Regular Minor, he placed the Eucharist at the very center of their life and mission.

St. Francis Caracciolo promoted continuous Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, ensuring that day and night, the Lord would be adored without interruption. His vision was simple yet profound: that Jesus in the Eucharist should never be left alone.

He himself spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament, drawing strength, wisdom, and love from this intimate communion. He encouraged his religious with these words: “Let us go to the feet of Jesus in the Sacrament and remain there like the Magdalene.”

His example continues to inspire the Church today, especially in the growing movement of perpetual adoration chapels around the world.

The Fruits of Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration bears immense spiritual fruit. It deepens our faith, strengthens our hope, and inflames our love. It brings peace to restless hearts and clarity to confused minds.

Pope St. John Paul II once wrote that Adoration prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself. In other words, what begins at the altar continues in the silence of Adoration.

Through Adoration, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of Christ. As we gaze upon Him, we become what we behold.

A Call to Rediscover Adoration

In the message of Fatima, Our Lady called for prayer, reparation, and a deeper love for Jesus present in the Eucharist. The Angel of Peace taught the children to adore the Blessed Sacrament, saying: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You.”

Today, this call remains urgent. The Church invites us to rediscover the beauty and power of Eucharistic Adoration—not as an optional devotion, but as a vital encounter with the living God.

For in the Eucharist, heaven touches earth—and in Adoration, we learn to dwell in that mystery. Let us respond generously. Let us make time to be with Jesus. Let us sit at His feet, like Mary of Bethany, choosing “the better part.”

Fr. Robin Mampallithadathil CRM

The Angel of Peace and Adoration

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:35:13 GMT

As Catholics, what do we understand by Adoration?

One of the characteristics or marks of all the baptised is the worship of God, the proper and true adoration of the Trinity. Through the water of Baptism, we are set aside to worship and adore God alone as His priestly people. The true worship and adoration which we give to God the Most High is the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, the Sacred Eucharist, where in this Sacrament of Love we unite with Christ’s sacrifice, and offer our sacrifice to Our Heavenly Father. Every time we come to Mass, we are at the foot of the Cross, ready to receive from Christ all the graces He bestows upon us to make us more into His likeness.

How fortunate we are to be able to receive Our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of Christian faith (cf. CCC 1324), whenever we can. He is our true Bread of Life that sustains us on our earthly journey towards the Heavenly Promised Land. Therefore, He deserves our true adoration, praise and worship. St. Maximilian Kolbe says, “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” In the Sacred Eucharist, we draw life from Him, we have access to His Divine love, His Divine being; we unite ourselves with Him, we are one with Him. Let us not take this wonderful gift, which Our Lord Jesus left for us, His Sacred Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, for granted. By receiving Him in the Sacred Eucharist, we become more like Him and ready to offer up our very selves to God. The more we come to understand what Jesus went through in His Passion and death on the Cross, the more we come to embrace our sufferings with complete trust in God.

With this background in mind, we turn to the message which the Angel of peace gave to the three shepherds of Fatima; we come to understand the purpose of their mission: to pray, to adore Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament with great zeal, reverence and love, and to embrace their sufferings and unite them with Jesus’s sufferings and offer them to the Father for the salvation of poor souls. This message is not only for them but also speaks and applies to us. We are called to continue to make the message of the Angel alive today in our time. We are invited to continue to pray, to adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and worship Him in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily, and to make sacrifices for the salvation of all humanity.

We may ask the same questions as the children did, “How are we to make sacrifices?” Let the answer which the Angel of Peace gave to the children speak to us as well, “Make everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. Above all, accept and bear with submission the suffering which the Lord will send you.” We have to fulfil our duty as priestly people of God: to give worship to God as Christ, Our High Priest, does and to pray for others as Christ does. We have this great opportunity to be in the presence of God every day; let us not miss it.

Article written by Sr Mary Goncalves 3 March 2026

Daughters of Divine Charity

WAF England and Wales Visitation to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral: A Reflective Account

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:58:56 GMT

My Reflective Account of the Visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima together with the Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family (Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral)

Day 1 – 13 March 2026

When I entered the Cathedral, I was immediately struck by its beauty. The icons, rich and luminous, surrounded the space in a way that felt both ancient and alive. It was unlike any Roman Catholic church I had previously visited. Sitting quietly at the back with my fellow volunteers, I found myself simply absorbing everything—the stillness, the sacredness, the sense of stepping into something far greater than myself. Above all, I was reminded that I was in the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle.

A comment from Brother Oliver Abasolo stayed with me—he said that Jesus is in the sanctuary, the “Holy of Holies.” That phrase stirred something within me. What lay behind the iconostasis? What mysteries were hidden there? My curiosity deepened, but so did my reverence.

Soon, the stillness gave way to movement. People began to gather—the men chosen to carry Our Lady, their faces marked with quiet honour; the acolytes in festive vestments; the children entrusted to carry the crown and the relics. There was excitement, yet it was wrapped in a profound silence, a shared understanding that something sacred was about to take place.

Then Bishop Kenneth entered. His presence was striking—not because of grandeur, but simple humility. His warm smile and gentle authority immediately set the tone. It was my first time seeing a bishop in Eastern vestments, his black headdress and black and gold-adorned robes adding to the richness of the moment.

The procession began outside. As the procession of Our Lady entered into the Cathedral, the space gradually filled with the faithful. It was a powerful sight—Our Lady being crowned, and the Eparchy being consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. It felt as though heaven and earth briefly touched.

The Divine Liturgy followed, celebrated in Ukrainian. Though I did not understand the words, I understood something deeper. The rhythm, the incense, the gestures—all spoke of reverence. Their prostrations were particularly moving. It was worship expressed not just in words, but through the whole body.

The liturgy was long, yet no one seemed restless. There was patience, attentiveness, and devotion. In that moment, I realised that this, too, is the Catholic Church—ancient, diverse, yet united. Different expressions, yet one sacrifice.

That night, I went home reflecting, already eager for what the next day would bring.

Day 2 – 14 March 2026

This day remains etched in my heart for three reasons: an encounter, a realisation, and a deeper understanding of hope.

During a tea break, I stood before a large frame filled with photographs of men. Curious, I asked a woman nearby who they were. In her halting English, she explained—they were those who had died in the war.

Her words carried weight. She shared that some of her family members were still in Ukraine. Her sister had chosen to stay, as her husband was fighting. The fear in her voice was unmistakable. It was not abstract—it was personal, immediate, real.

In that moment, the war ceased to be distant news. It became human.

I tried, in my limited way, to offer encouragement, reminding her of Our Lady’s intercession. We spoke about faith, about prayer, about hope. By grace, our conversation led her to join the apostolate. It was a small but beautiful reminder that even in sorrow, seeds of faith continue to grow.

Throughout the day, I observed how the faithful approached Our Lady. They came not out of routine, but with urgency—kneeling, weeping, and whispering prayers. Some sat silently, tears streaming down their faces. One woman, in particular, wept quietly as she waited. There was no need for words. Her pain spoke for itself. And yet, so did her faith.

I realised then that their devotion should not be surprising. Ukraine has long been entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoured as the Queen of Ukraine. Their love for her is deeply rooted, not only in history, but in lived experience.

Later that day, I attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated in English. For the first time, I could fully follow the words. Yet what struck me most was the Eucharist. Receiving Holy Communion in both species, administered by spoon, was a profoundly tangible experience. Seeing the Body dipped into the Precious Blood, I was confronted with the reality of what I was receiving Jesus Himself, literally “gnawing His flesh”. The words of Bishop Barron, in his homily about partaking the Body of Christ (John 6 ) came alive in a new way. This was no abstraction. This was participation in a divine mystery.

Day 3 – 15 March 2026

The final day arrived with a mixture of gratitude and humility.

The Cathedral was filled beyond capacity, especially during the morning liturgy. People stood wherever they could find space. And yet, despite the crowd, there was reverence. Silence. Attention. A shared focus on the sacred worship.

What moved me deeply was not just their faith, but their generosity. Despite the ongoing suffering in their homeland, they gave freely. Their petitions—nearly 500 in total—revealed hearts turned towards God, pleading, trusting, hoping. And their generosity extended beyond prayer.

I was also struck once again by Bishop Kenneth’s humility. His leadership was not distant, but personal. He engaged with people warmly, attentively—a shepherd truly present to his flock.

Final Reflection

As the visitation came to an end, I was left with a profound sense of humility and gratitude.

I was humbled by their way of worship—their reverence, their prostrations, their wholehearted prayer. I was inspired by their faith in the midst of suffering. And I experienced true humility in the unity of the Church—a reminder that, despite differences in language and expression, we are one Body in Christ.

As the Cathedral is named after the Holy Family. The plight of the Ukrainian people brought to mind the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt—displaced, uncertain, yet trusting in God’s providence. That same trust is alive today.

Above all, I am grateful—to Jesus, for the gift of the Eucharist; to Our Lady, for her constant intercession; and for the privilege of witnessing such faith. This visitation was not just an event. It was an encounter—with beauty, with suffering, with faith, and ultimately, with God.

May God be praised. Ave Maria.

Marie Yakeza Te-Mendoza

2026 Jubilee Cathedral Visitations

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:09:23 GMT

Our Jubilee Cathedral visitations continue to take place across the country, showcasing the beauty and significance of Our Lady's message at Fatima. We invite you to explore the various locations and dates for these special events, which can be easily viewed here. Join us as we celebrate and spread the message of Fatima.

Hilton House

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 07:21:44 GMT

First Saturdays devotions at:

Hilton House, Cranebrook Ln, Hilton, Lichfield, WS14 0HA

New timetable:

Adoration (in Chapel) 10:00am, with Confessions (in meeting room) available.

Holy Mass 11:00am followed by Rosary.

Procession with Statue to Poustinia when weather permits.

Ending with social time including hot drinks and cake, etc., in meeting room.

GLOBAL PRAYER DAY FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE AND IN THE WORLD - 25th March 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:54:18 GMT

On March 25, 2026, the World Apostolate of Fatima invites everyone to join a Global Prayer Day for Peace in Ukraine and in the World.

In our present times, marked by wars, violence and uncertainty, we hear once again the maternal call of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Fatima, to pray for conversion of hearts and peace in the world.

We invite all individuals, families, parishes, schools, and communities across the world to unite spiritually with us, on 25th March, in a powerful wave of prayers for peace in Ukraine and in the world.

Kindly, watch and spread out the Promotional VÍDEO for this event.

You may participate by:

Praying the Holy Rosary individually;
Participating in the Holy Eucharist;
Joining a parish or community Rosary;
Making a moment of Eucharistic Adoration;
Practice fasting and offering sacrifices for the conversion of hearts.

Let us remember that prayer is not powerless before the forces of violence and division. On the contrary, history — and especially the message of Fatima — teaches us that sincere prayer and sacrifice can change hearts, alter the course of events, and overcome the evil of war. Where hatred divides, prayer unites. Where violence wounds, prayer heals. Where darkness spreads, prayer brings the light of Christ.

Let this coming 25th March be a day when heaven and earth are joined in one great plea for peace .

From Fatima, in Portugal, the Secretariat of the World Apostolate of Fatima shall conduct the Online Rosary for this intention. You are all welcomed to join.

Kindly register your prayer commitment here

Suffering and Doing Penance: A Path To Love

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 07:31:58 GMT

O Our Lady of Fatima, my Mother gentle and true,

As Lent draws near, I run to you.

You taught the children long ago, how God’s great love still longs to grow.

Help me feel that love today, and hear your whisper when I pray:

“Offer everything to God above; each little act, each gift of love.”

This holy Lent, when days feel long, when doing right feels tough, not strong

O Mother, remind me penance is a way, to walk with my Loving Jesus every day.

Lift me up when I fall down, and guide me with your shining crown

To carry the Cross He had to bear, with tiny gifts of love and care.

Lent invites us with Christ into the desert

Our Lady of Fatima teaches us how to walk there…

On the 13th May 1917 in Fatima, Our Lady explicitly asked the three shepherd children: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?” “Yes, we are willing.” was their replies. Little St Jacinta received many visits from the Blessed Virgin Mary before dying. Venerable Sr Lucia recalls one of the conversations where St Jacinta says: “...I want to suffer for love of Our Lord and for sinners. Anyway, I don’t mind! Our Lady will come to me there and take me to heaven.” At times she kissed and embraced a crucifix, exclaiming: “O my Jesus, I love You, and I want to suffer very much for love of You.” (Fatima in Lucia’s own words, vol 1, page 62.)  

Suffering, penance, and the cross stand at the heart of Christian holiness, not as a cult of pain but as a mysterious path to love. For example, the saints who bore the stigmata show that when suffering is united to Christ, it becomes a place of virtue, mercy, and deep transformation. 

Padre Pio: Sharing Christ’s Wounds

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina spent most of his priestly life in San Giovanni Rotondo, where he became known for the stigmata—wounds corresponding to those of Christ—which he carried for about fifty years. In September 1918, while praying before a crucifix in the monastery chapel at San Giovanni Rotondo, he received these wounds as he contemplated the crucified and suffering Jesus. 

For Padre Pio, the stigmata were not a badge of honour, but a participation in Christ’s cross, accepted as a mission of love for souls. He endured physical pain, misunderstanding, and even restrictions placed on his ministry, yet responded with obedience, charity, and tireless dedication to the confessional and the Mass. He never questioned his superiors and the orders of the magisterium. He showed extreme dedication to his ministry and to Jesus Christ. The Child Jesus comforted him during his time of difficulty and when he was attacked by the devil. In him we see that suffering becomes fruitful when it is offered—for conversion, for the Church, for those who are far from God—rather than turned inward in bitterness. His love and dedication to Our Blessed Virgin was admirable. It was said that Padre Pio had a statue of Our Lady of Fatima kept near the sacristy and he would greet her and pray before her before and after Mass, deepening the bond between his own life of suffering and intercession and the call of Fatima to prayer, penance, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.  

Saint Francis: Joy in the Crucified

Saint Francis of Assisi, the first recorded stigmatist, received the wounds of Christ while praying in solitude on Mount La Verna and beholding a vision of a crucified, radiant seraph. After this event, his life was marked by deeper illness and weakness, yet also by a remarkable joy and gentleness toward others. 

Francis’ stigmata teaches us that to be configured to Christ crucified is also to be configured to Christ meek and humble of heart. He did not use his suffering to separate himself from people but to draw closer to lepers, the poor, and the forgotten, seeing in them the suffering Christ whom he bore in his own flesh. In him, penance is not self-hatred; it is a continual turning from sin and pride toward a love that embraces the cross for the sake of peace and reconciliation. 

In this Jubilee year of 2026, the Church marks the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’s Paschal journey—his death and birth into heaven. The commemoration of his life is a concrete path of grace and interior renewal for those who seek to follow Christ with the same burning love. 

Saint Catherine and Hidden Suffering

Saint Catherine of Siena received the stigmata during Lent, yet, according to tradition, the marks were visible only to her during life and appeared outwardly only after death. She thus lived a paradox: deeply united to the Passion, but with wounds that remained hidden, known principally to God. 

Catherine poured out this interior suffering in tireless service to the Church—advising popes, reconciling enemies, urging reform and holiness. Her example reminds us that the holiest suffering is often unseen: the quiet patience with family, the hidden endurance of illness, the daily fidelity to prayer when God feels silent. In such hidden crosses, humility grows, and the soul learns to love without needing recognition. 

Saint Rita: Sharing The Thorn of Christ  

Saint Rita of Cascia’s life is a contemplation of the cross, where suffering, penance, and love are woven together. As a young wife, she endured years of harshness and domestic violence, offering patience and prayer instead of resentment, and later forgave the murderers of her husband. Widowed and bereaved of both sons, she entered the Augustinian convent, embracing a life of austerity, charity, and intercession for sinners. Deeply devoted to the Passion, she prayed to share in Christ’s redemptive suffering, and at about sixty received a single thornwound on her forehead, a form of stigmata, while meditating before the crucifix. This painful, often foulsmelling wound marked her remaining years with hidden humiliation and constant physical trial, yet she bore it with serenity and even joy. In Rita, the cross is not a tragic endpoint but a narrow gate into deeper union with Christ, showing that when suffering is accepted in faith and offered for others, it is transformed into a mysterious fruitfulness for the Church and a path of sanctity for the soul. 

Marie Julie Jahenny and Yvonne Aimée: Consoling the Heart of Jesus

Marie Julie Jahenny, a French mystic of the 19th and early 20th centuries, is remembered as a stigmatist whose life was filled with extraordinary sufferings and reported mystical experiences centred on reparation for sin. Accounts of her life emphasize that she offered her pains as a response to the offences committed against the Heart of Jesus, seeing herself as a victim soul called to make up, in love, for the coldness and indifference of many. In her, we glimpse a particular form of penance: freely accepted expiation, not imposed by God but embraced as a gift to console Christ and intercede for the world. 

Yvonne Aimée de Malestroit, not as widely known as Padre Pio or St Francis, remains a hidden gem of Catholic mysticism. She was a 20th century French religious, also associated with mystical graces and intense physical and spiritual trials borne in union with Christ. Her spirituality combined tender trust in Jesus—especially in his mercy—with courageous endurance of suffering for the sake of others. Through her story, we see that even in an age of war, confusion, and unbelief, Christ still raises up souls who choose to stand beside him at the cross, praying and offering themselves for those who do not yet know his love. Their witness encourages us to see our trials not as meaningless accidents, but as occasions to say, quietly and sincerely, “Jesus, I trust in you.” 

A Message of Virtue in Suffering

The stigmatized saints do not glorify pain for its own sake; they reveal how grace can transform suffering into a school of virtue.  From them we learn:

Faith:  to see in every cross—great or small—a chance to be closer to the crucified Lord.

Hope:  to believe that no suffering offered in love is wasted, that God can draw good even from what we least understand. 

Charity:  to let our own wounds make us more compassionate, gentler with others, quicker to forgive.

Humility:  to accept that we are not saviours, but instruments, content that God alone sees the full value of our sacrifices. 

St Padre Pio, Saint Francis, Saint Catherine, Saint Rita, Marie Julie Jahenny, Yvonne Aimée and other stigmatists stand beneath the cross not as tragic figures but as living icons of Christ’s words: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Their lives invite us to bring our illnesses, failures, loneliness, and daily frustrations to the foot of the crucifix and to whisper a simple prayer: “Lord, do not let this suffering be wasted. Make it an act of love.” In that surrender, the cross ceases to be only a symbol of pain and becomes, even in the midst of tears, the tree of life. 

Penance, Sacrifice and the Cross

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 07:23:23 GMT

The apparitions at Fatima, Pontevedra, and Tuy represent a profound theological "call to arms." At their core is a challenging message that mirrors the words of St. Paul to the Colossians: "I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church" (Col 1:24).

This statement often startles. How could Christ’s infinite sacrifice on the Cross be "lacking"? The message given to the three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—clarifies this mystery. While Christ’s Passion is sufficient for the salvation of all, God invites human participation to apply those graces to individual souls. Through penance and sacrifice , we become co-redeemers in the mystical body of Christ.

The words penance and reparation are often used interchangeably in a spiritual context, although they have a distinct focuses and functions. A simple way to distinguish them is to look at their direction: penance looks back at a debt due to our sinfulness, while sacrifice looks forward, with an offering of love by self-denial for either ourselves or for someone else as an act of reparation (including for the holy souls in purgatory).

Penance is primarily concerned with reconciliation and healing. An example could be going to confession and saying prayers of reparation or performing an act of service to “make up” for a previous act of selfishness.

Sacrifice is a broader act, of voluntary surrendering, of something good for the greater good. It is an act of love to God, in joining our little sacrifice, with Christs death on the cross being the ultimate sacrifice which he made for us. An example could be likened to a mother skipping a meal so her child can eat (sacrifice of comfort).

The Call of Fatima: Reparation

In 1917, the Angel of Peace and later the Virgin Mary introduced a radical concept to the children: the power of "offering it up." They were asked to pray and make sacrifices for sinners who had no one to pray for them. The Cross was not just a historical event to be admired, but a living reality to be shared.

The children’s response—fasting, wearing tight cords, and enduring the heat—wasn't about self-punishment for its own sake. It was an act of reparatory love . By choosing to suffer small crosses, they sought to console the "Hidden Jesus" and pull souls back from the brink of spiritual ruin.

Pontevedra and Tuy: The Thorns of the Heart

The message evolved in the subsequent visions granted to Sister Lucia at Pontevedra (1925) and Tuy (1929) .

At Pontevedra , the Child Jesus and Mary requested the Five First Saturday’s devotion. The imagery was vivid: Mary’s heart was encircled by thorns—representing the blasphemies and ingratitude of humanity. Sacrifice here took the form of the First Five Saturdays devotion: Confession, Holy Communion, Rosary and meditation.
At Tuy , Lucia witnessed the Trinitarian vision. Under the left arm of the Cross, large drops of "grace and mercy" fell upon the altar. This reaffirmed that the sacrifice of the Cross is perpetually present in the Eucharist.

Filling Up the Afflictions

St. Paul’s "missing" element is our consent . Christ died for everyone, but He will not force His grace upon anyone. When we embrace our daily crosses—illness, rejection, or the simple discipline of prayer—we provide the "yes" that allows Christ’s grace to flow into the world.

The Fatima message reminds us that the Cross is the only path to the Resurrection. St Therese of Lisieux said sacrifice is the fruit of love; it is the way we prove that our devotion isn't just a feeling, but a will aligned with God's.

By uniting our small, finite pains with Christ’s infinite suffering, we don't just "endure" life; we transform it into a tool for the salvation of others. In the words of the Fatima prayer, we do it "for love of Jesus, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Article written by Patrick Cunningham 8 Feb 2026

Source Reference: Sister Lucia's memoirs and AI search with SD check by Canon Jason

The Annunciation

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:56:56 GMT

The message of Walsingham is centred upon the Annunciation and as part of a community dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham in a particular way, the Annunciation therefore forms a central part of our spirituality. As we journey towards the great Feast of the Annunciation it is an opportunity to ask for the grace to give our own fiat, our own yes, in imitation of Our Lady’s. The novena for the Annunciation is the perfect opportunity to seek these graces as outlined below. And not only for ourselves, but also on behalf of all those who do not believe which was an important aspect of the visions at Fatima.

The importance of giving our yes goes back to the core of our identity as men and women created in the image and likeness of God, to fully and freely assent to his love and live in it always. That is the ultimate yes, and all the little and large ‘no’s we utter take us out of this eternal commune of love. The times we utter a ‘no’ are times where we are actually being untrue to a fundamental component of who we are made to become.

That is why Mary is so important to have as a model of what it is to live in that fullness of life which Christ offers to us each day. But how do we get to this point? To give our yes in each and every moment sounds all very well, but in the nitty gritty of daily life it can be such a challenge to give our own yes. Tensions within a family, that overbearing manager at work, the death of a loved one, illness, the loss of a job...from the bigger crosses to the little splinters life presents us with, giving our yes can be a great challenge! And yet this is the only way in which we can experience what try and authentic joy is.

It is only by giving our full and total yes to God that we can live in the authentic joy and peace God desires for us, as Pope St John Paul II wrote: “that joy and true peace which all ardently hope for, even in our times, only springs forth in full acceptance of the divine will.” Firstly, let us remember not to conflate joy and happiness. Happiness is simply a feeling, like pleasure, and therefore it is transient. On the other hand, joy is a grace and one of the fruits of the Spirit. The consequence of this is that it is not something which can be taken away by circumstances but, in a mysterious manner, can endure even amidst times of difficulty and suffering.

Joy comes from a place of freedom where, like Mary, we can place ourselves wholly into his hands, trusting in his timing, his providence and his goodness which can permeate even the most insurmountable and debilitating of circumstances. We see this reflected in Mary at the Annunciation, she could have protested that it was better for God to wait until she was married for the Word to become Flesh in her, it was a bit inconvenient to decide to do it now when it could become such a scandal. Surely that would damage his plan? Another time may be better. And for goodness’ sake, of all times to call for a census when heavily pregnant! Talk about bad timing… Hence why Mary was chosen to be the Mother of God and not us! She was able to receive everything from God’s hand as willed by Him.

There is a valuable, if challenging lesson contained within this. Are we able to accept the reality of our situation in life as coming from God’s hand? To accept that he can work in and with all things, people, places and situations. This is a challenge as we all hold within us an ideal which can oftentimes be very far removed from the reality of our life! That is not to say we should do away with our ideals, but to remember that our life is primarily one of growth in faith, hope and charity and that all else is ultimately secondary to this.

This may not be immediately apparent. Mary was not omniscient, all-knowing as God is, she was not able to see clearly God’s wider plan and vision, but she trusted. Remember that it wasn’t until she was later with Elizabeth, that she sang her song of praise and thanksgiving in the Magnificat. We can only trust when we have that deeper certitude that God truly is a God for us all-loving and can unfailingly write straight on the crooked lines of our life.

Therefore, another attribute of joy that we can learn from the Annunciation is that it can also take time for it to reach its flowering and maturity. I It is like the seed in the Gospel of Mark sown by the farmer: “night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how,” (Mark 4:27). Joy can take time to come to its full fruition and oftentimes appears unlooked for.

Finally, it is important to also consider how we must live our life with intentionality and an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit resting over each moment. Mary at the Annunciation models this so beautifully, she was able to receive the message from the Angel as truly being that of God and to dynamically grasp the opportunity presented in this moment. It should cause us to reflect on how aware we are of God’s voice seeking us out in every moment. Or are we just on autopilot and allowing ourselves to be carried along by the current of life? It can be challenging to live with that greater degree of intentionality and responsiveness rather than just reactiveness. And yet this is the only way to truly grasp the height, the depth, the breadth of God’s love which is with us in each moment.

So let us pray for one another as we journey through this novena and pray for the grace to imitate Mary at the Annunciation with a greater depth and fervour in our daily lives. May Mary, through her prayers and example, draw us closer to her Son who longs to be born into our lives anew in each moment and thereby give us the joy which we were created for.

16th March - Novena Day 1: For Growth in Faith

Welcome to the first day of our novena to Our Lady of Walsingham, it is a great joy to be journeying together to the Feast of Annunciation on the 25 ^th March. We unite ourselves in prayer with all others joining in with this novena which we offer especially for the reconversion of this nation, for those who have fallen away from the faith and all those particular intentions we carry in our hearts.

REFLECTION

Today we pray for a growth in faith. As Christians we are called to look at the world from a different perspective, to see life with a broader vision, that is, through the eyes of faith. It is remembering that faith is not a matter of feeling. It is something deeper than our senses, emotions and even thoughts. It is a firm certainty in God’s love and His promises, though we may feel fear, doubts and anxieties, we still turn to Him in trust and surrender, even as Mary did from the time she gave her ‘yes’ at the Annunciation, to that ‘yes’ at the foot of the Cross.

PRAYER

Let us turn in prayer to Our Lady of Walsingham. Mother Mary, we ask for your intercession for us, for the grace to walk by faith and not by sight. To persevere in our respective callings especially when in the midst of darkness and sorrow, recognising that God’s love can be found in all things if we have the eyes to see. We ask for your intercession, heavenly mother, for a transformation in the way we see the world. To see others and ourselves through God’s eyes, having faith in His infinite love for us in all our poverty and weakness, and so come to the fullness of life which can only be found in and through faith. And now in a moment of silence we place before you our intentions….

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All you saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

17th March - Novena Day 2: For Growth in Obedience

REFLECTION

Oftentimes, we may think of obedience as something more reserved for religious who take a vow promising this. However, obedience to God, to the Church and to those in legitimate authority over us is important. There are also particular obediences found in each state of life. Married couples to their spouses, children and work commitments, a priest to his Bishop and parish, a religious to their superior and rule of life, to give some brief examples.

Mary never disobeyed God, not in thought, word or deed but was wholly and totally available to Him in every moment. As she said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord,” the servant of the Lord. She was able to offer herself completely in obedience because she had a heart ready and willing to be formed by the action of the Holy Spirit in every circumstance. Obedience is one of the hardest things for us to live well, as it often involves going against our natural likes and inclinations. But the grace is there and waiting for us, a grace God earnestly desires to give us all. Each of us is presented with so many opportunities each day to be obedient to the voice of God, to give up our will in exchange for doing and living in His. It can take time and patience to discern what this is in our daily lives. But the more we pray and ask for grace, the clearer it will become.

PRAYER

And so, we turn to you, Our Lady of Walsingham, to ask for an increase in the virtue of obedience. We pray that you may intercede for us that we may have a greater willingness to be taught and formed by the Holy Spirit in each moment, along with the grace to correspond at an ever deeper level to the Father’s will. We ask for hearts and minds which are humble, ready and willing to be formed and shaped by the Father’s loving hand, so that in imitation of you, Our Blessed Mother, we can declare in joy and sorrow: ‘Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word!’

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

18th March - Novena Day 3: For Growth in Humility

REFLECTION

Today we pray for an increase in the grace of humility. St Bernard says that humility is “the foundation and guardian of all the virtues,” and time and time again the saints and the Church declare that humility is to be the bedrock and cornerstone on which we build our spiritual lives. Humility means to see ourselves as God sees us, that is, with unconditional love and kindness. True humility does not fill us with sadness, misery or despair, but rather causes us to rejoice in our nothingness, our poverty and littleness recognising that God in His mercy will lift us up and do all things for us. As Mary rejoices in her Magnificat, “He looks on His servant in her lowliness…the Almighty works marvels for me…He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.” Humility enables us to step back and give God the freedom to work in our lives as and when He wills.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Walsingham, we ask that today and always you may clothe us in humility, the virtue through which you became Mother of God. Mother of Jesus and of us all, bring us to union with Christ who was truly humble of heart. Let our lives be lived in union with Him and with you, ready to accept the daily crosses of life which are meant to draw us closer to God. In our families and communities may we come to better imitate the Holy Family in their humility, recognising that when we are weak, then we are strong. We ask for a greater understanding of our own nothingness, that each day He may increase and we decrease so that we may learn to be truly emptied of our own selves in order to be filled with all the fullness of God. We now pause for a moment in silence to surrender our particular intentions for this novena into your hands…

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

19th March - Novena Day 4: For Growth in Detachment

REFLECTION

On this 4th day of our novena to Our Lady of Walsingham, we reflect on and pray for a growth in detachment. In our communities’ Book of Life it says that “the spirit of detachment…is one of the characteristics of the anawim of the Lord. The anawim of the Old Testament were the poor of every sort who depended totally on God for whatever they needed… So we trust in God’s love for us, revealed in whatever He sends from moment to moment. In times of suffering, the anawim remained faithful and awaited the good things of the Lord to fill their emptiness… They delighted in the Lord because they were rooted in Him.” All that we have and are comes from God, there is nothing we have that has not already been given to us as St Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians chapter 6.

PRAYER

Mary Our Mother, we ask your intercession that we may be granted a spirit of greater detachment. Help us to become evermore surrendered to the will of the Father and so to stand before Him with hands open, ready to surrender our own wants and preferences so that He may be able to give us what He desires as He knows what we need. We ask for a discerning heart, to see more clearly the things in our life which hold us back from a deeper relationship with Christ and that which draws us closer to Him. May we learn more in each moment to seek God’s will and not our own so we too can say with you, ‘Fiat, your will be done in me!’ We now pause for a moment in silence to surrender our particular intentions for this novena into your hands…

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

20th March - Novena Day 5: To Give Our Fiat More Totally and Freely

REFLECTION

Throughout this time of novena, we have reflected a great deal on what it means to give our ‘yes’ to God. Mary models for us how to give our own yes more totally and freely. This is something which does not take place overnight. We can only give a ‘yes’ to God in the larger things in life if we have already given our ‘yes’ in the smaller things. Be it holding back a sharp word, a small act of sacrifice and denial, setting aside those few minutes for prayer when we would prefer to be elsewhere…All of this builds up an interior disposition so that, day by day, we can grow towards giving a freer and more total yes. And in all this to also have patience with ourselves for those times when we fall and to remember that God is infinite in His mercy and forgiveness.

PRAYER

Mary, our mother, sister and guide, we ask today for an increase in grace to give our own fiat, our yes, to the will of God in all circumstances. As we journey deeper into the mystery of God’s will and His love for us, we ask for the grace to stay faithful to our yes to Him; and to time and again, repeat our ‘fiat,’ not just for ourselves, but for all those who fail to give praise and glory to the Trinity. Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us, that our wills, minds and hearts may become increasingly united and transformed into that of your Son, so we can declare our own ‘Fiat’ to the Father’s Will. We now have a moment of silent prayer, giving to Our Lord those intentions we carry in our hearts…

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

21st March - Novena Day 6: For Growth in a Spirit of Thanksgiving

REFLECTION

Today, on our 6th day of this novena to Our Lady of Walsingham, we pray for a growth in a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude. This is a disposition which takes time to cultivate, especially in today’s world which seems to constantly be searching for more and more, not taking time to be and savour what we have been given already. Our Lady of Walsingham shows us that in order to live joy authentically, we must first have hearts which can sing a song of thanksgiving for all God has done, the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the twists and turns, recognising God turns everything to our good. As we learn to do this more and more each day, we too can enter into the song of the Magnificat with Mary, knowing that God has done all things for us and His goodness is without end.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Walsingham, today we ask for your prayers for us for an increase in a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. We pray for fresh eyes, minds and hearts to perceive and give thanks to the Father for the gift hidden in every moment and circumstance. We ask that our lives would be transformed evermore into a constant song of thanksgiving to the Lord for all that He has done for us and for all that He is. We now have a moment of silent prayer, giving to Our Lord those intentions we carry in our hearts…

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

22nd March - Novena Day 7: For An Increase in Joy

REFLECTION

As we have said many times throughout this novena to Our Lady of Walsingham, the message of Walsingham is all about joy! This is why Our Lady asked for a replica of the Holy House to be built there, because she desires us to share in that joy, that fullness of joy only God can give. Pope Francis talks in His exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ that the mark of a Christian ought to be joy – for “with Christ – joy is constantly born anew.” But joy cannot be forced or obtained through sheer willpower and gritted teeth. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit, something freely given when we have reached the point of surrender and thanksgiving. When we, like Mary, can stand before God in simplicity with empty hands and allow God to fill us in His time, recognising that He knows our times and seasons better than we know ourselves. As C.S. Lewis’s wonderful book is titled, it is allowing ourselves to be ‘Surprised by Joy!’ So often this grace appears in the depths of our hearts unlooked for, when we have united ourselves more deeply to God’s will. So let us pray for the graces to do what we can to cultivate this spirit of joy, utilising what we have reflected on over the past 30 days, all for God’s greater glory.

PRAYER

Mother Mary, we ask today and for each day for an increase in joy. Pray that the Holy Spirit may open up our hearts, minds and eyes to a greater sensitivity and awareness of those moments of joy God places in our lives, recognising that it is a gift to all those who seek His will. We ask for the grace to see the beauty of God’s call and of His will unfolding in each moment, and to respond to this with the same joy you experienced at the moment of the Annunciation. Help us today and always, to be eager and ready to respond to the call of the Spirit, and to be evermore open to the joy He brings. We now surrender to God our Father all the intentions we carry with us, especially for those areas of our life in which we need to encounter the joy of the Holy Spirit….

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

23th March - Novena Day 8: To Live Vocationally

REFLECTION

Mary is our vocational model. Vocation is more than just our state in life, that is, being a husband, wife, priest, nun and so forth, it is recognising that we are ‘called by name,’ chosen by God to show forth His love in the world in a totally unique and unrepeatable way. This is the preciousness, the gift of our life. This living in a vocational manner comes to greater fruition when we see, at an ever-deeper level, that our life is a response to the love of God which He pours out upon us always. It is not necessarily about what we do for Him, it is all about what He does for us . Mary recognised her uniqueness and her value as God’s beloved daughter, that was at the heart of her identity and enabled her to give that resounding ‘yes’ in those moments when it was asked of her.

PRAYER

So we pray today for the grace to live our lives vocationally, to recognise that we are called and chosen by God, unique and precious in His eyes. Like you Mother Mary we seek, to live in response to the love we have received, to better respond to our call to union with God and for growth in those promises made at our baptism. We pray that in each moment we would be ready to respond with generosity to the Father’s call, however it comes and wherever it leads. We also ask for your intercession for each one of us, for our families, our friends, our coworkers, our communities…We pray for a strengthening of our vocations and for theirs as we draw ever closer to God through your Immaculate Heart. We now give to you our particular intentions for which we ask you to pray….

One Our Father, one Hail Mary & one Glory Be.

O Mary, teach us always to say yes to the Lord
every moment of our life.
O Mary, teach us always to give thanks to the Lord
every moment of our life.
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
All saints and martyrs of this nation, pray for us. Amen.

24th March - Novena Day 9: For the Word to Become Flesh in us

How incredible to now be almost at the end of our novena to Our Lady of Walsingham. We are all so grateful to you for joining us in this journey or prayer and reflection discovering more the message of Walsingham and the way in which we can live out its message.

REFLECTION

So, at the heart of Walsingham is the message of the joy of the Incarnation, this veneration and celebration of the Word Made Flesh. The more we surrender, the more that the Word will be made flesh in each aspect of our lives, so that more and more we take on the sentiments and the attitudes of Christ. As it says in our communities’ Book of Life: “Our life is to be, “another humanity for Him [Christ], in which He can renew His whole Mystery.” This incarnational journey will hasten the coming of God’s Kingdom in our land and throughout the world.” We are called to bring Him to each and every aspect of our lives, in imitation of Mary to be ‘God bearers’ in our own way.

PRAYER

As we end our novena to Our Lady of Walsingham we pray that the graces received may be planted deep within us and bear fruit. May we grow in interior freedom and so create that space for the Word to become flesh, to become incarnate, in each aspect of our existence, that each one of us may bring Christ to those whom we encounter. May our heart, mind and will be evangelised, purified, transformed and liberated to live totally immersed in and for God alone, and so become, like Our Lady, a dwelling fit for the Trinity.

One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory Be.

25th of March – Feast of the Annunciation

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:33:35 GMT

Walsingham, the Annunciation, and Mary’s Dowry: A Marian Vocation for England and Wales

The story of Walsingham begins in 1061, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Richeldis de Faverches, a noblewoman living in Norfolk. In a vision, the Blessed Mother showed her the humble house of Nazareth, the place where the Archangel Gabriel announced God’s plan and where Mary freely gave her yes to become the Mother of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This moment, known as the Annunciation, marks the beginning of the Incarnation.

The Blessed Mother asked Richeldis to build a copy of that Holy House in Walsingham, England, a place where people could remember and reflect on Mary’s joy at the Annunciation and its meaning. She promised that those who came there would find comfort and hope. From the beginning, Walsingham was meant to be a living reminder that God comes to humanity through humility, trust, and obedience.

At the centre of Walsingham’s mission is the truth revealed in the Annunciation. God does not force his will on humanity; he waits for a free response. Our Lady’s obedience allowed the eternal Word to take flesh, changing the course of history. Walsingham continually calls England back to this truth: that spiritual renewal begins when people listen to God and place their trust in his will rather than in their own power.

From 1153, the shrine was entrusted to the Augustinian Canons Regular, who cared for it until its destruction in 1538. For almost four centuries, they protected the Holy House and ensured that Walsingham remained centred on prayer, worship, and the sacraments. By the thirteenth century, it was known as England’s Nazareth.

In 1347, Elizabeth de Burgh, Lady of Clare and granddaughter of Edward I, founded a Franciscan friary nearby. Inspired by St Francis of Assisi, the Franciscans focused on pastoral care. They preached, heard confessions, offered spiritual guidance and gave poor and exhausted pilgrims free accommodation. Pilgrimage became not only a physical journey but also a call to repentance and inner renewal.

Medieval pilgrims walked to Walsingham from all parts of England and travelled from the Continent of Europe, seeking Mary’s intercession. Kings were among them. Henry III came on pilgrimage eleven times from 1226 until he died in 1272, and he gave a gold crown for Our Lady’s statue. His son, Edward I, came no fewer than twelve times. The troubled Edward II made pilgrimages in 1315 and in 1326 not long before his death. Young Edward III first came on his accession aged sixteen and on at least seven other occasions, some with his wife, Queen Philippa. It was in his reign that the title ‘Dowry of Mary’ became very popular as a title for England. A dowry is a gift freely given and entrusted to another so that it may grow and bear fruit. To call England Mary’s Dowry means that the nation belongs to Mary, who entrusts it to be well-governed so that Christ might be more fully present in its people and culture. This devotion did not distract from Christ but supported faith in him, since Mary’s role is always to lead others to her Son.

Henry IV, very sick, made a pilgrimage in 1406; and his son, Henry V, brought his new Queen, Catherine, in 1421. Their son, Henry VI, came in 1449, and his wife Margaret, still childless after eight years of marriage, came to plead for a child; her prayer was granted. The next pilgrim king was Edward IV in 1466 and 1472, before the throne was seized by Henry Tudor in 1485, who came to pray to be ‘preserved from the wiles of his enemies.’ He came again in 1505, bringing with him his four-year-old son, the future Henry VIII, who succeeded to the throne in 1509, the year he married Katherine of Aragon.

Henry VIII came to Walsingham and walked barefoot the last few miles to pray she would give him an heir. She gave birth to Prince Henry on New Year’s Day, 1511; he set off to give thanks to Our Lady of Walsingham and spent a week there. Tragically, Prince Henry died within two months, and this marked the beginning of Henry’s anguish. After Katherine suffered many miscarriages, the Pope refused to grant him a Decree of Nullity in order to marry Anne Boleyn.

In 1538, Henry turned his fury on the Pope, making himself the ‘Head of the (Anglican) Church’. The Shrine was destroyed, the Holy House was burnt down, the statue of Our Lady was thrown on a bonfire, the Augustinians were expelled, the Franciscan friary was closed, and the monasteries and convents of England were demolished. England’s Nazareth fell silent. Yet the spiritual gift was not lost; it survived quietly in the hearts of the faithful.

The restoration of Walsingham began centuries later. In 1897, Charlotte Pearson Boyd restored the Slipper Chapel to Catholic worship. In 1934, Cardinal Francis Bourne declared it the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham for Catholics in England and Wales. After nearly four hundred years, public pilgrimage returned.

Today, the Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham once again stands as a place where the mystery of the Annunciation is remembered. In a world marked by uncertainty and division, Walsingham offers a lasting message: God still seeks a place among humanity, and he still waits for a free and loving yes. Mary’s mission for England and Wales has not changed. Echoing the message of Fatima, she continues to call people to prayer, penance, sacrifice, repentance, devotion to the Rosary, and trust in God’s mercy. To speak of Mary’s Dowry today means remembering both the gift that was given and the responsibility that comes with it. England will be renewed not by force or by looking only to the past, but by learning again to listen, to trust God, and to welcome Jesus into the heart of the nation.

Fr Sunday Baba Ikpe, OSA

March 2026 Newsletter

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:22:36 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER

Featured this month: Penance & the Cross, Feast of the Annunciation, A Journey of Grace, Plenary indulgence for 800th Anniversary of St Francis of Assisi Paschal Journey

Dear Readers,

As Lent unfolds before us, the message of Fatima calls us gently back to the heart of the Gospel.

This sacred season invites us to walk with Christ in His sorrow and His love, offering our small penances as gifts of healing for a wounded world. At Fatima, Our Lady showed that every sacrifice whether quiet, hidden or humble can be joined to the Cross and transformed into grace.

In these Lenten days, we are invited to enter that mystery with her, letting the Cross shape our hearts and

letting penance become our path back to God

MARCH - PENANCE AND THE CROSS

Suffering and Doing Penance: A Path To Love  

O Our Lady of Fatima, My Mother gentle and true,

As Lent draws near, I run to you.

You taught the children long ago, how God’s great love still longs to grow.

Help me feel that love today, and hear your whisper when I pray:

“Offer everything to God above; each little act, each gift of love.”

This holy Lent, when days feel long, when doing right feels tough, not strong

O Mother, remind me penance is a way, to walk with my Loving Jesus every day.

Lift me up when I fall down, and guide me with your shining crown

To carry the Cross He had to bear, with tiny gifts of love and care.

Lent invites us with Christ into the desert

Our Lady of Fatima teaches us how to walk there…

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FATIMA NOTICES BOARD

FATIMA ARTICLES

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS- WAF E&W FORMATION CONFERENCE

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

The Apostolate begins its Centenary Cathedral celebrations with a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, inviting all to pray for peace in Ukraine.

Dear WAF Members

As we emerge from the winter months, we look forward with renewed energy to our Centenary Cathedral celebrations. Our journey recommences with a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Westminster. In these challenging times, it is vital that we join together in prayer for peace in Ukraine, reflecting on a conflict now entering its fourth year. 

Sister Lucia, who spent her life in devotion, reminded us that peace is a fragile gift requiring our active participation; she viewed war not as inevitable, but as a result of human choice. We invite you to support this visitation on  14–15 March  by attending the events or offering your prayers through the Rosary or the First Five Saturdays Devotion for world peace.

Notices:  

01 March – Sunday 7pm:  WAF-E&W On-Line Rosary (see Fatima Notice Board for details)
Global prayer for peace in Ukraine and the World (see Fatima Global News for details)
Parish Visitations (see Events/Visitations for details)

God Bless 

Patrick Cunningham 

National President WAF-E&W 

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Fatima And The Crisis of Our Time

Sr Angela de Fátima Coelho reveals why Fatima matters now: peace, purpose, and Mary’s promise: “I will never leave you.” Watch the video here .

25th of March – Feast of the Annunciation

By Fr Sunday Baba Ikpe, OSA

Walsingham, the Annunciation, and Mary’s Dowry: A Marian Vocation for England and Wales

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and how we can best respond to do the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Dear WAF family,

It is with sadness that we share that, due to poor health, Canon Jason is unable to write to you this month. During this holy season of Lent, a time when we are invited to walk more closely with Christ in His suffering, may we hold Canon Jason especially close in our hearts.

Please keep him in your prayers, asking that the Lord grant him strength, healing, and peace. May our Lenten sacrifices and intentions be offered in solidarity with him, trusting that God’s grace is at work even in moments of weakness.

May Cannon Jason, our members and family members who are sick feel the warmth and the gentle nearness of Christ, who walks with all who suffer.

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

800th anniversary of Saint Francis’s Paschal Journey

In this Jubilee Year of 2026, the Church invites us to pause with reverence as we mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’s Paschal journey, his gentle passing from earthly life into the fullness of heavenly glory.

In this sacred remembrance, we are drawn to contemplate the radical way in which Francis allowed himself to be shaped by Christ crucified and risen, becoming a living icon of the Gospel.

His life becomes a mirror held before us, especially in Lent, calling us to walk the path of conversion with renewed humility and love.

In harmony with the Church’s discipline for receiving a plenary indulgence, the faithful are invited to embrace this Jubilee as a moment of grace by:

• Visiting a designated Franciscan or jubilee church

• Taking part in a pious exercise or prayer in honour of Saint Francis

• Receiving sacramental confession and Holy Communion within the appropriate time

• Praying for the intentions of the Holy Father

• Cultivating an interior detachment from all sin, even venial.

As part of the commemoration of the 8th centenary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, his skeletal remains is on public display in the Basilica dedicated to him in his hometown. The exposition will continue for just one month, from February 22 to March 22 of this year. Read more here .

In this holy season of Lent, may the example of Saint Francis lead us more deeply into the mystery of the Cross, so that, like him, we may rise with Christ into the freedom and joy of new life.

01 March – Sunday 7pm :  WAF-E&W On-Line Rosary. Meeting ID: 86088111745, Passcode: 734012 or by clicking on the poster or scanning the QR code on the poster below

FATIMA ARTICLES

Penance, Sacrifice and the Cross

By Patrick Cunningham

A Journey of Grace: My Pilgrimage Reflection

By Joanne Anthonette Cristeta Subade Hodgson San Juan

Beginning the Pilgrimage: Inspiration, Preparation, and the Theological-Pastoral Congress

Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges

Reflecting on this experience, I feel incredibly honoured to have been part of such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity. The journey began in February 2025 at the Word on Fire conference in London, where I met Brother Jerry Rivera , Regional Coordinator for the World Apostolate of Fatima, Western Europe. He introduced me to the vision behind the upcoming World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) Theological-Pastoral Congress and Pilgrimage. Instantly inspired, I was eager to take part; however, working at a school made it challenging to get leave during the busy winter term. Read more here...

Consecration to St Joseph - Feast 19th of March

By Mark Boddington

We continue the 33 Days consecration to St Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ, terror of demons and patron saint of all workers. St Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus at Fatima in October during the miracle of the Sun - information can be found here.

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

Global prayer for peace in Ukraine and the World

Dear WAF members from all over the world,

WAF Ukraine would like to share with you the prayer initiative which was launched among the Ukrainian WAF members in 2022, several months after the war started, when we came back from the WAF General Assembly in Fatima inspired by meeting many devoted followers of Our Lady from all over the world. It has become a powerful instrument to accumulate our prayer resources here in Ukraine and so be united through the online platform.

So we invite you to join the continuous 40-hours Rosary prayer and strengthen our spiritual front with international support. Read more here...

Cardinal Vincent Nichols steps down after 16 years of Leadership

By Patrick Cunningham

Westminster, London – February 2026

The Catholic Church in England and Wales entered a new chapter this February with the installation of the Most Reverend Richard Moth as the 12th Archbishop of Westminster.

The transition marks the end of a significant era, as Cardinal Vincent Nichols steps down after 16 years of leadership. Brother Oliver Abasolo, took the opportunity to thank the Cardinal for the support he has given to the WAF-E&W over the years, including the 2017 Cathedral tour to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions and lately the 2025-2026 Cathedral tour to mark the 100th anniversary of the first five Saturday request during the apparition of the Child Jesus and our Holy Mother at Pontevedra, Spain.

A Legacy of 16 Years: Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Cardinal Nichols, who turned 80 shortly before his retirement, leaves behind a complex and enduring legacy. Having served since 2009, his tenure was marked by:

Historic Milestones: He hosted the first-ever Papal State Visit by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and became the first Catholic cleric to participate in a British coronation (King Charles III) since the Reformation.
Social Advocacy: He was a vocal champion for refugees and victims of human trafficking.
A Challenging Climate: His leadership also navigated the difficult waters of the IICSA inquiry into child sexual abuse, during which he faced significant scrutiny and eventually offered a profound apology for the Church's historic failings.

Ave Maria!

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Our Cathedral visitations resume from March 14-15 March, we will be at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, London, Duke St, London W1K 5BQ, UK. Please visit our webpages to find out when we shall be visiting a Cathedral near you. More information can be found here.

23rd May – WAF E&W Formation Conference

This special gathering is open to all members of the Apostolate and marks a meaningful milestone in our shared mission. The conference aims to:

Bring to life the insights gained from our online formation sessions through talks, group activities, and dynamic small-group discussions.
Inspire members—especially promoters—to embrace a more active and committed role within the Apostolate.
Foster fellowship and strengthen our bonds as spiritual comrades, united in learning, living, and spreading the Message of Our Lady of Fatima and reflecting on the witness of the three shepherd children.

Conference Theme

“Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the Way to Salvation (‘Calls’ from the Message of Fatima)”

This theme draws inspiration from Our Lady’s words during the July 1917 apparition:
“To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.”

Registration Details

Fee: £15.00 (includes a simple lunch)
Registration Deadline: 15 April 2026
How to Register:
Click this link: https://bit.ly/WAFConference
Or scan the QR code on the poster below

 23rd May - Fundraising Charity Concert 

We warmly invite everyone to lend their generous support as we seek to raise funds for our Apostolate’s mission.

A Charity Concert will be held on the evening of 23 May 2026, following the WAF England & Wales Formation Conference, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR.

This special fundraising event is presented in collaboration with the Sinag Himig Chorale and will reflect the inspiring theme:  “Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Indeed, it promises to be both spiritually enriching and artistically inspiring, abundantly filled with grace and joy. This event is open to the public.

Ticket Prices: 

£15.00 – Adult 

£10.00 – Child 

For tickets and reservation kindly contact the official WAF (E&W) mobile number:  07788473210 

May  Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart be our refuge and the way that leads us to God! Ave Maria!

WAF VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

Volunteering for WAF England & Wales:

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

A Journey of Grace: My Pilgrimage Reflection

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:55:35 GMT

Beginning the Pilgrimage: Inspiration, Preparation, and the Theological-Pastoral Congress

Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges

Reflecting on this experience, I feel incredibly honoured to have been part of such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity. The journey began in February 2025 at the Word on Fire conference in London , where I met Brother Jerry Rivera , Regional Coordinator for the World Apostolate of Fatima, Western Europe . He introduced me to the vision behind the upcoming World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) Theological-Pastoral Congress and Pilgrimage. Instantly inspired, I was eager to take part; however, working at a school made it challenging to get leave during the busy winter term.

Receiving Approval and Signs of Encouragement

After becoming a permanent staff member, I decided to take a chance and make a special request at my school, which

was approved due to the centennial's religious significance. The experience felt spiritually meaningful from the start. I saw rainbows in Portugal and Spain, which I interpreted as signs of encouragement and affirmation for the journey.

The Theological-Pastoral Congress: Unity and Spiritual Emphasis

The pilgrimage commenced with the Theological-Pastoral Congress, focused on the theme "The Sacred Heart of Jesus

and the Immaculate Heart of Mary." Attendees benefited from a diverse range of perspectives, including presentations by bishops, priests, nuns, subject matter experts, and representatives from the International Secretariat. Notably, Sister Angela de Fatima Coelho, Vice Postulator for the Cause of the Beatification/Canonisation of the Venerable Sister Lucia, delivered an address emphasizing core aspects of the Fatima message. She highlighted conversion, prayer, and penance as essential elements for contemporary society, referencing insights originally shared in a 1996 Portuguese radio broadcast.

Consecration, Global Prayer, and Collaboration

Sister Angela also discussed the history of the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, recalling

the apparition at Tuy on 13 June 1929, during which Our Lady communicated to Sister Lucia that the moment had arrived for the Holy Father and global bishops to consecrate Russia. This historical context was particularly resonant in light of the contributions of the Ukrainian delegates, who described their ongoing initiative—a 40-hour global Rosary for peace—and invited participants to dedicate thirty minutes to prayer and sacrifice for peace in Ukraine and worldwide.

Outreach and Personal Connections

This engagement reaffirmed plans for collaboration with Radio Maria England , aiming to provide radios to local care

home residents in 2026, thereby enabling the elderly to remain connected to the international prayer network. Sister Angela further illustrated the significance of personal connection through an account of her visits to her mother, underscoring the importance of bringing joy and happiness to her.

Rosary, Procession, and the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

The two-day congress concluded with participants gathering at the Chapel of the Apparitions for the Rosary and

a candlelight procession, followed by the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This sequence of events served as a fitting and reverent preparation for the observance of the feast day in a site of profound spiritual significance.

Pilgrimage Highlights: Sacred Sites and Spiritual Encounters

Visiting the Sites of the Apparitions

On Monday, December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we visited Valinhos and Loca do Cabeço, sites of

important apparitions, and toured the homes of Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta in Aljustrel. Their simple lives gave deeper meaning to their commitment. During our free time, I got to visit the museum which highlighted even more the simplicity of the lives of the three shepherd children of Fatima. We ended the day with a guided tour of the "Refuge and Path" exhibition at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, highlighting Fatima's 100-year legacy. I got the opportunity to join a long line of confessions and went to perpetual adoration. This experience was very humbling and prepared me for the start of this pilgrimage from Fatima to Pontevedra via Balazar.

Sanctuary of Blessed Alexandrina: Lessons in Suffering and Faith

Our journey continued on the 9th of December 2025 with a visit to the Sanctuary of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da

Costa in Balazar. We prayed at her tomb and participated in a solemn Mass at 12:30 PM. Father Des Farren ( from Ireland) delivered an inspirational homily on Blessed Alexandrina’s life, explaining how she lived solely off the Holy Eucharist for 13 years until her death. This was a true miracle of sustenance as Blessed Alexandrina was bedridden and suffered from progressive paralysis for nearly 30 years of her life. His words on surrendering and accepting the cross moved me to the very core of my being. I was deeply touched by the story of Blessed Alexandrina’s bravery—how she had to escape from the man who sought to abuse her, an act of courage that eventually led to her life of suffering. I prayed fervently for the countless women and children around the world today who are facing similar abuse and who are being silenced. Thinking of Blessed Alexandrina’s decades of being incapacitated also brought my own family members to the front of my mind. It hit very close to home because my own uncle has been bedridden and suffering for fourteen years now. I also felt a deep ache for my other relatives and family friends currently battling cancer—including one facing the heavy trial of stage four. I offered my prayers for all those undergoing severe, long-term illnesses; those who, like Alexandrina, suffer in the quiet shadows of life without much recognition. We must continue to offer our prayers for these "silent cross-bearers" who share in Christ’s suffering every day. This visit was the perfect spiritual preparation for what followed. That evening, just before dinner, we travelled to Pontevedra, Spain for the official opening of the Marian Jubilee and the Centenary celebrations at the Convent Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Commemorating the Centenary of the Apparition

The following morning marked the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Jesus and Mary, which originally took place on

10th December 1925. This significant milestone was honoured through profound liturgical celebrations, beginning with the morning Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Mayor at 11:00 AM. Father Martin presided over the service, and from the outset, there was an overwhelming atmosphere of happiness and peace among the congregation.

What made the celebration even more special was Father Martin's thoughtful gesture towards our diverse group of

pilgrims. He shared the message of his homily with the Spanish-speaking attendees, who graciously translated his words into English for those of us less fluent. Although the spirit of the Mass had already touched us, hearing the message in our own language made it even more meaningful and impactful, deepening our sense of connection and understanding.

Later that day, I spent several hours at the Sanctuary of the Apparitions, also known as the House of the Immaculate

Heart of Mary. The time spent in the chapel before the evening Mass at 6:00 PM proved to be deeply moving. The tranquil and sacred atmosphere of this holy place, where Our Lady appeared, allowed me to reflect quietly and truly absorb the peace and grace that permeated the site. Being present in such a hallowed space was an immense gift, and I cherished the opportunity to immerse myself in its spiritual significance.

Experiencing the Jubilee Celebrations

Musical Unity and Faith

When the service began, I felt incredibly blessed to be seated with the choir, singing along just behind the organist.

This experience prompted me to reflect on our musical practice in my own parish, and I was struck by the beauty of our shared traditions. Despite differences in language and location, the similarities were unmistakable, deepening my appreciation for our faith. We are truly unified—one community bound together by common beliefs and even the same hymns.

Evening Mass and the Apparition Site

Whilst I attended the evening Mass, other pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the House Shrine, reciting the Rosary on

the very site where the Child Jesus appeared to Sister Lucia on the 15th of February 1926. It was deeply moving to witness so many priests, mainly from the World Apostolate of Fatima, concelebrating the Mass. Father Des took time to explain the improvements made to the chapel since his previous visit, pointing out the exact location of Sister Lucia’s apparition and describing how the setting faced the cathedral from her bedroom window.

Atmosphere and Community

The sanctuary itself was beautifully maintained, with volunteers always ready to offer guidance and a warm smile.

Following the evening Mass, we joined a truly spectacular candlelight procession, making our way to the Basilica of Santa Maria Mayor. Seeing so many people attend, filling the streets with shared devotion, was an unforgettable experience. As we walked, Marian hymns echoed through the air, and the sight of World Apostolate of Fatima flags waving beside flickering candles powerfully reminded me of our global community.

A Moment of Grace

There was an atmosphere of pure joy and reverence in Pontevedra . The most emotional moment for me occurred as

the statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus approached the Basilica. When they reached the door, a profound sense of grace seemed to wash over everyone present. The singing became more personal and heartfelt, with candlelight reflecting off the grand entrance, and the air heavy with prayer. I truly felt Our Lady’s presence among us; it was as if we were all united in welcoming them into the Basilica. My heart was full as I realised, I was part of this remarkable 100-year legacy.

A Pilgrimage of Profound Encounters

A Glimpse of Heaven in Santiago de Compostela

In Santiago de Compostela, entering the cathedral felt nothing short of heavenly. The grandeur—bathed in gold,

illuminated by radiant light, and watched over by immense angelic figures—created an atmosphere that was truly otherworldly. As I knelt before the altar, tears welled in my eyes and I felt an overwhelming emotion of being in a sacred heavenly place . It felt as if I was gazing directly into the celestial realm itself. In that moment of prayer, I spoke to God, expressing my excitement at the idea that if this was a little taste of Heaven that I got to see , then I greatly looked forward to one day being able to experienc e Heaven in its fullness. Yet, I also affirmed my happiness to remain here on Earth for now, as I am deeply committed to continuing my mission of sharing Our Lady’s message. After this prayerful encounter, our group gathered to pray at the Tomb of the Apostle St. James and took part in the traditional "Abrazo"—embracing the statue of the Saint at the altar. Before leaving, we travelled to the Carmel of Coimbra, where we met the elderly nuns who lived alongside Sister Lucia, and were blessed to receive third-class relics to bring home to our families.

A Night of Gratitude and Fellowship

Upon our return from Coimbra, we shared a final and memorable evening together. Following dinner, the Secretariat

organised a heartfelt programme of gratitude. Members of the Secretariat delivered moving speeches, and a very special gift was presented to the pilgrimage leaders, Nuno and Ana, in recognition of their dedication to the World Apostolate of Fatima . We also took a moment to express sincere thanks to our tour guides, whose excellent organisational efforts made the entire experience so enjoyable. The staff of the Domus Pacis were likewise honoured with tokens of appreciation, acknowledging the exceptional care they provided throughout our stay. Serving as a hotel, retreat centre, and the main office of WAF International, Domus Pacis provides an exceptional atmosphere of unity and belonging, which made our stay there even more memorable.

Farewells and Shared Purpose

The following morning, we gathered for a final breakfast before checking out. Even as our time together drew to a close,

the atmosphere remained one of profound connection and peace, rather than sadness. As we said our farewells, we exchanged contact details and made genuine promises to stay in touch. That last hour was spent "planting seeds" in each other’s missions—pledging to collaborate, share resources, and support one another in spreading Our Lady’s message across our different countries.

Returning Home and Embracing the Mission

Returning home, I found my team at work weary from the Christmas rush. Aware of the sacrifices they had made in my

absence, I chose to keep my joy quiet at first, as a mark of respect for their efforts. Throughout my pilgrimage, I carried my school and colleagues in my heart, offering prayers for them at each holy site as a way of returning the grace I had received.

Looking Forward with Renewed Resolve

As I look ahead to 2026, this pilgrimage has strengthened my soul and given me renewed clarity of purpose.

I am determined to spread Our Lady’s message with even greater fervour—"like wildfire"—and to challenge myself by learning Spanis h and Latin to better understand the liturgy. Inspired by the New Year’s Day homily, I recognise that we cannot remain silent. Instead, we must be courageous, proclaim our faith openly, and move from merely "surviving" to truly living in Grace.

Ave Maria and a Blessed 2026 to all!

DAY 33 - HE MADE HIM THE LORD OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND PRINCE OVER ALL HIS POSSESSIONS

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:43:19 GMT

As Almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time was come and he was about to send on earth his only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, he chose another Joseph of whom the first had been a type, and he made him the lord and chief of his household and possessions, the guardian of his choicest treasures.

— Blessed Pope Pius IX

Our spiritual father St. Joseph is lord, chief, and guardian of the treasures of heaven! Many saints believe that Jesus referred to the greatness of St. Joseph in his preaching. It occurred when the mother of James and John asked Jesus if her sons could sit next to him in his kingdom. The text reads as follows:

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

— Mt 20:20-28

What are we to make of Jesus’ statement? What persons has the Father prepared to sit next to Jesus in heaven? Obviously, Mary, the mother of Jesus, sits on Jesus’ right side. She is the Queen Mother in God’s kingdom. What about the other side? Who is that seat reserved for? It makes sense that it is reserved for St. Joseph. It is fitting that God would place St. Joseph on the left side of Jesus because no saint is greater than the father of Jesus Christ!

It is a monstrous crime for a father to be poor while the son lives in abundance. Who could imagine that the son of God, who is master of all virtues, would forget Joseph whom he loved and cherished as his father? He [Jesus] must have spared no effort to enrich him.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Seated on the left of Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven, St. Joseph dispenses all the treasures of heaven.

Devotion to St. Joseph is one of the choicest graces that God can give to a soul, for it is tantamount to revealing the entire treasury of Our Lord’s graces.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

SAINT JOSEPH IS YOUR INCREASER. Let him increase your intimacy with Jesus and Mary.

Joseph is an all-powerful intercessor. We must, then, be devoted to him; we must honor him and consecrate ourselves to him. In that way we shall greatly please Jesus and Mary, who consider as done for themselves what is done for Joseph.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

Read “ Consecration Day ”

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CONSECRATION DAY

O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

You’ve made it! Today, you are going to consecrate yourself entirely to St. Joseph.

A comprehensive program of consecration to St. Joseph has been long in the making. It has taken centuries for the secret weapon of consecration to St. Joseph to develop. It is now revealed, and you have been chosen by God to be the recipient of a tremendous blessing in the spiritual life. You have been selected at this time in history to be a part of Consecration to St. Joseph. Do you know how blessed you are?

In days of old, saints would have been delighted by a comprehensive method of preparation and consecration to St. Joseph. Their saintly instincts knew of the greatness and wonders of St. Joseph and each one, in their own way, sought to honor him and love him with a filial devotion. But it is you who will be ranked among the very first in the history of the Church to live in a tremendous era of devotion to St. Joseph. The era of St. Joseph!

The Holy Trinity wants St. Joseph to be more known and loved. You have been invited to imitate the virtues and holiness of St. Joseph’s pure heart. With St. Joseph at your side, virtue and holiness will increase in your life. With St. Joseph’s paternal cloak over you, you will be protected from spiritual harm. Fear nothing, my friend. Your spiritual father is the father of Jesus, the husband of the Mother of God, and the Terror of Demons!

Those who honor their father atone for sins … In word and deed honor your father, that all blessings may come to you.

— Sir 3:3, 8

For the rest of your life, love, trust, and honor St. Joseph. Go to him in times of plenty, in times of poverty, in good times and in bad. He will be your guardian, your strength, and your certainty of not being lost. If you become weary, go to Joseph. If you become anxious, go to Joseph. When you are alone, mourning, or tempted, run to St. Joseph! He will never be far from you. He will hear your voice and be your quick defense. A fearless warrior, your spiritual father will rush to your side and protect you.

God demands much from you, but he will favor you generously on this earth, and will exalt you, if you will but imitate St. Joseph in his virtues.

— St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar

Never forget what you have learned in these days of preparation.

Renew your consecration frequently. Strive to please the loving heart of your spiritual father. Avoid sin and live as a faithful member of the Church. Should scandals persist, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph. They will never disappoint you. They will never abandon you. They will always love you and be with you.

I have prayed to our Lord that he might give me St. Joseph for a father, as he had given me Mary for a mother; that he might put in my heart that devotion, that confidence, that filial love of a client, of a devotee of St. Joseph. I trust the good Master has heard my prayers, for I now feel greater devotion to this great saint, and I am full of confidence and hope.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Pray an Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 32 - PROTECTOR OF THE HOLY CHURCH, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:43:16 GMT

Photography by Fr Lawrence Lew, OP

The Church invokes St. Joseph as her Patron and Protector through her unshakable trust that he to whom Christ willed to confide the care and protection of his own frail human childhood, will continue from heaven to perform his protective task in order to guide and defend the Mystical Body of Christ himself, which is always weak, always under attack, always in a state of peril.

— St. Pope Paul VI

The Church needs the protection of St. Joseph. According to the designs of Providence, the Church has always needed his protection, but today it needs it more than ever. The Church is being assaulted by those outside it (Satan and the world) and by those inside it (many of her own children). Sadly, the Church also has to be protected from heterodox and spiritually weak priests and bishops.

Don’t believe me? Well, on June 29, 1972, St. Pope Paul VI made the claim that “the smoke of Satan has entered the Church.” He was right. The Church is in a mess. The smoke of Satan has infiltrated even the highest levels of the Church. The only way to clear away the smoke and make the Church beautiful again is to repent and return to order. There is no other way.

Jesus never promised that everyone in the Church would be holy. The weeds and the wheat grow together. The Church in her essence is holy because she is the bride of Christ, but there are many individual members of the Church who are not holy, marring the beauty of the bride of Christ by their sinful and criminal actions. In God’s time, the weeds and the wheat will be separated. Our role is to stay close to St. Joseph. In this way, we will be wheat, not weeds.

To be faithful as humble collaborators with the divine plan over our lives, we need, along with the protection of the Virgin Mary, that of St. Joseph, a most powerful intercessor.

— St. Pope John XXIII

SAINT JOSEPH PROTECTS THE CHURCH. The days in which we live are filled with scandal, confusion, and division. It is not easy to remain faithful, zealous, and hopeful. Yet, we have reason for hope. God will never abandon us. Saint Joseph will never abandon us either. He knows what is going on in the Church, and he wants to correct it.

Saint Joseph is always the choir director who intones the songs, but he sometimes allows a few sour notes.

— St. Joseph Marello

There are many sour notes in the Church today. Don’t jump ship, though! In his time, the Heavenly Father will put his foot down. We will see the glory of the Church again. All is in the hands of Divine Providence. Trust.

At a time of persecution of the Church in Mexico, Blessed Miguel Pro turned to St. Joseph for help. His first Mass had been said at an altar of St. Joseph. He would later give his life as a martyr before a firing squad, crucifix in one hand, rosary in the other, and St. Joseph in his heart. Blessed Miguel offers words of comfort for the difficult times in which we live. He states:

The splendor of the Resurrection [of the Church] is already on its way because now the gloom of the passion [of the Church] is at its height.

Hold fast to Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph. They are with us. Trust in Divine Providence.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Read “ Patron of the Universal Church ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 31 - TERROR OF DEMONS, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:43:12 GMT

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph pursued their way through many towns of Egypt, driving out the demons not only from the idols, but out of many bodies possessed by them, curing many that were grievously and dangerously ill.

— Venerable Mary of Ágreda

Demons fear Jesus. Demons fear Mary. Did you know that demons fear St. Joseph as well? It’s true. Demons are absolutely terrified of St. Joseph.

Evil spirits are terrified of St. Joseph because he alone is the spouse of the Immaculata and the father of Jesus Christ. Saint Joseph is the gateway to Jesus and Mary. Everything that touches him becomes a relic. He saved the Savior from Herod, spent decades in adoration, exercised paternal authority over Jesus, and made it possible for Jesus and Mary to offer their sacrifice on Calvary. Demons have plenty to be afraid of in the person of St. Joseph. He is mighty!

 SAINT JOSEPH IS A DRAGON SLAYER! The title “Terror of Demons” is the most unique title of St. Joseph. It is a fearsome and commanding title. It is the title of a warrior. The lily St. Joseph holds in his hand is a mighty spiritual weapon, a sword of purity. It has the power to pierce fire-breathing dragons (demons) and conquer every form of filth and darkness. The lily he wields is a threat to all the filthy forces of Satan.

Demons are terrified at the mere mention of St. Joseph’s name. They fear everything about St. Joseph. “How terrified are they?” you ask. Well, terrified enough that they fear when he sleeps! When St. Joseph slumbers, he speaks to God! It doesn’t matter if his mind and body are at rest. Saint Joseph’s spirit is always at attention and ready to protect, defend, and fight for Jesus, Mary, and souls. When St. Joseph rises from sleep, demons know he will promptly do the will of God and block their evil intentions. Whether St. Joseph is awake or asleep, all hell trembles before the father and king of the Holy Family.

Saint Joseph is a quiet man, but he is not a timid man. One glance of his eyes sends all hell into flight. One word from his mouth routs the forces of darkness as an axe levels a field of trees! Who can stand against you if the Terror of Demons protects you?

SAINT JOSEPH WILL PROTECT YOU AGAINST SATAN AND HIS DEMONS. Satan is not a myth; neither are evil spirits and demons. The world considers these creatures to be fairytales and legends, but they are real. We are in a spiritual battle. Satan and his demons are out to get you.

Saint Peter offered the following description of the devil and the hellish threat he poses:

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.

— 1 Pet 5:8-9

To defeat the devil, you need Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph, and the teachings and Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Every Christian needs truth and the strong spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph.

You are a child of St. Joseph. It doesn’t matter if you are 6 years old or 60 years old. Jesus himself referred to grown men on the shores of Galilee as children (see Jn 21:5). Jesus is God, and he has appointed St. Joseph to be your loving spiritual father. In times of fear, oppression, mortal danger, and extreme temptation, run to your spiritual father. He will fight for you. The Terror of Demons is ready to slay dragons for you!

Saint Joseph, may you and your immaculate spouse assist me in the final struggle.

— St. John Neumann

Read “ Terror of Demons ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 30 - PATRON OF THE DYING, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:43:07 GMT

The name of Joseph will be our protection during all the days of our life, but above all at the moment of death.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Saint Joseph died a holy and happy death. He died gazing upon Jesus and resting in the arms of Mary. What greater death could a person experience? God has designated St. Joseph as the Patron of the Dying because he wants us to experience a death similar to that of St. Joseph, a holy and happy death.

Death is a part of life, but it is not an easy part of life. Letting go and saying goodbye to family and friends is not easy. In many monasteries, there are signs that read “Memento Mori” (“Remember You Will Die”). The sign is not meant to be morbid, but rather to serve as a reminder that our life on earth will come to an end, and we need to be prepared for death.

We need to be prepared for death because Satan always tries to get a soul to despair and turn away from our loving God at the hour of death. Ask any priest; he will tell you that a spiritual battle takes place over a soul at the hour of death. For this reason, we need the intercession of our spiritual father to fortify us, protect us, and fill us with trust in God’s love and mercy.

Jesus granted to him [St. Joseph] the special privilege of safeguarding the dying against the snares of Lucifer, just as he had also saved him [Jesus] from the schemes of Herod.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

SAINT JOSEPH IS YOUR PERSONAL PATRON. Saint Joseph is everyone’s personal patron because everyone is going to die. None of us is going to be here forever. You have a loving spiritual father who can help you prepare for death. On his deathbed, St. Joseph himself must have been concerned about the future of his wife and Son. Would they suffer? Would they be treated cruelly by others? Would their future be a happy one? Yet St. Joseph had boundless confidence in God’s love and mercy. He died trusting in Divine Providence, full of confidence that God would take care of his wife and Son. With St. Joseph in your life, you do not have to be fearful of death either. When your time comes, St. Joseph will help you experience a happy and holy death.

The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death. In the litany of the saints, for instance, she has us pray: “From a sudden and unforeseen death, deliver us, O Lord,” to ask the Mother of God to intercede for us “at the hour of our death” in the Hail Mary; and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death.

— Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism tells us that, in order to prepare for death, we should “entrust ourselves to St. Joseph.” In other words, consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! To prevent an unhappy death — a death that catches us unprepared, without the last Sacraments — prepare for it now by consecrating yourself to St. Joseph and living a holy life. In giving everything to St. Joseph, death will not catch you unprepared. Today, many people are not prepared for death. They do not consider their mortality, living as if they are immortal and immune to the grave. The finality of death will be a torture for such people.

As for you, live a pious life in union with the Church. Remain in a state of sanctifying grace. Go to Confession and Holy Communion frequently. Give everything to St. Joseph!

He [a servant of St. Joseph] will beg of him the grace of dying as he himself did, with the kiss of Jesus and in the arms of Mary.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Happy are you if your death has the assistance of St. Joseph. Then, no matter if flames devour you, or waters overwhelm you, or disease slays you, the prayers of St. Joseph will throw around you an all protecting mantle of defense.

— Venerable Nelson Baker

Read “ Patron of a Happy Death ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 29 - HOPE OF THE SICK, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:43:03 GMT

As the Church’s Liturgy teaches, he [St. Joseph] “cooperated in the fullness of time in the great mystery of salvation” and is truly a “minister of salvation.”

— St. John Paul II

God has healed many people through the intercession of St. Joseph, such as St. Teresa of Avila. She often told people how she was so terribly ill that she considered herself half-dead, but after praying to St. Joseph, she experienced a miraculous cure.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux would have died in infancy were it not for the intercession of St. Joseph. Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, Thérèse’s parents, were very devoted to St. Joseph. They named two of their children after St. Joseph but, sadly, both of the children died in childbirth. When Zélie was again pregnant, she believed the child in her womb was a boy, and she planned to name the child Joseph. After childbirth, however, the baby was discovered to be a girl, and it was decided that her name would be Thérèse.

Shortly after Thérèse was born, she became deathly ill. No one knew the cause of the illness. Her mother, having already experienced the death of several other children, was greatly saddened but resigned to God’s holy will. Fearing that little Thérèse was going to die, Zélie knelt before a statue of St. Joseph in her bedroom and asked the saint to heal her daughter. Miraculously, Thérèse was healed! Thérèse’s mother wrote down an account of what had happened to her little Thérèse. She wrote:

I went up to my room [little Thérèse was on the first floor with a wet nurse], I knelt at the feet of St. Joseph, and I asked him for the grace of healing for the little one, while resigning myself to God’s will. I do not often cry, but I was crying as I prayed. I didn’t know if I should go downstairs. In the end, I decided to go down, and what did I see? The baby was nursing vigorously. She did not let go until 1 p.m. She spit up a bit and fell back as though dead on her wet nurse. There were five of us around her. Everyone was stunned. There was a worker who was crying; I felt my blood run cold. The baby had no visible breath. It did no good for us to lean over to try and discover a sign of life because we could see nothing. But she was so calm, so peaceful, that I thanked God for having her die so gently. Then a quarter of an hour went by, and my little Thérèse opened her eyes and started to smile.

SAINT JOSEPH OFFERS HOPE IN TIMES OF SICKNESS. If you or someone you know is sick, go to St. Joseph. Jesus wants you to go to your spiritual father and ask him for help and healing. It’s up to God whether or not a physical healing will be given, but it doesn’t hurt to ask, as St. Zélie did for her little Thérèse.

If you or a loved one receive a healing, don’t forget that you are still going to suffer in life. Saint Thérèse was healed as an infant, but she suffered many other ailments in life, and eventually succumbed to death. Even Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, died again. Thus, whether you experience a physical healing or not, St. Joseph always offers hope for an illness-free life in heaven. Saint Joseph will help you be abandoned to Divine Providence.

Like St. Joseph, let us live each day according to the dispositions of providence, doing whatever God suggests.

— St. Joseph Marello

Read “ Votive Masses ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 28 - COMFORT OF THE AFFLICTED, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:58 GMT

Nothing will be refused him [St. Joseph], neither by Our Lady nor by his glorious Son.

— St. Francis de Sales

Comforting the afflicted is a work of mercy. The Church has seven Spiritual Works of Mercy and seven Corporal Works of Mercy. The works of mercy help us to be devout followers of Jesus Christ by serving others; they help us to be like St. Joseph.

SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

Feed the Hungry

Give Drink to the Thirsty

Clothe the Naked

Shelter the Homeless

Visit the Prisoners

Comfort the Sick

Bury the Dead

SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

Teach the Ignorant

Pray for the Living and the Dead

Correct Sinners

Counsel Those in Doubt

Console the Sorrowful

Bear Wrongs Patiently

Forgive Wrongs Willingly

The Latin title Solatium Miserorum is generally translated as “Comfort of the Afflicted,” but it can also be rendered “Solace of the Miserable” or “Solace of Those in Misery.” Experiencing misery or feeling miserable is not pleasant. Yet the reality is that we are all going to have miserable moments in life. This world is a valley of tears, and everyone is going to suffer. There is no way around it. Whether it’s financial problems, marital hardships, psychological struggles, difficulties in relationships, the death of loved ones, or a thousand other woes, we will all experience misery in life. It’s good to have someone we can turn to for comfort and solace in such times.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL COMFORT YOU IN DIFFICULT TIMES. Life is filled with many sorrows. Loved ones will die, children sometimes rebel, and gravity will eventually take away your youthfulness, making you old and immobile. No matter what life brings, however, St. Joseph will always be your consolation, comfort, and solace. He knows well the hardships of life. He is a kind and loving father. He comforts everyone who comes to him in times of affliction. His fatherhood is unlike any other.

Let us commend ourselves to our good father, St. Joseph, who is the Patriarch of troubled people, since he himself went through so much trouble.

— St. Joseph Marello

A loving father provides comfort to his children, especially when they are going through difficulties. A father’s wisdom and presence are reassuring and life-giving. Knowing you can always go to your father in difficult times reassures you that everything will be okay, even when your world seems to be falling apart. Regrettably, many people have never experienced this kind of love from a father. Many people today have grown up with emotionally abusive, distant, and less-than-virtuous fathers. This has led many people to experience great anxieties and fears in life, as well as a tremendous sense of insecurity.

God wants you to rest in St. Joseph’s fatherhood. Saint Joseph will never abandon you. No matter what your experience of fatherhood has been, St. Joseph will always be there for you. He is your spiritual dad, and he loves you. He will never hurt you. He would give his life for you a million times over.

When life has you down, run to your spiritual father. Pour out your heart to him. Tell him your troubles. He is the most loving of fathers. He is always available for you, always attentive, always understanding.

If discouragement overwhelms you, think of the faith of Joseph; if anxiety has its grip on you, think of the hope of Joseph; if exasperation or hatred seizes you, think of the love of Joseph, who was the first man to set eyes on the human face of God in the person of the Infant conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Let us praise and thank Christ for having drawn so close to us, and for giving us Joseph as an example and model of love.

— Pope Benedict XVI

Read “ Pious Union of St. Joseph ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 27 - PILLAR OF FAMILIES, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:50 GMT

Those who are devoted to prayer should, in a special manner, cherish devotion to St. Joseph. I know not how anyone can ponder on the sufferings, trials, and tribulations the Queen of Angels endured whilst caring for Jesus in his childhood, without at the same time thanking St. Joseph for the services he rendered the Divine Child and his Blessed Mother.

— St. Teresa of Avila

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph love families. Their three hearts are very concerned about what is happening to families today. Families are falling apart.

Modern man has distanced himself from God and attempted to redefine what it means to be a family. As a result, divorce rates are at an all-time high; the majority of married couples use contraception; abortion is legal; and it is socially acceptable for children to be raised by two dads and/or two moms. The family stands on the edge of a great precipice.

Various programs backed by very powerful resources nowadays seem to aim at the breakdown of the family. At times it appears that concerted efforts are being made to present as “normal” and attractive, and even to glamourize, situations which are in fact “irregular.” Indeed, they contradict “the truth and love” which should inspire and guide relationships between men and women, thus causing tensions and divisions in families, with grave consequences particularly for children. The moral conscience becomes darkened; what is true, good, and beautiful is deformed; and freedom is replaced by what is actually enslavement.

— St. John Paul II

Saint John Paul II is absolutely correct. God established the family to be a school of love, something beautiful, delightful, and life-giving, and the devil and his agents want to destroy it. How are we ever going to turn the situation around? How can we return to order? The only way is to elevate the Holy Family as the model and blueprint of the family. When the Holy Family is celebrated in society, we will again know the sanctity of motherhood, the heroism of fatherhood, and the blessing of children.

SAINT JOSEPH WANTS TO BE THE PILLAR OF YOUR FAMILY. A pillar is a foundation. In order for your home to stand on a firm foundation and be unshakable, your family needs St. Joseph. He will teach your family the importance of prayer, mutual respect, purity, honesty, forgiveness, love, and, most importantly, placing God above all things.

SAINT JOSEPH LOVES THE FAMILY! Saint Joseph, the pillar of the family, teaches us the importance of motherhood, fatherhood, and children. He is the saint of the childhood and hidden years of Jesus. He teaches modern man that the only true definition of a family is that it consists of a mother, a father, and children. The notion of a “modern family” is a deception from the devil. The redefinition of marriage and the family causes the breakdown of society, culture, morals, and true family values.

In the person of St. Joseph, men can learn what it means to be a husband and a father. They must be self-sacrificing for women, children, and the common good. It is honorable for men to sacrifice themselves for others. Manhood and fatherhood are perfected through love, sacrifice, and faithfulness to those entrusted to their care. The exercise of such manhood is how husbands and fathers become pillars of civilization, and indeed, become holy. A world filled with men like St. Joseph will experience a renewal of social and moral order.

I saw Jesus assisting his parents in every possible way, and also on the street and wherever opportunity offered, cheerfully, eagerly, and obligingly helping everyone. He assisted his foster-father in his trade, and devoted himself to prayer and contemplation. He was a model for all the children of Nazareth.

— Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Read “ Silent Witness ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 26 - GUARDIAN OF VIRGINS, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:46 GMT

I prayed to St. Joseph to watch over me. From my childhood, my devotion to him was mingled with my love for the Blessed Virgin. Each day I recited the prayer, “O Saint Joseph, father and protector of virgins.” It seemed to me that I was well protected and completely sheltered from every danger.

— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Saint Joseph has a special love for those consecrated to God through religious vows. Saint Joseph loves everyone, of course, but he has a special place in his heart for virgins. A virgin himself, St. Joseph knows firsthand the intimacy that a virgin is capable of having with God. Saint Joseph lived for 30 years with the two greatest virgins to ever grace this planet: Jesus and Mary. Virginity is a treasure. It is a treasure that St. Joseph guards and wants others

to know about.

REMEMBER ST. JOSEPH! Many people know the Memorare prayer to the Virgin Mary. What many people don’t know about is the Memorare to St. Joseph. It’s almost identical to the Marian Memorare . The Memorare to St. Joseph goes like this:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, my spiritual father, and beg your protection. O foster father of the Redeemer, despise not my petitions, but in your goodness hear and answer me. Amen.

Saint Faustina’s religious community, the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, recite the Memorare to St. Joseph every day. Saint Faustina herself had a tremendous devotion to St. Joseph and daily asked his intercession for her vocation and mission. She wrote:

Saint Joseph urged me to have a constant devotion to him. He himself told me to recite three prayers [the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be] and the Memorare [to St. Joseph] once every day. He looked at me with great kindness and gave me to know how much he is supporting this work [of mercy]. He has promised me this special help and protection. I recite the requested prayers every day and feel his special protection.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU BE A GUARDIAN OF VIRGINITY AND PURITY. If you maintain a daily loving relationship with St. Joseph, your eyes, intentions, heart, and relationships can be pleasing to God and free of anything that goes against purity. If you walk with St. Joseph, you will find less and less pleasure in filthy and perverse films. Such “entertainment” will repulse your soul. Music that is foul, degrading to women, and offensive to God will not appeal to you either. This doesn’t mean you must only listen to Christian music or watch Christian movies, but it does mean that you will know light from darkness.

Everyone is going to be tempted to sin against purity — some more than others. In St. Joseph, everyone has a guardian and a protector. Turn to him in times of temptation and you will grow in innocence and purity. Frequently ask his intercession to keep your heart pure and chaste.

I have taken for my advocate and protector, the glorious St. Joseph, to whom I have recommended myself with all the fervor of my heart, and by whom I have been visibly aided. This tender father of my soul, this loving protector hastened to snatch me from the wretched state in which my body languished, as he had delivered me from greater dangers of another nature, which threatened my honor and my eternal salvation.

— St. Teresa of Avila

I beg the great St. Joseph, in whom I have a very great confidence, to come to my aid.

— St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Read “ A Miraculous Staircase in New Mexico ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 25 - GLORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:43 GMT

Joseph loved Jesus as a father loves his son and showed his love by giving him the best he had.

— St. Josemaría Escrivá

In the 16th century, St. Teresa of Avila helped reform the female branch of the Carmelite Order. She had a tremendous devotion to St. Joseph and named the majority of her reformed convents after him. To protect the convents (and the nuns in them), she buried medals of St. Joseph around the convents as a sign that they belonged to God and St. Joseph. In the 20th century, St. André Bessette did something similar.

Saint André wanted to erect a shrine dedicated to St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada. He found the perfect location and placed medals of St. Joseph around the property as a way of asking St. Joseph to bless and obtain the property. Needless to say, he got it!

SAINT JOSEPH WANTS TO BLESS YOUR HOME. If you lovingly welcome St. Joseph into your home, invoke his intercession, and honor him in pious devotions, he will greatly bless your domestic life. Wherever St. Joseph is present, Jesus and Mary are present as well.

Saint Joseph wants to be in your home and present in your family life. Even if you move, he wants to go with you. Speaking of moving, let me quickly say something about a practice that concerns me: There is no need for you to bury a statue of St. Joseph to sell your house. Burying a statue of St. Joseph in an effort to sell a home is a modern phenomenon.

Saint Teresa of Avila and St. André Bessette never buried statues of St. Joseph. Statues, unlike medals, are not made to be buried. Statues represent a person, and are meant to be venerated above ground, not buried in the ground. Place a statue of St. Joseph inside your home and pray to St. Joseph frequently for your domestic needs, including the selling of your home. Do not bury a statue of St. Joseph in your yard.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.

— Mt 5:14-15

Whatever you do, never bury a statue of St. Joseph upside down. People sometimes do this bizarre practice as a form of spiritual bribery, promising to turn the statue of St. Joseph right side up only if their home is sold. Such a practice is akin to treating a statue of St.Joseph as a talisman or a good luck charm. Saint Joseph is your spiritual father, not a trinket. There’s no need to bury a statue of him. Talk to him; he hears you.

SAINT JOSEPH LOVES DOMESTIC LIFE. Saint Joseph is the saint of the hidden years of Jesus. This reality is incredible to ponder. Consider your own memories of living at home: family outings, birthdays, religious celebrations, playing together, singing, etc. Most likely, you only lived in the house of your parents for 20 years or so. Our Lord, however, lived with Mary and St. Joseph for 30 years. The love, intimacy, and familiarity Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph shared is amazing! Saint Joseph knew what Jesus’ walk sounded like. He knew the sound of Jesus’ sneeze, laughter, and voice raised in song. He knew Jesus’ mannerisms, morning routine, posture, smile, yawn, and favorite food and drink. These are treasured memories that reside deep in the heart and mind of St. Joseph.

Jesus and Mary themselves obey and offer their homage to Joseph, for they reverence what the hand of God has established in him, namely, the authority of spouse and the authority of father.

— Pope Pius XI

Read “ Saint Joseph’s Workshop ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 24 - MODEL OF WORKMEN, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:40 GMT

At the workbench where he [St. Joseph] plied his trade together with Jesus, Joseph brought human work closer to the mystery of the Redemption.

— St. John Paul II

The devil hates an honest and diligent worker. At the beginning of human history, the wicked serpent initiated his attack on the human family in the workplace — that is, the garden God gave Adam and Eve to tend and keep. Lucifer hates work. He particularly disdains the fact that because of love, God humbled himself and became a man, making himself capable of manual labor. Jesus spent many years in St. Joseph’s workshop diligently working. It was preparation for his re-entering man’s original workshop — a garden; the Garden of Gethsemane, specifically — and accomplishing the work of our redemption.

Jesus is God. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, he made the heavens and the earth. Our Lord’s ability to create far exceeds anything we can possibly imagine. When he became flesh, Jesus sanctified human work and elevated it to a level of greatness that did not exist prior to his Incarnation. Though divine, God humbled himself, became a man, and worked like a man. In his humanity, he learned how to work as a man by imitating the example of his earthly father, St. Joseph.

SAINT JOSEPH IS THE MODEL WORKMAN. If St. Joseph taught the God-Man how to work, he is more than capable of serving as our model as well. Hard work benefits the person, the family, and society.

He [St. Joseph] belongs to the working-class, and he bore the burdens of poverty for himself and the Holy Family, whose tender and vigilant head he was.

— Pope Pius XI

Work is not always easy and pleasant. Putting in a hard day’s work can be taxing on the mind, body, and soul. Sometimes work can be downright burdensome. As a carpenter, Jesus knew this firsthand. He offers comfort to all who make their living by the sweat of their brow.

Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

— Mt 11:28-30

SAINT JOSEPH WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BE A DILIGENT WORKER. Our Lord desired to do manual labor for many years before initiating his public ministry. Why did he do it? He did it because he wanted to sanctify work and teach us that work is honorable and pleasing to God. However, neither Jesus nor St. Joseph were workaholics. Workaholics are of no benefit to themselves, the family, or society. God does not delight in a workaholic.

Jesus learned the proper place of work in his life through the loving example of St. Joseph. Saint Joseph made time for God, family, recreation, and rest. Saint Joseph modeled these aspects of human life for Jesus. Saint Joseph will teach you these important lessons as well.

Saint Joseph also serves as the model workman for the imitation of those who work for the salvation of souls, especially deacons, priests, bishops, and religious. Consecrated souls are to work diligently and faithfully in God’s vineyard. This work, too, can be difficult and burdensome. Priests, deacons, and consecrated religious are human; they need rest and recreation like everyone else. On rare occasions, God gives extraordinary graces for a person to perform heroic penances, fasts, and mortifications. However, God never desires for his workers to burn out from sheer exhaustion. He wants them to take delight in mountain streams, forests, and sunsets. He wants priests and nuns who are like St. Joseph: loving, prayerful, hard-working, and not afraid to rest.

Let us ask St. Joseph to foster staunch vocations for our Lord.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Read “ Saint Joseph the Worker ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 23 - LOVER OF POVERTY, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:37 GMT

Truly, I doubt not that the angels, wondering and adoring, came thronging in countless multitudes to that poor workshop to admire the humility of him who guarded that dear and divine child, and labored at his carpenter’s trade to support the son and the mother who were committed to his care.

— St. Francis de Sales

Saint Joseph was unpretentious in the eyes of the world. He had no worldly ambition or desire for recognition.

Throughout the centuries, people have often wondered what the financial status of the Holy Family was, or what their living conditions were. To answer this question, we need look no further than the New Testament. The Holy Family was poor. Very poor.

Saint Joseph was so lowly and poor in the sight of the world that the Wise Men who entered the stable in Bethlehem did not even acknowledge his presence (see Mt 2:11). When the Holy Family journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem to participate in the Jewish ritual of purification for a new mother, Joseph couldn’t even afford to purchase a lamb for a burnt offering (see Lev 12:6-7). Lambs were expensive. Saint Joseph could only offer a poor man’s gift, that is, two turtledoves or two young pigeons (see Lev 12:8).

The Holy Family lived on Divine Providence. Had Baby Jesus not been given gold, frankincense, and myrrh by the Wise Men in Bethlehem (see Mt 2:11), it is likely that St. Joseph would not have had money to purchase food and other necessities for his family when they traveled to Egypt. When they had left from Nazareth for Jerusalem to fulfil the census, they had not brought many things with them because they expected to return to Nazareth. The gifts of the Wise Men were God’s providential way of taking care of the Holy Family. Years later, after returning to Nazareth from Egypt, the Holy Family lived for almost 30 years in a house in Nazareth that was simple and small.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). Have you ever wondered what that actually means? Is Jesus saying that poverty is wonderful? No, that’s not what he is saying. What he is saying is that those who are detached from the things of this world are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven. When a person is detached from the things of this world, poverty is understood to be a virtue. The person who is detached from material things is truly blessed in spirit and rich in the sight of God. This explains why St. Joseph is called “Lover of Poverty.” He relied on Divine Providence for all of his needs.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU BE POOR IN SPIRIT. Saint Joseph will teach you how to be detached from material things and abandoned to Divine Providence. You will never find true happiness in material goods. Those who allow their relationship to God to depend on whether they have worldly things are destined for unhappiness. The person who is poor in spirit, on the other hand, is able to proclaim, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

The silence of St. Joseph proves his greatness and poverty of spirit. Everyone likes to boast of their achievements and have others acknowledge their work. Saint Joseph, however, never saw the results of his hard work and sacrifice. He trusted that God would bring good fruit from his labor and years of service to Jesus and Mary. And God did — more than St. Joseph could have ever imagined. He was poor in the world, but rich in the Kingdom of Heaven.

He [St. Joseph] lived content in his poverty.

— St. Bonaventure

Read “ Perpetual Adoration ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 22 - MIRROR OF PATIENCE, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:34 GMT

This flower of Israel [St. Joseph] had the faith of Abraham, the piety of David his ancestor, the wisdom of the prophets, a patience more heroic than that of Job and of Tobias, and a zeal greater than that of Elijah for the glory of God.

— Blessed Gabriele Allegra

Patience is a virtue that many people find hard to practice. Remaining peaceful and calm can be very challenging when you find yourself in a situation that is completely out of your control. Indeed, there are countless things in life that will test your patience.

In modern times, advances in technology have put almost everything in life at our fingertips. Our meals, entertainment, music, and contacts are instantly available to us. With this capability, it can be very difficult to wait and acquire the virtue of patience. If you want to be like St. Joseph, however, you must learn patience.

Blessed are all those who wait on the Lord.

— Is 30:18

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF PATIENCE. Life was not easy for St. Joseph. His mission required a lot of waiting. If St. Joseph did not accompany Mary on her journey to Elizabeth’s house, he had to wait three long months to see his wife again. When St. Joseph observed that his wife was pregnant, he had to wait for the Lord to reveal what he wanted him to do in response to the wondrous pregnancy. Such trials of patience must have been extremely challenging for St. Joseph. Saint Joseph used them as an opportunity to grow in patience and holiness. He mastered every opportunity.

Saint Joseph exhibited heroic patience in Egypt. Taking his wife and newborn Child to a country with a different language, culture, religion, and currency must have filled his heart with anxiety. Finding work in Egypt and providing food and shelter for his family could not have been easy. What husband and father would not be in a constant state of anxiety in such a situation? He had no idea how long he would have to stay in Egypt. Yet, in every situation, St. Joseph was always peaceful, kind, calm, and abandoned to Divine Providence.

Exercising patience does not mean that a person will be free of the anxieties of life. When Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days in Jerusalem, we are told that they searched for their beloved Son with great anxiety (see Lk 2:48). They were greatly concerned but had boundless confidence in Divine Providence.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE YOUR PATIENCE. You, too, are going to experience many trials in life, trials that will test your love and your patience. Whether you like it or not, your patience is going to be tried. Hardly a day will go by in which you will not be given the opportunity to acquire patience. God allows such trials because he wants us to grow in virtue.

A concrete area in your life where you can exercise the virtue of patience is by being merciful to others, especially when you know their faults. Saint Joseph lived with two perfect people, but he must have frequently encountered unpleasant and difficult people: employers, co-workers, tax collectors, politicians, etc. You, too, will experience unpleasant people in life. In such instances, imitate the patience of St. Joseph. Ask God for the grace to love your neighbor. Be kind, peaceful, and merciful.

In the workplace, offer forgiveness for offenses. On the highway, be patient and courteous. With difficult family members and friends, be pleasant and merciful. Exercising patience and mercy always brings about good. The lovingly patient and merciful person is always victorious, in this life or the next!

He [St. Joseph] was always imperturbable, even in adversities. Let us model ourselves after this sublime example and let us learn to remain peaceful and tranquil in all of life’s circumstances.

— St. Joseph Marello

Read “ The Roman Canon ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 21 - JOSEPH MOST FAITHFUL, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:30 GMT

The Church admires the simplicity and the depth of his [St. Joseph’s] faith.

— St. John Paul II

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen spoke of three rings in marriage: the engagement ring, the wedding ring, and the suffering. Those who are married know this to be true. Marriage is not easy. It begins with a honeymoon and will be filled with many hardships, difficulties, and trials. For a marriage to work, mutual love, sacrifice, and faithfulness are necessary.

A Christian’s relationship with God is a spiritual marriage. It, too, requires mutual love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Those who are spiritually espoused to God need to be faithful in good times and in bad, in health and in sickness, in riches and in poverty. Saint Joseph was always faithful to his wife and to God.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF FAITH. Faith is one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity). But what exactly is faith? How is it defined? The Letter to the Hebrews gives us a good definition. It states: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Christian faith acknowledges who Jesus is, adheres to his teaching, and trusts in his promises.

Joseph was deeply pious; he prayed much for the coming of the Messiah.

— Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

A Christian is called to have faith in Jesus and trust in him. Acknowledging who Jesus is just is not enough. Demons acknowledge who Jesus is (see Mt 8:29; Mk 5:7; Lk 8:28), but they don’t love or trust him. Saint Joseph, on the other hand, is a model of faith and trust. He knows who Jesus is and trusts in him. Saint Joseph held fast to Jesus’ words even when his mind and senses were unable to completely understand what Jesus meant. Saint Joseph exercised an active, trusting, and zealous faith.

Saint Joseph never doubted the divinity of Jesus or his power to conquer evil. To the world, Jesus looked like an ordinary child, but St. Joseph knew he was God. He adored our Lord in the cradle, in the home in Nazareth, in the Temple in Jerusalem, and as a grown man in his workshop. Saint Joseph was always aware that, in seeing Jesus, he was gazing upon God Almighty.

Saint Joseph was faithful to Jesus in good times and in bad (at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and when Jesus was lost in the Temple in Jerusalem). Saint Joseph was faithful to Jesus in health and in sickness (teaching Jesus to be a good carpenter and dying in the arms of Jesus). Saint Joseph was faithful to Jesus in riches and in poverty (when gold was given to Jesus by the Magi, and when the gold ran out and they lived in poverty in Egypt).

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE YOUR FAITH. Today, it is not easy to be faithful to Jesus. The world does not want you to trust Jesus, hope in his promises, or love him. If you live according to the teachings of Jesus, you will be ridiculed and mocked by the world, and maybe even by your family and friends. Should you endure exile and isolation out of love for Jesus, he is worth it. Should you suffer financial loss out of love for the truth, God will reward you. If you are belittled, spoken ill of, and calumniated because of your stance against abortion, homosexual “marriage,” and contraception, your reward will be great in heaven.

Imitate the faith and loving trust of St. Joseph. Be steadfast, trusting, and intrepid in your faith.

It is precisely the intrepid faith of St. Joseph that the Church needs today in order to courageously dedicate herself to the urgent task of the new evangelization.

— St. John Paul II

Read “ Adorer of Christ ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 20 - JOSEPH MOST OBEDIENT, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:28 GMT

If you want to know St. Joseph’s obedience, look at how he rose at night at the angel’s voice and, giving no care to hunger, hardships, or cold, went to Egypt where he led a hard life until the next command of God.

— St. Joseph Sebastian Pelzcar

Obedience is a misunderstood virtue. Many people are of the opinion that obedience to authority limits their freedom, requiring them to hand over their rights to others. This is not the case. In fact, obedience to laws is a part of everyday human life. A road sign, for example, doesn’t take away a person’s freedom. Road signs and other legitimate laws are designed to give people true freedom and happiness. You are able to disobey stop signs while driving, but obedience to the stop sign is what allows you and others to reach your destinations in safety.

Natural law and divine law are not inhibitors to freedom. In God’s plan, the purpose of these laws is to help us reach our ultimate destination: heaven. Those who fail to obey reason and the divine dictates will end up psychologically, anthropologically, and spiritually frustrated, and run the risk of never reaching heaven.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF OBEDIENCE. Obedience requires trust. Lack of trust on the part of our first parents (Adam and Eve) is what caused all mankind to fall into sin. In the Garden of Eden, our first parents were tricked into disobeying God by the serpent. The devil instilled in their minds doubts regarding God’s trustworthiness. “Did God really say you would die?” (Gen 3:1). Our new parents, Mary and St. Joseph, trusted God and were willing to suffer for their obedience to God. Mary and Joseph were certain that God had their best interests in mind.

Why was St. Matthew so keen to note Joseph’s trust in the words received from the messenger of God, if not to invite us to imitate this same loving trust?

— Pope Benedict XVI

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE THE VIRTUE OF OBEDIENCE IN YOU . You are probably familiar with the heavenly visions given to St. Faustina containing the Divine Mercy message and devotion. Did you know that St. Faustina also had visions of St. Joseph? Saint Faustina loved St. Joseph very much and frequently turned to him for his powerful intercession, asking him to help her do the will of God and be faithful to her mission of spreading devotion to God’s mercy. With the help of St. Joseph, St. Faustina was able to complete her mission and be obedient to her superiors, even when they sent her for a psychological evaluation!

The virtue of obedience is not only for nuns and priests, though. Everyone needs to be obedient to both natural and divine law. Obeying the 10 Commandments, the teachings of the Catholic Church, attending Mass faithfully on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and going to Confession when you fall into sin are all ways of showing that you trust and obey God.

Everyone needs to trust God and obey the natural law as well.

The person who defends marriage as an institution between one man and one woman is obeying the natural law. Protecting children in the womb by voting for candidates who are uncompromisingly prolife is also a sign of being obedient to the natural law. Resisting the nonsense of gender ideology is another way of obeying the natural law. If you are mocked, ridiculed, and made to suffer for your trust and obedience to divine and natural law, you are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.

Joseph, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, found in the Holy Spirit the source of love.

— St. John Paul II

Read “ Sleeping St. Joseph ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 19 - JOSEPH MOST COURAGEOUS, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:20 GMT

So perfectly was he [St. Joseph] dead to the world and the flesh, that he desired nothing but the things of heaven.

— St. Bridget of Sweden

Saint Joseph desired nothing but the things of heaven. He lived entirely for love of Jesus Christ and, after Mary, is Jesus’ most faithful disciple. Saint Joseph is the father of Jesus, but he is also a disciple of Jesus. It takes courage to be a faithful disciple of Jesus. Many are willing to follow Jesus when it is pleasant, but not many are willing to follow Jesus when it is difficult and filled with sorrow. Saint Joseph was always faithful, always courageous.

In different translations of the Litany of St. Joseph, the title “Most Courageous” is sometimes rendered as “Most Valiant” or “Most Strong.” The three titles have the same essential meaning: Saint Joseph was courageous and fearless. He feared nothing other than offending God and exercised tremendous fortitude in his protection of Jesus and Mary. Fortitude is a cardinal virtue that strengthens the will and gives a person courage and a firm resolve to do God’s will, even in the midst of great suffering.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MAN OF COURAGE. The root word of courage is “cour,” meaning “heart.” To be courageous is to love the good more than you fear evil and suffering. The courageous man is stouthearted, bold, and brave in the midst of trials. That St. Joseph was courageous, no one can deny. It took courage for St. Joseph to take his family into enemy territory (Egypt). He knew that he might need to defend his wife and Child against physical assaults, and he was willing to do it. No man who is easily intimidated would embark on such a journey. Saint Joseph is intimidated by no one.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU TO BE COURAGEOUS. To be a saint, you must be courageous. If you imitate St. Joseph, you will not hesitate to enter enemy territory or undergo spiritual combat. Egypt was a land notorious for thieves, pagan rituals, idols, and sorcerers. Saint Joseph fears no man because God is with him. Your spiritual father is a man on fire with love for God! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE THE VIRTUE OF FORTITUDE IN YOU. Do you remember the passage in Scripture when Jesus came walking on the water to his disciples? The disciples were terrified, and Jesus had to calm their spirits, saying: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid” (Mt 14:27). What about you? What are you afraid of? Losing your job? Sacrificing your good name and worldly honors? Saint Joseph sacrificed everything for love of Jesus and Mary. Your spiritual father was a poor man and of no esteem in the world. Yet demons and the sorcerers of Egypt were terrified of the courageous heart of St. Joseph.

Jesus himself learned courage from the example of St. Joseph.

Jesus witnessed his father’s courage in Egypt, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and the many other places they traveled together. Saint Joseph gave his Son an example of manly love, courage, strength, and fortitude. With St. Joseph as your spiritual father, you also have nothing to be afraid of. Our Lord himself, immediately before his suffering and death, instructed his disciples to exercise manly courage, telling them, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33). Set your face toward the heavenly Jerusalem and never look back!

O Joseph, virgin father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us daily to the Son of God, that, armed with the weapons of his grace, we may fight as we ought in life, and be crowned by him in death.

— St. Bernardine of Siena

Read “ Old Men Don’t Walk to Egypt ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 18 - JOSEPH MOST PRUDENT, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:15 GMT

What prudence was required to educate a God become a child, who willed to obey him [St. Joseph] for thirty years!

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

What is prudence? In modern times, many people consider it to be a vice or a flaw. If a person is cautious or circumspect in moral matters, they are quite often called a prude. Prudence, however, is a virtue — an extremely important virtue.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a concise definition of prudence. It states:

Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it ... It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure.

Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that prudence is the “principal of all the virtues.” Its role is to govern the other cardinal (preeminent) virtues: temperance, justice, and fortitude. Without prudence, a person will be either too lenient or too harsh. Prudence serves as a guide and a “charioteer,” helping the soul to avoid erroneous extremes.

PRUDENCE IS THE VIRTUE OF KINGS AND RULERS. Without prudence, no leader can exercise temperance, justice, and fortitude. Saint Joseph, king of the Holy Family and your spiritual father, is (after Jesus) the most prudent of all men. In every situation in life, he is a model of prudence. He prayed and waited on the Lord to reveal the mysteries of his wife’s pregnancy to him. He educated the God-Man and, in every situation, allowed prudence to govern his actions.

The prudence of St. Joseph was a supernatural prudence.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Supernatural prudence is different from human prudence. Human prudence guides a person to avoid difficulty, suffering, and hardship. Supernatural prudence, on the other hand, does not seek to avoid suffering. Supernatural prudence embraces the cross out of love and always strives for the greater good. By God’s grace, St. Joseph’s prudence was supernatural and heroic. Before the wisdom of the cross was revealed to the world, St. Joseph willingly and voluntarily embraced suffering for the good of others. Before the mystery of co-redemptive suffering was unveiled to souls, St. Joseph lived it out of love.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE IN YOU THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE. Saint Joseph will help you exercise supernatural prudence. In every situation, he will teach you to allow prudence to be your charioteer, guiding you to always do what is right for the sake of love of God and neighbor, no matter how much you have to suffer for it.

Saint Joseph teaches us that prudence is correct knowledge about things to be done or, more broadly, the knowledge of things that ought to be done and of things that should be avoided.

— Servant of God John A. Hardon

A man of human prudence would never arise from sleep and flee to Egypt with his spouse and child in response to a dream. A man of human prudence would quickly rebuke any man who informed his wife that her heart would be pierced with a sword and his Son be a cause of division. But St. Joseph is no ordinary man. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he is a man of supernatural prudence. He ponders, prays, discerns, and acts. Prudence is his charioteer. With St. Joseph, the virtue of supernatural prudence will be your charioteer as well.

Master that he [St. Joseph] is, he remains always the prudent and faithful servant. Saint Joseph, of the family of the kings of Judah, leads a poor and hidden life. Because he was destined to become, as it were, the governor and father of a weak and humble God, it was fitting that he should resemble him.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Read “ Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 17 - JOSEPH MOST CHASTE, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:11 GMT

Who can ever understand how great he [St. Joseph] had to be in this virtue of virginity who was destined by the Eternal Father to be the guardian, or rather the companion, of Mary’s virginity?

— St. Francis de Sales

In the Litany of Loreto, Mary is called “Mother Most Chaste.” In the Litany of St. Joseph, our spiritual father is called “Most Chaste” as well. No other saints can be invoked as the most chaste, just, prudent, courageous, obedient, faithful, or any other virtue. Mary and St. Joseph together share these superlative qualities, in part, because their hearts as husband and wife are one.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Lk 12:34).

Saint Joseph has three treasures: Jesus, Mary, and you. Nothing consumes the heart of St. Joseph other than these three treasures. The heart of St. Joseph is the heart of a loving father, and you have access to his heart. The Chaste Heart of St. Joseph is your home.

In Catholicism, when we speak of devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, we are essentially referring to devotion to the personhood of Jesus and Mary. We love the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts — and often depict them in art — because we love the persons of Jesus and Mary. While devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary is well established in the Church — each having liturgical feast days — devotion to the heart of St. Joseph has not fully developed in the Church. Perhaps there will one day be a liturgical feast honoring St. Joseph’s heart, but only God knows the future. Whether it happens or not, all children desire a father whose heart (person) is strong, protective, and gentle. Saint Joseph has such a heart. He has the heart of a father, a king, a warrior, and a chaste gentleman. His chaste heart beats with love for you.

 SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU TO HAVE A CHASTE HEART. Lust is the predominant vice at work in the hearts of men today. The world is filled with immoral and lust-filled actions. These actions greatly offend God, ruin families, and cry out to heaven for justice. Did not Our Lady warn St. Jacinta of Fatima that many souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh?

In the battle for purity, everyone needs to go to St. Joseph. If a man — or a woman — struggles with lust, they must go to St. Joseph. If temptations against purity batter your mind, heart, and soul, run to your spiritual father. Cling to St. Joseph! Your spiritual father is capable of increasing the virtue of chastity in your heart and leading you to true, virtuous love of God and neighbor. You will be victorious against lust and triumphant over sin if you take refuge beneath the fatherly cloak of St. Joseph. Prayer is difficult when you are assailed with temptations against purity, but St. Joseph will fight for you if only you invoke his holy name.

Men, in particular, need to imitate the chaste heart of St. Joseph.

The world needs men who love their wives as St. Joseph loved Mary. If men reverence their wives as holy temples, families will be renewed, dragons will be slain, and the evils of our age that attack the dignity of the human person will be overcome. The imitation of St. Joseph will spread a revolution of holiness over the earth.

That God may be more favorable to our prayers, and that he may come with bounty and promptitude to the aid of his Church, we judge it of deep utility for the Christian people, continually to invoke with great piety and trust, together with the Virgin-Mother of God, her chaste spouse, the Blessed Joseph.

— Pope Leo XIII

Read “ Santo Anello ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 16 - JOSEPH MOST JUST, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:09 GMT

He [St. Joseph] won for himself the title of “The Just Man,” and thus serves as a living model of that Christian justice which should reign in social life.

— Pope Pius XI

What does it mean to call St. Joseph a just man? Saint Josemaría Escrivá provides a great answer for us. He states:

Saint Joseph was an ordinary sort of man on whom God relied to do great things. He did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life. That is why Scripture praises Joseph as “a just man.” In Hebrew a just man means a good and faithful servant of God, someone who fulfils the divine will (cf. Gen 7:1; 18:23-32; Ezek 18:5ff; Prov 12:10), or who is honorable and charitable toward his neighbor (cf. Tob 7:6; 9:6). So a just man is someone who loves God and proves his love by keeping God’s commandments and directing his whole life towards the service of his brothers, his fellow men.

What about you? Are you just? Do you love God, keep his commandments, and act with honor and charity toward your neighbor?

 SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE IN YOU THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE. Theologians define the virtue of justice as “giving to another his due.” For example, in our relationship with God, we owe it to him to be grateful for our existence, and to praise him for his goodness. We act justly toward God, giving him his due, when we worship him, especially by our participation in Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. If we fail to do this, we are not loving God. We are not acting justly toward God; we are not giving him his due.

For St. Joseph, being a just man meant he observed the dictates of the Jewish religion. This required him to travel to Jerusalem three times a year — a long distance from Nazareth — and participate in various rituals and ceremonies. You, on the other hand, most likely live a short distance from a Catholic church. If you can’t spend one hour a week thanking God and worshipping him, you are not loving God or giving God his due. You are not a just man.

Holy Mass is not about the priest, the people, or the choir. It’s about returning love for love and giving God his due. Yes, priests should preach well, liturgical music should be sacred and inspiring, and it’s always pleasant to see familiar faces at Mass. Yet even if you find the priest less than edifying, the music a distraction, and the congregation spiritually dead, you need to remember it’s not about them — it’s about you acting justly and lovingly toward God. There is no greater way to tell God “I love you,” give thanks to God, and worship him than through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.”

God is not the only one that we are to act justly towards out of love. You also need to give others their due. Do you? Do you love, venerate, and honor Mary, your spiritual mother? Do you love, venerate, and honor St. Joseph, your spiritual father? Do you treat members of your family with love, respect, and dignity? What about your neighbors, co-workers, and everyone else with whom you daily interact? If you are an employer, do you offer a just wage? Remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Lk 6:31). Your spiritual father acted justly and lovingly toward everyone; you should, too.

Do you wish to know why Joseph is called just? Because he possessed perfectly all the virtues.

— St. Maximus of Turin

The Gospel describes St. Joseph as a Just Man. No greater praise of virtue and no higher tribute to merit could be applied to a man.

— St. Pope Paul VI

Read “ Just and Reverent Man ”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 15 - HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:06 GMT

Jesus and Mary not only bent their wills to Joseph’s, for he was head of the Holy Family, but they lovingly surrendered their hearts to him as well.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Today, calling a man the “head” of the family is frowned upon.

God is not worried about political correctness, however. He established the family and designated that fathers be the heads of their families. Now, this doesn’t mean that men are better than women. The greatest human person who ever lived was not a man, but a woman — Mary, the Mother of God. (Jesus is a divine Person.)

Jesus and Mary both delighted in the headship of St. Joseph in their home.

Why are many people offended by such terminology today? Sadly, it often stems from having been emotionally, physical, or sexually abused by a father figure. Such abuse breaks the heart of God. Yet the crisis in manhood can be corrected if men begin to imitate St. Joseph. His fatherly example shows that strength, authority, and headship are meant to be at the service of others.

In Joseph, heads of the household are blessed with the unsurpassed model of fatherly watchfulness and care.

— Pope Leo XIII

HUSBAND AND FATHERS NEED TO IMITATE ST. JOSEPH. Families around the world will experience a revolution of holiness if husbands imitate St. Joseph. Important passages in the New Testament will no longer be seen as offensive but life-giving.

Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.

— Eph 5:22-33

MAKE ST. JOSEPH THE SPIRITUAL HEAD OF YOUR FAMILY.

Obtain a statue or a beautiful image of St. Joseph for your home. Place it in a prominent location and frequently invoke the intercession of St. Joseph as a family. You will see the difference St. Joseph makes.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, the sacrament which unites you to each other, unites you in Christ! It unites you with Christ! “This mystery is a profound one!” (Eph 5:32). He comes to you and is present in your midst and dwells in your souls. In your families! In your homes! Saint Joseph was well aware of this. For this reason he did not hesitate to entrust himself and his family to God. By virtue of this trust he completely fulfilled his mission, entrusted to him by God for the sake of Mary and his son. Supported by the example and protection of St. Joseph, offer a constant witness of devotion and generosity.

— St. John Paul II

Read “The Holy House of Loreto”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 14 - ZEALOUS DEFENDER OF CHRIST, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:42:02 GMT

He [St. Joseph] protects those who revere him and accompanies them on their journey through this life — just as he protected and accompanied Jesus when he was growing up.

— St. Josemaría Escrivá

From the moment the angel revealed to St. Joseph that he was to be the father of the Messiah to when he took his final breath in the arms of Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph zealously defended Jesus.

Saint Joseph always defended his Son from any threat against him. Saint Joseph was a dutiful watchman, guarding, defending, and sacrificing everything for Jesus and his safety. Saint Joseph offered the same protection for his wife, too. He protected his Son and his wife as a loving father and faithful husband.

In some translations of the Litany of St. Joseph, the title “Zealous Defender of Christ” (in Latin, Christi Defensor Sedule ) is given as “Diligent Defender of Christ” or “Watchful Defender of Christ.” Both are acceptable translations and have similar meanings — namely, St. Joseph defended Jesus. As a child of St. Joseph, you can have great confidence knowing that your spiritual father also desires to zealously defend you.

 SAINT JOSEPH ZEALOUSLY DEFENDS YOU. The paternal mission of St. Joseph is not finished. A father’s work is never finished until his children are safely home. In heaven, St. Joseph no longer needs to watch over and protect Jesus. You, however, are not yet in heaven. You need the protection of St. Joseph. Your spiritual father knows what is harmful to your soul, and he wants to watch over you and help you arrive safely home. Saint Joseph will never abandon you. Your role is to entrust yourself to his diligent care and never look back.

Our destiny is in the hands of Joseph. Joseph, the guardian of his Lord and the spouse of his Queen, Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and the head of the Holy Family, has in his kindness deigned to accept us as his children and permits us to call him father.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

You have nothing to fear with St. Joseph at your side. What is there to be afraid of with such a zealous defender as your father who loves you? Saint Joseph held the Maker of the Universe in his hands. Saint Joseph fed the Creator of the heavens. In his role as earthly father to Jesus, St. Joseph lovingly commanded the Son of God. Heaven and earth obeyed him. All hell trembles before him!

Joseph’s name will be a name of protection all during our lives.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE YOUR ZEAL FOR CHRIST.

As your father and model, St. Joseph will teach you how to defend Christ zealously.

If you are a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, you are going to be criticized, hated, ridiculed, and mocked by the world — oftentimes by your own family and friends. Your suffering will be great, but your witness to truth — your witness to Jesus — will be greater. Saint Joseph will help you be a zealous witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.

YOUR DEFENSE OF CHRIST MUST BE GREAT. You should always strive to defend the person and name of Jesus Christ against all blasphemy, insult, and sacrilege. You must defend the Church, as well as her teachings and Sacraments, from all attacks, heresies, and falsehoods. To defend the Church is to defend Christ. You must resemble your spiritual father, always willing to sacrifice yourself for love of truth. Like St. Joseph, you, too, can bring many souls to Jesus.

How happy and blessed are they whom you [St. Joseph] love and whom you take under your protection!

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Read “Savior of the Savior”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 13 - FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:59 GMT

The position of St. Joseph as husband and foster father gives witness to the dignity of fatherhood.

— Venerable Joseph Mindszenty

Christians use many terms to describe the fatherhood of St. Joseph. He is called the legal, putative, spiritual, virginal, and foster father of Jesus. While none of these titles is found in the New Testament, they are all legitimate ways of describing St. Joseph’s fatherhood. Of these titles, foster father is the most common. The reason it is the most common title is that the naming of a child in ancient Jewish custom was the legal responsibility of the father.

Although you [St. Joseph] are not necessary for the [child’s] conception and birth, nevertheless you will be necessary for [his] sustenance; and your first care will concern his name.

— St. Albert the Great

Saint Joseph’s legal responsibility of naming the Christ Child was given by God when the angel revealed to St. Joseph that he was not to be afraid to take Mary — and the Child in her womb — into his home and under his care. Saint Joseph’s role of naming the Savior is an extremely important one. It is meant to signify to the world that St. Joseph is the legal father of Jesus.

Saint Joseph’s dignity springs from his privilege of being the legal father of the Incarnate Son of God. Here, then, is a man whom the Son of God calls father, one whom he [Jesus] serves and obeys and before whom he kneels for a paternal blessing.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Saint Joseph’s role as the “Foster Father” of Jesus might come across as something merely contractual, but the Latin provides us with a deeper insight into St. Joseph’s role. In Latin, the title given to St. Joseph to signify his role as foster father is Filii Dei Nutricie . Literally, it means “Nurturer of the Son of God.” As you can see, the title foster father is a very poor translation from the Latin original. Calling St. Joseph the foster father of Jesus is valid, of course, but it needs to be emphasized that St. Joseph’s fatherhood was more than a legal fatherhood; St. Joseph’s fatherhood was an authoritative, affectionate, faithful, and everlasting fatherhood.

SAINT JOSEPH’S SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD IS FOREVER. The loving relationship between a spiritual father and child endures forever. In other words, Jesus continues to be the Son of Joseph in heaven. In paradise, St. Joseph no longer exercises a “legal” fatherhood over Jesus, but his relationship of love, affection, and faithfulness toward Jesus, as well as the Mystical Body of Jesus, remains. Unlike marriage, where the relationship does not remain into eternity (see Mt 22:30), St. Joseph’s spiritual fatherhood over Christ and his Mystical Body endures forever.

Spiritual fatherhood, like spiritual motherhood, endures forever. Were this not the case, the Church would need to cease invoking Jesus as the “Son of Joseph.” The Church would also be required to cease invoking Mary, who is in heaven, as our spiritual mother.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER. What is valid for Jesus is valid for you. Saint Joseph is forever your spiritual father. As he took care of Jesus while on earth, St. Joseph will take care of you on your earthly pilgrimage. Saint Joseph is your loving provider, educator, and protector. When your life on earth is over, St. Joseph will continue to be your father, not on an earthly level, but on a spiritual level. In heaven, you will forever be known as a child of St. Joseph.

No one will ever be able worthily to praise Joseph, whom thou, O true only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, has deigned to have for thy foster father!

— St. Ephrem the Syrian

Read “Virginal Father of Jesus”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 12 - CHASTE GUARDIAN OF THE VIRGIN, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:52 GMT

It was necessary that divine Providence should commit her [Mary] to the charge and guardianship of a man absolutely pure.

— St. Francis de Sales

Chastity is a virtue. A very important virtue.

To be chaste is to have self-mastery, to be in control of your passions and sexuality. Contrary to what many people think, a person who exercises chastity is not repressing or rejecting the beauty of human sexuality. On the contrary, chastity preserves the human heart and body for authentic self-giving. All people, no matter their vocation in life, are called to chastity. Chastity is the virtue that prevents us from being slaves to our passions and acting like irrational animals.

Celibacy, on the other hand, is a special form of chastity. God calls some men and women to celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint Joseph was both chaste and celibate. He was called by God to espouse a virgin consecrated to God in her mind, body, and soul. Saint Joseph was the Chaste Guardian of the Virgin.

Saint Joseph and Mary lived in what is often called a “Josephite marriage.” They were truly husband and wife, but they never engaged in sexual relations. Their vocation was to be united in heart, mind, and soul, but never in body. They were both consecrated to God and sacrificed a natural good for a greater good: the salvation of souls.

SAINT JOSEPH IS PURE OF HEART. To be chaste is to be pure of heart.

If a person’s heart is not pure, they are incapable of seeing God. Saint Joseph’s heart is exceptionally pure. Saint Joseph gazed on the countenance of God in the Person of his Son for decades. Poets have often stated that the eyes are the window to the soul. If this is true, St. Joseph must have had the most chaste and pure eyes of any husband who ever lived. His eyes and heart were pure-intentioned, chaste, and afire with love for Jesus and Mary.

Modern man has become blinded by impurity. The world encourages premarital relations, cohabitation, contraception, and many other immoral practices. Chastity is a forgotten virtue today. Even married couples live with the idea that they are free to do whatever they desire with the body of their spouse. However, this is not true. Chastity is required in marriage as well, in order for couples to truly love one another, to retain their dignity and respect for each other.

YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER IS A GENTLEMAN. Saint Joseph is the first Christian gentleman; next to Jesus, he is the greatest example of masculine chastity. He was married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and he treated her with respect, dignity, and reverence. If men today were more like St. Joseph — protectors and defenders of beauty, instead of users and abusers of the feminine mystery — what a different world this would be.

God wants all men to be like St. Joseph. He is the first Chaste Guardian of the Virgin. Most men will be called to marriage, while some are called to consecrated celibacy. Both vocations are necessary. Without marriage, there are no children. Without priests, there are no Sacraments. Married men need to be chaste in marriage; priests and bishops need to be like St. Joseph in their chaste love for the virginal Church — guardians, defenders, and protectors of the beauty entrusted to them, not users and abusers of the sacred mysteries.

Joseph, the just man, is appointed to be the steward of the mysteries of God, the paterfamilias and guardian of the sanctuary, which is Mary the bride and the Logos in her. He [Joseph] thus becomes the icon of the bishop, to whom the bride is betrothed; she is not at his disposal but under his protection.

— Pope Benedict XVI

Read “Feast of the Holy Spouses”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 11 - SPOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:46 GMT

How hard he [St. Joseph] must have prayed to come to know and ever increase in love toward his immaculate wife.

— Blessed Gabriele Allegra

There has never been a man more in love with a woman than St. Joseph was in love with Mary. What dignity and holiness were required of St. Joseph to be the husband of Mary! In her feminine Heart, Mary knew that she was secure in the manhood of St. Joseph. He was her knight and warrior. Every wife desires such a husband — a gentleman, a protector, and a good father.

Women deserve men who are strong and protective, yet gentle, loving, and trustworthy. Every woman wants to find security in the arms of a man who is willing to lay down his life for her. The Church and the world need men like St. Joseph. He is the model husband.

Saint Joseph was the spouse of Mary. In the same way, each father sees himself entrusted with the mystery of womanhood through his own wife. Dear fathers, like St. Joseph, respect and love your spouse; and by your love and your wise presence, lead your children to God.

— Pope Benedict XVI

Every Catholic heart wants shepherds like St. Joseph as well, priests and bishops — spiritual fathers — who are gentlemen, chivalrous warriors, protectors, and defenders. Catholics expect their priests and bishops to be prayerful, trustworthy, gentle, compassionate, and virtuous. The bride of Christ, the Church, deserves to have leaders who are willing to fight off the wolves for love of the flock, slay spiritual dragons, and preach the truth with passion, Christian charity, and zeal. Saint Joseph is the model of all fatherhood. Without looking to the model of St. Joseph, no husband, father, or priest will ever fully understand what it means to be a sacrificial man, a loving husband and father, and a truly masculine saint.

SAINT JOSEPH IS THE MODEL HUSBAND AND FATHER. The vocation of all men is to be at the service of those entrusted to their love and care. Many men have forgotten this today, but St. Joseph will help them remember. He will help men be holy and chivalrous again. All men discover in St. Joseph a model of strength, fidelity, heroism, and virtue. If men — husbands, fathers, priests, and bishops — follow the example of St. Joseph, families will be loving and secure, husbands will be holy, priests will be dragon-slayers, and bishops will again be shepherds of souls and pillars of truth.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MODEL FOR ALL MEN. Real men are true gentlemen, at the service of others. Real men love. Real men protect women and children against any and all threats. Real men are willing to die for their wives and children. Holy priests and bishops are willing to suffer and die for the souls entrusted to their care. Priests and bishops of this caliber are not afraid of ridicule, slander, poverty, or imprisonment. Men like St. Joseph are willing to fight for what they love, what is good, true, and beautiful. May the Church and families once again be filled with such men!

To you, O Blessed Joseph, we come in our trials, and having asked the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently ask your patronage, also.

— Pope Leo XIII

Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse!

Read “Young Husband of Mary”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 10 - LIGHT OF PATRIARCHS, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:43 GMT

How I love to call St. Joseph the Patriarch of Christians and of God’s elect!

How could we not give him this venerable title ... he, above all, who played such a large part in the mysteries of our spiritual regeneration?

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

The word “patriarch” means father. What all the patriarchs of the Old Testament foreshadowed, and all Christian fathers are called to reflect, is the paternal light of God shining through the fatherhood of St. Joseph. After Christ, St. Joseph is the greatest of all the patriarchs; he is the greatest of all fathers!

Picture to yourself the sanctity of all the patriarchs of old, that long line of successive generations which is the mysterious ladder of Jacob, culminating in the person of the Son of God. See how great was the faith of Abraham, the obedience of Isaac, the courage of David, the wisdom of Solomon. After you have formed the highest opinion of these saints, remember that Joseph is at the top of the ladder, at the head of the saints, the kings, the prophets, the patriarchs, that he is more faithful than Abraham, more obedient than Isaac, more generous than David, wiser than Solomon, in a word, as superior in grace as he is close to the source, Jesus sleeping in his arms.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

SAINT JOSEPH IS A REFLECTION OF THE FATHER OF LIGHTS.

In the Letter of James, we read:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

— Jas 1:17

In the beginning, God created the great luminaries in the heavens: the sun, the moon, and the stars. Without light, creation would be in darkness. In the New Testament, the Father establishes a new creation in Christ. Through Christ, the Father places his divine life, love, and light within our hearts. Saint Joseph and his fatherhood play a very important role in God’s wonderful plan. Saint Joseph is the perfect reflection of the Father of Lights, and he helps us to receive the light of Christ. Saint Joseph is a bearer of light. He brings Jesus, the true Light of the World, to us.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD.

You are a child of the light. As a Christian, Jesus gives you a share in his light.

He makes you the light of the world (see Mt 5:14-16).

All of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.

— 1 Thess 5:5

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.

— Eph 5:8-9

THE “LUMEN PATRIARCHARUM” TERRIFIES SATAN. In the Latin version of the Litany of St. Joseph, the title “Light of Patriarchs” appears as “Lumen Patriarcharum.” The Devil hates St. Joseph and his light. Satan’s other name is Lucifer, which means “light bearer.” Lucifer lost the light because of his pride and disobedience to God. Now, Satan lives in perpetual darkness and abhors the light. Satan fears your spiritual father because St. Joseph is a humble creature of flesh and blood, the perfect reflection of the Father of Lights. Saint Joseph is a true and everlasting light bearer, an icon of God the Father. After Jesus and Mary, there is no person that Satan detests more than St. Joseph. Stay close to St. Joseph and walk in the light!

I wish to extend a particular word of encouragement to fathers so that they may take St. Joseph as their model. He who kept watch over the Son of Man is able to teach them the deepest meaning of their own fatherhood.

— Pope Benedict XVI

Read “Ite ad Ioseph!”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 9 - NOBLE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:40 GMT

He [God] saw to it that Joseph be born of the royal family; He wanted him to be noble even with earthly nobility. The blood of David, of Solomon, and of all the kings of Judah flows in his veins.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we learn that St. Joseph is of the lineage of the Davidic kings. The Old Testament prophets always taught that the Messiah would come from the Davidic line. Mary, our spiritual mother, was most likely a descendant of King David as well, but her ancestry is not given in the New Testament. Matthew and Luke present the lineage of Joseph because the Davidic ancestry of the Messiah needed to be shown through the father’s line. Therefore, Matthew and Luke made a point of emphasizing that even though Jesus is not the biological son of Joseph, he is the Son of Joseph by law. As such, Jesus has a legal right to be called a descendant of King David.

The espousals between Joseph and Mary are an episode of great importance. Joseph was of the royal line of David and, in virtue of his marriage to Mary, would confer on the Son of the Virgin — on God’s Son — the legal title of “Son of David,” thus fulfilling the prophecies.

— Pope Benedict XVI

SAINT JOSEPH WAS KING OF THE HOLY FAMILY. He was not the king of Nazareth, Israel, or anything like that. Since every man is the king of his home, St. Joseph was the king of his house. In the home of Nazareth, St. Joseph was king, Mary was queen, and Jesus was the Prince awaiting the kingdom prepared for him by his Heavenly Father. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, of course, but God’s providential love desires that we acknowledge the kingship of St. Joseph in the Holy Family. Jesus himself gave us an example of the filial love and reverence we owe to St. Joseph, our spiritual father.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A NOBLE LORD. Many saints have often lovingly referred to St. Joseph as their “lord.” Saint Teresa of Avila was particularly fond of referring to St. Joseph as her lord. In using this term, no saint intends to claim that St. Joseph is God. Saint Joseph is not God. Saints sometimes use the term “Lord” when addressing St. Joseph out of respect, as is done when addressing dignitaries and rulers. Saints are pious and love to express their filial relationship to Mary and St. Joseph in devotional language. Mary, for example, is called Madonna. (“Madonna” derives from the Latin mea domina , that is, “My Lady,” and is the feminine form of “lord.”)

Since God has wanted to obey you [St. Joseph], allow me to be in your service, to honor you and love you as my Lord and Master.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

The whole Church recognizes St. Joseph as a patron and guardian. For centuries many different features of his life have caught the attention of believers. That is why, for many years now, I have liked to address him affectionately as “our father and lord.”

— St. Josemaría Escrivá

Referring to St. Joseph as “lord” has biblical foundations as well.

Remember Joseph in the Old Testament, the one sold into slavery by his brothers? Well, Joseph’s brothers end up calling him their “lord” (see Gen 44) when they encounter him again and he saves their family from famine. For us, St. Joseph is more than a brother; he is our noble spiritual father. He is our loving spiritual father and lord.

Noble St. Joseph, I rejoice that God found you worthy of holding this eminent position whereby, established as the father of Jesus, you saw the one whose orders heaven and earth obey subjecting himself to your authority.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

Read “Son of David”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 8 - SAINT JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:37 GMT

We see that at the beginning of the New Testament, as at the beginning of the Old, there is a married couple. But whereas Adam and Eve were the source of evil which was unleashed on the world, Joseph and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth. The Savior began the work of salvation by this virginal and holy union.

— St. Pope Paul VI

Marriage is at the heart of creation and redemption. As St. Pope Paul VI states, Adam and Eve were present at the beginning of creation (Old Testament), and Joseph and Mary are present at the beginning of God’s re-creation (New Testament). Jesus himself speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven as a wedding feast (see Mt 22:2).

Saint Pope Paul VI’s statement at the beginning of this section is incredibly profound. On some level, he is presenting the idea that St. Joseph is the head of the new covenant family, as Adam was head of the first covenant family. This is a fascinating idea, one that has rarely been explored in theological studies. Usually, when we think of the new head of the human family (the new Adam) we think of Jesus (see 1 Cor 15:45), and rightly so. Jesus is God; he alone regenerates humanity. Nonetheless, as Head of the Holy Family, St. Joseph was the head of our Head. He is the father of our Savior, the Patron of the Universal Church, and our spiritual father.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A NEW ADAM. Saint Joseph is, after Christ, the new head of the human family. As such, we are obliged to obey the Fourth Commandment in his regard: “Honor your father and your mother” (Ex 20:12). Failure to love and honor St. Joseph is an offense against God. In fact, the fatherhood of St. Joseph is so important for us that our spiritual growth depends on it. If Jesus himself increased in wisdom and knowledge through the fatherhood of St. Joseph, we need St. Joseph’s fatherhood to help us acquire the “proper attire” needed for entrance into the wedding feast of heaven (see Mt 22:12).

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU GET TO THE WEDDING FEAST OF HEAVEN. Since we know that St. Joseph loves us and so we love and honor him in return, we can trust that he will help us get to heaven. The greatest thing any father can do for his children is help them get to heaven. Our first father (Adam) ruined this possibility for all his children. Our first father’s disobedience caused the downfall of all creation and kept us from entering heaven. Saint Joseph’s fatherhood, on the other hand, elevates us and helps us to enter heaven. He loves us, helps us become saints, and brings us to the only path that leads to heaven: Jesus.

SAINT JOSEPH IS THE DELIGHT OF SAINTS. Every saint loves St. Joseph. It is impossible to find a single saint who did not love St. Joseph. While devotion to St. Joseph developed slowly over time, no saint ever disliked St. Joseph. It is impossible to truly have love of God and neighbor in your heart — that is, be holy — if you disdain the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ. To enter heaven, you need to resemble your spiritual father in his steadfast love. He will help you acquire the correct attire — virtues and holiness — needed to enter the wedding feast of heaven!

It is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being,” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. But the spiritual was not first; rather the natural and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.

— 1 Cor 15:45-49

Read “Delight of Saints”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 7 - HOLY MARY, PRAY FOR US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:34 GMT

All Christians belong to St. Joseph because Jesus and Mary belonged to him.

— St. Leonard of Port Maurice

You belong to Jesus. He wants you to grow in virtue and holiness — that is, in true love of God and neighbor. To make this happen, you must imitate Jesus. In particular, the best way is to imitate his total entrustment to Mary and St. Joseph.

Jesus is not offended when people entrust themselves to Mary and Joseph. How could he be? He is the first one to have entrusted himself to them! He, more than anyone else, wants you to love Mary and St. Joseph. He wants you to love them and resemble them.

What brother would be offended if his younger siblings expressed reverence toward their mother and father? What man would be upset if another person wrote a song about his mother or placed roses at her feet? Likewise, what son would be disturbed if someone praised the virtues of his father? A person who honored a father would not receive condemnation from the father’s son. On the contrary, such a person would receive praise and tremendous favors from the son. Well, this is exactly what Jesus stands ready to do for those who honor Mary and St. Joseph. Jesus will give them everything. Jesus stands ready to give you everything!

Now, if a son is willing to give gifts to the person who honors his mother and father, what kind of gifts would a husband give to the person who honors his wife? All we have to do is look to St. Joseph to find out. Saint Joseph will empty the treasure of heaven for those who honor Mary, his wife!

SAINT JOSEPH WILL GREATLY BLESS THOSE WHO LOVE AND HONOR MARY.

The Virgin Mary is St. Joseph’s wife, his queen, and the delight of his heart. She was the only woman who could ever satisfy his chaste heart. As Adam was not fulfilled until he rested in a creature similar to himself (Eve), Joseph only found rest when he found Mary. When he took Mary’s hand in marriage, he consecrated himself to her and made a promise to treasure her femininity, especially her blessed virginity. He was her beloved provider, protector, and servant. Saint Joseph earnestly desires for her to be honored and loved by everyone.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL INCREASE YOUR LOVE FOR THE VIRGIN MARY.

Saint Joseph is so in love with Mary that he wants everyone to acknowledge her beauty. What husband would not want this for his wife? Doesn’t every husband desire for his wife to be loved and honored by others? What husband would not do everything in his power to increase the reverence shown to his bride? If you allow St. Joseph to increase your love for his queen, he will empty the treasures of heaven for you. He has access to all the treasures of heaven!

CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH WILL MAKE YOU A KNIGHT OF THE HOLY QUEEN! Saint Joseph knows that Mary is worth living for, fighting for, and dying for. She is the Queen of the Kingdom of Heaven. To fight for her is to fight for the King. Saint Joseph, the most valiant of knights, knows that the surest, easiest, and fastest way to the King is through the Queen. His mission is to reveal this truth to souls.

For her part, Mary has full confidence in the chivalrous love of St. Joseph, her knight. She completely trusts him. Saint Joseph will teach you how to be a knight of the Holy Queen as well, making you capable of conquering hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven.

A servant of Mary will have a tender devotion to St. Joseph, and by his pious homage of respect and love, will endeavor to merit the protection of this great saint.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

O my dear father St. Joseph, I want to love you with the love that Mary has for you.

— Blessed Bartolo Longo

Read “The Consecrated Knight”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 6 - HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:31 GMT

He [St. Joseph] is head of the Holy Family, father of the trinity on earth which resembles so closely the Holy Trinity on high.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

The Holy Trinity is a family, a Holy Family. They want you to be a member of their family. To make this happen, they have established a trinitarian replica on earth — an earthly trinity. The trinity on earth consists of Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph. In a sense, they are the first church. Membership in this family will prepare you for membership in God’s eternal family in heaven.

SAINT JOSEPH IS THE FATHER OF THE TRINITY ON EARTH. Many saints have compared the earthly trinity (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) to the heavenly Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The comparison has its limitations, of course. Mary and St. Joseph are not divine, and the Holy Spirit is not a mother. Nonetheless, the comparison is important because it teaches us something about God’s Trinitarian family. Saint Francis de Sales offers us a great insight on this subject. He writes:

There is no doubt at all that St. Joseph was endowed with all gifts and graces required by the charge which the Eternal Father willed to commit to him, over all the domestic and temporal concerns of our Lord, and the guidance of his family, which was composed of three persons only, representing to us the mystery of the Most Holy and Adorable Trinity. Not that there is any real comparison in this matter excepting as regards our Lord, who is one of the persons of the Most Blessed Trinity, for the others were but creatures; yet still we may say that it was a trinity on earth representing in some sort the Most Holy Trinity.

Saint Francis de Sales teaches us a very important truth in this statement. He beautifully articulates that the trinity of Nazareth (Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph) represents the heavenly Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and, therefore, consists only of three persons. In other words, Jesus did not have any biological brothers and sisters. This is what the Catholic Church has always taught. But the Church has also always taught that the Trinity in heaven and the trinity on earth want you to be a member of their family through adoption!

Let’s be clear, though: You are never going to become a divine person. You and I are not God, and we never will be. God does, however, want to bring us into the familial life of his Triune Godhead through spiritual adoption. This happens when we are baptized. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, we are made members of God’s family on earth, the Holy Family. Membership in the Holy Family on earth prepares us to enter the Holy Family in heaven.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TRINITARIAN FAMILY IN HEAVEN, YOU NEED TO BE A CHILD OF ST. JOSEPH ON EARTH. Saint Joseph, your spiritual father, will help you become a true child of the Heavenly Father. Saint Joseph will teach you how to love, pray, sacrifice, and work. He will teach you how to do the will of God. The pathway to heaven is paved with virtues, and St. Joseph will give you a father’s example of holiness. With his holy assistance, your transition to the Trinity in heaven will be an easy one. Membership in the family of Nazareth — accepting St. Joseph as your father, Mary as your mother, and Jesus as your brother — is the surest, easiest, and quickest way of becoming a member of the Trinitarian family in heaven.

What an honor it was [for St. Joseph] to enter into an alliance with the family of the heavenly Father, to become the third person of the created Trinity.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Read “St. Joseph’s Oratory”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 5 - GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HAVE MERCY ON US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:20 GMT

How great his [St. Joseph’s] union with God, how sublime his gift of prayer, how wonderful the direction of the Holy Spirit!

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

The Holy Spirit wants you to know and love St. Joseph. With the exception of Our Lady’s life, the Holy Spirit was more active in the life of St. Joseph than in any other saint. The earthly father of Jesus never did anything without seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit. Saint Joseph’s docility to the Holy Spirit made it possible for him to communicate with God even while he slept!

SAINT JOSEPH WANTS YOU TO BE DOCILE TO THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT YOU CAN BE LED IN THE WAYS OF HOLINESS. What is holiness, anyway? Is it some unattainable spiritual summit you can never hope to reach? No, it is not. Holiness is living in intimate, loving communion with God. More specifically, holiness is observing the two great commandments of love of God and neighbor, avoiding sin, leading a life of virtue, and abiding in sanctifying grace. None of this is possible without the Holy Spirit in your life.

Wherever St. Joseph is present, the Holy Spirit is present. And St. Joseph would tell you that if you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit there is one absolutely necessary thing: prayer. Without prayer, you will never be able to have intimacy with God. Without prayer, you will not be able to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit.

To be holy, you need to imitate St. Joseph. You need to maintain a heart aflame with love of God and neighbor through committing to a devout interior life. Don’t panic after reading this. You don’t have to become a monk or a nun. Holiness is for everyone. Yet, no matter what your vocation in life, holiness is only attained by those who pray and have an active interior life, ignited and sustained by the Sacraments, fueled by prayer and a life of charity.

SAINT JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF THE INTERIOR LIFE FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN.

Saint Joseph was not a priest, yet he is holier than all priests, including the patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney. After Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph is the holiest, most prayerful, and most virtuous person who has ever lived. He avoided anything and everything that displeased the Holy Spirit. How did he do it? Prayer. Through prayer, St. Joseph perfectly exercised the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, as well as the moral virtues of prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude.

Consider that the entire life of Saint Joseph was interior and hidden in God; so little known to the world that but a few holy writers mention him in a few places; and of his death give no information. His was a life of prayer, quiet work, and constant sacrifice, and at the same time, a life shining with the splendor of all virtues.

— St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar

There has never been another quite like St. Joseph, and there never will be. Yet you can become “another Joseph” in the world. You can become an “apparition” of Joseph for others. If you imitate St. Joseph’s dedication to prayer and the interior life, you can resemble your spiritual father.

CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH WILL INCREASE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE.

Through consecration to St. Joseph, the Holy Spirit will recognize St. Joseph in you and pour extraordinary graces into your heart, mind, and soul. You can be a saint! Ask the Holy Spirit to make you into “another Joseph.” Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with graces similar to those he gave to the paternal heart of St. Joseph.

Those souls most sensitive to the impulses of divine love have rightly seen in Joseph a brilliant example of the interior life.

— St. John Paul II

Read “Gifts of the Holy Spirit”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 4 - GOD, THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, HAVE MERCY ON US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:41:15 GMT

The holy example of Jesus Christ who, while upon earth, honored St. Joseph so highly and was obedient to him during his life should be sufficient to inflame the hearts of all with devotion to this saint.

— St. Alphonsus Liguori

Are you familiar with the phrase “To Jesus through Mary” ? It’s a wonderful expression of devotion coined in the early 18 ^th century by St. Louis de Montfort. In his book True Devotion to Mary , St. Louis taught that Mary is the surest, easiest, and fastest way of going to Jesus. To instill this message in people’s hearts, St. Louis fervently promoted the rosary and Marian consecration. What is interesting, though, is that in all of St. Louis’ writings, he only mentions St. Joseph a few times. Why is that? Didn’t he love St. Joseph? Oh yes, St. Louis de Montfort loved St. Joseph very much. Every saint loves St. Joseph. The reason he didn’t offer any significant teaching on St. Joseph is because the Church had not yet developed a theology of St. Joseph.

An understanding of the greatness of St. Joseph did not begin to flourish in the devotional life of the Church until the mid-19 th century, 100 years after St. Louis de Montfort lived. Were St. Louis de Montfort preaching in the streets of France today, he would most likely be heard extolling the wonders of St. Joseph. He might even add St. Joseph to his famous phrase, and say, “To Jesus through Mary and Joseph!” Jesus wants you to know and love His mother and His father.

The two greatest saints in Christianity are Mary and St. Joseph.

Consecration to St. Joseph flows naturally from baptismal consecration to Jesus Christ and filial consecration to Mary. Indeed, consecration to St. Joseph, your spiritual father, allows you to be consecrated to each person of the Holy Family!

In our day, marriage and family are under attack. Jesus and Mary want you to be consecrated to St. Joseph because there is no father or husband who knows more about the sacredness of marriage and the family or the self-sacrificing love required of fathers and husbands than St. Joseph. His paternal mission continues from heaven. He is our guardian, loving protector, and fearless defender. He is the model of saintly fatherhood. After Christ, St. Joseph is the model of heroic manhood and the defender of marriage, chastity, and life itself. Consecration to St. Joseph is the key to overcoming the anthropological confusion so prevalent in our times. Under the watchful, steadfast love and care of St. Joseph, all ideologies and idols will crumble and fall before Jesus Christ!

How thou [St. Joseph] didst rejoice to have always near you God himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before him.

— Blessed Januarius Maria Sarnelli

CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH WILL INCREASE YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS! The entire life and mission of St. Joseph points to Jesus. Saint Joseph never points to himself. His role is to lead everyone to Jesus, just as Mary does. Mary was predestined to be the Immaculate Mother of the Savior; St. Joseph was predestined to be the earthly father of the Savior and your spiritual father. Your spiritual father has been given all the graces necessary to complete his mission, a mission that includes increasing your relationship with Jesus.

Joseph carried Jesus Christ first to Egypt, then to Judea, and so traced for us the path of the apostles who preached his name to the Jews and to the Gentiles.

— St. Hilary of Poitiers

Saint Joseph was the guardian of Jesus and Mary. He was naturally also the one who introduced those souls eager to approach them more closely.

— Blessed Jean Joseph Lataste

Read “Privileges of Devotion to St. Joseph”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 3 - GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, HAVE MERCY ON US

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:40:34 GMT

Our heavenly Father has had only one saint to represent him on earth. Hence he bestowed everything he could on that favored saint, and equipped him with all that he needed to be his worthy representative.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

God the Father loves you. He loves you so much that he sent his Son into the world to save you. But saving you is not all the Father sent his Son to do for you. He sent his Son to save you and make you a child of God. Through Jesus, you are able to have a filial relationship with God the Father. Through Jesus, you can cry out, “Abba, Father!”

To be a child of God is why you were created; it’s the very purpose for which you exist. And there is only one way to the Father: Jesus Christ (see Jn 14:6). Only Jesus has the power to take you to the Father. Yet, in God’s merciful love, St. Joseph plays a very important role in your spiritual growth and journey to the Father.

CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH WILL INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER IN YOUR LIFE. We learn this truth from the life of Jesus himself. When the Heavenly Father sent his Son into the world to save us and make us his children, he selected one saint to represent him on earth: St. Joseph. Jesus, in living under the roof of St. Joseph and being his Son, gave us a personal example of total entrustment to St. Joseph. Jesus loved, obeyed, and imitated his earthly father. Saint Joseph is the only man that Jesus ever called father; Jesus delighted in being known as the “son of Joseph” (see Jn 6:42). We, too, should consider it an honor to be his children. If, according to the plans of the Father, Jesus needed St. Joseph, how much more do we need him, too!

THE FATHERHOOD OF ST. JOSEPH INCREASED THE PRESENCE OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER IN THE LIFE OF JESUS.

Now, to be clear, St. Joseph is not God. He cannot add anything to the divine and eternal communion existing between God the Father and God the Son. Nor can St. Joseph improve the ability of Jesus, as a Divine Person, to perpetually behold the presence of his Heavenly Father. Rather, St. Joseph was chosen to stand in the place of the Heavenly Father according to the demands of Jesus’ human nature.

God the Father doesn’t have a human nature. Every time Jesus saw St. Joseph, heard him speak, watched him work, or witnessed his chaste love for Mary, the humanity of Jesus witnessed a perfect reflection of the Heavenly Father.

God chose to make Joseph his most tangible image on earth, the depository of all the rights of his divine paternity, the husband of that noble Virgin who is Mistress of angels and men.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

WHAT THE HEAVENLY FATHER DID FOR JESUS, HE WANTSTO DO FOR YOU. God the Father wants you to entrust yourself to the loving paternal care of St. Joseph in a manner similar to God’s entrustment of the human nature of Jesus to St. Joseph. God planned these entrustments, both of Jesus to St. Joseph and of the members of the Church to St. Joseph, from all eternity; they were not done haphazardly. Saint Joseph is the shadow of the Heavenly Father. He was the image and reflection of the Father for Jesus. God the Father wants you to accept St. Joseph as your spiritual father as well. Jesus is the one in whom we see most perfectly the image of the mercy and love of his heavenly Father (as he said: “He who has seen me has seen the Father” [Jn 14:9]), but Jesus also wants to share with us the one who was for him the earthly image of his heavenly Father.

This holy man [St. Joseph] had such towering dignity and glory that the Eternal Father most generously bestowed on him a likeness of his own primacy.

— St. Bernardine of Siena

Read “Our Spiritual Father”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 2 - THE LITANY OF ST JOSEPH

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:41:18 GMT

Knowing by experience St. Joseph’s astonishing influence with God, I would wish to persuade everyone to honor him with particular devotion. I have always seen those who honored him in a special manner make progress in virtue, for this heavenly protector favors in a striking manner the spiritual advancement of souls who commend themselves to him.

— St. Teresa of Avila

You have probably heard of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the heroic priest who gave his life for another prisoner in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Saint Maximilian was a zealous promoter of Our Lady and Marian consecration. He founded the Militia Immaculatae in 1917 to spread devotion to Our Lady around the world. But have you heard of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, another great promoter of devotion to Our Lady?

In 1941, Fr. Kentenich was arrested by the Gestapo and put in prison in Germany. For medical reasons, the Nazis did not intend to send him to a concentration camp. Zealous for Our Lady, however, Fr. Kentenich requested he be sent to the concentration camp at Dachau. He wanted to offer his suffering for the Marian movement he had initiated in 1914, called Schoenstatt. He founded the Schoenstatt Movement in order to teach Our Lady’s virtues to people and transform the world through Marian consecration. Father Kentenich spent three years in Dachau.

Father Kentenich’s method of Marian consecration is known as the “covenant of love.” He believed that a covenant of love with Mary would transform the world by turning the members of Schoenstatt into “apparitions of Mary.” Not literal apparitions, of course; rather, by imitating Mary’s virtues, the members of Schoenstatt would become reflections of Mary, “apparitions” of Our Lady, in the world. The Church and the world need such apparitions!

The Church and the world also need “apparitions” of St. Joseph:

men and women who radiate the virtues of St. Joseph, especially his faithful love as a husband and father. In a world plagued with gender ideology and confusion about marriage and the family, reflections of Mary and St. Joseph are very much needed. Consecration to St. Joseph and imitation of his virtues will make this happen.

THE LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH WILL PREPARE YOU FOR TOTAL CONSECRATION TO YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER AND TEACH YOU HOW TO RESEMBLE HIS VIRTUES.

The litany dates back to at least the 16 ^th century and has been prayed by countless saints. The version you will pray was approved and indulgenced by St. Pope Pius X in 1909. Through the Litany of St. Joseph, you will learn the virtues and wonders of your spiritual father and become an “apparition of St. Joseph” in the world.

I take refuge in thy arms [St. Joseph], so that thou mayest lead me in the path of virtue.

— St. Clement Mary Hofbauer

SAINT JOSEPH IS YOUR MODEL FOR LOVING JESUS, MARY, AND SOULS.

Models are meant to be replicated. Through imitation of St. Joseph’s virtues, you will become like your model and have a tremendous impact on the world. Saint Joseph’s virtues will become your virtues. You are to become “another Joseph.”

His [St. Joseph’s] eminent virtues constitute his merit and he becomes our model.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

St. Joseph is our guide and our model. Because our vocation is like his, we must live his life, practice his virtues, and assimilate his spirit.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Let us love Jesus above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his daily labors? Behold, therefore, our model.

— St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

Pray the Memorare to St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

DAY 1 - WHY CONSECRATION TO ST JOSEPH

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:41:11 GMT

When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, he unites it to St. Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint.

- St Peter Julian Eymard

Do you want to ascend to greater heights in the spiritual life? Consecration to St. Joseph will take you there.

Many Christians have consecrated themselves to the Virgin Mary so as to be more closely united to Jesus. Without a doubt, consecration to Mary is one of the best things you can do for your spiritual life. The essence of Marian consecration is to help you become “another Mary” for Jesus, a faithful, loving, and trusting companion of the Savior. Consecration to St. Joseph does something similar.

CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU BECOME “ANOTHER JOSEPH” FOR JESUS AND MARY . That is, entrusting yourself entirely to St. Joseph helps you become a faithful, loving, and trusting companion of Jesus and Mary!

In the New Testament, we read that Jesus “increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man” (Lk 2:52) under the watchful care of his parents. Such an “increase” can happen to you, too, if you entrust yourself to the paternal care of St. Joseph. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux explains how it works. He writes:

Who and what manner of man this blessed Joseph was, you may conjecture from the name by which, a dispensation being allowed, he deserved to be so honored as to be believed and to be called the father of God. You may conjecture it from his very name, which, being interpreted, means “Increase.”

Saint Joseph is “The Increaser.” He has paternal love for you and the power to increase the presence of God in your life and take you to greater heights in the spiritual life. For centuries, this “secret” of St. Joseph lay hidden. Saints, mystics, and a handful of popes knew of it. Now it is your turn to discover it.

NOW IS THE TIME OF ST. JOSEPH! The Church and the world greatly need St. Joseph. We need him to help us return to the love of Jesus and to living lives of virtue. We desperately need St. Joseph’s protection as well. The family — the foundation of society — is under attack. The family of God — the Catholic Church — is also undergoing vicious assaults from the world, the flesh, the devil, and some of her own children. We need St. Joseph to protect us. He is our loving and merciful spiritual father, holy, strong, and ready to help. He is forever linked to Jesus, Mary, and the Church. He protected the Holy Family; he will protect us, too, if we entrust ourselves to his paternal heart and his spiritual care.

SAINT JOSEPH IS YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER. All children resemble their parents. You are a child of St. Joseph. You need to resemble him, especially by imitating his virtues and faithfulness to Jesus and Mary. Saint Joseph plays a vital (life-giving) role in your spiritual growth and well-being. This is the heart of consecration to St. Joseph.

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade explains it well. He states:

He [St. Joseph] was not a passive instrument in the great work of our salvation; he played a very active role, and that is why he was included in the merciful counsels of the incarnate Wisdom.

The merciful love of God has given St. Joseph to you as a spiritual father. Are you ready to ascend to greater heights in the spiritual life? Are you ready to draw nearer to Jesus and Mary, and experience an increase in virtue? Let’s go to Joseph!

We are going to consecrate ourselves to St. Joseph. We shall place at his feet all that we are and all that we have.

— St. Peter Julian Eymard

Pray the Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

Consecration to St Joseph

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 19:41:32 GMT

St Joseph is the great foster father of Jesus, specially chosen by God the Heavenly Father for this special vocation. He is called to protect, guide and provide for the needs of the Holy family, for Jesus and Mary. He cares for Jesus as a small child and into adulthood.

This unique gift of fatherhood and his own life lived in holiness, exemplies the providential care of a loving father . St Joseph was tasked with nurturing Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature before God and men.

St Joseph was a Jewish man, from the root and stock of King David yet was a poor man humble in stature putting the needs of Jesus and Mary first. He selflessly accepted the cross of preventing Mary’s scandalisation through accepting her as his wife, believing she was with child of the Holy Spirit, as revealed by God through an angel in a dream.

As head of the Holy family, he can teach us and impart to us the virtue of holiness . St Joseph the wonder worker and terror of demons can become the great protector and head of one’s own family helping it to become an icon of the Holy Family, in a unity of loving communion, reflecting the Love of The Holy Trinity.

Our act of consecration to St Joseph helps us faithfully to preserve family life from the assaults of Satan, who is intent on the destruction of family life as a very means to undermine the Church. Never has there been a greater need to protect family life in our day and share the Catholic Faith and Catechism to nurture children for the Kingdom of God - and help the Gospel spread to the ends of the earth for mankind’s salvation and sanctification.

‘“After Our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When, a little later, this apparition disappeared, I saw Our Lord and Our Lady; it seemed to me that it was Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as St. Joseph had done. This apparition also vanished, and I saw Our Lady once more, this time resembling Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.”

-Sr. Lucia in speaking about the sixth apparition at Fatima (the Miracle of the Sun)”

‘According to some who have studied the apparitions at Fatima, the vision of the Holy Family—with the peaceful St. Joseph and the Child Jesus—seems to contrast with the events of the “Miracle of the Sun,” in which the sun whirled about out of control in the sky just moments later. According to Msgr. Joseph Cirrincione,

” . . . the future event which both scenes foreshadow, has to do with fatherhood . . . St. Joseph was holding the Child Jesus and both were blessing the world, while Our Lady of the Rosary looked on. I see in that peaceful scene a reminder of what we pray in the Litany of St. Joseph, ‘Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us.’ And in the convulsions of the sun, I see an ominous foreshadowing of the consequences for the world which are sure to be felt if the true fatherhood of the family are rejected by mankind.”’

(Online: https://www.goodcatholic.com/st-joseph-and-the-lesser-known-fatima-apparition/ )

One way to restore fatherhood in the human family is to partake in a 33-day consecration to St Joseph. This may begin on 15th February ending on 19th March 2026, the Feast of St Joseph. One can use the Consecration prayers put together by Fr Donald Calloway MIC (See 33 days prayers following the links below)

Through our own consecration one may embrace St Joseph as exemplar father figure and head of our families, as he is head of the holy family. Through his intercession we may come to know more fully the Love of Our Heavenly Father, in and through His Beloved Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. May Our families become icons of The Holy family reflecting The Divine Love of The Holy Trinity, a communion of self emptying sacrificial love outpoured. Amen, Lord Faithful King

DAY 1 - WHY CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH?

DAY 2 - THE LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH

DAY 3 - GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, HAVE MERCY ON US

DAY 4 - GOD, THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, HAVE MERCY ON US

DAY 5 - GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HAVE MERCY ON US

DAY 6 - HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US

DAY 7 - HOLY MARY, PRAY FOR US

DAY 8 - SAINT JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US

DAY 9 - NOBLE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, PRAY FOR US

DAY 10 - LIGHT OF PATRIARCHS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 11 - SPOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US

DAY 12 - CHASTE GUARDIAN OF THE VIRGIN, PRAY FOR US

DAY 13 - FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD, PRAY FOR US

DAY 14 - ZEALOUS DEFENDER OF CHRIST, PRAY FOR US

DAY 15 - HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY, PRAY FOR US

DAY 16 - JOSEPH MOST JUST, PRAY FOR US

DAY 17 - JOSEPH MOST CHASTE, PRAY FOR US

DAY 18 - JOSEPH MOST PRUDENT, PRAY FOR US

DAY 19 - JOSEPH MOST COURAGEOUS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 20 - JOSEPH MOST OBEDIENT, PRAY FOR US

DAY 21 - JOSEPH MOST FAITHFUL, PRAY FOR US

DAY 22 - MIRROR OF PATIENCE, PRAY FOR US

DAY 23 - LOVER OF POVERTY, PRAY FOR US

DAY 24 - MODEL OF WORKMEN, PRAY FOR US

DAY 25 - GLORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE, PRAY FOR US

DAY 26 - GUARDIAN OF VIRGINS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 27 - PILLAR OF FAMILIES, PRAY FOR US

DAY 28 - COMFORT OF THE AFFLICTED, PRAY FOR US

DAY 29 - HOPE OF THE SICK, PRAY FOR US

DAY 30 - PATRON OF THE DYING, PRAY FOR US

DAY 31 - TERROR OF DEMONS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 32 - PROTECTOR OF THE HOLY CHURCH, PRAY FOR US

DAY 33 - HE MADE HIM THE LORD OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND PRINCE OVER ALL HIS POSSESSIONS

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”

February 2026 - Newsletter Live

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:47:33 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

February 2026 Newsletter

Featured this month: The Vision of Hell and the Need for Reparation, Reparation explained, Feasts of St Francisco and St Jacinta

Dear Readers,

February newsletter theme is based upon the Seers vision of Hell, which they witnessed during the July 1917 apparition, and the need for reparation.
We hope you enjoy reading the articles and the latest Fatima news both locally and internationally.

FEBRUARY - VISION OF HELL AND REPARATION

February is a significant month for the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) as we celebrate the anniversary death of Venerable Sr Lucia on the 13th February, the Feast day of St Francisco and St Jacinta on the 20th February and the start of lent is on the 18 ^th February. In addition, WAF England and Wales would like to invite you to join us in the 33 days consecration to St Joseph starting from the 15th February to the 19th March. St Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus during the 13th October 1917 apparition with the Miracle of the Sun which was witnessed by >70000 people. Read our newsletter to find out more about the meaning of Reparation as explained by our National Spiritual Director, Canon Jason Jones.

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT , PATRICK CUNNINGHAM

Dear WAF Members

This year, our mission feels particularly urgent with so many conflicts in the world, and the pressing need for peace.

On the 10th of December 2025 we marked the Centenary of the First Five Saturday request at Pontevedra in which the Child Jesus and Our Blessed Mother appeared to Sister Lucia to request the Devotion. It is also worth noting that in addition the Child Jesus appeared on the 15th of February 1926 to Sister Lucia at Pontevedra, where He asked her if she had spread the devotion as His Holy Mother had requested.

This question is also one that we as members of the World Apostolate may ask ourselves, being the current messengers of that request. In a world increasingly shadowed by conflict and confusion, our “Yes” to the First Saturday devotion is the most powerful tool for peace we possess.

We also celebrate The Feast of the "Little Shepherds" Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto . These two children did not wait until they were adults to become saints; they embraced the "duty of their state of life" with heroic love.

As Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18th) , let us look to them as our guides by offering up the frustrations of our daily life for the conversion of sinners, bringing the rosary back to the family living room, and making the First Five Saturday devotion as an act of love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read more here .

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Latest Fatima Articles, Prayers and Media

A Call to Reparation and Restoring Gods Glory

The events of July 13, 1917, stand as a spiritual crossroads for the modern world. On that day, three young shepherd children in Portugal were shown the vision of Hell - Read more here .

The Vision of Hell and The Call of Reparation by Fr Robin Mampallithadathil, CRM

Inspired by Pope St John Paul II and Pope Benedict, Fr Robin writes about redemptive suffering and the call to reparation - Read more here .

Why Fatima’s Vision of Hell Still Matters Today: A Young Pilgrim’s Reflection

Ana Revuelto shares her recommended reading of the book “Fatima for Today”, leading to her pilgrimage experience to Fatima. Read more here .

Consecration to St Joseph

Join us from the 15th February for the 33 Days consecration to St Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ, terror of demons and patron saint of all workers. St Joseph appeared with the Child Jesus at Fatima in October during the miracle of the Sun. Access the prayers here.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason Jones

Dear WAF family 

The month of February brings with it the solemn start of Lent on Ash Wednesday 18th February followed by the feast of the little shepherds of Fatima two days later on 20th February. 

The Life of the Saints are proposed to us by the Church not just as a reminder to seek their intercession but also as a model and pattern for living.

It is fitting that at the very start of Lent, the feast of St Jacinta and St Francisco, can inspire us for the observance of the traditional Lenten disciplines of Prayer Fasting and Abstinence. 

20th February 1920 is the actual date of death of little Jacinta the youngest of the visionaries, so this month it is good to focus on her and to learn from her example and how she rose to such holiness and wisdom in a short period of time. 

This Ash Wednesday we will be marked with Blessed Ashes “Remember you are dust” Lent is the sacred time to allow ourselves to be born again. Jesus tells us “Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven”

The apparitions at Fatima began in the Spring of 1916 with the Angel and by Feb 1920 Jacinta died and is now a Saint. This alone should wake us up to realise that in 4 years, by cooperating with the Grace of God, great things can also be accomplished in our own lives. We look at a little child - Jacinta, so as to become like a little Child. Lent with its call to repent and be recreated, combined and inspired with the example of little Jacinta, can show us how to do this.

St. Jacinta was only 7 years old when Our Blessed Lady appeared at Fatima. She would die of the Spanish Flu on February 20, 1920. Lucia relates this story: Jacinta’s thirst for making sacrifices seemed insatiable. One day a neighbour offered my mother a good pasture for our sheep. Though it was quite far away, and we were at the height of summer, my mother accepted the offer made so generously and sent me there…It was a lovely day, but the sun was blazing, and in that arid, stony wasteland, it seemed as though it would burn everything up. We were parched with thirst, and there wasn’t a single drop of water for us to drink! At first, we offered it up generously for the conversion of sinners, but after midday, we could hold out no longer. As there was a house quite near, I suggested to my companions that I should go and ask for a little water. They agreed to this, so I went and knocked on the door. A little old woman gave me not only a pitcher of water, but also some bread which I accepted gratefully. I ran to share it with my little companions, and then offered the pitcher to Francisco, and told him to drink. “I don’t want to,” he replied. “Why?” “I want to suffer for the conversion of sinners.” “You have a drink, Jacinta!” “But I want to offer this sacrifice for the conversion of sinners too.” Then I poured the water into a hollow in the rock, so that the sheep could drink it, and went to return the pitcher to its owner. The heat was getting more and more intense. The shrill singing of the crickets and grasshoppers coupled with the croaking of the frogs in the neighbouring pond made an uproar that was almost unbearable. Jacinta, frail as she was, and weakened still more by the lack of food and drink, said to me with that simplicity which was natural to her: “Tell the crickets and the frogs to keep quiet! I have such a terrible headache.” Then Francisco said to her: “Don’t you want to suffer for the conversion of sinners?” The poor child, clasping her head between her two little hands, replied: “Yes, I do! Let them sing!”

Lucia then relates, shortly before Jacinta sets off to the hospital at Lisbon and where she would die, sent for me to come and see her at once. I ran over. “Our Lady came to see us,” Jacinta said. “She told us she would come and take Francisco to heaven very soon. She asked me if I still want to convert more sinners. I said I did. She told me I would be going to a hospital where I would suffer a great deal; and that I am to suffer for the conversion of sinners, in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for love of Jesus. I asked if you would go with me. She said you wouldn’t, and that is what I find hardest. She said my mother would take me, and then I would have to stay all alone!” After this, she was very thoughtful for a while, and then added: “If only you could be with me! The hardest part is to go without you. Maybe, the hospital is a big dark house, where you can’t see, and I’ll be there suffering all alone! But never mind! I’ll suffer for the love of Our Lord, to make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the conversion of sinners and for the Holy Father.”

We know from various accounts, that the final hours of little Jacinta life became a mirroring of the death of the Lord who died as the Saviour of sinners.

Jacinta who wanted to save sinners from hell, would die alone, from an opening in her side due to her illness and operation and just at the foot of the cross of the Lord, Our Blessed Lady was there.

Jacinta thirsting due to her illness, satiates the thirst of Jesus by offering her life for sinners.

Photos from the exhumation of Jacinta when her body was to be moved from the cemetery to the Basilica in 1935 reveal that she is incorrupt.

Through dying to self. Jacinta was born again to eternal life. Having put death, her old self out of love for the conversion of sinners, she now beholds the Face of the Lord in company with Our Lady.

As we observe Lent in this centennial year of the first Saturdays of Reparation, may St Jacinta help us all though our Lenten disciplines to not only die to self but to have the intention of offering all things up that we may obtain the crown of Easter and life eternal.

Fr Jason

Canon Jason Jones

WAF National Spiritual Director - England and Wales

Fatima's Hidden Call: What Many Catholics Have Overlooked?

Reparation explained by Canon Jason Jones. Watch the video here .

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activities

01 February – Sunday 7pm: WAF-E&W On-Line Rosary. Meeting ID: 86088111745, Passcode: 734012 or by clicking on the poster below

13 February – Friday: Anniversary death of Venerable Sr Lucia
16 February – Monday 7pm: WAF-E&W Promoters Meeting - Sanctification of Daily Duties/Sacrifice.

WAF E&W Fifth Online Formation Session - Sacrament of Confession | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Volunteering for WAF England & Wales:

23rd May - Saturday: You are cordially invited to attend the WAF E&W Formation Conference on 23 May 2026 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, *White City, London* .

Theme: Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the Way to Salvation.

There are two ways to register for the conference:

A. by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/WAFConference or

B. by scanning the QR code below

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

Storm Damages in Fatima Shrine

Pope Leo XIV sends his solidarity message to the country: After storm damages Fátima last week, Pope sends message to Portugal . Please pray for Portugal especially the people of Fatima.

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Our Cathedral visitations resume from March. 14-15 March, we will be at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, London, Duke St, London W1K 5BQ, UK. Please visit our webpages to find out when we shall be visiting a Cathedral near you. More information can be found here .

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

Why Fatima’s Vision of Hell Still Matters Today: A Young Pilgrim’s Reflection

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:27:34 GMT

The current article is written with the inspiration of the book “Fatima for Today”: the urgent Marian message of hope written by Fr Andrew Apostoli. In addition to this, it is informed by my last pilgrimage to Fatima in August 2025.

In this article, my mission, is to explain from a young person’s point of view how relevant is the vision of Hell given by Our Lady is in today's world. In her First apparition, back in 1917, our Lady showed the little Shepherds a vision of Hell so that they remind humanity that is real.

This message is particularly relevant nowadays and I thank the opportunity the trustees of the World Apostolate of Fatima, England and Wales, have given me to express a personal reflection and some fruits of prayer.

When I first started reading the book last August, I felt discomfort. However, I was aiming to prepare myself for going to Fatima on a Pilgrimage. So, I had to continue to read. The preconceived worldly ideology of freedom was a discomfort. However, I decided to throw myself into it. As a result, I was given the grace of being touched by the message of our Lady. Particularly her words “many souls go to Hell because there is no one to pray and sacrifice for them”. This taught me that, beyond discomfort, there is hope.

We are constantly told that the world is broken beyond repair (e.g., climate collapse, endless wars, social divisions). Our Lady of Fatima acknowledged the suffering within the darkness. In her motherly way, she showed the little Shepherds how to continue to fight for the souls, for her children. She urged them to pray, offer sacrifices and to convert every day. She offered protection by the consecration to her immaculate heart.

Taking the words from Fr Apostoli, “Simply denying that there is a hell does not make it go away”.

In her apparition, our Lady of Fátima reminded us through the Little Shepherds, and their vision of hell, what it means to live without God´s love. Hell exists, after our death, and while alive. The called Deceiver, and Accuser by Fr Apostoli, will make a fake deal with you to then make you feel ashamed, accused and will convince you there is no chance for redemption, that you are beyond forgiveness.

Nowadays, as a young person living in our modern society, we exalt freedom. But what is freedom? And how do the messages from the apparitions in Fatima frame the concept of freedom?

Our Lady of Fatima’s gentle approach was to trust children to convey her message to the world that struggles to this day to accept her messages. True freedom isn’t doing whatever we want it is choosing what leads to life, even when it is difficult. It is choosing true love offered from God and from Jesus instead of false love such as attachments and dependencies that the Devil, the Cheater, offers.

From this perspective, why would we continue to choose to sin, to choose imitations of real love, the source of life?

Because we are humans, we carry the aftermaths of original sin. So, what to do now?

First, remember our identity, our true being we are, all of us, beloved Children of God. It is time to remind some Bible passages such as Isaiah 43, where God promised he had called us and he will always remain with us. He impels us to not be afraid, to trust that we are loved for who we are. That there is nothing wrong with us. He exhorts us to reclaim this true identity and break free from the slavery suggested by the Devil.

Secondly, in the gospels of Luke (Lc 5, 27-32) & Mathew (Mt 9, 10-13) Jesus emphasises the importance of love and kindness and mercy and reminds us that yes, we are all sinners, but that is the reason, Jesus Christ came for all of us, to save us with his mercy and save us from the lies of the Devil that make us believe God wants to punish us.

God also exhorts us to become like little children when listening to him. Our Lady of Fatima confirmed this by choosing the little Shepherds who were kids with very little education, and still, they were chosen by our Lady. This should help us to take some perspective of our current situation. What is essential in our lives? Where are we putting our worth? Where is the Devil lying to us?

In addition, we can do as our Lady did: refuse to let darkness have the final word.

Mary’s message is simple but radical: evil is real, but it is not all-powerful.

Our Lady of Fatima’s message was never about fear but about love, and hope.

What moves me most about our Lady of Fatima is that Mary respects human freedom. She doesn’t force belief, repentance, or love. She warns, invites, and waits. Hell exists not because God is cruel, but because love cannot be forced.

Finally, I now know how to contribute to the Salvation of souls. To ease suffering in a heavenly way. A way that transcends human forces. It is a humbling experience of union with Christ. Through, Our Lady we can offer our sacrifices. It is a reality that we all suffer in our daily life, we sometimes choose to, other times we don’t. In those moments, our Lady of Fatima exhorts us to say the following prayer:

“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say many times, especially when you make a sacrifice, ‘O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'”

This prayer was conveyed to Sr Lucia of Fatima on the 13th of July 1917.

In conclusion, we have been desensitised to the Devil, and consequently, to recognising Hell is real and how the small choices can tear us apart from the love of God and make us experience hell on earth.

Let’s follow Our Lady’s and the little Shepherd’s example. Let’s come back to the essentials, let’s turn our eyes to the real source of life and wonder.

The message of Our Lady of Fatima is still very relevant nowadays, pray and pray the Rosary, repent, repair, and don’t be afraid, evil is real, but it is not all-powerful, GOD IS.

National President February 2026 Note

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:03:49 GMT

Dear Members

This year, our mission feels particularly urgent with so many conflicts in the world, and the pressing need for peace.

On the 10th December 2025 we marked the Centenary of the First Five Saturday request at Pontevedra (10th December 1925) in which the Child Jesus and Our Blessed Mother appeared to Sister Lucia to request the Devotion. It is also worth noting that in addition the Child Jesus appeared on the 15th Feb 1926 to Sister Lucia at Pontevedra, where He asked her if she had spread the devotion as His Holy Mother had requested.

We also celebrate The Feast of the "Little Shepherds" Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto on the 20th February . These two children did not wait until they were adults to become saints; they embraced the "duty of their state of life" with heroic love.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us. Saints Francisco and Jacinta, pray for us. Venerable Sister Lucia Servant of God pray for us.

Notices:

01 February – Sunday 7pm: WAF-E&W On-Line Rosary

Meeting ID: 86088111745, Passcode: 734012

16 February – Monday 7pm:
WAF-E&W Promoters Meeting - Sanctification of Daily Duties/Sacrifice.

WAF E&W Fifth Online Formation Session - Sacrament of Confession | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

20 February – Friday:
Feast Day of Ss Francisco and Jacinta
Global prayer for peace in Ukraine and the World
https://www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/prayer-campaign-for-peace-in-ukraine-and-in-the-whole-world
Parish Visitations:
WAF-E&W has two teams covering the diocese of England and Wales. The Southern team is now fully book, however there are still dates available for the northern team for those diocese lying in the northern parts of England and Wales. If you would like a parish visit, please seek permission of your local parish priest and contact Patrick Cunningham email: safeguarding@waf-ew.org.uk
For further information on planned visitations please see attached link (full list of visits to be inserted – to be discussed at the trustee meeting)

God Bless

Patrick Cunningham

National President WAF-E&W

Fatima’s Hidden Call: What Many Catholics Have Overlooked

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:54:37 GMT

Reparation explained by our National Spiritual Director, Canon Jason Jones

Canon Jason Jones explains the First Saturdays of Reparation and the plenary indulgence given by visiting the Shrine of Our Lady in Pontevedra where the message about the First Five Saturdays Devotion was given to Venerable Sr Lucia. Watch the full video here .

The Vision of Hell and the Call to Reparation

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:01:39 GMT

One of the most striking and often misunderstood moments of the Fatima apparitions is the vision of hell shown to the three shepherd children Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta on 13 July 1917. Our Lady allowed them to glimpse this terrifying reality not to instil fear, but to awaken consciences to the gravity of sin and the urgent need for conversion. Immediately after the vision, Mary offered hope, pointing to prayer, penance, and reparation as the path to salvation.

The Church has consistently taught that the reality of hell highlights the dignity of human freedom and the seriousness of our moral choices. St. Augustine expresses this clearly: “God created us without us, but He did not will to save us without us.” The Fatima message echoes this truth by reminding us that while God’s mercy is infinite, it must be freely accepted through repentance and a transformed life.

Our Lady’s call to reparation is profoundly maternal. She invites us to unite ourselves to the redemptive suffering of Christ for the salvation of souls. Pope St. John Paul II emphasised this when he said, “The message of Fatima is a call to conversion and repentance, like the Gospel itself.” Reparation—offered through prayer, fasting, sacrifices, and the faithful acceptance of daily trials—becomes an act of love that consoles the Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Pope Benedict XVI further reminded the Church, “A humanity that excludes God from its horizons ends up destroying itself.” The vision of hell, therefore, is a merciful warning, calling the world back to God before hearts grow cold and faith is lost. It urges believers not to remain passive, but to become active participants in Christ’s saving mission.

It is my great joy to be involved in the activities of the World Apostolate of Fatima. I deeply appreciate your devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and your generous commitment to living and spreading her message. I pray that all your work may come to full realisation for the greater glory of Our Lord and for a deeper, more fervent veneration of our Blessed Mother, who tirelessly leads souls to her Son and invites the world to peace through conversion. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all! “Ad Majorem Resurgentis Gloriam”- “Ave Maria”

Day 33 of 33 Day Consecration: Rite of Total Consecration to Mary in the Militia of the Immaculata

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:39:15 GMT

Day 33:

Rite of Total Consecration to Mary

in the Militia of the Immaculata

In the absence of a priest or deacon, you may perform the Rite of Consecration on your own or with another MI member present. However, the Blessing of the Miraculous Medal must be done by a priest or deacon, but may be done at a later date.

Priest: Dear brothers and sisters, the Lord has inspired you to entrust and consecrate yourselves wholly to Mary in order to become instruments of His grace in the Militia of the Immaculata movement for the conversion and sanctification of all mankind. Do you wish, therefore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live your lives in perfect union with the Immaculata and to be for all your brothers and sisters a light and an example of Christian life?

All: Yes, I do.

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Priest: The act of total consecration to Our Lady will lead you to live your Baptism fully. For this reason we now renew the promises that our parents and godparents made for us. Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you reject Satan, father and prince of darkness?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was

buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

All: I do.

Official Act of Consecration to the Immaculata

Composed by St. Maximilian Kolbe

Priest: Let us now recite together the formula of consecration composed by St. Maximilian Kolbe, the founder of the Militia of the Immaculata. I invite all members of the MI present to renew their consecration by joining in the recitation of this formula. Candidates for the MI who have already consecrated themselves to Mary using the formula of St. Louis de Montfort or other similar formulas, not only renew their consecration by reciting the formula of St. Maximilian, but also explicitly commit themselves to serve the Immaculata’s cause as instruments in her Immaculate and merciful hands to draw all strayed and indifferent Catholics and all other persons into the blessed Kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

All: O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.

If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Priest: Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.

All: Give me strength against your enemies.

Blessing and Investing with the Miraculous Medal

Priest: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

Priest: Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, who through the many apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin on earth has deigned to work great wonders, bless + these medals, so that all who wear them in love and veneration might enjoy your protection and gain your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The new consecrants approach the priest and receive the blessed medal.

Priest: Receive this holy medal, wear it with faith and venerate it with love.

Priest: Be faithful now to all you have promised and be assured that the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God will protect and defend you from all harm in soul and body. As the Immaculate Virgin is ever ready to renew her wondrous acts of kindness, may she obtain for you in her mercy whatever you humbly ask of God, so that both in life and in death you may rest happily in her motherly embrace.

All: Amen.

Final Exhortation

Priest: Let us pray to Our Lady using the prayer recommended for daily recitation by St. Maximilian:

All: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

Go to previous prayer | Go to the beginning

Day 32 of 33 Day Consecration: The MI within the Church

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:31:30 GMT

Day 32:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The MI within the Church

The evening of October 16, 1917, Friar Maximilian presented to his companions the program for a new Marian association, the Militia of the Immaculata, which he had handwritten on a small piece of paper. With not much consideration for the form, in a few essential points he had drafted the aim, conditions and means for achieving a universal-scale project.

Shortly after, Fr. Kolbe submitted the MI program to the approval of the Church. As early as January 1922, the Militia of the Immaculata received approval as a pious union, that is, an association of the faithful aiming to promote works of charity and apostolate, according to the Code of Canon Law in force from 1917 to 1983.

At the beginning of his apostolic work in Poland, Maximilian drafted a statute for the priests of the Franciscan Order (cf. KW 1370); he also revised bylaws for the MI men’s circle that a group of laymen had composed in close collaboration with him (KW 1371). Later, Fr. Kolbe offered his own observations for the MI general statutes that a group of friars were composing in Rome. Overall, Fr. Maximilian appears to have been more concerned about the “spirit” of the statutes than of the “letter,” making sure that the norms conveyed an authentic spirit of total dedication to the Immaculata for the coming of the Kingdom of God in all hearts, a spirit “without boundaries” that can hardly be enclosed within the limits of legal norms.

Following the 1983 promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law by Pope St. John Paul II on October 16, 1997, the MI received pontifical approval as an international and universal public association of the faithful. The MI is therefore a public association because it enjoys legal status thanks to the Church’s approval; it’s universal, because, having been approved by the Holy See, the MI operates in the name of the universal Church and is open to all Catholics (lay persons, clerics and members of institutes of consecrated life); it’s international because the MI can freely spread all over the world. In other words, the MI received from the Church the highest recognition, which reflects St. Maximilian’s original and universal inspiration.

The MI is and will always be a broader reality than what even the better-drafted statutes would be able to articulate. In St. Maximilian’s own words, the Militia of the Immaculata “is a global vision of Catholic life in a new form, consisting in the bond with the Immaculata, our universal Mediatrix before Jesus” (KW 1220), and it is called to be an extension of Mary’s maternal presence and universal mission. “Strictly speaking, the aim of the Militia of the Immaculata is the goal of the Immaculata herself (ibid.), whose single desire “is to raise the level of our spiritual life to the summits of holiness” (ibid.). In 1935, Fr. Maximilian wrote also that the MI “should not present itself as one more organization among the many that already exist, but rather deeply permeate all organizations” (KW 658), so as to make Mary’s presence visible and effective everywhere.

After over 100 years of life and mission, the MI continues to be a gift for the Church and for each person thirsting for God’s love and Mary’s tenderness.

All Aboard… for Spreading the Gospel with the Immaculata

One of St. Maximilian’s genial qualities was his ability to share the MI ideal and mission with persons of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and walks of life. From the beginning of his priestly ministry, as soon as he returned to Poland after his studies in Rome, he began to engage priests and lay persons, men and women, young people and adults, inviting them to embark on a spiritual journey of total dedication to the Immaculata.

In Krakow, a university town, he approached students and seminarians, as well as freelance professionals, workers and families. He started formation gatherings for various groups, but he soon realized that this was not enough in order to reach all people. As a result, he launched a humble magazine, The Knight of the Immaculata, and called MI members to action everywhere: in their own families, at work, in the schools and in every area of life. Accordingly, during the past 100 years, the MI has continued to spread worldwide and to welcome new members from among the people of God, so much so that on October 16, 1997, the Church numbered it among the International Public Associations of the Faithful.

If the MI was born within the Franciscan community, from the very beginning St. Maximilian was convinced that Our Lady wanted to gather around herself a true ecclesial family, in which everyone, according to each one’s vocation, would place his or her talents at the service of the Gospel, by living and working in communion so as to spread the Kingdom of God.

St. Maximilian’s vast correspondence shows how he was always in dialogue with the most diverse recipients: Franciscans from various countries, lay men and women, priests, women religious, young people and children. He shared his dreams and plans, encouraged them in difficulties, and tirelessly passed on the ideal that the Immaculata entrusted to him. He built bridges, wove relationships, stirred up the spirit of initiative, inviting his interlocutors to contribute their gifts and talents according to their means and abilities. In other words, he elicited everyone’s participation so that the message might penetrate everywhere and reach everyone “as soon as possible.”

St. Maximilian was indeed a pioneer in this and offers a legacy of great importance today. In the Church and society, often marked by sharp polarizations, the MI is called to be a family in which we strive for holiness in the footsteps of Mary while welcoming and harmonizing the variety of vocations and gifts in the unity of our Catholic faith and of our common ideal. How could we ever forget how St. John Paul II emphasized the urgency of embracing a spirituality of communion? We are to be a family gathered around Mary so as to become witnesses and instruments of that plan for communion which is the crowning point of human history in God’s design.

St. Maximilian entrusts to each MI member his charism and vision, and invites us to give ourselves without reserve to the Immaculata and to be passionate messengers of the overflowing Life and Love of God that comes to us through Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

How Do I Enroll in the MI

Membership in the MI is open to Catholics of age 7 or older.

A. SELECT the date on which you want your name recorded in the official register of the MI, preferably a Marian feast day, fill out the enrollment form and mail it to the MI National Center, P.O. Box 5547, Peoria, Illinois, 61601. You may also enroll online at MilitiaoftheImmaculata.com.

B. PREPARE for your consecration and enrollment by spiritual reading, the Rosary and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on or shortly before the day of your enrollment.

C. ON THE DAY of your Marian consecration and MI enrollment, attend Mass, if possible, and recite the Official Act of Consecration composed by St. Maximilian. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Our Lady so as to let the Holy Spirit guide you on the path to holiness with her! Subject to the usual conditions, a plenary indulgence is granted by the Church for enrollment in the MI. This special gift was bestowed on the MI by Pope Pius XI in 1926. Implore Our Lady and St. Maximilian to show you how you may serve the Lord as an instrument of love and mercy in your life and be ready to share with everyone the gift you have received.

Enjoy being part of the MI Family and stay in touch by prayer and regularly visiting the MI websites:

MilitiaoftheImmaculata.com

MIYouth.org

Wear a Miraculous Medal and pass them on to others! Get involved and attend MI local events, if possible.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

Go to previous prayer | Go to next prayer | Go to the beginning

Day 31 of 33 Day Consecration: Our Only Motive

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:23:57 GMT

Day 31:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Our Only Motive

“Love toward the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the only motive that spurs us to bind as many as possible, as closely as possible, to Him through the Immaculata” (KW 1094).

Since the beginning of the journey of the MI, the young Fr. Maximilian emphasized that the love of God, of which the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is the symbol par excellence, is the ultimate goal of the life and activity of the new Marian association.

The fundamental dimension of the MI spirituality is indeed total consecration to the Immaculata, but Fr. Maximilian highlighted always that Mary is wholly relative to God, to Christ, and her maternal action is completely directed toward leading hearts to Jesus. Love for Him and the pursuit of His Kingdom, therefore, represent the drive and the ultimate purpose of every MI member’s commitment.

Fr. Kolbe constantly pondered and explained how devotion and consecration to Our Lady are the means for reaching the end of all: “As she is the most perfect instrument in the hand of God, in the hand of divine mercy, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, so we are instruments in her hand. Thus through her we are the instruments of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is, of God’s mercy. Thus our watchword is ‘Through the Immaculata to the Heart of Jesus’” (cf. KW 339).

In order to expel every doubt he states: “Precisely because we have consecrated ourselves to the Immaculata without limits, with much greater courage, despite our wickedness, we come closer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In reality, therefore, we are fully, completely and exclusively consecrated to the Immaculata with all of our actions, and in her and through her, we are again fully, completely and exclusively consecrated to Jesus Christ” (KW 643). Therefore, he stresses the need to draw closer to Our Lady through total consecration: “To be more and more of the Immaculata, to belong to her more profoundly, and so let fly more and more the wings of love, especially toward the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the manifestations of His love” (KW 1284).

With similar expressions, St. Maximilian elucidates how authentic devotion to Mary leads to a deeper love for Jesus, in fact to love Him with the Immaculata’s Heart, while making us participate in her maternal mission: “Thus the divine life, the life of the Most Holy Trinity flows from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, into our wretched hearts, but often also through other created hearts” (KW 503).

St. Maximilian introduces us to a marvelous stance: We are members of the Mystical Body of Christ and members one of another (Cf. Eph 4:25), called to be “neighbors” to one another (cf. Lk 10:25-37), to become instruments of good, channels of grace, of divine life for one another. Like Mary! This is the crucial mission of the MI: to sow Mary into all hearts so that she, the Mother, may lead them to the knowledge of her Son and kindle in them the fire of love toward His Sacred Heart. May this life-giving fire spread everywhere…!

Our Ideal

The rapid spread of the MI in Poland and in many other nations was a reason for Fr. Maximilian’s ongoing gratitude. His missionary zeal, however, moved him to dream of winning the whole world and each soul for God through Mary Immaculate.

In the June 24, 1936, issue of the Mały Dziennik newspaper, he published an article that would also appear in the Knight of the Immaculata magazine. It seems as if he felt the urgency to stop and ponder: “Why have we come all the way to the ‘country of the blooming cherry trees,’ and why do our aspirations embrace the entire globe? What are we aiming at? What is our ideal?… I shall sincerely affirm that it is not easy to understand our ideal and it is even more difficult to examine it in depth; or, rather, we can always delve deeper into it and know it in a way that is ever more explicit, but we shall not be able to get to the bottom of its sublime depth. For what reason? Because in this case it has to do with the Mother of God…. From the Divine Maternity flow all the graces bestowed upon the Most Holy Virgin Mary, and the first of these graces is the Immaculate Conception. This privilege must be particularly dear to her if, at Lourdes, this is how she herself wanted to be called: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’ We too desire to call her with this name which is so dear to the heart. The Immaculata: here is our ideal” (KW 1210).

Suddenly Maximilian seemed to tear the veil, so to speak, to allow his readers to understand the ideal at the heart of the MI life and mission: “To approach her, become like her, permit her to take possession of our heart and all our self, that she may live and act in and through us, that she may love God with our heart, that we may belong to her without any restriction: this is our ideal. To radiate in the surroundings, conquer souls for her in a way that, before her, the hearts of our neighbors may be opened so that she may extend her dominion in the hearts of all those who live in any corner of the earth, without regard for racial, national, linguistic differences, and similarly in the hearts of all those who will live in any moment of history till the end of the world: this is our ideal” (ibid.).

Fr. Maximilian did not hesitate to point to the high ideal: “Besides, may her life be ever more rooted in us from day to day, from one hour to another, from one moment to another, and this without any limitation: this is our ideal. Again, may her life develop in the same way in every soul that exists and will exist in any time: this is our cherished ideal” (ibid.).

Printed as a small poster, this article would be posted in the friars’ cells and workshops in Niepokalanów, as an invitation never to lose sight of the Ideal, to penetrate the heart of the Immaculata, the Mother of Jesus our Brother, the Mother of our supernatural life, so that each daily action, small or great, may be a continual letting oneself be led by the Holy Spirit to the ultimate goal: holiness, the high measure of Christian life whose luminous sign is Mary herself.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

Go to previous prayer | Go to next prayer | Go to the beginning

Day 30 of 33 Day Consecration: When Everything Seems to Fail…

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:09:51 GMT

Day 30:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

When Everything Seems to Fail…

“For more than a year after that first meeting, the MI made no progress. In fact, all kinds of setbacks piled up, to the point that members were uncomfortable even mentioning it among themselves. One of them even tried to convince the others that the MI was something useless.

“It was then that, with wonderful signs of election, the Immaculata summoned to her side Fr. Antoni Głowiński, and ten days later, Br. Antonio Mansi, both victims of the Spanish flu. As for me, the condition of my lungs got worse: every time I coughed, I spat blood. That is when it all started to change. Having been excused from school, I took the opportunity to copy out the ‘Program of MI’ and gave it to the Most Rev. Fr. General, in order to obtain his blessing in writing. ‘If there were at least 12 of you…,’ said the Most Rev. Fr. General. He wrote his blessing and voiced his desire (I believe on that very occasion) that the MI should be propagated among our youth. Membership started to increase, and has increased more and more ever since” (KW 1278).

St. Maximilian himself continued to recall the first steps of the Movement that later would spread rapidly throughout Poland and in other nations. But now he speaks of the time of gestation, the time during which the grain of wheat has to die in order to become a full kernel and eventually bread (cf. Jn 12:12-26). Maximilian helps us to recognize the Gospel logic at work. For more than one year the MI had not seen any progress, while difficulties and setbacks attempted to extinguish enthusiasm. Everything seemed to fail. The death of two of the young co-founders and the worsening of Maximilian’s TB, however, marked the beginning of change.

The MI began to flourish precisely thanks to this paschal journey of suffering and death, which gave rise to an increasingly numerous response from people who chose to embrace its ideal of total dedication to Our Lady as instruments of love in her immaculate hands.

During the past 100 years of life and mission, the MI has experienced many times this paschal journey of passion, death and resurrection in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the lives of St. Maximilian and other MI members as well as in various realities around the world. It is actually a good sign!

“Nothing great comes without pain in God’s works. And could there ever be too great a sacrifice, when it comes to the Immaculata? We are consecrated to her not only in theory, but actually, and in practice. And until we grow tired in our fight to conquer the world for the Immaculata, suffering will not cease to come upon us. And the more strenuously we struggle, the heavier and more numerous will be the suffering that befalls us. But only until our death. Then there will be the resurrection. And even if (but that is impossible) the Immaculata were to give us no reward for this, yet we would still consecrate ourselves to her with fervor and enthusiasm throughout our entire lives. For we do not consecrate ourselves in view of a reward, but solely for her” (KW 631).

Let us be encouraged by this supernatural perspective in order to spend ourselves generously for this great ideal!

All Means, Especially the Miraculous Medal…

In the program that Friar Maximilian had drafted for the MI, the Immaculata’s strategist described the means that the newly established association would have to use in the work of evangelization:

“1. To entreat the Immaculata possibly every day with this ejaculatory prayer: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the Freemasons.’ 2. To use all legitimate means, according to one’s possibilities in the various states and conditions of life, as occasions arise: which is entrusted to the zeal and prudence of each; let the special means be the Miraculous Medal” (KW 21).

In the course of the years, Father Maximilian would not hesitate to state that, in addition to the supernatural means – prayer and sacrifice – all legitimate means inspired by love and all inventions are to be at the service of the Gospel through the Immaculata: “Art, literature, theater, cinema, books, journalism, radio, etc., etc.” (KW 991 Q). His mind and heart were always drawn toward new horizons in order to reach every person as soon as possible and to share the gift of Mary, the new life of grace. He would never forget to remind himself and others, however, that in this enterprise we are called to be personally engaged:

“But before everything else we ourselves must be hers, even to the utter annihilation of our ego, to a total holocaust, without reserve and without limits (“penance, penance, penance”). Everything for her sake, then: our soul, our body, all the faculties of the soul and of the body, talents, energy, science, art, etc., etc… everything! Everything: the past, the present, and future, life, death, eternity. In a word, everything, everything without even the slightest, tiniest reservation” (ibid.).

While he valued all means, Maximilian reminds us that among them the Miraculous Medal, which Our Lady herself gave us through her appearances to St. Catherine Labouré, has to be cherished in a special way. The Medal is a small yet powerful tool for touching hearts, a mini-catechism on Our Lady’s role in the history of salvation. How many stories of spiritual and physical healing, of conversion and openness to the workings of grace are connected to the Miraculous Medal…! The Medal is not only the exterior sign of our total consecration to Mary (cf. KW 991 Q), but also a tool we can all use to introduce her to others: “Behold your Mother!”

Let us discover the simple effectiveness of offering the Immaculata’s Medal to a friend, a family member or even a stranger. We will be surprised by what the Lord can do through small means accompanied by faith and love.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 29 of 33 Day Consecration: Introducing the Militia of the Immaculata (by Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI)

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:19 GMT

Day 29:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Introducing the Militia of the Immaculata (by Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI)

The Beginning of a Great Adventure

“A lot of water has already passed under the bridge: it all took place nearly 18 years ago, so I have almost forgotten a number of details.” Thus, at the prompting of his superior, Fr. Kornel Czupryk, Fr. Maximilian begins to unveil the beginnings of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) in one of his unpublished writings (KW 1278) - a precious gift for us!

It is winter of the year 1917. Friar Maximilian is in Rome, at the International Theological College of the Franciscan Order, preparing for his priestly ordination. He is only 23 years old, but his mind and heart embrace already universal horizons. He takes deep interest in the life of his Franciscan family, the Church and the world. He loves God and the Immaculate Virgin with evangelical simplicity, and desires to live the Gospel to the letter, serving the Lord with the generous dedication of his Seraphic Father Francis, the knight of the Great King. Goodness attracts him to the highest ideal, while the manifestations of evil move him to action.

“When in Rome the Freemasons started coming out in the open daringly, flaunting their banners under the windows of the Vatican, depicting, on the black banners of the followers of Giordano Bruno, St. Michael the Archangel crushed under the foot of Lucifer, and openly lashing out against the Holy Father in propaganda pamphlets, the thought came of setting up an association committed to fighting Freemasonry and other servants of Lucifer. To make sure that such idea was coming from the Immaculata, I sought counsel from my spiritual director at the time, Fr. Alessandro Basile, a Jesuit…. Having obtained assurance from holy obedience, I decided to get down to work” (KW 1278).

Young Friar Maximilian observes with lucidity the destructive effects of atheistic secularism, represented by the Freemasonry that impudently celebrates its 200th anniversary. He is aware of the spreading of dangerous religious indifferentism and various antireligious theories, as well as of the subtle decline of morality. He suffers in witnessing a certain quietism among Catholics, despite the persecution the Church undergoes in various nations and the popes’ unrelenting appeals to live out the missionary dimension of the Christian calling. However, Friar Maximilian does not stop at a pessimistic outlook of reality. He knows that Jesus is the Lord of history, the Prince of peace. He understands that the Immaculate Virgin is the new Woman, called by Jesus Himself to be the model, guide and Mother of grace for all men of every time and place: “Woman, behold your son” (Jn 19:26). Maximilian ponders, prays and discerns.

A few months later, the young Franciscans spend their vacation outside Rome, at the “Vigna” friary.

“During a football game, blood started coming out of my mouth. I drew aside and lay down on the grass. Br. Girolamo Biasi, of blessed memory, took care of me. I spat up blood for quite a while. Soon after, I went to the doctor. Two weeks later, the doctor finally allowed me to go out for the first time. In the company of another cleric, Br. [Giovanni] Ossanna, I got to the ‘Vigna,’ albeit with difficulty. When the clerics saw me, they cheered and were in high spirits, and brought me fresh figs, wine and bread. Having had something to eat and drink, my aches and pangs ceased, and for the first time I mentioned the idea of starting an association to Br. Girolamo Biasi and Fr. Iosif Pal, who had been ordained a priest before me although we were attending the same year of theology. However, I stipulated that each of them should consult their spiritual directors first, to make sure that it was in fact God’s will.” (ibid.)

As it happens often, a great adventure begins with the coming together of friends who share one grand ideal… sometimes around a basket of fresh figs!

The Happiness of all Humanity in God through the Immaculata

St. Maximilian left behind a simple account of the first steps that resulted in the founding of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI). He emphasized how initially the association began with three fellow students of the International Seraphic College, during their summer vacation. Eventually other young friars joined them. Let us listen to St. Maximilian’s own memories of that historical October 16, 1917:

“Thus, with the consent of the Fr. Rector, on October 16, 1917, the first meeting of the first seven members took place, namely:

Fr. Iosif Pal, a young priest of the Romanian Province;
Br. Antoni Głowiński, deacon of the Romanian Province (d. October 18, 1918);
Br. Girolamo Biasi, from the Province of Padua (d. 1929);
Br. Quirico Pignalberi, of the Roman Province;
Br. Antonio Mansi, of the Province of Naples (d. October 31, 1918);
Br. Enrico Granata, of the Province of Naples;
myself.

“The meeting took place at night, in secret, in a locked, inner cell that was constructed by means of a temporary wall. In front of us there was a little statue of the Immaculata between two lighted candles. Br. Girolamo Biasi acted as secretary. The purpose of this first meeting was the discussion of the ‘program of the MI’ (the enrollment form), especially since Fr. Alessandro Basile, who was also confessor to the Pope [Benedict XV], had promised he would ask the Holy Father for a blessing of the MI” (KW 1278).

From the start, the plan outlined in the original charter of the MI is exciting and universal: “To reach out to so many unhappy souls, in order to strengthen innocent hearts in goodness, in order to help everyone draw nearer to the Immaculata, Mediatrix of all graces” (cf. KW 1328). In other words, the MI plan is to work tirelessly for “The happiness of all humanity in God through the Immaculata” (KW 1088).

Yes, the young Maximilian was already an intelligent and creative strategist, an enthusiastic leader, able to bring others to get involved. Above all, he was a daring and passionate disciple of the Lord, who desired ardently the greatest glory of God, the spreading of His Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven,” and the authentic happiness of each person in Him Who is its only true source – and this, through the Immaculata.

Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maximilian encountered the Lord Jesus and in Him the living Water of eternal Life (cf. Jn 4:14), which has to be shared with everyone. At the foot of the Cross, Mary was the first one to welcome Jesus’ thirst, the thirst of the Crucified Love to quench the thirst of our hearts, and Maximilian wanted the MI to be a docile and generous instrument in Our Lady’s hands for the fulfilling of this dream: the happiness of all people in God.

If the word “happiness” appears constantly in his Writings, we can be sure it’s not by mere chance! When later Maximilian would trace the portrait of the Knight of the Immaculata, he wrote that an MI member “does not confine his heart only to himself or to his family, his relatives, his neighbours, his friends, his fellow countrymen. Rather, along with them he embraces the whole world, each and every person individually, for all were redeemed by the Blood of Jesus without exception, and all are our brothers and sisters. He desires true happiness for all, enlightenment through the light of faith, purification from sin, a rekindling of the heart through love for God, a love that sets no limits” (KW 1088).

Let us be set ablaze by this passion for the true happiness of all humanity in God through the Immaculata! Let us make of it our dream, together, with the audacity of St. Maximilian, by inviting others to a deeper relationship with Jesus through consecration to Our Lady.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 28 of 33 Day Consecration: Dialogue and Gift of Self

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:31:04 GMT

Day 28:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Dialogue and Gift of Self

If we think back to the short but intense life of Maximilian, we can easily imagine him always engaged in dialogue with others, with university students in Krakow, with the other patients in Zakopane, with state officials, with fellow prisoners, even with his tormentors in Auschwitz. Maximilian was aware that the first manner of evangelizing is the personal contact with the other. “A poor way which does not need many tools, but yet is very effective,” as the Italian bishops stated in their letter L’amore di Cristo ci sospinge, in April 1999. “A poor, but not easy, way, because it demands to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (cf. 1 Pt 3:15) through a daily and wide testimony, through relationships faithful to the Gospel, full of meaning on a personal, family and community level.” And St. Maximilian, as a brother and a friend, like the Good Samaritan in the parable, as a mother, as the blessed Mother, knew how to be close, to listen to, to be compassionate, to console, to enlighten and to talk with candor and respect.

A time comes, perhaps for all of us, when we realize that words are no longer enough to express and witness to Love. Jesus used these words to prepare His disciples to understand where the mission that was entrusted to them was to lead them: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life.... Love one another ... so that the world may believe” (cf. Jn 15-17). Fr. Maximilian learned from Jesus, Mary, St. Paul, St. Francis, that we are missionaries when we are ready, day by day, to give our lives, to spend and consume them for love, with love, like a mother. Maximilian had been training for this throughout his lifetime. He understood the logic of Jesus: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24), and he followed it immediately, letting himself be led day-to-day by Mary, by the Holy Spirit, making it his rule of life. And so he was a missionary and finally a martyr, which means a witness of Christ’s charity.

In the Spiritual Exercises’ notes of 1937, we find a very short sentence: “Da teipsum aliis = amor (Give yourself to others = love).” A short sentence that contains the whole mystery of a lifetime.

Questions for discussion:

Will we accept the legacy that St. Maximilian entrusts to us: to be missionaries like Mary, attentive to the signs of the times, the needs of the world, in the most diverse realities and to become a reflection of the goodness and mercy of God’s tenderness?

Commitment in our life:

To be consecrated to Mary without limit or to renew our consecration to her with refreshed zeal. To become part of the MI and to participate in its mission in the Church and the world.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 27 of 33 Day Consecration: Collaborating in Her Maternal Mission

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:16:43 GMT

Day 27:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Collaborating in Her Maternal Mission

This interior manner has given an equally Marian character to his work and the initiatives undertaken. Maximilian is well known as the initiator of newspapers and magazines, founder of the City-friary of Niepokalanów (City of the Immaculata) in Poland and Japan, but we should emphasise the Marian manner that animated and characterised these apostolic achievements, particularly highlighting three aspects:

Passion for others
Dialogue
The gift of self
Maximilian, in responding to his missionary call, made a precise, decisive choice. In current terms we would say that he put man at the center of his missionary action, man created in the image and likeness of God, man with his thirst for happiness, truth and love; he wanted to reach people in a hurry, where they were, to introduce the Immaculata in the heart of every person, so that conquered by her for Christ, they would discover their own high dignity as children of God and feel themselves directly involved in the same mission: to win every person for God through the Immaculata. To realize this plan as quickly as possible Kolbe employed the press, started to use the radio and wanted to use cinema, theater... any lawful means!

In the 1930s, when Father Kolbe decided to travel to Japan in response to the exhortation of Pope Pius XI and of his Minister General, Fr. Alfonso Orlini, who called for the evangelization of the world, Catholic missions were linked to a well-defined territory and organized into specific structures: parishes, prefectures and dioceses, normally assigned to a single religious institution, which generally undertook the building of churches, schools and hospitals.

Kolbe approached his missionary working thinking “outside of the box,” outside of the classical patterns of his time. Establishing the new Japanese mission, in a land where Catholics were a minority, Maximilian considered the whole nation as a mission territory. He chose to invest his energies in evangelization and formation of consciences, in the commitment to enlighten minds with the splendor of Truth and to inflame hearts with the fire of the Gospel, following the example and with the mediation and guidance of the Immaculate Mother of God and Mediatrix of grace.

This is why, with the help of translators (not only Catholics but also Protestants, Buddhists, Shinto) he devoted himself to publishing a newspaper in Japanese, The Knight of the Immaculata, which in December 1930 reached the print run of 25,000 copies. His made the difficult and courageous choice to privilege the spiritual works of mercy, directed to man’s eternal salvation, a choice that would not allow him to easily measure his results, but that reflected Mary’s maternal manner.

In that context, in fact, Maximilian realised that the community of Mugenzai no Sono would be called to witness to the “Gospel of charity,” but also to offer to Japanese brothers and sisters the “charity of the Gospel” in an appropriate way, communicating Christian values, sharing with them the new Life and working for its growth, until they reached the full maturity of Christ.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 26 of 33 Day Consecration: Identified with Mary’s charity

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:10:27 GMT

Day 26:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Identified with Mary’s charity

The third attitude of Mary, the Virgin Mother, that Maximilian was able to translate into his life is love-charity: love that becomes self-gift, that becomes hands, feet, arms, eyes placed at the service of others with the simplicity and genuineness of a mother. This evangelical love was first of all addressed to his confreres, in the reality of everyday life. It was a love that involved listening, acceptance, involvement, participation, appreciation of the other. An example: in a letter dated 1936 (written after his return to Poland from the Japanese mission) Maximilian, guardian of the city-friary of Niepokalanów, tells us that in his daily program he has reserved the morning for listening to the confreres who need to consult with him, and then the afternoon (and often the night) to go visit each person in his workplace. Even during the periods of increased activity, he found time to pay particular attention to the sick and those who were experiencing suffering.

However, toward those who caused him grief and difficulties of various kinds he tried to have concrete attitudes of understanding, patience and forgiveness. His gracious efforts extended literally to every person he met, without distinction (believers and non-believers, Jews, Buddhists, fellow detainees or Nazi guards...). Any situation or circumstance was always providential in his eyes: on the train or in the sanatorium, during missionary travels in his country or abroad, in a customs office where he was waiting for the paperwork processing or through the newspaper’s pages, in the confessional, or in the middle of the camp barracks.

Finally, the most difficult step of this interior assimilation of the missionary manner of Mary, the Virgin presenting offerings, was the willingness to offer day by day his life for others, for God, the willingness to experience suffering out of love. Daily contemplation of the active participation of Mary in the Mystery of the Cross made him ready to embrace suffering and pain (physical, spiritual and emotional) as a valuable and effective means for collaborating with Christ in the salvation of the world.

“Let us remember that love lives and is nourished by sacrifices. ... When love to her, to the goodness of God in her, to the love of the Divine Heart which is personified in her, when that love has seized us and penetrated us, then sacrifices will become a necessity for the soul. “Love of the Immaculata consists not only in an act of consecration, even if it is recited with great fervor, but in suffering many hardships and working for her unceasingly. Yet everything if, when, how and to the extent she herself wants.”

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 25 of 33 Day Consecration:St. Maximilian’s example

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:03:51 GMT

Day 25:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Maximilian’s example

Maximilian, living ever more intensely and radically his belonging to the Immaculata, his total consecration to her, learned and embraced Mary’s dispositions in relation to God and neighbor, those attitudes which Pope Paul VI summarized and described in his unequaled apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus, which presents Mary as the Virgin in prayer, the attentive Virgin, the Virgin Mother and the Virgin presenting offerings.

The first typical attitude of Mary that Father Maximilian contemplated and embraced by living in communion with her, is certainly that of prayer, the intimate union with the Triune God, Who made Kolbe a contemplative in action.

His words about prayer reflect his beliefs, but above all his experience: “Prayer is a means that people do not know about, and yet it is the most effective way to restore peace in the soul, to give them happiness, because it serves to bring them closer to God’s love. Prayer revives the world. Prayer is the indispensable condition for the regeneration and the life of every soul. By means of prayer, St. Thérèse de Lisieux, without leaving the walls of her convent, became the patron of all missions and not only the titular patron saint, as experience shows. Let us pray, let us pray well, pray much, both with our lips and in our thought, and we shall experience in ourselves how the Immaculata will take increasing possession of our souls, how our belonging to her will deepen more and more in every respect, how our sins will vanish, and our flaws will weaken, how gently and powerfully we will come ever closer to God…. To the extent in which we burn more and more with Divine Love, we will kindle a similar love even in others.”

Regarding Maximilian we could say what Celano wrote about the Seraphic Father Francis, namely that he was “not so much praying as becoming himself a prayer.”

The second inner attitude of Mary, the attentive Virgin, which characterised the whole missionary experience of Father Kolbe, was definitely obedient attention to God, who manifests His will through Scripture, the Church, interior inspirations and life circumstances.

Several letters highlight how obedience of faith was the secret, the compass, of each of his missionary initiatives, that he undertook always and only after being validated by the voice of obedience.

Here is what he wrote in 1931 from Mugenzai no Sono to the seminarians of Niepokalanów: “You yourself will experience in your lives, even on this earth, that all of the perfection of holiness, all the fervor of action, all the usefulness of the missionary ministry consists not in great wisdom, nor in great intelligence, nor in great skills or even in the amount of prayers and penitence, but solely in the perfection of Holy Obedience. Why is this? Because through Holy Obedience the certain will of God, the will of the Immaculata manifest themselves; through Holy Obedience we truly become an instrument in her hands....”

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 24 of 33 Day Consecration: In the Footsteps of Mary, the First Missionary

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:49:39 GMT

Day 24:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

In the Footsteps of Mary, the First Missionary

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!’ And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed’” (Lk 1:39-48).

What transparency of the Holy Spirit had to fill the person of Mary, if her greeting made Elizabeth in turn be filled by the Spirit, so she recognized in her young relative the Mother of the Lord? What fullness of grace was to flood the heart of Mary if just her greeting could convey the presence of the Savior and make the Precursor leap for joy in the womb of His mother?

This Gospel passage, in which Luke describes the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, reveals the missionary soul of Mary, which held a strong attraction for Maximilian Kolbe, to the point of inspiring him “to become herself living, speaking, acting in this world,” to become a missionary of Jesus in the world.

St. Maximilian’s missionary manner, in fact, was born here: from the daily contemplation of Mary, the Woman of the Gospel, this great and humble Woman, who walked the dusty roads of her land carrying God in the heart and singing her Magnificat; this Woman who, as we read in the great conciliar document on the lay apostolate, “While leading the life common to all here on earth, one filled with family concerns and labors, was always intimately united with her Son and in an entirely unique way cooperated in the work of the Savior”; this strong Woman who advanced in her pilgrimage of faith repeating her fiat to the Will of God in all the seasons of her life, under the Cross... and beyond! Kolbe’s missionary approach everywhere (in Rome, in his country, in Japan) wanted to be a reflection of Mary’s manner: a manner at the same time interior and practical, spiritual and active.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 23 of 33 Day Consecration: A Winning Strategy

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:43:44 GMT

Day 23:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

A Winning Strategy

In the light of what was said above, before reflecting on Fr. Kolbe’s missionary approach, it is important to emphasize the ingenious simplicity of his missionary strategy, the essence of which is primarily being animated by a passionate and exciting “obsession”: the desire to get closer to Mary, to belong more and more to her, to become Mary, the Immaculata, the creature in whom the Plan of God is fully realized, to “let fly more and more the wings of love” for God and neighbor, letting her continue through us to give birth to Jesus in the heart of every person.

In other words, Maximilian understood (like all the saints!) that to collaborate in the universal plan of salvation first of all it is necessary to put ourselves out there! More than methods, means, initiatives... the mission needs people! Mission requires that each of us choose, freely and decisively, to welcome the love of God, to follow Jesus and to offer Him his or her life (cf. Rom 12:1-2), to be a witness of His love, an instrument in His hands, a servant of the Truth. Like Mary, we are to be ready to say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Lk 1:38).

For this purpose he founded the Militia of the Immaculata (MI): certainly not to set up another Catholic organization, but to give life to a missionary movement, an association of people who choose to “consecrate themselves completely to the Immaculate Virgin, placing themselves freely as a docile and generous instrument in her hands” (see the MI Original Program), in order to cooperate in the conversion and sanctification of themselves and of all men. The MI is an association of people who, together and unreservedly consecrated to Mary, live and love, suffer and rejoice, work in any environment and situation in communion of life with her, making her visible in the world.

That is why reaching out and inviting more and more people to belong to the MI was the goal relentlessly pursued by Fr. Maximilian. It was not so much to swell the ranks of adherents to his association, but to contribute as quickly as possible to pursuing “the happiness of all mankind in God through the Immaculata,” allowing her to continue her maternal and universal mission everywhere, as soon as possible, through the humble and generous presence of more and more MI “Knights.”

MI members are people of every age, condition and state of life, present “everywhere, but particularly in the most important places, such as: 1) youth education (professors of scientific institutes, teachers, sports clubs); 2) the management of public opinion (magazines, newspapers, their drafting and dissemination, public libraries, circulating libraries, etc., conferences, movies, cinemas, etc.). 3) fine arts (sculpture, painting, music, theater); and finally 4) Knights of the Immaculata in every field should become the pioneers and leaders in science (natural sciences, history, literature, medicine, law, exact sciences, etc.).”

He continued this way: “With the assistance of the MI, industrial complexes, businesses, banks, etc., should arise and develop. In a word, the Militia should permeate everything, and in a healthy spirit heal, strengthen, and develop all to the greater glory of God through the Immaculata and for the good of humanity.”

This was St. Maximilian’s missionary dream! These were the new horizons that attracted his eyes! His missionary strategy could be summed up in a threefold program:

to be converted and to evangelise oneself at the school of Mary;
to evangelise others, through example, word and the generous gift of self;
to call and to form new evangelisers.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 22 of 33 Day Consecration: The Immaculata, the New Eve

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:45:19 GMT

Day 22:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Immaculata, the New Eve

For Maximilian, Mary is not only the creature whom God chose as His Mother to enter into the world: she is the Immaculata, the new Woman, the redeemed humanity dreamed of by God.

She is, even today, the Mother of God who became man, called to continue to work with the Holy Spirit in generating the Son in the hearts of men.

“... And the Word was made flesh (Jn 1:14) as the result of the love of God and the Immaculata. So He became the firstborn, the Man-God, and souls are not reborn in Christ by any other way, other than through the love of God and toward the Immaculata and in the Immaculata.”

He realised that, both in the mission of the Son—that of revealing the face of the Father and making us share in His divine Sonship, as in that of the Spirit—that of forming in the image of Jesus all the children of God, God the Father has entrusted to Mary a very specific mission: to be the Mother of the Son of God made man and the Mother of all men called to be members of His Mystical Body, the Church.

Maximilian wrote: “...it is the task of the Holy Spirit to form until the end of the world the new members of the Mystical Body of Christ, but… this work is accomplished with Mary, in Mary and through Mary”; “In Mary’s womb the soul must be reborn according to Jesus Christ’s pattern.”

From the prolonged and vital contemplation of the dynamics of this plan of love, first as a young student in Rome and then increasingly in the years of his Franciscan religious life and of his priestly ministry, Maximilian deepened that passion for the glory of God, the coming of the Kingdom of the Heart of Jesus, and the conversion and sanctification of every person – all of which would become the driving force of his whole existence.

In his desire to attract all men to God’s love, Maximilian Kolbe understood that the first fundamental priority of the Church’s mission is to imitate the Lord Jesus, the Missionary of the Father par excellence, to do as He did, that is, emptying ourselves in the womb of the same mother, Mary.

Therefore, Fr. Maximilian, going straight to the essence of things, realized that the strength of the mission consists in belonging totally to Mary, in striving to be like her, to become her (cf. KW 508 and 1210), to allow her divine Spouse, the Holy Spirit, the main Protagonist of mission, to continue to bring Christ into the world through us.

This Marian perspective was echoed in the recent ecclesial Magisterium, in the thought of Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI who wrote as follows: “The Church is not an apparatus; she is not simply an institution... She is a woman. She is a mother. She is alive. The Marian understanding of the Church is the most decisive antithesis to a merely organizational and bureaucratic concept of Church. We cannot make the Church; we have to be the Church…. It is only in being Marian that we become Church. In the beginning, the Church... was born when the ‘fiat’ emerged from the soul of Mary. This is the deepest desire of the Council: that the Church is awakened in our souls. Mary shows us the way.”

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 21 of 33 Day Consecration: St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Missionary Way

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:32:06 GMT

Day 21:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

With Mary on a Mission: St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Missionary Way

“Everywhere Is Love!”

“Scrutinizing with ecstatic admiration the divine plan of salvation, whose origin is the Father who freely willed to communicate to creatures the divine life of Jesus Christ revealed wondrously in Mary Immaculate, Father Kolbe, fascinated and enraptured, exclaims: ‘Everywhere is love’ (KW 1291). The gratuitous love of God is the answer to all doubts. ‘God is love,’ says St. John (1Jn 4:8).”

These words, pronounced by Pope St. John Paul II during his homily of December 8, 1982, at Santa Maria Maggiore, two months after the canonization of Father Kolbe, hold the key to understanding mission in the perspective embraced and lived by St. Maximilian.

Mission, in fact, it is all about love: the “excessive” love of God the Father who dreams of the happiness of every creature and gives His Son for us (cf. Jn 3:16). It is about the “excessive” love of Christ, who became man for us in Mary’s womb, let His Heart be pierced on the Cross to quench our dry and hard hearts with the living Water of His Spirit, with His Body broken and His Blood poured forth for us (Jn 19:17-37). It is about the humble love of the young woman of Nazareth, who offered her womb and heart to God in the abandonment of faith, so that in time and in history He could realize this plan of salvation and love (cf. Lk 1:26-38).

With the depth of the mystics and saints, Maximilian, follower of St. Francis, understood that the infinite love of the Triune God for humanity was fully revealed through Jesus Christ. In the mystery of the Incarnation and the Cross, God humbled Himself, became poverty, weakness, flesh. The Lord Jesus stripped/emptied Himself of everything and surrendered to our hands (cf. Phil 2:6-7): He is totally-given Love. “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God” (cf. Heb 10:5-7).

St. Maximilian, however, did not forget that the mystery of this “emptying” took place in the womb of Mary, as St. Paul reminds us: “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal 4:4). For a special gift of grace, we could say for a unique “charism,” Maximilian was allowed to grasp and accept with great clarity the mystery and mission of Mary in God’s plan.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 20 of 33 Day Consecration: St. Maximilian’s certainty

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:13:19 GMT

Day 20:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Maximilian’s certainty

Here is the certainty of St. Maximilian: “God is in every place and with great love He thinks about everyone and everything.” Here is the answer to suffering. So it is no longer a stumbling block, because God is there and “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor 1:3-4).

We can live out our mission when we are active and enjoy times of serenity, but also when we are in trouble, if we live in union with Christ the Redeemer through our total offering to the Immaculata. This becomes a way of salvation for us and for everyone.

Human life always involves suffering, which, lived with Mary at the foot of the Cross, may become a “Paschal suffering.”

Faith, as well as consecration to the Immaculata, does not protect us from the dangers of life, but gives us the opportunity to offer everything to God through Mary, truly everything: joy, pain, happy events and moments of suffering, leading us to welcome the consolation of God so as to be in turn comforters for others. How else should we call St. Maximilian’s experience in the starvation bunker but a consolation experience that enabled him to console and lead his companions to God?

Mary’s four fundamental attitudes:

The attentive Virgin,
The Virgin in prayer,
The Virgin Mother, and
The Virgin presenting offerings,

show us how to live our consecration to her. Sometimes we ask how to live out our consecration to the Immaculata. Here we have the answer. It consists in re-living within us those same attitudes so that the Gospel message may be reflected in our lives.

Questions for discussion:

Has St. Maximilian something to tell you with his ideal: Total consecration to the Immaculata and the passion for the mission “to conquer the world for Christ through the Immaculata”?
Would you embrace his ideal in your life?

Commitment in our life:

To be near suffering people, giving them the gift of our presence, love and consolation.

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Day 19 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary is the Virgin presenting offerings.

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:01:26 GMT

Day 19:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary is the Virgin presenting offerings.

Mary, as stated in Marialis Cultus, is the example of that worship which consists in making our own life an offering pleasing to God.

For her the “rejoice” of the Annunciation soon became “a sword will pierce your soul,” because that Child would be a sign of contradiction (Lk 2:35). It is an allusion to the passion of the Son which will become her passion. Mary shared from moment to moment the experience of the Son, and transformed her fiat into a daily stabat, faithfully adhering to the mission that the Father entrusted to her.

St. Maximilian called this stage of life “suffering out of love.”

Jesus did not come down from the Cross, Mary did not move away from the Cross. So Jesus has loved us!

He entrusted His cause to the Father and, as the Letter to the Hebrews says, the Father heard the Son who spoke to Him with prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears (cf. Heb 5:7). Yes, Jesus was “heard because of His reverent submission,” as stated in Hebrews again. The Resurrection is the response to the confident surrender of the Son into his Father’s hands.

Mary was there because she also confidently entrusted her life to the Father. Mary knew that God does not fail in His promises. She had sung it in the Magnificat. Suffering is the result and consequence of love. St. Francis cried because “Love is not loved.”

This is true for us, too. St. Maximilian wrote that in human life there are three stages: preparation for work, work, and suffering out of love. Here his life is evidently described as in a fresco. The offer of life through the hands of Mary to Christ was the reason why St. Maximilian lived and died for love. In Auschwitz, his serenity was contagious because he had a certainty in his heart.

This is the last note he wrote to his mother before dying:

“My Beloved Mother, toward the end of May I came by a train to the Auschwitz camp. All is well with me. Beloved Mama, do not worry for me and for my health, because the good God is in every place and with great love He thinks about everyone and everything” (KW 961).

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Day 18 of 33 Day Consecration: Participating in Mary’s Motherhood

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:49:38 GMT

Day 18:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Participating in Mary’s Motherhood

In another text Maximilian wrote: “Only at the time of God’s judgment in Heaven shall we become aware of the solicitude that our tender Heavenly Mother has had for each of us, ever since the beginning, of the solicitude that she has toward every soul, her child, to shape it according to the pattern of Jesus, her firstborn Son, the prototype of holiness, God and man” (KW 1313).

The “form,” the “mold” in which every Christian must be shaped is Jesus Christ. Conformity to Christ, having His own sentiments, is what primarily is dear to Mary, as the Mother of Jesus.

This is also true of the motherhood of the Church: to announce Jesus Christ and make Him grow in the heart of each person so that his or her life is happy, and finds its direction, depth, hope and truth. It is really as Pope Benedict XVI said at the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, “Christ does not take anything and gives everything.” As already proclaimed by the Second Vatican Council: “[O]nly in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. […Only Christ…] reveals man to man himself…” (GS 22). And this is the motherhood of the Militia of the Immaculata, according to the desire of St. Maximilian, proclaiming Jesus Christ!

“That is the MI: to let her into all hearts, to bring her into being within all hearts, that by entering those hearts and taking most perfect possession of them, she may there give birth to the sweet Jesus, God, and there raise Him to perfect age. What a beautiful mission! ... Is that not true? ... The elevation of man to God Man, through Man God’s Mother” (KW 508).

To announce Jesus Christ is a beautiful mission, because every person finds in Him the happiness and fullness of meaning for his or her life. We may share the spiritual motherhood of Mary, not only listening to the word of God, but also by becoming co-workers in her maternal mission. In fact Maximilian writes that Mary does not want to carry out her mission alone, but that she wants to engage us too. Motherhood means care, love, attention to others. Maximilian is an effective witness to it. The proclamation of the Gospel is the greatest act of love; it is the first charity. The Gospel message transforms the proud-hearted and gives the humble the awareness of their dignity, as already announced by the Virgin of Nazareth in her Magnificat. The proclamation of the Gospel is also the first form of charity for every member of the Militia of the Immaculata.

Maximilian Kolbe, facing the reality of his time (atheism in particular) said that:

“These poor people, therefore, need light, a great deal of supernatural light, of supernatural energy. They are unhappy, discontented, because they take as their ultimate goal what is only a means and therefore, after reaching the happiness to which they aspire, cannot find what they were looking for. And they continue to search with a dejected heart, with bitterness in their souls. How can we fail to reach out to them? How can we not help them placate their hearts, lift their mind above all that passes toward the one ultimate purpose, God? Love for one’s neighbor pushes those souls who have already found the true ideal of life not to forget their brothers and sisters around them. One of the many associations that practice this love of one’s neighbor is the Militia of the Immaculata” (KW 1237).

Maximilian is also a witness of that love which is ready for martyrdom. Maximilian is the “man for man,” who lived with the conviction that “Only love creates” (cf. KW 1205). This is the lesson he learned in his deep and intimate daily experience of communion with Christ through his consecration to the Immaculata. Being at the school of Mary led Maximilian, and can lead each of us, to be “for others” in everyday life, in the family, at work, in our social relationships. The Marian manner of life has love as its center, its heart, its fundamental dimension.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 17 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary is the Virgin Mother

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:39:10 GMT

Day 17:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Consecration to the Immaculata: A Way to Holiness, in the Footsteps of Mary, the Virgin Presenting Offerings and the Virgin Mother

Mary is the Virgin Mother

This is the Virgin’s feature that stands out immediately. She is, above all, the Mother of God. At the Annunciation, Mary gave her assent in faith and actually made available her body for the Incarnation of the Son of God.

We recall, in this regard, a well-known passage from Luke’s Gospel (11:27-28), in which there is a woman of the people who, admiring the extraordinary nature of the message that Jesus announced, raised her voice in the middle of the crowd, exclaiming, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!” And yet, Jesus replied: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Mary is the Mother of Jesus, as St. Augustine wrote, not only for bringing the Lord in her womb, but especially for having received Him in faith. She lived a very tender love for the Son and his brethren (cf. KW 991).

Mary went promptly to her cousin Elizabeth to lend an exquisite evangelical service (cf. Lk 1:39-46). She was a caring mother at Cana: her carefulness increased the celebration and caused the faith of the disciples of the Lord to grow (cf. Jn 2:1-12). This motherhood reached universal dimensions under the Cross where she became the Mother of every man on earth.

There are two dimensions of the motherhood of Mary toward Christ: the physical dimension that we cannot ignore, because it gives us the truth about the Incarnation, and the spiritual dimension that indicates a relationship with Jesus that goes beyond the physical bond. We also can live this second dimension. As Jesus says, we also are brothers, sisters and mothers of the Lord if we listen to His word and put it into practice! (cf. Lk 8:21).

This motherhood of Mary that we call “spiritual” toward Jesus has been enlarged to reach the size of the world, to embrace each one of us, as is clear in the Gospel of John, where Jesus offered the Mother to the disciple. There, Mary became the one who generates children to faith, not in the physical sense, of course, but in the sense of caring for the brethren of her Son in faith, to show all people the Son as the only point of reference. “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). Mary exercises her motherhood toward us, making sure that Christ is born, grows and strengthens within us, as St. Maximilian stated:

“In Mary’s womb our soul must be reborn after the form of Jesus Christ. She is bound to feed the soul with the milk of her grace, raise it as lovingly as she nourished, looked after, and raised Jesus. At her knee the soul must learn to know and love Jesus. From her Heart it must draw love toward Him, or even love Him with her heart and become like Him through love” (KW 1295).

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 16 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary, the Virgin in Prayer

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:42:20 GMT

Day 16:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary, the Virgin in Prayer

Mary is the Virgin in prayer because she lived in intimacy with God, proclaimed Him as her Lord as she sang her Magnificat, invoked Him for the need of the spouses at Cana, and finally prayed with the Church in the Cenacle of Jerusalem.

Mary’s prayer is praise, thanksgiving, and intercession, but above all daily communion with her Son—the ability to stay in contact with the mystery of the Son and to contemplate it, letting it transform her life.

Prayer is not simply formulas, but it is growing in intimacy with God, caring for that “inner room” where God lives. Prayer is entering into ourselves again and finding God who loves us tenderly beyond all sins. But if we do not enter into that room, how can we hear the Voice that calls us? Life makes sense if we allow ourselves to hear Him say, “I love you,” “Come,” “You are precious to me,” “Follow me.”

St. Maximilian made prayer the cornerstone of all his activities. So he stated:

“Prayer is a means that people do not know about, and yet it is the most effective way to restore peace in the soul, to give them happiness, because it serves to bring them closer to God’s love. Prayer revives the world. Prayer is the indispensable condition for the regeneration and the life of every soul...” (KW 903).

Biographers recall an episode:

“Niepokalanów is at its best. Maximilian is asking the young friars what, according to them, is the next step to take. After several replies, one focused on this: ‘We must first increase inwardly, and then the productivity will be a consequence.’

Maximilian was so happy with this answer and added, ‘The expansion of our work will not be a demonstration of progress. Nor vast new buildings... So what would it take to make progress? What is the real Niepokalanów’s progress? And above all, what is our Niepokalanów? Is it this visible activity? Is it the industrial productivity? Or the circulation of the magazine? No, there is something better! Our Niepokalanów is the inner world of our souls! As a result, even if it were necessary to suspend our work, even if we had to disperse like leaves swept by the autumn wind, if in our hearts the Niepokalanów’s ideal remains and continues to flourish, then and only then can we say that we are in full progress’” (cf. L. Faccenda, OFM Conv., Ho visto Padre Kolbe, Edizioni Milizia Mariana, 1970, pp. 27-28).

St. Maximilian gave primacy to the care for the inner-supernatural life, the relationship with God that is the basis of everything, as Jesus said: “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit” (cf. Jn 15:5).

Listening to the word and prayer are closely related. Prayer is the sounding board of the word, the “room” in which we can converse with the Father who sees in secret. It is the intimate place of the encounter with Him who alone gives meaning to our existence, our being, and our actions. We often have to come back to that room, to hear Him reminding us that He loves us and to tell Him that we love Him in return and that we want to be always with Him and remain in His love (cf. Jn 15:9).

Questions for discussion:

How much space does the Lord have in my life?
What does it mean to pray?

Commitment in our life: Listen to the word of God and turn it into a life experience.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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A Call to Reparation and the Restoration of God’s Glory

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:37:02 GMT

The events of July 13, 1917, stand as a spiritual crossroads for the modern world. On that day, three young shepherd children in Portugal were shown the First Secret of Fatima: a terrifying vision of the hell. While many fixate on the imagery of the "sea of fire," the authentic message revealed by Sister Lúcia dos Santos is not one of fear, but of urgent, loving action. It is a call to Reparation .

The Lost Sense of Sin

In her memoirs, Sister Lúcia noted that the children—Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta—were the first to live the Fatima message. Despite their innocence and their simple lives in Aljustrel, far removed from the digital noise of today, they grasped the enormity of sin. They understood that sin is an infinite offense against an Almighty God.

Today, we face a crisis: the loss of the "sense of sin." This is why reparation has become unpopular and why confessional lines have thinned. When we no longer see sin in ourselves or our culture, we no longer see the need to make amends. We may even treat the Fatima prayer—“especially those most in need of Thy mercy”—as a petition for "others," falling into the Pharisaic trap of looking down on the world while neglecting our own spiritual poverty.

Understanding Reparation: Healing the Heart of God

A common question arises: How can an omnipotent God be "hurt" by our actions? The answer lies in the distinction between God’s Intrinsic and Extrinsic Glory.

Intrinsic Glory is God’s inherent perfection, which no creature can increase or diminish.
Extrinsic Glory is the manifestation of God’s light in the created world.

When we sin, we commit an injustice. We "steal" from God’s extrinsic glory by refusing to live according to His creative plan. St. Irenaeus famously said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." When we sin, we are not fully alive; we dim the light of God that should shine through us. Reparation is the act of "making it better"—restoring the justice due to God and consoling the Hearts of Jesus and Mary because they loved us first. It is the spiritual equivalent of tending to a loved one who has been injured.

The Five First Saturdays: A Perpetual Devotion

To facilitate this reparation, Our Lady requested the Five First Saturdays devotion. She promised to "assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation" all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, fulfil four conditions: sacramental confession, Holy Communion, reciting the Rosary, and a 15-minute meditation on the mysteries.

However, true love does not stop at a checklist. While the "Five" Saturdays correspond to the five specific blasphemies against Mary’s Immaculate Heart, we should desire to carry this devotion on month by month. If we love someone, we do not stop comforting them simply because we met a minimum requirement. Every First Saturday should be seen as a "monthly appointment" with our Mother to intercede for the world.

A Call to Action

The message of Fatima is a call from the Mother of God for a renewed fidelity to penance and prayer and continual conversion of heart. She tells us to live the Gospel—to always, “do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). The Fatima message exemplifies Our Lord’s desire that his Mother be better known, loved, and venerated through the devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

As we celebrate the centenary of the First Saturday request (December 10, 2025) , the call to action is more urgent than ever. The shepherd children practiced reparation before the age of Netflix, TikTok, and Instagram—tools that today often lead us away from God. We are called to follow their example by embracing the "sacrifice of daily duty."

Each one of us is offered that same invitation and St. Paul tells us the reason for our positive response - for what is lacking in the body of the Church.

As members of the WAF we can help save the church, the Body of Christ only if every member embraces the invitation to make reparation. There will, as a result be a period of Peace as promised by Our Lady at Fatima. This is the fruit of reparation for after suffering (daily duty) comes peace, after Good Friday comes the Peace of Easter. Reparation is the primary intention for the first Saturday devotion and serves to proclaim and restore the justice due to God.

Practical Steps Forward

To live this message today:

Mark the Calendar : Treat every First Saturday as a sacred commitment.
Sacrifice the Ordinary : Offer the trials of daily life as a constant morning offering for the conversion of sinners.
Spread the Devotion : Do not be afraid to invite others or ask your parish priest to facilitate the First Saturday devotion.
Know that you are doing something to bring about the peace in the world and console the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

By making amends through reparation, we restore God’s glory in a darkened world and participate in the redemptive work of Christ.

Article written by Patrick Cunningham 3. Jan. 2026

Based upon Canon Jason Jones talk on reparation at WAF-E&W AGM 2024.

Day 15 of 33 Day Consecration: St. Maximilian’s Attentiveness

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:20:52 GMT

Day 15:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Maximilian’s Attentiveness

From an early age, St. Maximilian chose as a foundation for his life and spirituality the prayerful listening to the word of the Lord (cf. KW 964; 965; 987), so as to discern the path of his life in the manifestations of God’s will. Fr. Maximilian had no doubts that what really matters is not to perform miracles, but to do the will of God through holy obedience (cf. KW 380). We have “to be led” by the Immaculata, he often repeated to himself and to the others (cf. KW 1334; 987), because her will coincides with the will of God (cf. KW 56). But to let ourselves be led is possible only if we have confidence, if we trust that we are in good hands. The will of God that Mary made her own is a good will; it is a will of love. Fr. Maximilian was sure of this. He was really like a weaned child in the arms of his mother, and that is why we find him ready to descend to the starvation bunker in the place of another prisoner.

Living with Mary we also are challenged to make the word of God our daily food. “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5), says Mary. The psalmist also proclaimed: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps 119:105). “Show me the way to follow…” (Ps 119:32-33,35); Otherwise we will wander like sheep without a shepherd (cf. Ps 119:67,176).

In our consecration to Mary the first place is occupied by the word received, meditated upon and kept in the heart, so it can inform our daily and concrete choices. We are to learn from Mary to compare the divine word and our daily life and to recognize the Father’s plan, the closeness of Jesus, the Spirit living in us and to walk in His ways.

Even for us, as for St. Maximilian, obedience to the Father’s will is what really counts.

His will is manifested in His word, in the Church’s magisterial teaching and in the events of life that become meaningful in the light of God’s word.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 14 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary, the Attentive Virgin

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:40:08 GMT

Day 14:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary, the Attentive Virgin

Mary is the Attentive Virgin, who received the word of God in her heart, kept it and let the word transform her in the image of her Son.

Mary accepted the word of the angel. She let obedience to the Father’s will, which was revealed to her daily in her relationship with Jesus, be the nourishment of her life, as Jesus says of Himself: “My food is to do the will of the Father” (Jn 4:34).

Mary walked the stages of her pilgrimage of faith in the light of the word, the word that was gradually revealed to her. It is no coincidence that St. Luke writes twice that “Mary treasured all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:19, 51). While the angel had announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Son of God, Simeon revealed to her how this motherhood would be realized: not in the mode of triumph or glory, according to the mentality of the world. Rather, that child would be “a sign of contradiction” and she also would experience a piercing sword (cf. Lk 2:34-35). Along the way, Mary found the connections, put the pieces together, received the word that manifested itself even when she did not understand it, as in the incident of the child Jesus found in the Temple of Jerusalem (Lk 2:50).

Mary accepted that God would manifest Himself to her in a way which differed from her expectations. She accepted to walk in His inscrutable ways, with trust and abandonment. And on this path she found herself at the foot of the Cross, totally dedicated to the Gospel announced by her Son. She could only be there because she believed in the word of God, and even when all abandoned Him, she kept in her heart the words: “On the third day He shall rise again” (Lk 18:33 and parallel passages).

The word was really the lamp that enlightened her steps (cf. Ps 119). And she obeyed God with joy, surrendered to His will, which she recognised as a will of love. She knew that she was in the hands of the One who “cares for His humble servant” (Lk 1:48), that is, the One who takes care of His children and of humanity, who helps the poor, overthrows the mighty and extends His mercy from generation to generation.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 13 of 33 Day Consecration: Consecration to the Immaculata

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:23:01 GMT

Day 13:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Consecration to the Immaculata: A Way to Holiness, in the Footsteps of Mary, the Attentive Virgin in Prayer

The great dream of St. Maximilian was: “To conquer the whole world for Christ through the Immaculata.”

This ideal starts from the “total and limitless” belonging to the Immaculata and widens toward the passionate search for the heart of man, of all men, of all the billions of hearts beating on earth beyond Poland and Japan (cf. KW 647). We see how this ideal made him a missionary, caused him to implement pioneering apostolic projects for those days through the mass media, made him the spiritual father of a movement of spirituality and mission in the Church, the Militia of the Immaculata, and led him to give his life for a brother.

What does it mean to live in the footsteps of Mary?

It means to live a Gospel life, as Kolbe did, a life for God and for others, in obedience to God and in service to others.

We can find the concrete tracks of this “walking with Mary” in the attitudes of the Virgin suggested by Pope Paul VI’s document Marialis Cultus (MC), from chapter 16 forward:

- The Attentive Virgin

- The Virgin in prayer

- The Virgin Mother

- The Virgin presenting offerings

Fr. Maximilian obviously did not know this document, but from his experience we can see a perfect harmony between his way of living his total consecration to the Immaculata and those attitudes of the Virgin indicated by MC. They appear to be a concrete expression of his desire “to become her” (cf. KW 556, 991 Q).

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 12 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary's Maternal Mission through MI

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 20:27:22 GMT

Day 12:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Maximilian founded the MI with a clear objective: that everyone be converted and become a saint.

Whoever is consecrated to the Immaculata in the MI Movement embraces the mission of the

Church to proclaim the Gospel to every person, to the ends of the earth, collaborating in Mary’s

maternal care for the brethren of her Son, which continues until they are led into the happiness of

their true home (LG 62). In this context we also find St. Maximilian. The charismatic gift he received is the spiritual insight about Mary’s maternal role in the Church and in the life of every person, and the intuition regarding the fact that this Mother urges us to collaborate in her maternal mission.

Jesus’ gift from the Cross is the source of the charism of the MI movement: the gift of His Mother to

John which took place at the climax of the mystery of redemption. This motherhood that we

received calls us to ensure that Christ is born, through the Mother, in the hearts of all men.

Let us refer again to a text that defines beautifully the MI identity and mission:

“That is the MI: to let her into all hearts, to bring her into being within all hearts, that by entering

those hearts and taking most perfect possession of them, she may there give birth to the sweet

Jesus, God, and there raise Him to perfect age. What a beautiful mission! ... Is that not true? ... The

elevation of man to God-Man, through the God-Man’s mother” (KW 508).

This collaboration in the maternal mission of Mary can be implemented in different ways.

St. Maximilian indicated three levels of membership and participation in the MI: to the 1st level (MI-1) belong those who live their consecration individually. To MI-2 belong those who live the MI’s

spirituality communally, in order to implement its goals together, as well as individually, and thus

fulfill the Marian mission that God has entrusted to the Movement.

Finally, to the 3rd level (MI-3) belong those who live a total dedication to the MI ideal and

apostolate, as happens for example in the Cities of the Immaculata, in the Institutes of Kolbean

inspiration, and also individual MI members who strive to be totally dedicated to the MI ideals and

mission.

These different forms of participation in the Movement have been confirmed in the MI general

Statutes, when the MI was recognised by the Holy See as a public association of the faithful,

universal and international, that is, an association with which the Church identifies herself and

which acts in the name and by mandate of the universal Church.

Therefore, the MI truly is a great ecclesial family in which everyone can find his or her place.

Welcoming the call to Marian consecration in the spirit of St. Maximilian means to accept the

invitation to live a Church experience, in an ecclesial reality that is spread throughout the world with more than four million members worldwide.

Questions for discussion:

• Do you also want to welcome Mary into your life and participate in her maternal mission in the

Church and the MI movement?

Commitment in our life:

To pray the Holy Rosary daily.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 11 of 33 Day Consecration: Universal Mission Through Marian Consecration

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:35:43 GMT

Day 11:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The MI Movement

In the Kolbean spirituality, this ecclesial dimension is not simply a corollary, albeit important. It is a

fundamental point.

In St. Maximilian’s vision, authentic consecration to Mary does not exist if it is not referenced to the Church, especially in reference to the mission of the Church.

We could say that what is truly original in St. Maximilian, compared to other forms of consecration to Mary in the Church, is precisely its missionary and universal dimension.

He founded the MI Movement in 1917, when he was still a young man, with few resources, but with a great ideal in his heart. As time went on, that ideal would become ever more clear: “To win the whole world for Christ through the Immaculata”2; To embrace the entire globe “…so that she may extend her dominion in the hearts of all those who live in any corner of the earth” (KW 1210).

In the original charter of the MI, St. Maximilian delineated the characteristics of the MI movement; he indicated the goal of his Movement with these words:

“To bring about the conversion of sinners, heretics, schismatics, etc., especially Freemasons, and the sanctification of all, under the patronage and through the mediation of the B.V.M. Immaculate”

(KW 1368). To attain this purpose St. Maximilian considered one’s total consecration to the Immaculata the essential condition (ibid.).

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 10 of 33 Day Consecration: The Annunciation

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:33:02 GMT

Day 10:

Opening Prayer

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

At the Annunciation

Mary, at the Annunciation, accepted the word of God and heard that: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you...” (Lk 1:35).

The Church shares the same experience at Pentecost. Mary and the disciples receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and from that moment the maternity of the Church begins. The Gospel will be announced to all nations. The motherhood of Mary continues in the maternity of the Church until the end of time through preaching and Baptism.

The mystery that joins Mary to the Church makes our consecration to Mary, ultimately, a consecration to Jesus in the Church. To belong to Mary means to belong to the Church. We cannot ignore this ecclesial dimension of the consecration to Mary.

If Mary was in the Cenacle of Jerusalem with the nascent Church, even today we meet Mary in the Church that proclaims the Gospel and celebrates the liturgy.

As we can deduce, then, to consecrate oneself to Mary is not simply a devotional act.

To consecrate oneself to Mary means to be committed to be an active member within the Church that recreates the Cenacle’s atmosphere: prayer, communion and mission, in continuous docility to the Holy Spirit. It means to be committed to live “with” the Church: “Sentire cum ecclesia,” as the Fathers of the Church put it, by embracing the great ideals of the Church.

Each of us should foster the desire and commitment for the unity of the Church, first of all, for which Jesus prayed before His passion (cf. Jn 17). To stay with Mary in the Cenacle means to wish that all of God’s children are gathered around the Eucharist. Today, those who believe in Christ are not yet fully united. We must feel the responsibility to pray for Christian unity and to participate in the work of the evangelisation that is the extension of Mary’s maternal mission. As missionary disciples, we are aware that the word of the Lord is too far from being accomplished: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15); “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 9 of 33 Day Consecration: Pentecost in the Cenacle — with Mary, the Church gathers in prayer and receives the Holy Spirit for mission. (Acts 1:14)

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:18:31 GMT

Day 9:

Opening Prayer

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Consecration to the Immaculata: With Mary in the Church

Let us continue our itinerary of preparation, or deepening, for our consecration to the Immaculata in the MI, turning to what we call the ecclesial dimension of the consecration to the Immaculata.

With Mary in the Cenacle

At the foot of the Cross, the scene described by John 19:25-27 presents Mary as she was entrusted to us as a mother by the dying Redeemer. At Cana the Mother says: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).

We will focus our attention on the nascent Church gathered with Mary, waiting for the Holy Spirit, after the Resurrection (Acts 1:14).

Mary appears intimately united to the Church that lives in history, then as at all times: in prayer, in communion and mission. We cannot separate Mary from the Church.

The mystery of the one merges with that of the other. The Fathers of the Church had already emphasised in their reflections the intimate bond that joins Mary to the Church. St. Ambrose, in particular, stated that everything that in Scripture is said about Mary can be said about the Church and all that is said about the Church can also be said about Mary. Mary is the model, the image, the anticipation of the Church. The Second Vatican Council gave a particular emphasis to the relationship between Mary and the Church, particularly in relation to her virginal motherhood.

As Mary is the Mother who virginally generates the Son of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so also the Church is the mother who generates the children of God by the Spirit through preaching and Baptism. And Mary is not only the model of the Church, but in fact, she cooperates in the rebirth of the faithful in the Church and continues to play a maternal role within the Church.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 8 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary “clothed with the sun” — her glory comes from Christ, and she leads every soul to Him.

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:05:25 GMT

Day 8:

Opening Prayer

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Consecration to Mary as taught by St. Maximilian Kolbe is a Christ-centred experience.

It is not centred on Mary, but on Christ, as St. Paul VI emphasised in the homily for Fr. Kolbe’s beatification, on October 17, 1971: “Maximilian Kolbe was an apostle of the veneration of the Blessed Virgin, seen in her first, original privileged splendour, as she defined herself at Lourdes: the Immaculate Conception. It is impossible to separate the name, the activity and the mission of Blessed Kolbe from that of Mary Immaculate. It was he who instituted the Militia of the Immaculata here in Rome, even before he was ordained a priest, on October 16, 1917. We can commemorate its anniversary today.

“It is well known how the humble and meek Franciscan with incredible audacity and extraordinary organisational genius developed the initiative and spread devotion to the Mother of Christ, contemplated as ‘clothed with the sun’ (cf. Rev 12:1). This devotion was the focal point of his spirituality, his apostolate and his theology.

“Let no hesitation restrain our admiration and commitment to all that our new Blessed had left us as a heritage and an example, as if we too were distrustful of such an exaltation of Mary in view of two other theological movements, the Christological and ecclesiological, which seem to compete today with the Mariological. On the contrary, there is no competition, for in Father Kolbe’s Mariology, Christ holds not only the first place but the only necessary and sufficient place in the economy of salvation. His love of the Church and its salvific mission was never forgotten either in his doctrinal outlook or in his apostolic aim. On the contrary, it is precisely from Our Lady’s complementary, subordinate role in regard to Christ’s universal, saving design for man that she derives all of her prerogatives and greatness.

“How well we know it! And Kolbe, in accord with the whole of Catholic doctrine, the whole liturgy and the entire theology of the interior life, sees Mary included in God’s plan of salvation as the ‘term fixed by eternal counsel,’ as the woman filled with grace, as the Seat of Wisdom, as the woman destined from eternity to be the Mother of Christ, as the Queen of the Messianic Kingdom, and at the same time as the Handmaid of the Lord, chosen to participate in the Redemptive Act as Mother of the God Man, our Saviour. ‘Mary is the one through whose intercession men reach Jesus and the one through whom Jesus reaches men’ (L. Bouver: Le trone de la Sagesse, p. 69).

“Therefore our Blessed is not to be reproved, nor the Church with him, because of their enthusiasm for the formal religious veneration of the Mother of God. This veneration with its rites and practices will never fully achieve the level it merits, nor the benefits it can bring precisely because of the mystery that unites her to Christ, and which finds fascinating documentation in the New Testament. The result will never be a ‘Mariolatry,’ just as the sun will never be darkened by the moon; nor will the mission of salvation specifically entrusted to the ministry of the Church ever be distorted if the latter honours in Mary an exceptional Daughter and a Spiritual Mother. The characteristic aspect, if you like, and the original quality of Blessed Kolbe’s devotion, of his ‘hyperdulia’ to Mary, is the importance he attributes to it with regard to the present needs of the Church, the efficacy of her prophecy about the glory of the Lord and the vindication of the humble, the power of her intercession, the splendour of her exemplariness, the presence of her maternal charity. The Council confirmed us in these certainties, and now from heaven Father Kolbe is teaching us and helping us to meditate upon them and live them. This Marian profile of our new Blessed places him among the great saints and seers who have understood, venerated and sung the mystery of Mary.”

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 7 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary and Jesus at the Wedding at Cana

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:16:37 GMT

Day 7:

Opening Prayer

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

With Our Gaze Fixed on Christ

Mary is especially the Mother of God, and then in this entrustment/consecration to her the relationship with Christ is essential. We already saw it in the previous reflection, but now we come back to it, because it is very important.

The goal of consecration to Mary is growth in faith in Christ the Lord. Mary is entirely relative to Christ. The words that Mary said to the servants at Cana are the words that she repeats to each of us: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:1-12).

Mary did first what Jesus said. In her life we find the accomplished model of the disciple of the Lord: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Lk 8:21). Jesus points to the life of Mary as a life fully conformed to His word. Mary, for this intimate union with the entire life of the Son, in obedience to the will of the Father, invites us to turn our gaze to Him. She reminds us that He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6). “Do whatever he tells you” is her

own sharing of a life experience that takes place in the service of love for Christ; of a life that finds its sense in conformity to Him and that experiences existentially the union of branch to the vine (Jn 15:1 K.).

Mary expresses her motherhood toward us by showing us the Son, wishing our conformity to Him. St. Maximilian reminds us that Mary aims at making us reach the stature of Christ. She wants us to shine with His beauty.

Consecration to Mary therefore is not just a devotion, an idea, but a path of conformity to Christ. It means to walk with Mary toward Christ, centering more and more our life in Him. From that arises a life commitment: the communion with Christ and the conformity to Him up to the total gift of ourselves, as St. Maximilian did. In him the most challenging words of the Gospel became reality: love for enemies and, above all, the greatest love: “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13), which is exactly what Jesus did for us on the Cross.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 6 of 33 Day Consecration: Marian devotion

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:04:37 GMT

Day 6:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit and in her life she was always docile to the action of the Spirit.

Consecration/entrustment to Mary, therefore, becomes trusting in the divine Presence. In the Holy Spirit. Mary takes care of me, of us, the world. My life and that of the world are in good hands. In the hands of the Spirit, first of all, and of this Mother, who exercises her motherhood by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who associates Mary to Himself in the work of sanctification of men. The “motherhood in the order of grace” (LG 61) that Mary exercises in the Church is in the Holy Spirit. Even today, like that day at the foot of the Cross, we receive the gift of this motherhood thanks to the Holy Spirit, as we have already pointed out.

Mary, for her part, from the moment of the Annunciation, was always docile to the action of the Spirit. St. Luke emphasises a usual attitude of Mary who “treasured all these things in her heart...” (Lk 2:19, 51). Mary accomplished it in the Holy Spirit, in Whom the Word is alive. The first attitude in living out our consecration to Mary is precisely to listen to the word in total availability, trust, and surrender to the Spirit.

“Let yourself be led… by the Holy Spirit. Let yourself be led by the Holy Spirit through the Immaculata” (KW 987 C), as St. Maximilian reminded himself, in a text that speaks of consecration to Mary as surrender into the hands of Mary and docility to the work that the Spirit accomplishes in us through her.

Mary is the beloved daughter of the Father, as it was written in the text of the Second Vatican Council. We see in her the fully realized plan of God for His creatures: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself,” as Paul writes in the Epistle to the Ephesians (1:3-5). In this sense, Mary is the beloved daughter of the Father, because He accomplished first of all in her the dream that He had for all of us, making her holy and immaculate in love. Contemplating this mystery, St. Maximilian wrote that: “The Immaculata is ... the ultimate limit between God and creation. She is a faithful image of God’s perfection, of His sanctity” (KW 1232). Mary’s life is under the sign of the gratuitous love of the Father from the beginning of her existence. Mary feels all its intensity when with grateful astonishment and singing to her God she exclaims: “He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Lk 1:48). This ocean of love that inundates her from the first instant of her conception, becomes a river of love that grows in the following of her own Son, and which will reach its climax under the Cross. There, at the foot of the Cross and conformed to

her Son in love (Phil 2:5), she received every man for whom He offered Himself and whom He was asking her to embrace as her child.

From this attitude of love and acceptance of Mary’s motherhood, arises another fundamental attitude in living our consecration to the Immaculata: love. It is love that conforms us, as it did her, to her Son.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 5 of 33 Day Consecration: Consecration to the Immaculata

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 20:53:17 GMT

Day 5:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Consecration to the Immaculata: In the Heart of the Trinity, with Our Gaze Fixed on Christ

The gift of the Mother, entrusting and consecrating ourselves to Mary, our belonging to her, are in themselves a gift of the Most Holy Trinity. The Father reveals all His love for us in the Son’s sacrifice on the Cross. The Spirit makes the gift of the Crucified Christ alive and present. The love that the Father manifested in Christ is offered to us by the Holy Spirit, Who remains forever in the Church.

The motherhood of Mary, therefore, is also offered to us by the Holy Spirit. As her physical motherhood is a work of the Spirit (“What has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”), so her spiritual motherhood is from the Holy Spirit. Then it is a gift of the Trinity, but it also refers to the Trinity. Consecration to Mary has the Trinity as its goal and as its ultimate reference, because the whole Christian life is related to the Trinity. Mary herself is entirely related to the Trinity: “She is the Mother of the Son of God, beloved daughter of the Father, the Temple of the Holy Spirit” (LG 53).

St. Maximilian cared very much about the Trinitarian dimension of consecration to Mary, because everything that happened to Mary is a work of the Holy Trinity. Mary lived a unique experience of the action of the Most Holy Trinity in her life at the moment of the Annunciation:

“The One and Triune God looked upon the low estate of his handmaiden and ‘He who is mighty’ works in her ‘great things’. God the Father entrusts to her, as a son, His own Son, God the Son enters into her womb, while the Holy Spirit molds the Body of Christ in the womb of the most pure Virgin. ‘And the Word was made flesh’ (Jn 1:14). The Immaculata becomes Mother of God. Christ, God-Man, is the fruit of the love of the One and Triune God and of Mary Immaculate” (KW 1295).

It is important to understand that, in the light of Father Kolbe’s considerations, the profound relationship between Mary and the Trinity is the reason why our consecration to her implies to begin an itinerary that leads us to the encounter with the Most Holy Trinity.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those

recommended to you.

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Day 4 of 33 Day Consecration: The motherhood of Mary

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 20:33:06 GMT

Day 4:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

This is the motherhood of Mary: to form Jesus in us.

St. John Paul II recalled it very well on several occasions, when, speaking to young people, he invited them to take Mary into their lives: “She will discharge her ministry as a mother and train you and mold you until Christ is fully formed in you” (Message, Behold Your Mother, for the XVIII World Youth Day, April 13, 2003, n. 3). St. Maximilian in turn invites us to live the consecration to Mary with this awareness: “In Mary’s womb our soul must be reborn after the form of Jesus Christ. She is bound to feed the soul with the milk of her grace, raise it as lovingly as she nourished, looked after, and raised Jesus. At her knee the soul must learn to know and love Jesus. From her Heart it must draw love toward Him, or even love Him with her heart and become like Him through love” (KW 1295).

St. Maximilian suggested a truly beautiful program. We should not worry about taking Mary into our lives, if it’s about experiencing this kind of motherhood that causes us to conform to Christ, to become similar to Him in love, the only commandment of the Lord! There is another very inspiring passage from St. Maximilian’s Writings that reveals a still deeper meaning of consecration to Mary: “That is the MI: to let her into all hearts, to bring her into being within all hearts, that by entering those hearts and taking most perfect possession of them, she may there give birth to the sweet Jesus, God, and there raise Him to perfect age. What a beautiful mission! ... Is that not true? ... The elevation of man to the God-Man, through the Mother of God-Man” (KW 508). This text adds something new. Welcoming Mary in our lives is to accept and experience her motherhood in us with full consciousness, but inside this awareness we find not only the acceptance of the spiritual motherhood of Mary, but also the willingness to become collaborators of her motherhood toward every man. This is the rich and original interpretation of Father Kolbe! The motherhood of Mary is not just given to us, it is also entrusted to us. Having experienced her motherhood, today we can become her collaborators. The evangelizing action of the Church is precisely the extension of the maternal mission of Mary. The MI is “to let her into all hearts” so that she can exercise her spiritual motherhood: “What a beautiful mission, is that not true?” says St. Maximilian!

Question for discussion:

• What is the role of Mary in the history of salvation and in my personal history?

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

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Day 3 of 33 Day Consecration: The Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:09:59 GMT

Day 3:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created.

and You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,

did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

But who is the “beloved disciple”?

It is the one who receives the word and obeys the commandments of Jesus; that is, the one who

loves as He loved. Here, then, the disciple represents all the disciples of the Lord. The “beloved

disciple” can be you or me: each of us is loved by Jesus. Mary’s motherhood, which began at the

Annunciation, assumes at Calvary a universal dimension. Since then, as the Second Vatican

Council teaches, Mary takes care of the brethren of her Son (cf. LG 62), who became from that

moment her own children. Yes, from “that hour,” as it is written in the Gospel of John. It is the hour

of the Cross, the hour of the manifestation of the glory of Christ, the hour of salvation, the heart of

the paschal mystery of Christ itself. What happens from that hour on? “The disciple took her into

his home.” This is the consecration to Mary: Welcoming the gift of Christ! John takes Mary into his

home, among his own things, into his inner life space, as St. John Paul II says (RM 45). This gift also

concerns us today. Every disciple of the Lord, on the day of one’s Baptism, together with the gifts of

Christ receives the gift of the Mother. To consecrate oneself to Mary does not mean, therefore, to

“create” the gift, to make up something. The gift is a gift, is free and unmerited and remains so even

if we are not conscious of it. Mary always exercises her motherhood, whether we are aware or not.

What we can do is accept the gift of the Mother, like all gifts of Christ. To accept her, as John did; to

take Mary into our life, to live this mother-child relationship with gratitude and awareness.

As St. John Paul II continues:

“It means accepting – like John – the one who is given to us anew as our Mother. It also means

taking on the commitment to be conformed to Christ, putting ourselves at the school of His Mother

and allowing her to accompany us” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia 57). There is another passage that

encourages us to take Mary with us. It is a text from the Gospel of Matthew: “Do not be afraid to take

Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in

her” (Mt 1:20). It is the invitation of the angel to Joseph, while he had decided to divorce her quietly.

This motherhood comes from the Spirit; it is a gift of the Spirit. This is true of Mary’s motherhood of

Jesus and of her spiritual motherhood of us. “She will bear a son...,” said the angel to Joseph. That is

what the spiritual motherhood of Mary is: to give birth to Jesus within us.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not

have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those

recommended to you.

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Day 2 of 33 Day Consecration: Mary and St. John at the foot of the Cross — “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:25–27)

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:02:09 GMT

Day 2:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created.

and You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,

did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

From the Gospel according to St. John

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and

Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his

mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from

that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in

order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with

common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the

spirit. Now since it was the preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross

on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their

legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and

then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he

was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and

immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he

knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. (Jn 19:25-35)

At the School of the Word: Lectio Divina on Jn 19:25-27

We access the heart of Kolbean spirituality and consecration to the Immaculata by placing

ourselves at the school of the word of God. The most emblematic text of Scripture for our purpose

is certainly John 19:25-27. St. Maximilian also referred to this text, admiring the loving plan of God

and dwelling on the exuberant gift of God’s love, which is represented by the Mother. “Another gift

yet…” he wrote, a gift that comes from the pure gratuity of the heart of God in Christ. This is what St.

Maximilian said: “Who would dare to imagine?...What could You have given me more, O God, after

having oKered Yourself to me to become mine? ...Your heart, inflamed with love for me, suggested

to You another gift; yes, yet one more gift! ...You asked us to become children, if we wish to enter the

heavenly kingdom. You well know that a child needs a mother. You Yourself established this law of

love. Your goodness, Your mercy, therefore, created for us a Mother, the personification of Your

goodness and infinite love. From the cross, on Golgotha, You oKered her to us and us to her...” (KW

1145).

Let’s read with St. Maximilian the source of this gift, there at Calvary, with Mary and John, to

grasp the meaning of this event for us today... Lectio on Jn 19:25-27 The context is solemn. We are

at the culmination of the life of Christ, when Jesus fully revealed His glory. He is on the Cross, the

cross that raises Him to heaven and from which He draws all people to Himself (cf. Jn 12:32). It is

the fulfillment of our salvation, the heart of the paschal mystery of Christ, the moment of the

supreme gift of love: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (Jn 3:16). The

Father manifested that love through the gift of His Son in the Incarnation, and that mystery now

culminates in the gift of His life for us. In this solemn context occurs the gift of the Mother, the

penultimate act, we might say, of His giving Himself for our salvation. At verse 30, the Evangelist

tells us: “When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed

over the spirit.”

In this solemn context, the entrusting is of great value: the gift of the Mother is part of what Jesus

was to accomplish. It seems that all is finished after the entrusting of the disciple to the Mother and

the Mother to the disciple. v. 25: We find four women at Calvary, among whom the “Mother of Jesus”

stands out, and John refers to her using that title. Also in Cana he calls her by that title. v. 26-27: In

these verses we have what scholars call a “detection scheme”: Jesus sees - He says - Look... We

find this scheme again in John’s Gospel, where John the Baptist sees Jesus coming and says: “Look,

the Lamb of God” (cf. Jn 1:29-30; Jn 1:36). This literary scheme reveals the mission of the indicated

character. Therefore in the passage of the Cross, Jesus explains to the Mother what her mission is:

to be the mother of the disciple.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not

have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those

recommended to you.

Go to previous prayer | Go to next prayer | Go to the beginning

Day 1 of 33 Day Consecration: St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Militia of the Immaculata

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:50:26 GMT

Day 1:

Opening Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created.

and You shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,

did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever enjoy His consolations.

Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Introduction

Dear Knights of the Immaculata and Friends preparing for total consecration, Maria! The

International office of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) has provided a program of preparation for

total consecration to the Immaculata, which MI-USA has published in a booklet format. This

booklet shows the path that individuals, MI Villages and groups may follow for total consecration

and ongoing formation. In preparing this booklet, quotes were taken from the two-volume set of

letters and various writings of our founder, St. Maximilian Kolbe. Careful and sagacious thought

went into preparing the principal text and the questions for reflection to help us along the correct

path. As we follow the path of total consecration to our Blessed Mother, we are brought into the

spiritual ideals that St. Maximilian envisioned for the Militia of the Immaculata. His goal was that all

Mary’s Knights become saints in her loving arms. This path leads us through Mary closer to the

Sacred Heart of her Son Jesus Christ and to His Church, and encourages us to win the whole world

for Him through her Immaculate Heart. As we begin our journey and preparation to become Knights

of the Immaculata, let us recall the many Saints who consecrated themselves to Our Lady in their

trials and quest for holiness. Above all, let us try to resemble Mary, the perfect disciple of her Son. I

sincerely believe that this booklet is a precious gift that will guide you and keep you on the straight

and narrow path to holiness. May Mother Mary rest in your hearts and enlighten you along the way.

Ronald L. Rodrigues

MI National President – USA

St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894 and at about the age of 10 had a vision of the Virgin

Mary. She offered him a white crown and a red crown, representing purity and martyrdom. He chose

both, a foreshadowing of his life of evangelical purity and sacrificial love. In 1910, he joined the

Conventual Franciscan Order. He studied in Rome where, on October 16, 1917, with six other young

friars he founded the Militia of the Immaculata (MI), which is now an International Public

Association of the Faithful, erected by the Holy See. The MI is open to Catholics of all walks of life

and promotes total consecration to Mary Immaculate as a most effective way to live one’s Baptism

and Confirmation. The MI encourages all people of goodwill to welcome Our Lady in their lives and

develop a trusting relationship with her. The aim of the MI is “to win the whole world for Christ

through the Immaculata,” Mother of God and of the Church. Ordained a priest in 1918, Father

Maximilian returned to Poland and began his untiring missionary activity, starting a monthly

magazine and establishing two evangelization centers dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin:

Niepokalanów, the “City of the Immaculata,” in Poland, and Mugenzai no Sono in Japan. He

envisioned missionary centers worldwide. To better “win the world for Christ through the

Immaculata,” he utilized the most modern techniques, including short-wave radio, and planned to

build a motion picture studio. In 1939, during WWII, at Niepokalanów Father Maximilian welcomed

thousands of refugees, especially Jews. In 1941, he was arrested by the Nazis and taken to the

Auschwitz concentration camp. There he offered his life for another prisoner and was condemned

to slow death in a starvation bunker. Father Kolbe died on August 14, 1941, from an injection of

carbolic acid. Pope St. John Paul II canonized him as a Saint and Martyr of Charity on October 10,

1982. St. Maximilian Kolbe is considered a patron of journalists, families, prisoners, the pro-life

movement, the chemically addicted and those with eating disorders. St. Maximilian’s insights on

the Immaculate Conception anticipated the Marian theology of the Second Vatican Council and

further developed the Church’s understanding of Mary’s role in God’s Plan of salvation. His Marian

thought re-echoes in the Marian teaching of both St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Closing Prayer

Hail Mary…

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not

have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you.

Go to the next prayer

THE FINAL BATTLE: Why the Message of Fatima is a Survival Guide for the Modern Family

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 22:43:58 GMT

THE FINAL BATTLE: Why the Message of Fatima is a Survival Guide for the Modern Family?

From the terrifying climax of the Miracle of the Sun to the intimate details of Sister Lucia’s childhood home found in her second volume of memoirs, the message of Fatima suggests that the "final battle" between good and evil will not be fought on a battlefield, but in the living room.

The Forgotten Vision of October 13

Most accounts of October 13, 1917, focus on the "Miracle of the Sun," where 70,000 people witnessed the sun dancing and plunging toward the earth. This terrifying display was a public validation of the children's claims. However, while the crowd looked on in fear, the three shepherd children—Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco—were granted a private, beatific vision that serves as the theological key to the entire message.

As the sun resumed its place in the sky, the heavens opened. In her Memoirs, Sister Lucia describes the scene:

"We saw Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands."

The appearance of the Holy Family at the climax of the apparitions was not merely decorative. Theologically, it was a declaration. By presenting St. Joseph holding the Christ Child and blessing the world together, Heaven was emphasizing the father's crucial role in the spiritual protection of the family.

In a world that would soon see the disintegration of family structures through war and secularization, God presented the Holy Family of Nazareth as the ultimate remedy. The vision suggests that peace—symbolized by the calming of the sun—will only return to the world when Christ reigns within the "domestic church."

Roots of Sanctity: Inside the Santos Home

To understand the type of family God desires, one need not look further than the family He chose to receive the message. In Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words, Volume II, Sister Lucia pulls back the veil on her parents, Antonio and Maria Rosa dos Santos, offering a masterclass in parenting.

Contrary to some historical caricatures that paint her father as merely a sceptic or a drinker, Lucia’s fifth and sixth memoirs reveal a home rooted in deep, imperfect, human love. She recounts touching anecdotes of her father, Antonio, whom she describes with great affection. In one instance, seeing his wife overwhelmed with work, Antonio clumsily attempted to help her spin wool. Though he failed at the task, Lucia recalls her mother’s tender reaction, embracing him and saying, "What a good man you are!"

Lucia paints her mother, Maria Rosa, as the spiritual anchor of the parish—a woman who refused to let her children merely parrot prayers. She insisted on a "lived faith," creating an atmosphere where the supernatural was a natural part of daily conversation.

However, Volume II also serves as a reality check: holiness does not grant immunity from suffering. Lucia heartbreakingly details how the apparitions shattered the peace of their home. Under the pressure of constant interrogations and accusing neighbours, her mother once lamented, "My God, where has all the joy of our home gone?"

This inclusion in the memoirs is vital. It demonstrates that the "Fatima family" is not one of plastic perfection, but one that perseveres in faith even when the joy seems to have vanished.

"The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Don't be afraid, because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue."

She added a note of triumph: "However, Our Lady has already crushed his head."

This statement, which has gained immense traction in recent years, frames the current cultural confusion regarding marriage, gender, and parenting not as sociological shifts, but as spiritual warfare. Sister Lucia viewed the family as the "primary cell" of the Church; if the cell is corrupted, the body dies.

The Weapon for the Home: The Rosary

In her book Calls from the Message of Fatima, Sister Lucia provides the practical strategy for winning this battle. She argues that God, foreseeing the busyness and "materialization" of the modern family, provided a prayer accessible to all: the Rosary.

She writes that the Rosary is the "spiritual bread" that must be broken daily in the home. It is the means by which the family learns from the School of Mary.

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary," Lucia famously stated.

She cautioned that a home without prayer is like a garden without water—eventually, it ceases to produce the "rosebuds" of virtue. The daily recitation of the Rosary creates a protective buffer against what she termed the "diabolical disorientation" of the world.

A Call to Action

The message of Fatima, spanning from the humble kitchen of the Santos family to the solar miracle of 1917, is a coherent plea for the restoration of the family.

The vision of St. Joseph blessing the world remains a standing invitation: for fathers to bless their children, for mothers to catechize with love, and for families to kneel together against the encroaching darkness. As Sister Lucia’s writings make clear, the victory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will not be achieved by international treaties, but by the quiet, faithful witness of families praying in their living rooms.

Consecration to the Holy Family

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:35:18 GMT

The Consecration to the Holy Family is a devotion in which we entrust our homes to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, asking for their protection and guidance. It invites our families to grow in holiness and unity by following the example of the Holy Family

The Consecration to the Holy Family is a meaningful devotion through which we, as Catholics, entrust our homes to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Though love for the Holy Family has been part of the Church’s life from the earliest centuries, the more formal practice of consecrating families to them grew significantly in recent times. In 2018, the Knights of Columbus began widely promoting this devotion to strengthen Catholic family life and help households embrace their identity as “domestic churches.” This modern initiative builds on a long tradition encouraged by Popes Leo XIII , Benedict XV , and others, who urged Catholics to look to the Holy Family as the model of unity, virtue, and holiness.

How do we make the Consecration to the Holy Family?

Families are encouraged to prepare spiritually by attending Mass, praying together, reflecting on the virtues of the Holy Family, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation when possible. On the day of consecration, the family gathers—either at home or during a parish celebration—and prays the official Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Family . This prayer entrusts the family to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, asking for their protection, guidance, and help in living out the Gospel within the home. Many families also place an image of the Holy Family in a prominent place as a reminder of their commitment.

Which consecration prayer formula do we use?

Most parishes today use the prayer provided by the Knights of Columbus , which is the standard and widely recognized Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Family . Because it is copyrighted, it is usually not printed in full without permission—but it is commonly available in parish bulletins, on Knights of Columbus materials, and on their official website. The prayer includes elements such as:

dedicating the family to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph;
asking for protection from spiritual and worldly dangers;
a commitment to imitate the virtues of the Holy Family;
and a pledge to strengthen faith, prayer, and unity within the home.

Your parish may also provide an approved version of the prayer, and any formula officially recommended by the parish or diocese is entirely appropriate to use.

By making the Consecration to the Holy Family, we unite ourselves to the perfect example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In a world where family life often faces many challenges, this devotion gives us a spiritual foundation rooted in faith, love, and mutual sacrifice. May the Holy Family watch over our homes and guide us ever closer to Christ.

January 2026 - Newsletter Live

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:56:48 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

January 2025 Newsletter

Featured this month: 33 days of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Readers,

Welcome to Our First Newsletter of 2026

As we step together into a new year filled with promise, hope, and renewed purpose, we give thanks to God for the blessings of the past year and the grace that leads us forward into 2026. The turning of the calendar invites us not only to reflect, but also to recommit ourselves to living the Gospel with joy and courage.

In this first edition of the year, we celebrate the light of Christ that continues to shine in our communities, as we consecrate our families to the Holy Family. May this newsletter be a companion on your journey, offering inspiration, spiritual nourishment, and stories of faith that remind us that God is always at work in our midst.

JANUARY - THE HOLY FAMILY & CONSECRATION

For this coming new year, find out more on how to make this consecration as a family... Read the article

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

LIST OF 2026 CATHEDRAL VISITS

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: 33 Days of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary

FIRST FIVE SATURDAY DEVOTION

VOLUNTEERS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

THE FINAL BATTLE: THE PROPHECY OF THE FINAL BATTLE

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE: VATICAN GRANTS PONTEVEDRA JUBILEE YEAR

EVENTS / VISITATION

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham

Dear Members

As we step into the New Year, we are filled with anticipation as we continue the celebration of the Centenary Year of Our Lady's request for the First Five Saturdays at Pontevedra (1925-2025).

Our 2026 Pilgrimage: The 12 Cathedral Visits

Our pilgrimage of hope will continue with 12 further Cathedral Visits planned throughout England and Wales this year. Read more about our 2026 visitations here .

We sincerely hope you will be able to join us in making this profound series of visits a spiritual success.

The Message of Fatima: Our Call to Holiness

The mission of the World Apostolate of Fatima is to participate in the "New Evangelisation" advocated by St. John Paul II, through living and spreading the message of Fatima.

Our Lady's urgent request is our blueprint for holiness:

Prayer and Penance in reparation for sins.
A more generous devotion to the Eucharist.
Devotion to the Rosary (daily).
Consecration to Her Immaculate Heart.
Conversion of Sinners, leading to amendment of life.

Your Call to Action

I encourage all members to reach out within your family and friends, as well as within your parishes and the diocese, to make known and lived the message of Fatima, which is fundamentally our call to Holiness .

Specifically, please help us by:

Sharing the details of the 12 Cathedral Visits, as well as parish visits this year.
Encouraging participation from your local parish groups.

On behalf of all the Trustees and Leads, I wish you all a truly blessed and peaceful New Year

Patrick Cunningham

National President WAF-E&W

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

33 Day Consecration to The Blessed Virgin Mary

There are exactly 33 days between 01 January 2026 to 02 February 2026 (Solemnity of Mother of God to Feast of the Presentation). Through her Fiat to God, which originated in her Immaculate Conception, Our Lady teaches us how to

devoutly prepare our hearts so that we can consecrate our whole being and lives to be sanctified in Her Beloved Son, Christ Our God, and all our works are sanctified along with becoming sharers and participants in the fullness of Her Grace for the salvation of Mankind, transfiguring life around us, to become a New Creation in the Holy Spirit as beheld in the Book of Revelation.  Find out more on the 33 days consecration to Our Blessed Virgin Mary here ...

Our website

We have updated new content on our website. Please visit and explore.
www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

WAF Introductory Video

This video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

We are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please get in touch with the apostolate secretary at admin@waf-ew.org.uk

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

Dear WAF family,

Happy New Year

Although the Liturgical and Ecclesiastical New Year started on the 1st Sunday of Advent, many of us wait the start of the Civic Year to make resolutions.

As Catholics, we are used to making resolutions each time we go to monthly confession as part of our observance of the First Saturday Devotion. We recall for a confession to be valid there must be a firm purpose of amendment. In other words, we make the resolution not to sin again.

This year of the centennial celebrations of the First Saturday devotion is the ideal opportunity to fix this resolution firmly in our diary. Mark the 5 consecutive Saturdays you will undertake the devotion, set your alarm and observe it.
 The question we must ask ourselves is why do we make and need resolutions
Our lives are busy, so having a plan of action of daily norms, or weekly or monthly resolutions and practices, enables us to undertake and pinpoint a specific virtue we seek to acquire, a sin we wish to eradicate, a habit to cultivate thus enabling spiritual growth and the deepening of our relationship with the Lord and His blessed mother.
Each passing year is not only an opportunity to give thanks for another year of life but is also is a sobering reminder that we are one year closer to meeting the Lord in death and we should desire to be ready to meet him whenever that may be and has been allotted to us.
This year may be the year we will make the conscious effort to overcome that particular sin we have been complacent with 2026 may be the year we decide to join the WAF National Pilgrimage. This New Year may be the occasion to encourage a lapsed family member or friend to return to the Church.
As we start the Civil New Year and observe the First Saturday of the month, let us present our resolutions to the Lord with the forthcoming feast of the Epiphany.
The resolutions we make will be our personal gift
What can I give Him poor as I am …. I can give my heart.

May our heart- filled resolutions be united to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady to be an acceptable gift this New Year of 2026 to the Lord

Canon Jason Jones
National Spiritual Director
WAF England and Wales

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activities

World Apostolate E&W Pilgrimage -2026

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

FATIMA ARTICLES

An article on the Modern Family for the month of January 2026 by Patrick Cunningham

THE FINAL BATTLE:
Why the Message of Fatima is a Survival Guide for the Modern Family?

FATIMA, Portugal — For over a century, the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima have been scrutinized by theologians, historians, and the faithful. The 1917 events are famous for their prophetic warnings, calling humanity back to God and Holiness by following heavens peace plan. However, buried within the memoirs of Sister Lucia dos Santos—the longest-living seer of Fatima—lies a less publicized theme for the 21st century: a divine battle plan for the preservation of the family.

From the terrifying climax of the Miracle of the Sun to the intimate details of Sister Lucia’s childhood home found in her second volume of memoirs, the message of Fatima suggests that the "final battle" between good and evil will not be fought on a battlefield, but in the living room.

The Prophecy of the Final Battle

Decades after the apparitions, Sister Lucia’s warnings about the family turned from reflective to prophetic. In the early 1980s, she corresponded with Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, who had been tasked by Pope John Paul II with establishing the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. When the Cardinal wrote to the nun asking for prayers, he received a handwritten reply that contained a chilling prophecy:

"The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Don't be afraid, because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue."

She added a note of triumph: "However, Our Lady has already crushed his head." ... Read the full article here.

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

The World Apostolate of Fatima, in collaboration with the Shrine of Fatima, is organising an international theological-pastoral congress on “The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary” in Fátima, Portugal, followed by a Pilgrimage to Pontevedra and Santiago of Compostela, Spain, to participate in the centennial anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady and the Child Jesus to Sister Lucia, this December 10, 2025.

View more here

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Monthly Online Rosary

WAF-E&W online Rosary continues to be held on the first Sunday of each month. We warmly invite all members to join us in prayer and fellowship on Sunday, December 7th at 7:00 PM. Join the meeting By Zoom:(click the link below)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86088111745?pwd=iOTEmEzqYnm2YjFnK93E4vdI2J8lYB.1

Messages from our Bishops and Archbishops

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

33 Day Consecration to The Blessed Virgin Mary

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:43:06 GMT

33 Day Consecration to The Blessed Virgin Mary

01 January 2026 to 02 February 2026

(Solemnity of Mother of God to Feast of the Presentation)

During these days in which we live, Our Dear Mother, The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Fatima requesting the daily recitation of the Rosary and consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart. By way of extension Our Lady has also provided a way for us personally to consecrate our heart and our whole life to her Immaculate Heart. These include all our daily duties and all we do according to our state of life, our daily prayers, the masses we attend and thus allow our life to fall under the mantle of her Immaculate Heart, whereby our whole lives are thus sanctified and made holy by her holy operations within us. 

When we enter into the 33-day consecration to Holy Mary’s Immaculate Heart we devoutly prepare our hearts through a growing deeper self-knowledge of our sins and weaknesses leading to a deeper repentance and dependence on the Holy Spirit, of which Blessed Mary is His Spouse. 

Through her Fiat to God, which originated in her Immaculate Conception in which she was preserved from all stain of original sin, and throughout her earthly childhood, grew within her Fiat to the Divine Will in which she constantly co-operated with in grace-filled union. Thus, at the Annunciation, nothing in her resisted and her Fiat to the Angel Gabriel became her harmonious soul-filled embrace of her spousal betrothal to God, the Holy Trinity, in and through the incarnation of the only Begotten Son, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He who truly became the perfect God-Man within her blessed virginal womb, whilst never being separated from God the Father, from whom He is Eternally Begotten in The Holy Spirit. Mary, thus, truly became the Most Holy Tabernacle of God the Incarnate Word in The Holy Spirit to the Glory of God the Father. 

In and through His incarnation, Jesus Christ Our Lord, united Himself with the whole of humanity from the first Adam to the last created soul, inaugurating the Divine Promise to mankind of God’s infinite redeeming love for sanctification as a new creation in the Holy Spirit until love’s consummation on the Cross. 

In the Orthodox icon we see Christ the newborn child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the Cross of the Manger, in a dark cave as the light of the world, just as he was wrapped in burial cloth whilst laying in the tomb.

This consecration to Our Lady enables us to fuse and unite our soul in the Divine Will with that of Our Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart. The deepest centre of Our Being united with Her’s, particularly in the highest faculty of our Soul, the understanding, memory and will through the supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity in which we pray. Our Blessed Lady, ever Virgin, yet truly Mother of the Son of God and the human race conceived The Son of God, Eternally Begotten from God The Father in the Holy Spirit and in Him we too are conceived in Her Immaculate Womb and depths of our soul, in and through The Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ Our Lord. His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, united with our fallen human nature to be purified in the Holy Spirit through His Death and Resurrection on the Cross, and raised up with Him in to Heaven, sitting with Him, in Him, at the Right Hand of God the Father, in the Holy Spirit, to be fully sanctified, Christified, into His Divine Image and Likeness as was ever intended in the first Adam and Eve. 

By preparing our hearts through consecration to Our Lady, we consecrate our whole being and lives to be sanctified in her in Her Beloved Son, Christ Our God, and all our works are sanctified along with becoming sharers and participants in the fullness of Her Grace for the salvation of mankind, transfiguring life around us, to become a New Creation in the Holy Spirit as beheld in the Book of Revelation. 

It then becomes no longer I who live in me but Christ in me, in Union with His Blessed Mother to whom He is eternally united. Mary living her life in me in Her Beloved Son in the bosom of the Holy Trinity for bringing the Kingdom of God to reign on earth as it is in Heaven in the Divine Will, recreating and co-redeeming by participation, all creation to be made new through the cross of Christ crucified. This Union of Hearts is perfectly seen in the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus surrounded with thorns and whose hearts were pierced by the sword both mystically and spiritually. Our hearts too, are to be pierced with the sword of the Spirit in sanctifying Grace and opened up for the new life of Christ and Blessed Mary to reign in us in the heart of mankind for salvation and eternal sanctification. 

Fiat, so may it be for you in participating in this 33 Day Consecration of St Maximillian Kolbe. He who was gifted with the crowns of mystical martyrdom of purity and the martyrdom of blood. May we also become true martyrs, true witnesses, and beloved saints of God in our own day consecrated, by laying down our lives in Divine Love, as a fragrant sacrificial offering to Our Blessed Mother Mary and Our Dear Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! Lord, Faithful King! 

33- Day Consecration Prayers

Day 1 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 2 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 3 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 4 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 5 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 6 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 7 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 8 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 9 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 10 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 11 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 12 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 13 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 14 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 15 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 16 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 17 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 18 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 19 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 20 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 21 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 22 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
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Day 24 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 25 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 26 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 27 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 28 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer
Day 29 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 30 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 31 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 32 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Day 33 of 33 Day Consecration Prayer

Our 2026 Pilgrimage: The 12 Cathedral Visits

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 16:21:16 GMT

Our 2026 Pilgrimage: The 12 Cathedral Visits

Dear Members

As we step into the New Year, we are filled with anticipation as we continue the celebration of the Centenary Year of Our Lady's request for the First Five Saturdays at Pontevedra (1925-2025).

Our 2026 Pilgrimage: The 12 Cathedral Visits

Our pilgrimage of hope will continue with 12 further Cathedral Visits planned throughout England and Wales this year. See further details below

We sincerely hope you will be able to join us in making this profound series of visits a spiritual success.

The Message of Fatima: Our Call to Holiness

The mission of the World Apostolate of Fatima is to participate in the "New Evangelisation" advocated by St. John Paul II, through living and spreading the message of Fatima.

Our Lady's urgent request is our blueprint for holiness:

Prayer and Penance in reparation for sins.
A more generous devotion to the Eucharist.
Devotion to the Rosary (daily).
Consecration to Her Immaculate Heart.
Conversion of Sinners , leading to amendment of life.

Your Call to Action

Specifically, please help us by:

Sharing the details of the 12 Cathedral Visits, as well as parish visits this year.
Encouraging participation from your local parish groups.

On behalf of all the Trustees and Leads, I wish you all a truly blessed and peaceful New Year

Patrick Cunningham

National President WAF-E&W

A Christmas Novena

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 22:04:20 GMT

A beautiful Christmas Novena by St. Andrew, to help us prepare for the arrival of Our Lord Jesus.

December 2025- Newsletter Live

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:57:20 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

DECEMBER 2025 Newsletter

St. Ambrose of Milan: “Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men”

Featured this month: Getting ready for Advent, with articles and reflections on the significance of Advent. Reminder and information for the WAF 2026 Pilgrimage.

Dear Readers,

This is the sixth edition of our new updated newsletter, for the month of December. We hope you will enjoy reading about the latest Fatima news both locally and internationally..

DECEMBER - ADVENT: PREPARING THROUGH PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS

Last weekend, we celebrated the First Sunday in Advent, our yearly time of preparation for Christmas. The season of Advent is primarily about the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, two thousand years ago, his first Coming into the world, but it also looks forward to Christ’s second coming at the end of time.

In both cases it is a question of a time of anticipation, as we look forward to the celebration of Christ’s first coming in humility and silence – a coming which is repeated for us each year at Christmas – and then more remotely look forward to his final coming in great glory and power.

... Read the article

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

PREPARING FOR ADVENT

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

WAF PROMOTIONAL MEETINGS & VOLUNTEERS

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

NOTICES - FOCUS ON ACTIVITY

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK FEATURE

ON ADVENT - QUOTATIONS FROM POPES AND SAINTS

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham

Dear WAF Members,

The Apostolate has been extremely active over the year, reaching out to members and the faithful across England and Wales. Key activities included:

Visitations and Pilgrimage:
Including the Fatima Pilgrimage and the Pilgrim Virgin Statue Cathedral Tour.
Formation:
Online Formation and Rosary Groups.
Community:
First Five Saturday Devotions, Prayer Cells and involvement with the Youth.

At the start of the year, Pope Francis designated 2025 as a Jubilee Year and a Pilgrimage of Hope —a call to action through prayer, pilgrimage, charity, and acts of kindness. This is a time for personal renewal, and an opportunity to reflect on the events at Fatima as we strive to live, learn, and promote the message of Our Lady and the First Five Saturday Devotion (FFSD) .

As the year draws to a close, and we enter Advent to celebrate the birth of our Savior and redeemer Jesus Christ, I would like to wish you all a Blessed and Joyful Christmas on behalf of WAF-E&W Trustees, Leads, and Spiritual Directors.

2025 FFSD ENDORSED BY CBCEW

WAF-E&W joined in the spirit of the Jubilee Year by leading the Pilgrim Virgin Statue Cathedral Tour around England and Wales, taking with us the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta. Over the year, we visited 14 Cathedrals, as well as a further 17 parishes, making known the key messages of Fatima.

In May 2025, our Patron Bishop Mark O’Toole raised a resolution at the CBCEW, commending the First Five Saturday Devotion. The resolution was subsequently fully endorsed by the Cardinal and all Bishops of England and Wales. This represents a key moment along our pilgrimage journey:

Read the CBCEW Resolution: [ https://www.cbcew.org.uk/plenary-2025-resolution-world-apostolate-of-fatima-cathedral-tour/

By God’s Grace, this devotion will grow, and with the help of all members, we can bring peace to our troubled world.

Please try to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the FFSD request made at Pontevedra, Spain, by the Child Jesus and Our Lady on December 12, 1925 . WAF-E&W will be represented at the Pontevedra celebration on the day by Canon Jason Jones, Jerry Rivera, and Jeck Paler.

You may be interested to watch a recent short reel of Cardinal Burke lamenting that too few people are practicing the FFSD. Our Lady is asking for this devotion; why are we not doing it? Watch the Cardinal Burke Reel Here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15qXkLTQNu/

Please help promote the FFSD in your parish and diocese and follow in the footsteps of Sister Lúcia.

KEY EVENTS & NOTICES

2026 NATIONAL FATIMA PILGRIMAGE

Details of the 2026 National Fatima Pilgrimage have now been released.

Dates: 9th to 15th July 2026
In Collaboration With: Pilgrimage People
Itinerary: Braga, Balazar, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Fatima, Santarém, and Lisbon.
Booking Ref: WAF02
Contact Pilgrimage People:
www.pilgrimagepeople.org , info@pilgrimagepeople.org , 0800 612 3423
Deposit Deadline: £400 is required by 15 December 2025.
Balance Due: 15 April 2026
View Full Details: [Insert Active Pilgrimage Link Here]
DECEMBER 15TH PROMOTER ON-LINE FORMATION & TRAINING
Date: Monday, December 15, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: On-line TEAMS meeting
Key Subject: The First Five Saturday Devotion.
Join the Meeting: [Insert Active Formation/TEAMS Link Here]

MONTHLY ONLINE ROSARY

WAF-E&W online Rosary continues to be held on the first Sunday of each month. We warmly invite all members to join us in prayer and fellowship on Sunday, December 7th at 7:00 PM. Join the meeting By Zoom:(click the link below)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86088111745?pwd=iOTEmEzqYnm2YjFnK93E4vdI2J8lYB.1

2026 CATHEDRAL VISITS

Details of the 2026 Cathedral Visits will be shared in the New Year, once the details of the visits have been confirmed with the Cathedral Deans. A list of the visits is given in the link below.

With every blessing,

Patrick Cunningham National President, WAF–E&W

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Advent - Quotes from Popes and Saints

A great collection of quotations by Popes and Saints of the Catholic Church. View More

Resources for Advent and Christmas

Here are some books for Advent and Christmas - they can all be downloaded from the Internet Archive as PDFs at no cost, and are well worth reading.

The Prince of Peace - Meditations - Goodier

View Here

Ortus Christi Meditations for Advent by Mother St Paul

View Here

The Infant King Christmas Meditations - Hughson

View Here

Mater Christi Meditations on Our Lady

View Here

Our New Website

Since launching our new website last year, we have enriched it with additional valuable content.. Please visit and explore.
www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

WAF Introductory Video

This video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

We warmly welcome new volunteers to join us in our mission of spreading the important message of Fatima. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference as we share the inspiring teachings and values associated with this profound message. Together, we can reach more hearts and minds, fostering understanding and devotion in our community. You can print and share the poster using the link below, and feel free to share this image on social media as well.

Download the Flyer

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

Mary pondered all these things in her Heart 

As we begin the Holy season of Advent, we do so  in the closing weeks of the Jubilee Holy Year of Hope and also at the start of the centennial celebrations of the Pontevedra apparition of Our Lady to Sr Lucy 10th Dec. 

December can be a frantic and busy month and in the midst of this Our Lady appears and asks for 15 minutes of meditation and to  keep her company. 

Maybe we are writing our Christmas Day lunch guest list, maybe we are replying to Christmas party invitations. The Immaculate Heart of Mary  is offering us an invitation which demands an RSVP,  a yes,  which is an echo of her “ yes” at the annunciation to the Archangel Gabriel. This invitation is to take up the 5 first Saturday devotion and to spread far  and wide the invitation to family and friends and to fellow parishioners . 

It’s most appropriate that the Pontevedra centenary begins in the Jubilee of Hope as the fulfilment and spread of the 5 First Saturday Devotion brings hope to us especially at the hour of our death and brings Hope to the Church and to the World. 

At a time when December with all the Christmas frenzy we are given the image of the Immaculate Heart this Holy Year Advent to  pulls us back to deeper things: reflection, longing, and the quietness. To pondering in our hearts as Mary did. 

I’m the quiet peace of the Holy House in Nazareth, in the isolation of the stable of Bethlehem, Mary which enables true Hope to grow and to be established within her That would crescendo into motherly strength and fortitude and steadfastness at the foot of the Cross. 

Our Advent journey in the dark winter nights is given hope by the ever-increasing brightness of light in the passing weeks. Mary at the Cross, when there was darkness over the face of the earth,  keeps the pilot light of Hope alive until the dawn of Easter Sunday. 

We can do no better this Advent than to keep the holy season in company with Our Lady and united to her Immaculate Heart. 

Advent 2025 with Our Lady,  offers a chance to rediscover meaning and purpose in a world that often feels hurried and overwhelmed. Almighty God aware of our troubled world then as now 100 years later,   sent Our Lady to Sr Lucy with his Peace Plan from Heaven with the First Saturday devotion.  

In keeping company with Our Lady this Advent on the First Saturday, we enable our hearts to slow down, to reset the pace in a busy life and world and to contemplate realities that really matter- Jesus the Son of Mary  is the reason of the Season. 

I will have the great joy of being in Fatima this month and to be at Pontevedra on the actual centennial day of 19th December. Be assured of my prayers for you all those days. 

I will entrust you and your loved ones to the Immaculate Heart and ask that Christ the Som of Maey be born in your hearts this Christmas and that His many gifts may remain with you through the coming year of 2026. 

Canon Jason Jones 

WAF National Spiritual Director - England and Wales

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activites

A beautiful Novena from St Andrew

World Apostolate E&W Pilgrimage -2026

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

FATIMA ARTICLES

Informative and topical articles related to the Message of Fatima or the current Calendar

A Century of Reparation: The First Five Saturdays Devotion

December 10, 2025, marks the momentous centenary of the apparitions in Pontevedra, Spain , where the Child Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Sister Lúcia dos Santos, the eldest of the Fatima visionaries. This sacred anniversary is a powerful call to renew the practice of the First Five Saturdays Devotion , which is an essential part of the Fatima message.

Read More

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

International Congress and Pilgrimage - December 2025

View more here

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Some video highlights of recent Fatima events and media.

Highlights on the WAF E&W AGM 2025 gathering at St. Catherine of Siena parish Chessington.

View Here

Highlights of the Portsmouth Diocese visitation hosted by Bishop Philip Eagon

View Here

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

Cardiff-Menevia Visitation

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

Advent - Quotes from Popes & Saints

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:18:54 GMT

Some quotes from Popes and Saints about Advent

St. Ambrose of Milan: “Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men”

St. John Chrysostom: “Let us prepare for the coming of our Lord with repentance, humility, and acts of charity, for through these the soul adorns itself for the King.”

St. Alphonsus Liguori: “During Advent, we learn how to die to ourselves so that Christ may be reborn in our hearts.”

Pope Leo XIII: “The progression of the Advent season is like the increasing light from the dawn until the rising sun; we must let this light ignite the flame of charity in our souls.”

Pope Pius XI: “Advent is that time of year when the Church prepares herself spiritually for the coming of the Redeemer, the long-awaited Messiah, who brings light into the darkness of the world.”

Pope Paul VI: “Let Advent be a spiritual journey toward the Christmas mystery, where there will be found a humble manger, a child who is God himself. Let us prepare ourselves to receive him fully in our hearts.”

St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Are we ready to receive Him? Before the birth of Jesus, His parents asked for a simple dwelling place, but there was none. If Mary and Joseph were looking for a home for Jesus, would they choose … your heart, and all it holds? Let us pray that we shall be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas...”

St. Pope John Paul II: “Mary sustains our journey toward Christmas, for she teaches us how to live this Advent Season in expectation of the Lord.”

Pope Benedict XVI: “Advent is the spiritual season of hope par excellence, and in this season the whole Church is called to be hope, for itself and for the world”.

A Century of Reparation

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:10:36 GMT

During the apparition, the Child Jesus made a heartfelt plea to Lúcia: "Have compassion on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns , with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation to remove them."

The devotion's primary aim is reparation —a loving effort to console the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the sins and blasphemies committed against her. It is an act of love towards Our Lady and, through her, a profound act of love for God.

In return, Our Lady promises extraordinary graces to the faithful, at the hour of death for those who embrace the devotion. The requirements are confession, receiving Holy Communion, reciting the Rosary, and keeping our Holy Mother company for 15 minutes whilst meditating on the mysteries, all to take place on the first Saturday of five consecutive months with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This centennial year offers a unique spiritual opportunity for Catholics to embrace this path to peace and personal salvation.

The First Saturdays Devotion was approved at the diocesan level by  José Alves Correia da Silva , the local  bishop of Leiria-Fátima , on September 13, 1939, in Fátima. Its significance has also been recognised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) which demonstrated its support with a May 2025 resolution:

" The Bishops of England and Wales... commend the Five First Saturday’s devotion as a fruitful means to enter into [a] renewal [of faith], especially in their love for the Eucharist and the sacraments."

Let us unite in prayer, seeking the graces promised by Our Lady and offering our collective act of reparation, by promoting the devotion throughout the dioceses of England and Wales. By this simple act of obedience to Jesus’ request to make Our Holy Mother known and loved we can help save souls.

Footnote:

The Child Jesus appeared again on February 15, 1926, and addressed concerns about the Saturday confession requirement. He clarified that confession within eight days was acceptable, provided the intention of reparation was present at Communion. He also addressed those who forgot the intention, stating they could rectify it at their next confession.

On the night of May 29-30, 1930, Jesus explained to Lucia the necessity of five Saturdays of reparation, correlating them with the five types of offences against Mary’s Immaculate Heart: against her Immaculate Conception, her Virginity, her Divine Maternity and spiritual motherhood, offences from those who instil indifference or hatred towards her in children, and outrages against her holy images.

Advent: Preparing through Prayer for Christmas

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:54:25 GMT

Advent: Preparing through Prayer for Christmas

As we advance through the Advent season, we are called to go deeper into the mystery of Christmas, into a greater and more meditative spirit of silence. This has always been difficult, but the modern world, with all its noise and activity, especially as Christmas Day approaches, makes this effort at prayer even more difficult. Some of this activity is of course necessary, but as a whole it can become a distraction as we prepare for Christmas.

Our lady and St Joseph set out for Bethlehem for the Emperor’s census with an attitude of silent expectation. It would be good to imitate them as we get closer to Christmas Day and resist the temptation to get so involved in preparations that we lose sight of the whole reason for the celebrations in the first place.

Just imagine how the Blessed Virgin must have felt as she rode along on the donkey, with St Joseph at her side, on the rough roads towards Bethlehem. The unborn Child Jesus was in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and with a longing for the time of His birth.

The Angel Gabriel had told her marvellous things about the Child – that he would be great and the Son of the Most High, that he would inherit the throne of his ancestor David and rule over the House of Jacob for ever.

But that was all in the future, and for now, she and St Joseph were poor travellers quietly making their way southwards from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

As they journeyed along, they Blessed Virgin would have had time to ponder what the Angel had told her in the light of what she must have known from the works of the Hebrew prophets in the Scriptures.

And so she could meditate on the joyous aspects of the forthcoming birth of her Child, just as we do in the joyful mysteries of the Rosary. It was strangely providential that once they arrived there was “no room at the inn,” since that would have provided no privacy for the Holy Family, at the very time when they needed a refuge from the world’s noise. Instead, they sheltered in the cave on the outskirts of Bethlehem away from the bustle of the town.

And so, despite the hardships of the journey, and the poor reception they received in Bethlehem, this was a time of joyful contemplation for Mary.

This ought to be the key, then, as to how we celebrate the days leading up to Christmas Day, that is in union with Our Lady and St Joseph in an attitude of prayerful expectation and love, pondering in silence the awesome events that are to unfold before us in the liturgy, just as they occurred in real life all those centuries ago.

In a practical sense, this means we should set aside some time each day from now until Christmas, to quietly and prayerfully reflect on some aspect of the story of the Nativity. A good way to do this would be to take the readings from the Daily Mass and carefully meditate on them each day.

Another way would be to read some pages every day from a Fatima book such as Fatima in Lucia's own words , or Sr Lucia's Calls book .

Or there are some Advent & Christmas Prayers & Reflections online here:

https://mycatholic.life/advent/

Even if we could only spend five or ten minutes each day in prayer or meditation, it would surely have a very beneficial effect, and this effect would be further enhanced if we could also call to mind the main themes of each day’s reading, or our meditations, from time to time during the day.

If we can do that, then, by Christmas day, we will be in a much better spiritual condition to prayerfully contemplate, along with Our Lady and St Joseph, the newborn Child in the manger and come to a better understanding of his love for us.

Social Posts

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:06:08 GMT

Media Selection and Theme Context

Monday — Joyful Beginnings (Good news)

Start the week with "Brighter News" that shares uplifting and inspiring stories rooted in the message of Fatima—hope, peace, and the joy that comes from living devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This can be testimonies, answered prayers, or encouraging reflections to carry throughout the week.

Tuesday — Insights into the Suffering ( Redemptive Suffering)

Focus on "The Suffering Children of Fatima" reflecting on the sacrifices Jesus, Mary, and the seers made. Share reflections on redemptive suffering, the call to reparation, and how faithful followers can unite their sufferings with Mary’s Immaculate Heart for the salvation of souls and peace in the world.

Wednesday — Angelic & Mary Teaching (Learning)

Highlight "The Angelic Message" to the Fatima seers and preparation for God's work through prayer, penance, and devotion. This day can focus on the lessons from the Angel of Peace, the importance of the Holy Eucharist, and encouraging deeper spiritual preparation for the mission ahead.

Thursday — Prayer Ministry and Community (Living)

Devote Thursdays to "Prayer Ministry" with special focus on praying the Rosary for those in need, intercessory prayer groups, and promoting the Five First Saturdays devotion of reparation requested by Our Lady. Invite community participation in prayer chains and spiritual offerings.

Friday — Engaging in Events and Outreach (Spreading)

Share "Weekend Events" to keep the community engaged with practical ways to live the Fatima message—pilgrim statue visits, prayer events, Marian feasts, and evangelisation activities. Encourage active participation in spreading peace and joy through Our Lady’s message.

Saturday — Pondering and Preparation for Sabbath ( Preparation)

"Sabbath Preparation" themed posts to encourage quiet reflection, meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, and preparing hearts for a restful and holy Lord’s day. Emphasise the connection to Mary’s Immaculate Heart as refuge and guide towards spiritual peace.

WAF 2026 Pilgrimage

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:34:42 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima (England and Wales)

Pilgrimage to Braga and Fatima

9th ^th – 15 ^th July 2026

Day one - Thursday 9 ^th July 2026 (London-Porto-Braga)

Flight from UK to Porto. (LGW/Porto – Easyjet 1005 / 1300)

Meet our coach and guide and transfer to our accommodation in Braga. Time to see Braga. Dinner is provided at the hotel.

Day two – Friday 10 ^th July 2026 (Braga-Balazar)

After breakfast we begin our visit to the city of Braga and the Shrine of Sameiro and Bom Jesus. We break for lunch. In the afternoon pilgrimage to Balazar to pray at Blessed Alexandrina’s tomb. Mass in the chapel. Dinner and overnight accommodation at our hotel.

Day three – Saturday 11 ^th July 2026 (Porto-Aveiro-Coimbra-Fatima)

After breakfast we check out of our hotel in Braga and travel by coach to Porto. Free time to tour the city in the morning and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we travel towards Fatima, stopping en route in Aveiro. We travel on to Coimbra and visit the Museum of Sister Lucia and say Rosary at the Convent Chapel.

Check in at Domus Pacis hotel in Fatima and dinner.

Day four – Sunday 12 ^th July 2026 (Fatima)

Breakfast in the hotel

Holy Mass in Domus Pacis or Shrine. We then have free time to independently tour the Sanctuary. Free for lunch.

Visit to the House of Candles for a guided tour.

7.30 pm - Dinner at the hotel

9.30 pm - Participation in the evening Vigil

We return to our hotel for our overnight accommodation.

Day five – Monday 13 ^th July 2026 (Fatima)

After breakfast we join the congregation for the International Mass in the Piazza of the Shrine of Fatima.

Free for lunch

2.30 pm – We meet for talk of Nuno and Ana at Domus Pacis Chapel.

4.00 pm - Visit to the museum of Fr Formigao.

6.00 pm Fatima Prayer Cell at the Library of Domus Pacis.

7.30 pm Dinner

9.30pm Rosary and Candlelight procession

Day six – Tuesday 14 ^th July 2026 (Fatima)

After breakfast we depart by coach walk the Stations of the Cross. We visit the site of the Apparition of the Angel and celebrate Mass at St Stephen’s chapel. We then walk into the village of Aljustrel where we break for lunch before visiting the homes of the children. We return by bus to St Anthony’s Church for a renewal of baptismal promises. Return to the hotel.

7.30 pm Dinner

9.30pm Rosary and Candlelight procession

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Fatima.

Day seven – Wednesday, 15 ^th July 2026 (Fatima-Lisbon)

After breakfast we check out of our hotel and depart for Lisbon. En route we visit Santerem before moving on to the Shrine of St Anthony where we celebrate Mass. We also visit the Convent of the Poor Clares where Jacinta stayed whilst waiting for a hospital bed. We travel on to the airport for our return flight to the UK. (1720/1955 LIS/LGW)Day 1 – Thursday, 9 July (London–Porto–Braga)

Flight from London Gatwick to Porto.
Transfer to Braga with time to explore the city.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Friday, 10 July (Braga–Balazar)

Visit Braga’s religious sites: Shrine of Sameiro and Bom Jesus.
Afternoon pilgrimage to Balazar to pray at Blessed Alexandrina’s tomb.
Mass and dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 – Saturday, 11 July (Porto–Aveiro–Coimbra–Fatima)

Travel to Porto for sightseeing and lunch.
Continue to Fatima via Aveiro and Coimbra.
Visit Sister Lucia’s museum and pray the Rosary.
Check-in and dinner at Domus Pacis hotel.

Day 4 – Sunday, 12 July (Fatima)

Mass at Domus Pacis or the Shrine.
Free time to explore the Sanctuary.
Guided tour of the House of Candles.
Dinner and participation in the evening vigil.

Day 5 – Monday, 13 July (Fatima)

Attend the International Mass at the Shrine.
Afternoon talks and visits: Domus Pacis Chapel, Fr Formigao Museum, and Fatima Prayer Cell.
Evening Rosary and Candlelight procession.

Day 6 – Tuesday, 14 July (Fatima)

Stations of the Cross and Mass at St Stephen’s Chapel.
Visit Aljustrel village and homes of the visionaries.
Renewal of baptismal promises at St Anthony’s Church.
Dinner and evening procession.

Day 7 – Wednesday, 15 July (Fatima–Lisbon)

Depart for Lisbon with stops at Santerem and the Shrine of St Anthony.
Visit the Convent of the Poor Clares.

Return flight to London Gatwick.

Price: £1,370 per person sharing a twin/double room on a half board basis. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £190. Price includes return airfare including hold baggage, accommodation as detailed in the itinerary, all transport whilst in Portugal, and all entrance fees. Price does not include lunches, drinks or items of a personal nature. Please note that this itinerary is not suitable for the less able traveller.

Deposit of £400 and completed booking form required by 15.12.2024 with balance and any single supplement due by 16.4.2026.

Booking Ref: WAF02

November: The 8th Annual General Meeting

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 23:59:00 GMT

The 8th Annual General Meeting of the World Apostolate of Fàtima England and Wales took place from 23-25 October 2025. This three-day event was a time of reflection, gratitude, planning, and prayer to strengthen the Apostolate’s mission of spreading Our Lady of Fàtima’s message across England and Wales.

On Day 1, participants engaged in discussions focused on Promoters’ growth and contributions, Social Media and newsletters, and the Children of the Eucharist and Young Missionaries of Mary programs. Day 2 featured talks by two invited speakers: Antonia V Moffat on the connection between Consecration requests and the First Saturdays of Reparation, and Fr Lawrence Lew, OP, on the powerful theme of Redemptive Suffering in Fàtima’s message. The new Trustees elected were Ethel Lojo as National Treasurer and Anthony Hanley as a Board Member.

Day 3 included an insightful session with Jerry Rivera about the Fàtima Prayer Cell program, which has been running for over four years. The event was led by National President Patrick Cunningham and Vice President Barbara Dixon, supported by National Secretary Kathleen Too, Aurea Ancheta Coloma, and Lucila Salonga Desbruslais. A special thanks was extended to Rev Fr Peter Sebastian, who celebrated the liturgies and hosted the AGM in his parish.

The 9th Annual General Meeting will be held in November 2026, with details to be announced. May Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart be your refuge and guide you to God. Ave Maria.

November: Portsmouth Diocese Visit

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 23:49:06 GMT

On the first Saturday of October, the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue (NPVS ) of Our Lady of Fàtima
and the Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto visited the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Portsmouth.

Bishop Philip Egan welcomed, crowned, and blessed the statue, relics, and the Centenary Icon of the Pontevedra apparition during Mass, attended by about 200 faithful from across the diocese. In his homily, Bishop Philip emphasized the Immaculate Heart of Mary and her call for conversion and reparation.

He also led a 15-minute meditation and the recitation of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Canon James McAuley, Cathedral Dean and Vicar General, guided the veneration of the relics and welcomed the congregation. Fr Ryan Browne, the cathedral curate, presided over the enrollment and investiture of brown scapulars. May Our Lady's Immaculate Heart be your refuge and guide you to God.

November: Holy Souls

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:53:53 GMT

How we can help the Holy Souls in November?

November is the month of the Holy Souls and so this is an important time during which to remember our own loved ones, and more generally the souls in Purgatory.

Regarding purgatory in the Catechism we find this passage: “The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the ... the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire” (1031).

Jesus certainly spoke about hell as a place of fire, of eternal punishment, (e.g. Mark 9: 43, 47; Luke 16:19-31), and the Church has traditionally seen purgatory as a lesser form of punishment—since unlike hell it will end—but still, according to some of the saints, an extremely painful experience, to the extent that the pains of purgatory surpass anything we could experience on earth. Thus, we should live our lives with the aim of entering heaven when we die.

In any event, we can help the souls in purgatory particularly in November, but also at any time of the year, by visiting a cemetery and praying for particular souls, either vocally or mentally, so as to gain a partial indulgence on their behalf.

And to go further, a Plenary Indulgence may be gained between 1st and 8th November, applicable to the Holy Souls only, by visiting a cemetery and praying there for the dead, even if the prayer is only mental, and then fulfilling the conditions required, which are Confession, (up to eight days before or afterwards), Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope (one Our Father and one Hail Mary).

We can also pray the indulgenced “Eternal Rest” prayer for them in a cemetery or indeed at any time or in any place:

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Here is St Joseph Cafasso's Prayer to Avoid Purgatory - From The Life of St. Joseph Cafasso by St. John Bosco

"O my sweet Jesus, in addition to the many graces which Thou hast conferred on me in the course of my life, I ask Thee for this further one: when my soul shall have departed from this world, not only that it not be condemned to Hell, but that it shall not be compelled to remain away from Thee for even a moment in Purgatory.

It is true that I am a debtor to Divine Justice, but I hope to pay all my debts from the infinite merits of Thy Passion and Death. O Heaven, holy city of my God, my dear native land! Oh, how I sigh for thee! O happy day when I shall reach thee! O Heaven, my dear Heaven, come quicky and satisfy the desires of a wretched heart that sighs for thee!

"My God, I accept whatever kind of death it may please Thee to send me, with all the terrors, all the pains, all the sufferings that shall justly accompany it. Finally, I pray Thee to accept the destruction of my body as the last act of homage that I can offer to Thy Supreme Divine Majesty, in satisfaction for the offenses committed in the course of my life.

"O Mary, I ask thee for one more grace: Obtain from thy Divine Son that I may die, but that I may die with thee, and that I may fly to Heaven along with thee. O merciful Mother, grant that when my soul is liberated from this wretched body I may go immediately to find thee in Heaven, there to commence that life which will be my occupation for all eternity.

"Requiem aeternam dona mihi, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat mihi. Requiescam in pace."

We can also say the Rosary or do the Stations of the Cross for the Holy Souls, but as the Catechism states, (1032), the best thing we can possibly do, and at any time of the year, is to have Masses offered for them, that they may speedily enter heaven and behold God face to face.

Anything we do to help the Holy Souls is a great act of charity since they can no longer help themselves, and are utterly dependent on us to help them.

If we release a soul from Purgatory, they will be eternally grateful, and will intercede with God for us while we remain on earth.

Fr Lawrence Lew Suffering and sacrifice

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:02:22 GMT

Fr Lawrence Lew spoke powerfully about the redemptive value of suffering. His talk was both inspiring and illuminating, reminding us that our sufferings, when united with Christ’s Passion, become a powerful form of sacrifice. As Fr Lawrence said: “Suffering without love is hell. Suffering with love is a sacrifice which transforms and unites us with Christ on the Cross.”

November 2025- Newsletter Live

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:00:25 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

NOVEMBER 2025 Newsletter

Featured this month: WAF England and Wales AGM highlights. Talks from guest speakers Antonia Moffat and Fr. Lawrence Lew. WAF 2026 Pilgrimage information

Dear Readers,

This is the Fifth edition of our new updated newsletter, for the month of November. We hope you will enjoy reading about the latest Fatima news both locally and internationally..

NOVEMBER - MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS

November is the month of the Holy Souls and so this is an important time during which to remember our own loved ones, and more generally the souls in Purgatory.

Jesus certainly spoke about hell as a place of fire, of eternal punishment... read the article

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

WAF E&W 2026 PILGRIMAGE ANNOUNCED

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

WAF PROMOTIONAL MEETINGS & VOLUNTEERS

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

NOTICES - FOCUS ON ACTIVITY

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK FEATURE

FATIMA ARTICLES & TALKS BY Antonia Moffat and Fr Lawrence Lew OP

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham

Dear WAF Members

2025 AGM Overview

I would first like to thank everyone who attended the WAF–E&W 8th Annual General Meeting, held at St Catherine of Siena Church in Chessington. I extend appreciation to Fr Peter Sebastian, guest speakers Antonia Moffat and Fr Lawrence Lew OP, and all those who contributed to making the three-day event such a remarkable success

I am pleased to report that the Apostolate continues to make noteworthy progress, both in evangelisation and in furthering Sister Lucia’s call to make Our Lady known and loved.

The fruits of the Apostolate’s work over the past year were evident in our many initiatives: the promotion of the Rosary, the formation of prayer cells and promoters, thirty-one cathedral and parish visitations, and a national pilgrimage to Fatima with our patron, Bishop Mark O’Toole. We also reached out to young people through the Young Missionaries of Mary.

I am also pleased to announce the election of two new trustees. Please join me in welcoming Ethel Lojo as our new National Treasurer and Anthony Handley as a Board Member.

Antonia Moffat delivered a thoughtful résumé of the Fatima message, reflecting on the connection between the requests for the Consecration and the First Five Saturdays Devotion. She emphasised how each supports the other, and two words from her talk particularly struck me: “It matters.” You can view her talk or look at the pdf here

2026 National Fatima Pilgrimage

Details of the 2026 National Fatima Pilgrimage have now been released and can be viewed [here]. World Apostolate of Fatima (England and Wales)People in collaboration with the World Apostolate of Fatima (England and Wales), will take place from 9th to 15th July 2026. The journey includes spiritual and cultural visits to Braga, Balazar, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Fatima, Santarém, and Lisbon.

Please note Booking Ref WAF02: Contact Pilgrimage People (www.pilgrimagepeople.org, info@pilgrimagepeople.org, 0800 612 3423) for more information and booking forms. A deposit of £400 is required by 15 December 2025, with the remaining balance due by 15 April 2026 - More about the pilgrimage here

Monthly Online Rosary

Our online Rosary continues to be held on the first Sunday of each month. We warmly invite all members to join us in prayer and fellowship.

2025 Cathedral Visits

To date, WAF–E&W has completed 14 Cathedral Visits this year. The final visit of 2025 will take place on 8 November at Our Lady and St Philip Howard Cathedral – Arundel & Brighton. Please support this visit as we honour our Holy Mother.

Details of the 2026 Cathedral Visits will be shared in the New Year.

As we leave behind the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, we now enter the month devoted to the Holy Souls. Let us remember all the Holy Souls in our prayers and reflect on the importance of prayer and sacrifice. Our prayers and sacrifices truly matter.

Fr Jason ( Canon Jason Jones) WAF National Spiritual Director - England and Wales

Today, November 1st, marks the 28th anniversary of his ordination. Let us hold him in our prayers and give thanks to God for his dedicated service to the WAF Apostolate.

With every blessing,

Patrick Cunningham

National President, WAF–E&W

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Fatima Talk by Antonia Mofatt

Antonia provided a refreshing talk to the audience at the WAF AGM IN October - information can be found here

Fatima Talk by Fr Lawrence Lew OP

Fr Lawrence provided this inspiring talk on redemptive suffering during the WAF AGM 2025 conference - information can be found here

Our website

Since launching our new website last year, we have enriched it with additional valuable content.. Please visit and explore.
www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

WAF Introductory Video

This video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

The AGM in October 2025 proved to be incredibly productive. WAF England and Wales' President Patrick shared ivaluable insights, and we invite anyone interested in contributing their time to support our mission and promote the message of Fatima to contact us. You can print and share the poster using the link below, and feel free to share this image on social media as well.

Download the Flyer

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

Dear WAF Family,

On this 1st November, the first Saturday of the month of November, Pope Leo will officially proclaim St John Henry Cardinal Newman a Doctor of the Church.

November also starts the Month of the Holy Souls, so it is fitting that we use as our reflection this month the hymn of the Cardinal which we will sing in our parishes for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made,

The souls to Thee so dear,

In prison for the debt unpaid,

Of sins committed here.

When we seriously consider the truth and the beauty of Purgatory we are reminded that it’s intimately connected to an important part of the Fatima message namely Reparation.

Purgatory is therefore the place where we repair the damaged our sins have caused in our relationship with God and with others.

We have a debt to pay as both the hymn and the Lord in the Gospel tells us “ you will not get out until you have paid the last penny”

We are in indebted to God for all He has given us and for His constant display of Mercy and yet how we have squandered His blessings and taken all for granted and abused this immense generosity.

Purgatory as the Church reminds us iş where after our death we repair for the temporal damage incurred from our sins committed in life.

As we approach the centennial celebration anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Pontevedra let us resolve not only to encourage each other to start the 5 First Saturday devotion but also to repeat them if we have already done them as a fitting form of reparation for our sins so as to save us from making up and repaying the debt in Purgatory after our death.

The 5 first Saturday devotion we undertake, provides a powerful means of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the sins by which they are offended. This includes all sins committed by our deceased family and friends.

The souls in Purgatory are still making reparation for their sins. The reparation we make on their behalf helps them pay off their debt sooner so that they can obtain Heaven more quickly and when they arrive how they will remember and assist us.

May we take advantage of all of the means of the Church and the Jubilee Indulgence this Holy Year to help empty purgatory so that all souls may be led to heaven especially those most in need of mercy - the Holy Souls in purgatory.

May they rest in peace.

Assurance of prayers and may I ask for your prayers for on 1st November I will celebrate my 28th anniversary of Ordination

With prayers

Fr Jason

Canon Jason Jones

WAF National Spiritual Director - England and Wales

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activites

World Apostolate E&W Pilgrimage -2026

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

FATIMA ARTICLES

Informative and topical articles related to the Message of Fatima or the current Calendar

A Beautiful reflection on Holy Souls for the month of November by Donal Foley

November is the month of the Holy Souls and so this is an important time during which to remember our own loved ones, and more generally the souls in Purgatory.

Read more here

More on November, the month dedicated to the Holy Souls

November Indulgences for the Holy Souls

Regarding gaining November Indulgences for the Holy Souls, it is worth knowing that from midday , 1st November, until midnight 2nd November, it is possible to gain a Plenary Indulgence which is applicable to the Holy Souls only, under these conditions:

Make a visit to a Church, say there an Our Father and one of the Creeds, and then fulfil the usual conditions of Confession - up to eight days before or afterwards - and also Holy Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Pope (one Our Father and one Hail Mary). The indulgence may be gained only once a day.

In addition, a Plenary Indulgence can usually also be gained between 1st and 8th November, applicable to the Holy Souls only, by visiting a cemetery and praying there for the dead, even if the prayer is only mental, and then fulfilling the conditions above, including the prayers for Pope.

Anything we do to help the Holy Souls is a great act of charity since they can no longer help themselves, and are utterly dependent on us to help them.

If we release a soul from Purgatory, they will be eternally grateful and will intercede with God for us while we remain on earth.

Suitable indulgenced prayers which can be said at any time for those in purgatory are:

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”

And:

“May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

You can read more about gaining indulgences for the souls in purgatory here:
https://relevantradio.com/2018/11/how-to-gain-a-plenary-indulgence-for-the-souls-in-purgatory/

Resources for November as the month of the Holy Souls

Here are some books relating to this devotion - they can all be downloaded from the Internet Archive as PDFs at no cost, and are well worth reading.

How to Avoid Purgatory - O'Sullivan
https://archive.org/details/howtoavoidpurgat00osul_1

Purgatory: illustrated by the lives and legends of the saints - Schouppe
https://archive.org/details/purgatoryillustr00schouoft

The Treatise on Purgatory - St Catherine of Genoa
https://archive.org/details/TreatiseOnPurgatory

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

International Congress and Pilgrimage - December 2025

View more here

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Some video highlights of recent Fatima events and media.

Highlights on the WAF E&W AGM 2025 gathering at St. Catherine of Siena parish Chessington.

View Here

Highlights of the Portsmouth Diocese visitation hosted by Bishop Philip Eagon

View Here

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

Cardiff-Menevia Visitation

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

November: Antonia Moffat - The Message of Fatima

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:58:40 GMT

The connection between the request for Consecration,

and the First Saturdays of Reparation in the Fatima Message,

stating how each of them lean on the other

Some background on Fatima’s historical context

Our Lady appeared in Fatima, whilst the world was ravaged by an ongoing

4th year of War. Millions had needlessly perished, and the endless slaughter

seemed unstoppable. Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) had worked tirelessly

to try to end the war diplomatically, but was ignored on every side. He

labeled World War 1 as “the suicide of civilised Europe.” Russia suffered

devastating defeats, which led to revolution by militant atheists, whose

avowed aim was for world domination under communism. From March to

November 1917, the Russian revolution annihilated the Czar, and all

resistance, to the launch of the Soviet totalitarian State. The age of the

greatest number of martyrs in the history of the Church was inaugurated.

Pope Benedict XV promulgated a special Novena of Rosaries in Rome to

plead the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace. It started on May 5th,

1917, entreating her for the end of the war. Nine days later on May 13th, Our

Lady appeared in Fatima as if directly answering the Holy Fathers pleadings

for peace. Heaven had listened, where no one else would! At the same time

in Rome, Eugenio Pacelli was consecrated Bishop who would become Pope

Pius XII in 1939. This Pope throughout his pontificate paid close attention to

the message brought by the Mother of God.

Our Lady appeared in Fatima, and asked that the Rosary be prayed daily for

the end of the war, and for peace. She asked that sacrifices be made for the

conversion of sinners, and to help spread devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

Later she asked for two crucial things which she indicated would obtain the

peace of the World, and the conversion of Russia - so that Russia would not

continue to spread its errors throughout the world, annihilating nations,

persecuting Christians, crucifying the Church, and causing much suffering to

the Holy Father.

Two crucial Requests as an antidote for War, and for the prevention

of the spread of Communism!

The message of Fatima highlights for us that Russia cannot be converted, nor

can there be peace in the world, without Consecration to the Immaculate

Heart of Mary, and establishment of devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

through the practice of the First Saturdays of Reparation.

1On July 13th 1917 Our Lady gave insight into the meaning of the need for

reparation to her Immaculate Heart when she said:

“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times especially when

you make some sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the

conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins committed against the

Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

As Our Blessed Mother said these words, she extended and opened her

hands, as she had done during the two previous months, and showed the

three young shepherds the terrifying vision of Hell.

Lucia speaks: “The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw

as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human

form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze,

floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that

issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke now

falling back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or

equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us

and made us tremble with fear. (It might have been this sight which caused me to cry

out, as people say they heard me.) The demons could be distinguished by their

terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and

transparent like burning coals.”

Our Lady then said with great sadness:

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them,

God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.

If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be

peace. The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending

God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When

you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the

great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its

crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of

the Holy Father.”

“To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the Consecration to my

Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First

Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and

there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the

world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be

martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will

be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy

Father will consecrate Russia to me and she will be converted, and a

period of peace will be granted to the world.”

2The Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays, and the Collegial

Consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, led by the Holy Father in

communion with all the Bishops of the world are the two crucial requests!

One remains unheard, unpracticed and is hardly known - the First Saturdays

of Reparation!

If the Requests go unheeded!

Our Lady foretold what might unfold if people did not convert and return to

God - the tyranny of communism, that Russia would spread her evils

throughout the world, that another War (World War II) could break out, that

the good would be martyred, and that the Church would experience severe

persecution. Russia it seemed was used as a symbol for all those who tried,

and still try to eradicate God, through what ever atheistic systems and

philosophies they can, to destroy the values of faith, the sanctity of marriage

and family, and the sanctity of life from the moment of conception to natural

death. Our Lord himself in 1936, said to Lucia, “If they do not wish to heed

my request, as like the King of France, they will repent and do it, but it

will be late. Russia will have already spread her errors throughout the

world, provoking wars and persecutions of the Church. The Holy Father

will have much to suffer.”

The Light of Fatima and the Message

Fatima is a light illuminating the darkness of our times. Its strong light has

shone, since its dawning to the three little shepherd children in 1916/1917,

and then onwards through the mission of Sr. Lucia in 1925 and 1929, and

beyond to the present day. Fatima is a witness to faith. It is a mystical grace,

which at our invitation, has the power to draw us into the mystery of the

Most Holy Trinity, and an experience of the love of God. Fatima is at the

same time prophetic, and a warning, a call to people to turn from sin, to

change and to convert, and to embrace God in His loving Will. Fatima points

to future events, but encouragingly demonstrates that our response to the

calls of the Angel of Peace, Our Blessed Lady and Our Divine Lord through

prayer, confession of sin, penance, reparation for sin, and consecrations to

the Immaculate Heart of Mary, have the spiritual power to mitigate or even

bring to naught the punishments which in justice are due because of the sin

of the world. Fatima is an outpouring of God’s love and mercy for all people.

Some of the first words of the Angel of Peace (1916) were, “The Hearts of

Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you.” The Fatima Message is

also presenting us with the Peace Plan of Heaven!

Praying for the Salvation of Souls

Jesus and Mary are pleading with us to pray for the salvation of souls, to

save them from the fires of hell. What matters for all of us is Eternal Life …

the destiny which Our Lord and Our Lady desire for each person. As the

Catechism of Christian Doctrine (1985) said: What must you do to save

your soul? To save my soul I must worship God by Faith, Hope and Charity;

that is, I must believe in him, I must hope in him, and I must love him with my

whole heart.”

On August 19th 1917 Our Blessed Lady said:

“Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls

go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray

for them.”

The Fatima Message teaches us how prepare for Eternal Life, and to plead

for the salvation of those who do not believe, do not adore, and do not love

God. Our Lady’s motherly concern in Fatima echoed the Catechism of the

Catholic Church which states: “The chief punishment of hell is eternal

separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness

for which he was created and for which he longs. The affirmations of Scared

Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to

the responsibility incumbent upon man to make use of his freedom in view of

his eternal destiny.” (CCC1036-1036)

The request for the First Saturdays of Reparation

Our Lady often appeared holding Her Heart which was encircled by piercing

thorns. This demonstrated that Our Blessed Lady is outraged, and that she

is seeking reparation. Reparation for sin is due in justice to God and

neighbour. The more serious the sin, the greater the need for reparation. Yes,

we go and confess our sins in the Sacrament of Confession. We are then

given a penance. Reparation compliments the penance. Ven. Archbishop

Fulton Sheen once gave this helpful analogy:

Imagine a woodblock with a nail in it. When you go to Confession your sin is

confessed and removed. Like the sin the nail is removed … yet what remains

is the hole representing the wounds of sin! The wounds which need to be

healed by acts of reparation. Think of a festering wound! It is no good

placing a sticking plaster over it, and failing to treat it! Septicaemia is likely to

follow, with death close at hand! The wound needs close attention paid to it,

cleaning, purifying, and the prescription of medications to totally heal it. Like

physical symptoms sin often leaves behind a trail, and we need to do

something about it. Various acts of Reparation are our spiritual antidotes,

4and spiritual medications so that the wounds of our sin might be healed from

their roots. Hence, Our Blessed Mother in Fatima asked us for a monthly

Confession and acts of Reparation. They are a means to re evaluate our

catholic practice and witness. A monthly confession helps all of us to

examine our consciences in a more profound way.

At the core of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the call to

Penance, Penance, Penance, and Reparation, Reparation, Reparation, which

preceded the request for the Consecration of Russia.

In July 1917 Our Lady said:

“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times especially when

you make some sacrifice; “O Jesus, it is for love of you, for the

conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against

the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Practice of the First Saturdays of Reparation

Heaven’s Peace Plan!

Heaven's Peace Plan – 5 Days that have the potential to change you and

bring peace to the World! Are you willing to help change the WORLD?

Heaven's Peace Plan for the Church, Families and Nations was presented to

us through the Messages of Our Lady of Fatima. It is a humble and peaceful

plea - to pray the Rosary daily and to practice monthly the First Saturdays of

Reparation.

The Rosary and the First Saturdays are the great desire of both the Hearts of

Jesus and Mary for these dangerous times. Heaven is pleading with sinful

earth through these requests!

Heaven's Peace Plan is seemingly so simple - so simple that most in the

Church have missed it! The devotion can be done individually or

communally. If done communally with others, it gives a powerful witness of

faith to the rest of the Church.

Sr. Lucia strongly stated in 1939: “War or Peace in the world depends on

the celebration of this devotion (the First Saturdays), and the

Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary connected to it …”

On the First Saturday of every month – we are invited to undertake …

4 practices with 1 Great Intention.

Each First Saturday we are asked to:

1. Go to Confession (on the day, or as soon as possible before or after)

2. Receive Holy Communion as a Communion of Reparation (in a state of

grace)

3. Pray the daily Rosary

4. Meditate for 15 minutes on the Rosary Scriptures whilst keeping Our Lady

company.

All with the intention of making Reparation for sins committed against

the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and which are so offensive to God.

The First Saturday Apparition

On December 10th, 1925, Jesus and Mary came to Lucia when she was

a postulant in the Dorothean Convent in Pontevedra, Spain. Lucia had

only joined the convent on October 26th 2025, just 6 weeks before.

Lucia described it thus: “It was December 10, 1925. I was in my room,

when suddenly the room lit up and it was the light of my dear Mother in

Heaven who came with the Child Jesus a luminous cloud. Our Lady as if

wanting to install courage, rested her hand on my shoulder, and as she

did so, showed me her Immaculate Heart encircled by thorns, which she

was holding in her other hand.”

The child Jesus said, “Have compassion on the Heart of your Most

Holy Mother covered with the thorns with which ungrateful men

pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of

Reparation to remove them."

Then Our Lady said , “Look, My daughter, at My Heart surrounded

with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment

by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console

me, and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with all the

graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first

Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy

Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me

company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of

the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

Lucia further added: “After this grace, how could I take myself away

from the least sacrifice that God asks of me to console the Heart of my

beloved Mother in Heaven, happy that Mary depletes the bitter drops of

the Chalice.”

The First Saturdays are crucial and integral to the PEACE plan of Heaven.

This message requesting the First Saturdays is the great Crown of the June

13th and July 13th messages given in Fatima in 1917 to Lucia, Jacinta and

Francisco in which Our Lady said she would come to ask for the

Consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of

Reparation on the First Saturdays.

Immediately following the apparitions at Pontevedra, Sr. Lucia

communicated Our Lady’s request to her confessor and to the Bishop of

Leiria (Fátima), so that the devotion could be approved by the Church, which

only happened officially in 1939. Lucia’s main concern was to have the

devotion approved by the Church, and once the Church approved it, she left

it to the Church to further spread it, although she would speak about it to the

people she would meet privately.

And then as if this was not enough! On February 15th 1926 Jesus himself

appears to Lucia when she was bringing out the rubbish, and strongly

rebukes her for not promoting the First Saturdays. Lucia infers that she had

previously met him some days before. Poor Lucia, who was a postulant, and

not exactly free to actively action the request. In all Jesus came three times

asking for this devotion to be spread. This is remarkable! And yet 100 years

on … we in the Church have hardly started this great work! Jesus might ask

us … “And have you spread through the world what our heavenly

Mother requested of you?”

Why would we not want to practice,

and spread the First Saturdays?

A Day of Reparation, each month in every parish throughout the Church –

would transform the Church and Nations, and be the means of the

sanctification and salvation of millions. First Saturdays may be done

individually, communally or in small groups as long as all the requirements

are fulfilled.

It is so humble a request – that most of us have managed to overlook it!

100 years ago on December 10th 1925 Jesus and Mary both requested them

of us.

Why 5 Saturdays? Our Lord revealed to Sister Lucia that the Devotion was

in reparation for the five offences and blasphemies spoken against the

Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1. Blasphemies against Her Immaculate Conception.

2. Blasphemies against Her Virginity.

7 3. Blasphemies against Her Divine Maternity, refusing, at the same

time to receive Her as the Mother of mankind.

4. Blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of

children indifference, disrespect and even hate for this Immaculate

Mother.

5. Blasphemies and offences of those who revile Her directly in Her

Sacred Images.

We have only to look at the various news channels, social media channels

and the like to see how widespread these blasphemies have become in our

own times. Sadly, daily, in countries like England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales,

France, Canada, Spain, America, Australia, Nigeria & many parts of Africa,

many parts of South America, Asia, India, Pakistan, the Middle East, we hear

of churches being burnt to the ground, dreadful sacrileges being committed,

statues being smashed, and peoples being murdered and terrorised in the

most brutal of ways just because they are Christian. Never in history have

such outrages and sacrileges been committed on such a massive scale.

Never in history has the Blessed Sacrament been so outraged, as so few

catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist,

Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Never has there been such open disrespect

in our Catholic Churches. In St. Peter’s, Rome, it seems that sacrileges and

abominations occur. Recently a man urinated on the actual altar under the

Baldachinno. This is totally shocking, outrageous, blasphemous, and

sacrilegious. These types of outrages are becoming common place. Yet as

catholics, are we outraged into reparation?

The First Saturdays are the forgotten part of the Fatima message, and the

most important for the peace of the world and for the salvation of souls.

Jesus and Mary gave to us all, and to Holy Church, a monthly means of

prayer of Reparation for the sins of the world, and a call for us to make a

monthly confession and Communion of Reparation.

Our prayer, fasting and sacrifice give the grace to awaken faith, repentance,

hope and charity in those who do not believe, do not adore and do not know

God. Prayer together with sacrifice offered to God for love of Him and

neighbour is redemptive. Reparation is about putting love where there has

been a hurt. Do we love enough to put Heaven’s humble plea into action? Do

we believe that our participation in the First Saturdays can help change the

world and bring peace?

Jesus on the Cross made reparation for all our sins and reconciled us with

the Father, but we too have to cooperate with this redeeming work on behalf

of souls. This is what the request for the Five First Saturdays is all about - so

let us get to work!

A timely reminder!

It seems that St. Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), and Our Lady of Fatima have a

fascinating connection. St Carlo had a great love for the Eucharist and the

Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a great devotee of Fatima, and of praying the

daily Rosary. In the final year of his young life in 2006, St. Carlo was on

pilgrimage in Fatima, and had a vision of the three young seers. St.

Francisco especially asked Carlo for prayers of Reparation, and acts of

sacrifice for sacrilege of the Eucharist, whilst Venerable Sr. Lucy reiterated

the importance of the Five First Saturdays of Reparation, and expressly

connected them to the world’s destiny. Carlo died from leukaemia in 2006

and was canonised by Pope Leo XIV in September 2025.

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Consecrating ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the

Immaculate Heart of Mary is at the very centre of the Fatima Message, and

serves to strengthen the foundation of our spiritual response of Reparation

as requested in the angelic visitations, the visitations of Our Blessed Mother,

and finally in the post Fatima visitations to Sr. Lucia as an adult, by both Our

Divine Lord Jesus and his Holy Mother Mary.

Consecration and Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary makes

complete our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Lady told the

children that to save souls from hell, “God wants to establish in the world

devotion to My Immaculate Heart.”

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary already existed in the world before

the Fatima apparitions but was little understood. What Jesus and Mary

emphasised through the Fatima messages was the importance of

‘establishing in the world’ devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In

other words to build up the practice of the devotion already present, and

make it integral and visible, at the heart of the spiritual life of the Church in

every parish.

What exactly is an Act of Consecration?

An Act of Consecration is a supernatural event. The origin and source of the

Act of Consecration is in the spiritual authority of the Bishops before

Almighty God. An Act of Consecration is a cry for help, the recognition of

fault, and an appeal for mercy for a new beginning.

An Act of Consecration means to set aside an individual, a family, a country,

a parish, a school or a diocese for God’s purposes. An Act of Consecration

9means that we want to become Holy! A Consecration involves a conscious

and total renunciation of sin. The better an Act of Consecration is prepared

for with confession, repentance and reparation, by the faithful and clergy, the

more fruitful it will be spiritually speaking. God is greatly pleased with such

Acts of Consecration.

The Highest form of Consecration is of the entire Church and the World,

when the Pope undertakes it in communion with the Bishops. This is what

Our Blessed Mother asked for in Fatima, and which took place on March

25th 1984 at the request of St. John Paul II.

Catholics need to awaken and become holy - for this will give the evangelical

witness which will win our peoples, nations and world to Christ! We have the

task of daily giving to Our Blessed Lady and her Divine Son JESUS - our

lives, and beloved Church, more beautiful and resplendent than they ever

were before!

Over the centuries these Acts of Consecration have been seen and

witnessed as heroic Acts of Faith, often during times of great persecution,

war and National upheaval. Throughout history we have witnessed

extraordinary graces of intervention in their aftermath.

Some people only see these Acts of Consecration as ‘devotions of the little

ones (the anawim), of not much importance’ – they are not! They have been

carried out by Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Laity throughout the

rich and complex history of the Catholic Church in all the nations where she

is present. So please HEAR this, and not confuse it with just another

devotional request!

Fatima, and Acts of Consecrations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

by successive Popes

Pope Pius XI supported the propagation of the First Saturdays. He

inaugurated the Feast of Christ the King to counter anti-Christian regimes.

Interestingly, on December 14th 1927, Pope Pius declared St. Therese of

Lisieux Patroness of the Missions, while also naming her as Patroness of all

the works for the conversion of Russia. Sr. Lucia’s pleas to him were not

going unheard!

On October 31st, 1942, Pius XII spoke to the Portuguese peoples. This

radio broadcast ended with a Consecration of the World to the Immaculate

Heart of Mary which was repeated in Rome on December 8th 1942,

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

10 On July 7th, 1952, Pius XII through his Apostolic Letter “Sacro Vergente

Anno” to the Russian peoples - (“In the Sacred Year that is ending”)

consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, hoping for their

salvation amidst the hostility of the Soviet regime towards religion. The

Consecration came at the end of the letter, and the Pope addressed them as

Dearest Russian Peoples.

Consecration of the peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pope Pius XII.

“We, therefore, so that Ours and your prayers are answered more easily, and

to give you a singular attestation of Our particular benevolence, as a few

years ago we consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of the

virgin Mother of God, so now, in a way very special, we consecrate all the

peoples of Russia to the same Immaculate Heart. In the sure confidence that

with the most powerful patronage of the Virgin Mary, the vows will happily

come true as soon as possible, that We, that you, and all good people work

for a true peace, for a fraternal harmony and due freedom for all, and in the

first place to the Church; so that, through the prayer that We raise together

with you and with all Christians, the saving kingdom of Christ, which is "the

kingdom of truth and life, the kingdom of holiness and grace, the kingdom of

justice, love and peace", triumphs in every part of the earth and is firmly

established.

And with suppliant invocation we pray to the same most clement Mother, so

that she may assist each one of you in the present calamities and obtain from

her divine Son that light which comes from Heaven, and implore for your

souls that virtue and that strength, by which, sustained by divine grace, may

you victoriously overcome every impiety and error. Amen.”

Rome, at Saint Peter's, July 7, 1952,

the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, XIV Year of Our Pontificate. PIO PP. XII

Pope St. John XXIII, formerly Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, visited Fatima in

1956 as Patriarch of Venice. As Pope he decided not to reveal the third

secret of Fatima in 1960 as the message had instructed. The Pope stated it

was "advisable to preserve the mystery”.

Pope Paul VI towards the end of the Second Vatican Council on November

21st 1964 referred to the consecration which Pope Pius XII had made, in

reference to Fatima. He then announced that he would present the Shrine in

Fatima with a Golden Rose (Nov 21st 1964).

Sr. Lucia made it clear at these times that Our Lady’s requests had not been

satisfied or fulfilled.

11 Pope St. John Paul II was the Holy Father who finally fulfilled what Our

Blessed Lady asked for. The assassination attempt on his life on May 13th

1981, prompted him, whilst in hospital to request to read the document

containing the secret of Fatima. As he reflected he realised that Our Lady of

Fatima had saved him on the very anniversary of the first apparition.

On May 13th 1982, Pope John Paul II went to Fatima to give thanks to Our

Lady for saving his life, and to make the Act of Consecration. The Pope had

asked to speak with Sr. Lucia before this but was not able to, in order to try

to understand more fully Our Lady’s actual request. Only afterwards was the

Pope able to speak with Sr. Lucia, and discovered that he had not fulfilled all

that was necessary for the Consecration to be accepted. In the light of this

20 minute conversation, the Pope on December 8th, 1983, Solemnity of the

Immaculate Conception, wrote a letter to all the Bishops of the Catholic

Church inviting them to make the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of

Mary, with him, from wherever they might find themselves on March 25th

(1984) Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Pope John Paul II made the solemn Act of Consecration before the

renowned image of Our Lady of Fatima, which was sent to Rome at his own

personal request. The statue was placed near the papal altar directly above

the tomb of St. Peter. This is the only time a full collegial Act of

Consecration has ever taken place in the history of the Catholic Church.

This was the moment of grace which Heaven fully accepted. Sr. Lucia

endorsed this with gratitude, and thanksgiving.

When I watched the video of this Act of Consecration, I was moved by the

spiritual power of it, in the person of Pope John Paul II. His entire person,

eyes, heart and soul were fixated upon Our Lady of Fatima, and his

vestments flowed gently in the wind, perhaps symbolising a forthcoming

movement of the Holy Spirit, which will break forth upon the world, through

the Motherly and powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Pope John Paul II followed this momentous Act of Consecration by making

a dramatic gesture of gratitude, for Our Lady saving his life. He offered the

bullet which had targeted him, and shot him to the Bishop of Fatima, who

had it embedded in the Crown of Our Lady of Fatima. It was the final jewel

and most precious jewel in the crown, which fitted perfectly in its centre and

heart.

The Third Secret of Fatima was published by the Vatican on June 26, 2000,

also during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. The Vatican released the full

text, which Sr. Lúcia dos Santos, the surviving visionary, affirmed was the

complete vision, she had, under obedience, written down in 1944. It was

published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It contained the

12full text of the vision, a handwritten version by Sr. Lúcia, and a theological

commentary by Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI).

Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the world's priests to the Immaculate Heart

of Mary in Fatima, Portugal, on May 12, 2010 and, granted a Golden Rose to

Our Lady of Fatima as a tribute of gratitude. Pope Benedict XVI said when

praying before the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima: “It is a profound consolation

to know that you are crowned not only with the silver and gold of our joys

and hopes, but also with the ‘bullet’ of our anxieties and sufferings.”

Pope Francis led a renewal of the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate

Heart of Mary on both October 13th 2013, and March 25, 2022, a spiritual

plea for peace amid the war between Russia and Ukraine. The act was

intended as a gesture of the universal Church, asking for an end to the

violence by entrusting humanity to the Queen of Peace. The Pope also called

on communities to annually renew this consecration on that same date.

Pope Francis presented a Golden Rose to Our Lady of Fatima during his visit

to the shrine on May 13, 2017 to mark the centenary of the apparitions.

Pope Leo XIV recently presented with love and devotion a Golden Rose to

Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday October 11th 2025, amidst Jubilee

celebrations of Marian Spirituality. Like St. John Paul II he asked that the

statue of Our Lady of Fatima be brought to Rome for this spiritually

important occasion. His Holiness led a special vigil of Prayer and Rosary for

Peace from St. Peter’s. Then on Sunday October 12th during the closing

Mass of the Marian Spirituality Jubilee, His Holiness solemnly Entrusted/

Consecrated the World, all of Humanity, especially your children who are

tormented by the scourge of war, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is

curious that the catholic media made nothing of this, and if they did, they

called it a prayer to Our Lady??? Very strange!

Within days of this taking place, the historic Peace Plan for the Middle East

was inaugurated, and signed on October 13th 2025, the very anniversary of

Our Lady’s last appearance in Fatima to the three young shepherd children.

A sign to us all that Our Blessed Mother is powerfully at work for the

salvation of souls, and for the peace of the world, and that perhaps the

practice of the First Saturdays is beginning to have an impact.

How do the requests for Consecration and Reparation

lean on one another?

The fullness of the grace of an Act of Consecration is realised when the

solemn Act of Consecration is fully prepared for by repentance, confession

of sin, and prayers, fasting and sacrifices of reparation. We, the catholic

13faithful of today, need to take seriously the call of the Gospel for a radical

personal, communal and national repentance and reparation for our own sins

and those of our families, peoples and nations. We, the lay faithful and our

bishops and priests need to rediscover this basic call! For it is only when we

Catholics awaken and become holy that we can HOPE for the Conversion of

Nations. The graces of an Act of Consecration lean on the fruitfulness of the

response of individual, and communal acts of Reparation.

An Act of Consecration on its own will not bring the graces from HEAVEN for

which we all long for - the peace of Nations and the salvation of souls. Peace

in the world lies initially in the sanctification of the priests and laity of the

Catholic Church, where we grow in Faith, Hope and Charity. As we grow in

love so the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance

will take root, paving the way for empowerment in the Holy Spirit for

apostolic action and evangelisation.

The work and initiation of this great movement of repentance and reparation

will happen when the Church finally endorses, and publicly proclaims the

practice of the First Saturdays of Reparation.

The world again stands on the brink of war

will you ENACT the Peace

Plan of Heaven for the peace of the world?

–

It is in your hands!

Fr. Donald Calloway, leaves us with this stark warning, as he relayed the

following!

‘War is your fault’

My fellow Marian, Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, sometimes tells a story that a

priest ministering in Japan shared with him in Rome. This priest was at an

international gathering of Christians from across the world, attended by

foreign dignitaries. The ambassador from Japan approached the priest and

verified that the priest served in Japan, and was a Catholic priest, and then

said: “War is your fault.”

The priest was surprised and asked what the ambassador meant. The

ambassador said, “You Catholics, all of you

we do not have peace in the

world. It is your fault”. The priest said, “Ambassador, why do you blame us?”

The ambassador said, “I’ve read about this. The Lady came to you at Fatima,

right? That’s what you believe? She told you what to do to secure peace in

the world. Well, there’s no peace in the world, so obviously you Catholics

haven’t done it.”

The priest had to acknowledge that the ambassador was correct, but still

tried to protest, saying, “Isn’t peace everyone’s responsibility?” The

ambassador was vehement. “No, she came to you Catholics. Not to

Buddhists. Not to Hindus. She came to you, and it is your responsibility.”

14That ambassador had more faith than a lot of Catholics! But he’s right - Our

Lady came and asked for specific things at Fatima. If we had listened to her,

and did what she had asked, there would be peace in the world! Imagine if

we had listened …. what a different world we would live in today!

The Holiness of catholics in the Church matters

Finally let us look at, and unpack the deeper meaning of the Prayers of

Reparation given by the Angel of Portugal to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco

before the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima began:

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You! I ask pardon of You for

those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love

You.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I

offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus

Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the

outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. And

through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and of the

Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.

The Angel spoke of indifference! It matters how we behave in Church, and

give witness to our Faith. It matters how we enter Church, and place our

fingers in the Holy Water Stoop, and then make the sign of the Cross. Do we

do it with loving intention, witnessing to our faith in Jesus Christ, the Most

Holy Trinity? Do we genuflect with love, and reverence to the Blessed

Sacrament? Do we genuflect with intention and care? As we enter into one

of the benches do we immediately begin to commune with Jesus, or do we

attract the attention of people we know ,and begin to chat, and disturb those

endeavouring to commune with the Lord? How sad it must be for the Lord to

see so many parish churches full of chattering people, treating our churches

as if they are concert halls or council chambers?

So many Catholics seem to have forgotten that Our Divine Lord dwells

silently in the Blessed Sacrament awaiting our love, prayers and adoration.

Need I say more!

How do we receive Holy Communion? Are we approaching Holy Communion

with faith, reverence and love whether on the tongue or in the hand as a

throne? Are we receiving Jesus with reverence and love? After we have

received Jesus, do we make the sign of the Cross? Do we return to our

kneelers and deeply commune with Him?

15 And then we look at the outrages and actual sacrileges of the Holy

Eucharist which so offend Our Lord. Receiving Holy Communion in a state

of unconfessed serious sin, and sadly actual attacks on the Holy Eucharist,

carelessness in handling the sacred Body and Blood of Christ, thefts of the

Sacred Species, and sadly so much more …..

The prayers of Reparation of the Angel of Fatima are more needed today

than when they were first uttered by the Angel in 1916. We would do well to

meditate on these prayers often and pray them. It matters what witness we

give in our churches to children and young people. It matters what witness

we give in our churches to fellow catholics and to non believers! Why is it

that so many people, especially young people in our churches, do not know

how to genuflect, make the sign of the Cross, receive Holy Communion with

reverence, or even know the basic prayers?

The monthly First Saturdays of Reparation are a monthly means to bring this

all before the Lord, and his Holy Mother in Reparation. They are a means to

revaluate our catholic practice and witness. Pope St. John Paul II fulfilled Our

Lady’s request for the Consecration of Russia on March 25th 1984. Pope

Benedict XIV, Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have all made significant Acts

of Consecration since, in times of Global crisis. The Pope’s have done their

part, and continue doing their part! We need to do ours through the practice

of the First Saturdays!

Lucia when petitioning Pope John Paul II about the Consecration, wrote in

1982: “I humbly lament and beseech the Consecration of Russia to the

Immaculate Heart of Mary in union with all the bishops of the world. So that

this consecration is a bond of union of all the members of the Mystical Body

of Christ, who with Mary, the Mother of Christ and Our Mother, offer to the

Lord to complete the work of Redemption of the world.”

This is beautiful, and invites us all to renew daily, this bond of union of all

members of the Mystical Body of Christ with the Pope and Bishops of the

world. We are in this together with Mary our Co Redemptrix who will obtain

from God, the Conversion of Russia, and that of the whole world through the

Reparation of the First Saturdays, and the graces obtained through the

Collegial Act of Consecration of March 25th 1984, and other Acts of

Consecration both before and after.

Take note again! - the fragile peace accord for the Middle East was signed

on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima - October 13th 2025! Perhaps a sign that

the graces of our First Saturdays are at work?

Pray the Rosary daily for Peace & practice the First Saturdays of

Reparation. The Peace of the World depends upon your response!

Antonia Moffat

October 2025

Background Reading

1. A Pathway Under the Gaze of Mary - Biography of Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus

and the Immaculate Heart by the Carmel of Coimbra.

2. Inside the Light

Understanding the Message of Fatima by Sr. Angela de

Fatima Coelho - Postulator for Venerable, Servant of God Sr. Lucia dos Santos, &

previously for both St. Jacinta and St. Francisco.

3. Fatima and the First Saturdays - Communal First Saturdays publication

4. The Message of Fatima - by Sr. Lucia

5. Numerous other books by Sr. Lucia, various priests and WAF publications.

I highly recommend the reading of the above books.

Daily Prayer in preparation of the Centennial of the apparition of the

Infant Jesus and His Virgin Mother (December 10th 1925)

to the Venerable Servant of God Lucia dos Santos

O Virgin Mother of God and my dearest Mother, Our Lady of Fatima of the Most Holy

Rosary, I gaze upon your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart pierced with so many thorns by

the ingratitude and grievous sins of your children. I am deeply and forever sorry for how

my sins have offended your Divine Son and you, His sinless Mother. With a humble and

contrite heart, I wish to make reparation for the offences - great and small - given to your

Heart by the sins of your children.

In your maternal love, you have taught me, through your daughter, the Venerable Servant

of God Lucia dos Santos, the way to make reparation for sins by the First Saturdays

Devotion. On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of your apparition, together with the

Infant Jesus, to the Venerable Servant of God, on December 10, 1925, I pledge to

observe the First Saturday of the month in heartfelt reparation for sins by the sacramental

confession of my sins, by the worthy reception of Holy Communion, by the recitation of

five decades of the Rosary, and by keeping company with you for fifteen minutes while

meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. Please intercede for me that my practice of

the First Saturdays Devotion may redound to the salvation of many souls and to peace in

the world.

Help me also to bring your message of the First Saturdays Devotion to others. In

obedience to your maternal counsel, may the Church throughout the world offer to you

this loving act of humble and contrite hearts in sincere reparation for sins committed.

I give my heart completely to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart and, with you, I rest

my heart forever in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. With all my heart, I offer this prayer in

Him Who alone is my salvation. Amen.

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke - September 8th 2025 - Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

17 Act of Entrustment to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Pope Leo XIV

on occasion of the closing Mass in St. Peter's Square

for the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality

October 12th 2025

Holy Virgin, Mother of Christ our Hope,

your caring presence in this Year of Grace

accompanies and consoles us and gives us,

in the dark nights of history, the certainty

that in Christ evil is overcome and every person

is redeemed by his love.

Perfect disciple of the Lord, you have treasured

all things of God in your heart.

Teach us to listen to the word of God

and to understand it interiorly so that we may walk confidently

on the path of holiness.

To your Immaculate Heart we entrust

the whole world and all of humanity,

especially your children who are tormented

by the scourge of war.

Advocate of grace, advise us on the path

of reconciliation and forgiveness,

do not fail to intercede for us,

in joy and in sorrow, and obtain for us

the gift of peace that we earnestly implore.

Mother of the Church, welcome us kindly,

so that under your mantle, we may find refuge,

and be helped by your maternal aid

in the trials of life.

With you, Immaculate Virgin,

we magnify the Lord,

recognising at every moment

the great works of his love.

Holy Virgin, Mother assumed into Heaven,

Queen of Peace, Lady of the Immaculate Heart,

pray for us!

October - Month of the Holy Rosary

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:28:26 GMT

Fr Jason, the WAF Spiritual Director reminds us :

“The Most Holy Virgin, in these last times in which we live, has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, temporal or especially spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world or of the religious communities, or even of the life of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary.''

“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. With the Holy Rosary we will save ourselves. We will console Our Lord and obtain the salvation of many souls.” (Sister Lucia to Father Fuentes)

With these words, we confidently begin our Rosary month!

October - St Carlo Acutis and Fatima

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:25:08 GMT

St Carlo Acutis’ Hidden Fatima Vision

In the light of some new information which has emerged concerning St Carlo Acutis, it is noteworthy that he died on 12th October 2006, in Monza, Italy, at the age of 15, due to acute myeloid leukaemia. He was officially pronounced dead at 6:45 pm in the evening, and so he died on the vigil of the anniversary of the Fatima miracle of the Sun, which took place on 13 October 1917.

This is significant, especially since according to accounts shared by those close to him and confirmed in recent devotional discussions, he reportedly had a vision involving the three Fatima children and Our Lady during a pilgrimage to Fatima about a year before his death.

This vision emphasized the importance of the First Saturday Devotion – and Our Lady’s message to Carlo was to promote the devotion widely as a powerful means to bring peace to the world and protect Christianity from difficult times caused by disobedience.

Carlo was deeply influenced by the Fatima message, especially regarding the reality of hell and the call to reparatory prayer and sacrifice to save souls and the world.

The vision apparently included imagery of Our Lady placing her Immaculate Heart into Carlo, symbolising his close spiritual union with her and the mission he was given to spread the Devotion. To sum up, this hidden vision in particular encourages the faithful to seriously practice the Five First Saturdays Devotion to help bring about a spiritual renewal and peace in the world.

You can see the WAF Blue Army video about this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R529sAmTDk

October - Join us at St Ann, Leeds

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:22:12 GMT

Cathedral Visitations – Five First Saturdays Devotion Centenary

We continue our planned visits around the Cathedrals and Shrines of England and Wales during this centenary celebration of the Five First Saturdays Devotion. This month we visit:

• Cathedral Church of St Anne, Leeds on 13 October.
• The Cathedral Church of St Barnabus, Nottingham on 12-13 October

More details can be found here ...

October - Join us for a special Novena

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:31:34 GMT

Pray a Novena to St Carlo Acutis for WAF England & Wales intentions

To help gain more volunteers, we are suggesting praying a Novena to St Carlo Acutis, beginning today, 3rd October, and ending on his feast day, 12th October.

St Carlo Acutis was a young computer expert who used his skills to share his Catholic faith online. He created a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles around the world, making faith accessible through digital means. Known as the patron saint of the Internet, Carlo showed how technology can be a tool for spreading the Gospel and inspiring holiness.

Because of this, praying a Novena to St. Carlo Acutis is ideal for intentions related to online activities—including digital evangelisation, which is what WAF England and Wales is trying to do through our Website, Social Media, and Newsletter activities.

Novenas to St Carlo Acutis:

https://catholicnovenaapp.com/novenas/blessed-carlo-acutis-n...

https://catholicresources.education/pdf/novena-to-st-carlo-a...

Prayer campaign for Peace in Ukraine and in the whole world!

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:48:51 GMT

Dear WAF members from all over the world,

So we invite you to join the continuous 40-hours Rosary prayer and strengthen our spiritual front with international support.

Our common prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon, and our intention is CONVERSION OF SINNERS, PEACE IN THE WORLD, PROTECTION OF OUR UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS AND VICTORY in this war.

The Prayer lasts every week from Tuesday, 07:00 am, until Wednesday, 11:00 pm (Ukrainian time), thus forming 40 uninterrupted hours. It is also desirable to accompany the prayer with Fasting .

On this link www.rosary.fatima.in.ua you find the prayer platform itself in different languages and instructions on how to become a part of it. This way you can strengthen our prayer front. Every prayer is important to God! We also invite you to take advantage of a unique opportunity to receive a random BIBLE passage once you have registered for the prayer.

Kindly note that weekly registration for the prayer is required , as the system resets each week. Starting on Thursday, all registrations are cancelled and you may register again for the next week.

May God bless you all!

United in prayer,

WAF Ukraine

September - WAF England & Wales AGM

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:06:24 GMT

The WAF-E&W AGM will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Chessington from Thursday, October 23rd, to Saturday, October 25th. All are welcome to attend! For further details, please see the poster above.

September - Jubilee of Marian Spirituality

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:40:27 GMT

The Jubilee of Marian Spirituality is a special event within the larger 2025 Jubilee Year, focusing on deepening devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It will take place in Rome from October 11-12, 2025, with events centered around major basilicas and culminating in a Mass presided over by the Holy Father.

The Jubilee aims to inspire reflection, prayer, and celebration of Mary's role in the faith, inviting clergy, religious, and laity to participate.

View more here

September 2025- Newsletter Live

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:47:02 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

SEPTEMBER 2025 Newsletter

Featured this month: a beautiful insight into our children embracing the Fatima Message at a school visitation in the Archdiocese of Westminster - more here ...

Dear Readers,

This is the third edition of our new updated newsletter, for the month of September. We hope you will enjoy reading about the latest Fatima news both locally and internationally..

SEPTEMBER - MONTH OF THE SORROWS OF MARY

September, as the Month of the Sorrows of Mary, invites us to meditate on the compassion and suffering of Our Lady, especially as she stood by her Son at the foot of the Cross. This devotion was vividly brought to life at Fatima, where Our Lady not only asked for prayer and penance but emphasised the need for reparation to her Immaculate Heart. Just as Mary suffered in union with Jesus for the salvation of souls, Fatima calls each of us to join our prayers and sacrifices to hers, consoling her heart and working for the conversion of sinners.

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

NOTICES - FOCUS ON ACTIVITY

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK FEATURE

FATIMA ARTICLES

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham

Dear WAF Members

Pilgrim Virgin Statue Visitations

Since our last newsletter in July, WAF-E&W visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper in the Diocese of Cardiff and Menevia. This visit was part of the centennial year of celebrations for the Five First Saturdays devotion requested by Our Holy Mother. This September, we will visit St. Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle Upon Tyne. For more details, please visit: https://www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/events

National Pilgrimage to Fatima

In July, a group of 54 pilgrims went to Portugal. They first went to Santiago de Compostela, where they visited the famous basilica where St. James the Apostle is buried. The next day, they travelled to Pontevedra by coach and celebrated Mass at the Dorothean convent. It was here that Sister Lucia witnessed the apparition of the child Jesus and Our Lady, when she requested the Five First Saturdays devotion on December 10, 1925.

The pilgrims then visited Coimbra and the memorial museum to Sister Lucia before travelling on to Fatima. The pilgrimage was a great success and was also attended by WAF-E&W Patron Archbishop Mark O'Toole and National Spiritual Director Canon Jason Jones.

WAF-E&W / EWTN-GB Collaboration

As you may recall, WAF-E&W and EWTN-GB are collaborating to promote the message of Fatima and the First Five Saturdays devotion. We are reaching new audiences through the internet, social media, and via print. Several podcasts and short films are in production and will soon be released. These will feature highlights from the May 3rd visitation to St. Joseph's Cathedral in Swansea, as well as faith-based witness statements. We will also release podcasts and a short documentary film recorded during the national pilgrimage to Fatima in July.

WAF-E&W AGM

Nominations requested for Trustees

Two Trustee posts will be vacated this year as the current post holders are stepping down after completing their third term in office—the maximum allowed under the Charity Commission Constitution. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles, please read this document , and contact our national secretary, Kathleen Too.

Please note that only Promoters may apply for the role of Trustee and must be seconded by another Promoter.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the current post holders for their time and commitment. It is important that we fill these roles to ensure future generations continue to know the message of Fatima.

Promoter Formation

The Promoter on-line formation is proving a great success and many thanks to all involved. Please note the next on-line TEAMS formation sessions will be held on 20 ^th October and 15 ^th December respectfully. Details will be made available nearer the time.

Monthly On-line Rosary

The monthly on-line rosary is held on the first Sunday of every month commencing at 7pm. Please try to attend and support the rosary prayer intentions, particularly for world peace. See the poster for details.

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Our website

We have updated new content on our website. Please visit and explore.
www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

WAF Introductory Video

This video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

Please look at this information about the WAF AGM in October this year, and our need volunteers to help our mission to spread the message of Fatima. The poster can be printed off and shared from the link below. Also this image can be shared on social media.

Download the Flyer

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

Dear WAF Family,

As we enter the month of September, the month dedicated to the Our Lady of Sorrows, there is a particular focus on the feasts of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows, on the 14 ^th and 15th September respectively.

There are other feasts of Our Lady also in September, namely the feast of her Nativity on 8 ^th September, and of her Most Holy Name on 12 ^th September. These memorials keep us close to Her.

It is good for us to consider the appropriateness of the message of Our Lady of Fatima on 13th Sept 1917, in the light of the above feasts.

During this apparition, she said, “Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war. In October Our Lord will come, as well as Our Lady of Dolours and Our Lady of Carmel. Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world. God is pleased with your sacrifices. He does not want you to the rope on, but only to wear it during the daytime.”

From the beginning of the Fatima story, and the appearance of the Angel in the spring of 1916, there have been various requests and mentions of penance. Penance for sin, penance in reparation to the Immaculate Heart, penance for sinners so as to obtain their conversion.

In the September account of the words of Our Lady we hear about the rope that the little shepherds had discovered and which, because of its roughness, they had decided to wear as a penance. This act of mortification, resembling the practice of wearing a hair shirt which irritated and rubbed the skin, is commented on by the Blessed Virgin.

First God is pleased by this act; but he is a kind father and realises that the penance was affecting their sleep.

Part of the WAF pledge is doing one’s daily duty as a means to holiness and sanctification. It is hard to undertake this when one is tired after a bad night’s sleep.

The fact that Our Lady specifically tells the children not to wear it in bed is a good reminder to us that we need to sleep well at night in order to serve the Lord well during the day. We cannot offer God our work if it is done half heartedly and without focus and attention because we are falling asleep during the day.

The Shepherd Children of Fatima, like you and me, were called to live in the world. We need rest. We can certainly appreciate the danger of undertaking a night time penance if it then made us fall asleep at the wheel the next day.

The focus of September and the Holy Rosary are a timely reminder for us to review our mortifications and our daily penances, which don’t necessarily have to be spectacular:

We can instead concentrate on things like:

How do we keep patience when the lights are red?

Do we keep a smile on our face when someone is boring us or testing our limits?

Do we bite our tongue or give our opinion when no one has asked for them?

The cross is always there without us having to look for new crosses, and in embracing the cross which comes our way we also embrace its fruit of resurrection.

We will always have a cross of some sort, for that is the sign of our Faith but we also take comfort that at every cross Our Lady stands with us.

Let us ask Our Lady of Sorrows to give us some of her strength for the crosses and trials we face, and to offer these in reparation for our sins and those of the whole world.

With prayers

Fr Jason

Canon Jason Jones

WAF National Spiritual Director - England and Wales

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activites

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

FATIMA ARTICLES

Informative and topical articles related to the Message of Fatima

September is the month dedicated the Sorrows of Mary

September is the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, and the feast day for this falls on 15 September, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Clearly, it is very appropriate that these two feasts, representing the sorrows of Christ and Our Lady, should be celebrated so close together, given that the Blessed Virgin was the one who stood so steadfastly at the foot of the Cross on Calvary during the awful sufferings of her Son.

As Fr Jason indicated, there are also some other notable Marian feast days in September, including the feast of the Nativity of of the Blessed Virgin on 8 September, and the feast of the Holy name of Mary on 12 September. And there is also the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham on 24 September.

These feast days are all part of a rich historical tradition. The celebration of the Nativity of Our Lady in the Eastern Church goes back to the seventh century, and it was likewise celebrated during the time of Pope Sergius I (687-701) in Rome, from whence it found it way to other European countries. There is no scriptural record of the birth of Mary, but it is mentioned in the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James , which dates from the second century.

The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary expresses the idea that after the name of Jesus, her name represents the highest expression of holiness in the light of her extraordinary sanctity and her role as Mother of God. This feast day was celebrated in Spain originally but was extended to the whole Church by Pope Innocent XI after the defeat of the Ottoman army at Vienna by the forces of the Polish King Sobieski on 12 September 1683. Sobieski attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.

Traditionally, the seven sorrows comprised the following incidents from the life of Our Lady:

the prophecy of Simeon that a sword should pierce her soul
the flight into Egypt, when the Holy Family had to escape the wrath of Herod
the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, an incident which was a cause of such anguish to both Mary and Joseph
Our Lady meeting Jesus on the way of the Cross
the bloody Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary
the piercing of his side by the soldier after his death and the descent of his body from the Cross
and finally, his burial in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea nearby.

These seven sorrows show how closely linked the lives of Jesus and Mary were, and that she was present at all those crucial moments of pain and distress, and so shared as fully as possible in his sufferings.

And this is relevant to our own time and lives, too, since the theme of suffering is prominent in what Our Lady said to the children at Fatima. During the very first apparition, on 13 May 1917, after telling them that they would go to heaven, she said: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners?” Lucia replied, “Yes, we are willing,” to which the response was, “Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort.”

During the August apparition, the sadness and suffering of Our Lady at the plight of mankind in its opposition to God was also apparent. Sr Lucia tells us that at the end of this apparition, “looking very sad” she said, “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them.”

And she also records that this same sadness during the final apparition on 13 October 1917, once again saying that the Blessed Virgin was “looking very sad” as she said, “Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended.”

So during this month dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we can certainly think about the historical sorrows of her life, which came about because she was the Mother of Christ, the Man of Sorrows, but it would also be good to remember her continuing sufferings as the Mother of the mystical Body of Christ, of all Christians, and do what we can to alleviate those sufferings through our prayers and sacrifices.

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

Jubilee of Marian Spirituality - October 2025

The Jubilee of Marian Spirituality is a special event within the larger 2025 Jubilee Year, focusing on deepening devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It will take place in Rome from October 11-12, 2025, with events centered around major basilicas and culminating in a Mass presided over by the Holy Father.

The Jubilee aims to inspire reflection, prayer, and celebration of Mary's role in the faith, inviting clergy, religious, and laity to participate.

View more here

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Some video highlights of recent Fatima events and media.

Video from the first ever school visitation in the Archdiocese of Westminster, in June - St Thomas More Language College in Cadogan St., Chelsea, London.

Procession of the Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue opened event at St Chad's Cathedral

On Saturday 28 June, St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham hosted the Visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. You can see more details about this event, including a photo gallery and video, here...

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

Cardiff-Menevia Visitation

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

September - Promoters formation for volunteers

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 05:57:17 GMT

The Promoter on-line formation is proving a great success and many thanks to all involved. Please note the next on-line TEAMS formation sessions will be held on 20th October and 15th December respectfully. Details will be made available nearer the time. New volunteers are always welcome to join us - find out more

September- Our Lady of Sorrows

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:59:06 GMT

the prophecy of Simeon that a sword should pierce her soul
the flight into Egypt, when the Holy Family had to escape the wrath of Herod
the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, an incident which was a cause of such anguish to both Mary and Joseph
Our Lady meeting Jesus on the way of the Cross
the bloody Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary
the piercing of his side by the soldier after his death and the descent of his body from the Cross
and finally, his burial in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea nearby.

August 2025: An insight - Fatima Pilgrimage

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:14:52 GMT

Join us for a brief video sneak preview featuring a group of our Fatima Pilgrims as they embark on the extraordinary experience of travelling together to Fatima, Portugal.

August 2025 : The Voice of Kids

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:56:58 GMT

Our young people are showing a great enthusiasm for the message of Fatima. View a recent interview conducted by EWTN Great Britain about what Fatima means to them.

Recently attended a WAF visitation?

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:40:30 GMT

Have you recently participated in a WAF Five First Saturday Fatima Visitation? We would greatly appreciate your feedback on the experience. Please share your thoughts with us.

Some Unique Aspects of Fatima

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:23:31 GMT

The message revealed by the Blessed Virgin at Fatima is distinct from all other Marian apparitions by virtue of the following unique aspects which it alone possesses.

1). Continuing Association with the Papacy

The most important feature of the apparitions is that Our Lady came to Fatima in direct response to an urgent appeal to heaven from Pope Benedict XV. Thereby, as I have shown in my CTS booklet, Message of Fatima in the Life of the Church and Teaching of the Popes, 1917-1997 , her intervention began an association with the papacy which has steadily increased in the reigns of succeeding popes.

But the most significant advances of all in the papal acceptance of Our Lady’s message have taken place in the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, culminating in the Holy Year 2000, when Fatima attained its highest ever papal recognition through three unprecedented initiatives of the Holy Father, as I have recounted in detail in my CTS booklet, Fatima in the Third Millennium , issued in 2001.

Firstly, on 13 ^th May 2000 Pope John Paul II travelled to Fatima to beatify two of the three little shepherds chosen to receive Our Lady’s message, Francisco and Jacinta; secondly, at his direction the text of the third part of the secret was released by Cardinal Ratzinger, together with his Theological Commentary, on 26 ^th June; and finally, on 8 ^th October John Paul II made his unprecedented Act of Entrustment of the Third Millennium to Mary Most Holy, during the Jubilee Mass of the Bishops, attended by around 1500 Bishops, and in the presence of the well known statue of Our Lady, which at his request had been specially brought to St Peter’s from the Sanctuary of Fatima.

Has the Mother of God ever made such a touching intervention, in direct response to an urgent plea from the Chief Shepherd of all the faithful, at a dire moment in 1917 when the raging inferno of the First World War had descended to new depths of horror, with the prolonged rain and the introduction of deadly gas weapons ? Having been rebuffed in all his attempts to negotiate peace, Pope Benedict XV sent out a pastoral letter to the whole Catholic world, dated 5 ^th May 1917, in which he urged all to pray fervently to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for peace, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mother of mercy and omnipotent by grace”. At the same time the Pope directed that the invocation “Queen of Peace, pray for us” should be added to the Litany of Loreto.

Eight days later, the Blessed Virgin appeared to the three shepherd children at Fatima, and the last words in her first apparition constitute a direct response to the urgent plea of Benedict XV:

“Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war”.

Providentially, at the very moment the Blessed Virgin was appearing at Fatima, the future Pope Pius XII was being consecrated Bishop. He became known as “the Pope of Fatima” because he was the first pope to consecrate the whole human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on 31 ^st October 1942.

The unique nature of the papal association with Fatima is commemorated in the painting which hangs above the high altar in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima, in which are depicted the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, and Popes Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI.

2). Fatima mentioned three times in the Second Vatican Council

As a private revelation which one is not obliged to believe, but which is highly commended, Fatima is unique in being mentioned three times by Pope Paul VI in the Second Vatican Council. The Pope addressed the Council Fathers on 21 November 1964, at the end of the third session, when the Council approved the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, whose final chapter 8 is entitled “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the mystery of Christ and the Church”.

In his address, Paul VI considered it “particularly opportune” to recall Pius XII’s consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; bearing that in mind, he announced that he was sending a special mission to carry the Golden Rose to Fatima; and he ended by proclaiming, “to your Immaculate Heart, O Mary, we finally commend the entire human race” (cf. Message of Fatima , p. 59).

3). Fatima the richest ever supernatural manifestation of Our Lady

In a message to all the world’s priests on 13 May 1963, Cardinal Larraona, speaking as Pope John XXIII’s legate at Fatima, declared that Our Lady’s message contains “inexhaustible treasures and spiritual riches … Fatima is a living realisation of the Gospel ... indeed, never has there been a supernatural manifestation of Our Lady of such rich spiritual content as that of Fatima, nor has any recognised apparition given us a message so clear, so maternal, so profound”.

Pope John Paul II said that the Church has accepted the message of Fatima because it contains the “truth and call of the Gospel itself: ‘repent and believe in the Gospel’ (Mk 1:15) ... The appeal of the Lady of the message of Fatima is so deeply rooted in the Gospel and the whole of Tradition that the Church feels that the message imposes a commitment on her” (Homily at Fatima, 13 May 1982). It is “the true Gospel of Christ, presented anew to our generation” (General Audience, 17 May 2000).

4). Parallel papal consecrations, to the Sacred Heart (1899,) and the Immaculate Heart (1984)

The Blessed Virgin’s request for the Pope to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart, in a certain way parallels Our Lord’s request in June 1897, to Sister Mary of the Divine Heart (the Countess Droste zu Vischering), in which Jesus asked the Pope to consecrate the world to His Sacred Heart. Pope Leo XIII said this act, which he carried out on 11 June 1899, was “the greatest act of my pontificate”.

John Paul II fulfilled Our Lady’s request, when he consecrated the world including Russia to her Immaculate Heart at St. Peter’s, Rome on 25 ^th March 1984, in the presence of the venerated statue from Fatima. On 17 November 2001, Sister Lucia confirmed to Archbishop Bertone that this act “was accepted in heaven”. As a result of Our Lady’s intervention, the dire persecution ceased which the Church had suffered from Marxist atheist persecution in Central and Eastern Europe (see my book Fatima, Russia & John Paul II ), and those countries have experienced the resurrection of the Church.

5). Fatima a unique prophetic warning of and spiritual remedy for current evils

The message of Fatima is unique in containing a prophecy which constituted a warning of as well as a specific spiritual remedy for the most grave evils to have afflicted the 20 ^th century, namely: the two World Wars, and the spirit of the rejection and denial of God (the “errors of Russia”). These errors continue to threaten the Church, especially in the once-Christian West, through secularism, materialism, and the increasingly grave violations of the sanctity of human life and the family. The extent of the problem is such that “today as never before, humanity stands at a crossroads”, the Pope stated, in his Act of Entrustment of October 2000, and European culture “gives the impression of silent apostasy” in which people have everything and “live as if God does not exist” ( Ecclesia in Europa , 9).

It is “because its message announces many of the later events and conditions them on the response to its appeals” that Fatima “is certainly one of the greatest .. signs of the times”, the Pope wrote to the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima on 1 October 1997. “Private revelations approved by the Church … help us understand the signs of the times and to respond to them rightly in faith”, Cardinal Ratzinger explained in his Theological Commentary issued on 26 ^th June 2000.

By his teaching and acts, John Paul II has lived Our Lady’s message. Heaven is now awaiting the response of all people of good to follow the Pope’s example, and evangelise themselves and their communities through prayer, penance, offering up the sacrifices encountered in fulfilling one’s daily duties, amendment of life, daily recitation of the Rosary (according to the sublime teaching in John Paul II’s Rosarium Virginis Mariae of 16 Oct. 2002), and the Five First Saturdays Eucharistic communion of reparation for sin. The Blessed Virgin promised that “in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph … and a of peace will be granted to the world … if my requests are heeded”.

As the Pope said, on returning to Rome after beatifying Francisco and Jacinta at Fatima on 13 May 2000, “let us receive the light that comes from Fatima, let us be guided by Mary. May her Immaculate Heart be our refuge and the way that leads us to Christ”.

Francisco and Jacinta, two young shepherd children who were chosen by heaven to receive, live and convey the message of Fatima to the Church, responded to Our Lady’s requests with such fidelity and commitment that John Paul II declared them Blessed in heaven. They were canonised by Pope Francis at Fatima on 13 May 2017. May Mary’s Immaculate Heart obtain for us the grace to respond, “Yes, we are willing”, just as they did.

6). Francisco and Jacinta as youngest non-martyr Saints

Finally, Francisco and Jacinta are the first children in the history of the Church who became saints in the normal course of their family life, and not through martyrdom. And that Pope John Paul II said they became saints through their heroic fidelity and commitment in fulfilling the requests of Our Lady, and not because of the exceptional supernatural manifestations that they experienced.

Their lives are a demonstration that the message of Fatima is meant for the family, and that to live it will bring about sanctification for all.

August 2025 - You're Invited - International Congress and Pilgrimage

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:54:46 GMT

The World Apostolate of Fatima will be holding the international Fatima congress and pilgrimage on 5th-12 December 2025. The theme of the congress is based upon the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Places of pilgrimage will be Pontevedra and Santiago of Compestela, Spain.

August 2025 - Our Jubilee Visit to Our Lady of the Taper - Wales

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 06:24:27 GMT

Some beautiful images from the Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper visitation of the NPVS of Our Lady of Fàtima and the Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto this weekend. Ave Maria.

Our Lady's Immaculate Heart

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:44:34 GMT

A beautiful homily delivered by Archbishop John Wilson of the Archdiocese of Southwark, focusing on the Immaculate Heart of Mary and its significance for us in the present day.

July 2025- Fatima Pilgrimage Gallery

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:15:09 GMT

Our WAF England and Wales Fatima pilgrims participated in the anniversary celebrations of the 12/13th July. This year they made a detour before arriving at Fatima - staying at Santiago for two nights enabling them to visit the Basilica of St James, and to visit the nearby town of Pontevedra where on 10th Dec 1925, Our Lady fulfilled the promise made on 13th July in 1917, that she would come to ask for the First Saturdays devotion to be practised.

Canon Jason (WAF Spiritual Director - England & Wales) reminded us:

At Fatima during the July apparition after the vision of Hell, Our Lady said to the Shepherd Children.

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.

July - August Month of the Precious Blood & The Immaculate Heart

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:15:44 GMT

One of the major themes of the Fatima messages is the importance of the the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and that of the Precious Blood of Jesus appears in the apparition at Tuy in 1929.

The Precious Blood of Jesus serves as a powerful reminder of His love and sacrifice for humanity. It symbolizes redemption and grace, inviting us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ. By honouring His sacrifice, we grow closer to understanding God's unconditional love and mercy.

On the other hand, the Immaculate Heart of Mary represents pure love, compassion, and devotion. Mary, as our Mother, offers a model of faith and obedience. Her heart is filled with love for Jesus and for all of us, and she continually intercedes for us.

At Fatima, Mary urged the faithful to pray for the conversion of sinners, and this emphasises the profound connection between these two themes: through Jesus’ Blood and Mary’s heart, we find a path to healing and salvation.

The Secret Weapon - By Canon Jason Jones

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:31:42 GMT

An inspiring talk by the WAF, England & Wales Spiritual Director, Canon Jason Jones

As we commemorate the anniversary of the First Five Saturdays, Canon Jason provides invaluable insights into how the Immaculate Heart of Mary beautifully mirrors the Sacred Heart of Jesus, emphasizing the deep interconnectedness between both devotions.

Pope Leo's Prayer Intentions - July

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:44:09 GMT

Join us as we pray together for The Holy Father's prayer intentions during the month of July 2025.

July-August 2025- Newsletter Live

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:43:48 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

July-August 2025 Newsletter

Featured this month: a beautiful insight into our children embracing the Fatima Message at a school visitation in the Archdiocese of Westminster - more here ...

Dear Readers,

We are pleased to present the second edition of our updated newsletter, highlighting the months of July and August. We trust you will enjoy reading about Fatima and our endeavours during the pilgrimage in Spain and Portugal, as well as here in England and Wales.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A DOUBLE ISSUE FOR JULY AND AUGUST - THE NEXT NEWSLETTER WILL BE IN SEPTEMBER

JULY - MONTH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD, AUGUST MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART

One of the major themes of the Fatima messages is the importance of the the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and that of the Precious Blood of Jesus appears in the apparition at Tuy in 1929.

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

NOTICES - FOCUS ON ACTIVITY

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK FEATURE

FATIMA ARTICLES

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham

Dear Members,

The World Apostolate of Fatima is a public association of the faithful who undertake a mission to live, spread, and make known the message of Our Holy Mother, who appeared in Fatima in 1917. The message is a call to holiness, as we make our pilgrimage of faith, and as we were reminded at Fatima by the Angel and Our Lady, it also highlights the importance of:

• Prayer, and particularly the rosary

• Penance

• Sacrifice

• Conversion

• Consecration to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart

• Eucharistic Reparation

By living the message of Fatima and calling upon these spiritual weapons we can help to bring peace to a world where there is conflict and unrest. Our Lady will help us and guide us to her Son, if we trust in her protection, and embrace devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

When she appeared in October 1917 she said to the three seers, “I am the Lady of the Rosary,” and requested that a chapel be built in her honour. This chapel is now the Capelinha, and later on the Basilica of the Holy Rosary was constructed.

Please promote the importance of praying the rosary daily for the conversion of sinners and for world peace, and join us in a monthly on-line rosary, at 7pm every first Sunday of the month, commencing in this month on 6th, which is tomorrow. For further details refer to the image below.

Ave Maria

Patrick Cunningham

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Our new website

We have now completed our new website. Please visit and explore the wide range of content:
www.worldfatima-englandwales.org.uk/

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

New - WAF Introductory Video

Our new video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

Portiuncula indulgence

From midday 1st August to midnight 2nd August, the Portiuncula indulgence can be obtained: that is, a plenary indulgence may be gained by visiting a parish church and reciting there the Lord’s Prayer and the Profession of Faith (the Creed), in addition to the usual conditions of receiving the sacrament of penance and Holy Communion, and saying prayers for the Pope’s intentions.

The Portiuncula indulgence was originally petitioned for by St Francis, in the little church of Portiuncula, near Assisi.

For the teaching of the Church on indulgences, see paragraphs 1471-1479 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The details of the indulgence are:

From noon of August 1st until midnight of August 2nd the faithful can gain a plenary indulgence applicable to themselves or the souls in purgatory on the usual conditions:

1. Be in the state of grace.

2. Confession (8 days before or after).

3. Holy Communion.

4. Prayers for the intention of the Pope (usually Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be.)

5. And by visiting a cathedral, parochial, quasi-parochial or Franciscan church and there praying at least one Our Father & one Creed.

In addition, it is necessary to have the intention of gaining the indulgence and to be detached from all affection to sin even venial, otherwise the indulgence is gained partially.

The intentions of the Pope are:

1. The exaltation of the Church

2. The propagation of the faith.

3. The extirpation of heresy

4. The conversion of sinners

5. Concord between Christian princes

6. All other goods of the Christian people.

It is well worth trying to gain a plenary indulgence at it means the complete remission of the temporal punishment for sins that have been forgiven - so it is a way of avoiding purgatory.

Also, Saturday 2nd August 2025, is the First Saturday of the month, so we hope you will be able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion next month. There are details about this below.

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

Download the Flyer

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

My Dear WAF family,

In a few days time, WAF England and Wales will be undertaking a special Jubilee Pilgrimage to Fatima.

We shall be in Fatima for the anniversary celebrations of the 12/13th July. This year however, we will be making a detour before we arrive at Fatima as we shall stay at Santiago for two nights enabling us to visit the Basilica of St James, and to visit the nearby town of Pontevedra where on 10th Dec 1925, Our Lady fulfilled the promise made on 13th July in 1917, that she would come to ask for the First Saturdays devotion to be practised.

At Fatima during the July apparition after the vision of Hell, Our Lady said to the Shepherd Children.

“To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me and she will be converted, and a of peace will be granted to the world.”

Our Lady kept her word and came to Lucia at Pontevedra in 1925.

It will be a special joy for WAF members on the pilgrimage this year to celebrate Holy Mass at the convent chapel where Sr Lucia saw Our Lady in 1925 and received the full message of the Five First Saturdays devotion and its significance.

The Pilgrimage this year will be led by the WAF Bishop Patron, His Grace Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff-Menevia.

The centennial anniversary of the Pontevedra apparition is the reason for the present Cathedral Visitation of both the NVPS and the Centenary Pilgrim Virgin Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so as to promote and raise awareness of a neglected part of Fatima message concerning the Five First Saturdays Devotion.

The Pilgrimage providentially falls in the Holy Year of 2025 in which we consider the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

As we journey through life, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is our refuge of hope that leads us to God.

There is a double promise in undertaking the First Saturdays devotion: we grow in our Christian discipleship through the regular reception of the Sacraments of monthly Confession and Holy Communion, which trains for us the final reward of assistance at the hour of death.

The Five first Saturday Devotion is the plan of Hope for the world, and this is the year to make it a reality in our parishes and in our own lives.

One day our Pilgrimage will be over and there to welcome us and lead us to God will be the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Be assured of my prayers and those of fellow WAF pilgrims during the National Pilgrimage.

Fr Jason

Canon Jason Jones

National Spiritual Director

WAF England and Wales

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activites

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

FATIMA ARTICLES

Informative and topical articles related to the Message of Fatima

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

Although the Precious Blood of Christ isn't mentioned directly in the Fatima messages, there is a connection as regards the theme of sacrificial blood. This is found in the third part of the Fatima secret, as revealed in the year 2,000.

In the text of the secret as written down by Sr Lucia, she describes how the Pope, Bishops, Priests, and men and women Religious, were going up a steep mountain at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks. When they reached the top of the mountain the Pope and his followers were martyred. Sr Lucia then says,

"Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God."

So we have an image somewhat similar to the above traditional image of angels collecting the Precious Blood of Christ when he was crucified.

This consideration emphasises the connection between Christ, the Head of the Mystical Body and his members, his followers, and particularly those who have shed their blood as martyrs.

There is a good book on the devotion to the Precious Blood, entitled, Why is thy Apparel Red or Glories of the Precious Blood, by Fr Max Francic Walz, which is available to download here:

https://archive.org/details/whyisthyapparelr00walzuoft

Here are some other resources relating to this devotion:

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/07_1.cfm

https://www.catholicaldridge.co.uk/litany-of-the-precious-blood.html

Catholic Herald Article published 13 May 2025

Just over a century ago, between May and October 1917, Our Lady appeared at Fátima in Portugal, at the height of World War I – as Europe was tearing itself apart in a fratricidal struggle – with a message of peace and salvation for all. In our own time, we can see that we live in a world where peace is still at a premium; particularly in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia we have a situation reminiscent of the worst aspects of the terrible trench warfare of the First World War. Read more.

August and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

August is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and this is a theme which is very much at the centre of the Fatima Message.

We can see this if we look at some extracts from what Our Lady said about her Immaculate Heart during her apparitions at Fatima and later on.

On 13 June 1917, in responding to Sr Lucia, she said: "Jesus wants to use you to make Me known and loved. He wishes to establish the devotion to My Immaculate Heart throughout the world. I promise salvation to whoever embraces it; these souls will be dear to God, like flowers put by Me to adorn his throne."

She also said: "Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”

On 13 July 1917, Sr Lucia made some requests for sick people, to which Mary replied that she would cure some but not others, and that all must say the rosary to obtain such graces, before continuing:

“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

After showing the children the vision of hell, the Blessed virgin said, “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart."

"I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me and she will be converted, and a of peace will be granted to the world.”

On 13 June 1929, at Tuy in Spain, Our Lady said, “The moment has come in which God asks the Holy Father, in union with all the Bishops in the world, to make the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, promising to save it by this means. There are so many souls whom the Justice of God condemns for sins committed against me, that I have come to ask reparation: sacrifice yourself for this intention and pray.”

So we learn from Our Lady’s words at Fatima that God wants the devotion to her Immaculate Heart to be spread throughout the world, and also that this Heart is a sure refuge for believers.

We also learn that in order to save souls from hell, God likewise wishes to establish in the world devotion to her Immaculate Heart, and also that the consecration to this Heart will be the means by which Russia will be saved.

All of this underlines just how powerful and important the Fatima Message and also how important it is that this devotion be spread throughout the world. That is one of the tasks of the the World Apostolate of Fatima which we all need to bear in mind, and particularly during the month of August.

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Some video highlights of recent Fatima events and media.

Video from the first ever school visitation in the Archdiocese of Westminster, in June - St Thomas More Language College in Cadogan St., Chelsea, London.

Procession of the Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue opened event at St Chad's Cathedral

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

Cardiff-Menevia Visitation

Message from the WAF International Secretariat about Online Events

We are sharing with you below the Zoom link for anyone willing to attend the 7th Formation Session, this Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Philippine Time) with the topic: THE BROWN SCAPULAR (Our Lady's Garment of Holiness).

Reynald & Debra Andales, from the WAF Philippines will conduct the session.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9079929592?pwd=QJauzuvuWbfLJHEe3qWpZMqb5wtx7d.1&omn=85084108379
Meeting ID: 907 992 9592
Passcode: 998379

We are also posting here below, the link to the cloud recording of the 4th Session done on March 9, 2025 with the topic: MARY'S ROSARY (Our Lady's School of Holiness):

Share Link

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/ISGZTtC5b764PHf55EaxzjBsnhrGrmN65PADc_vgirJ09rHLL2sAfQHOuQpt2Xik.UTD_f8_i1LJm-Qz4

Passcode: $6DQqRe9

Recording Summary

Reynald led a discussion on online formation focused on modesty and dress as a sacrifice pleasing to the Blessed Mother, sharing stories and teachings about Jacinta Marto's experiences and messages from the Virgin Mary. The discussion covered various Catholic teachings on sins of the flesh, societal responsibilities, and the impact of immodest dress on spiritual welfare and personal conduct. Reynald emphasized the importance of prayer, following religious guidelines for modesty in dress, and the need for personal responsibility in rejecting inappropriate desires, concluding with plans for future topics and arrangements for sharing the presentation recording.

June 2025- Newsletter Live

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:33:08 GMT

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

June 2025 Newsletter

Dear Readers,

We are excited to welcome you to the revamped WAF England and Wales June 2025 Newsletter! This month, we are excited to share not only our refreshed and engaging newsletter but also the launch of our newly updated website, reflecting all the latest developments and features. We hope you enjoy exploring everything that is new and improved this month!

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

June is the month of the Sacred Heart, a time when many reflect on the profound love and mercy encapsulated within this devotion. This theme aligns closely with the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which plays a significant role in the message of Fatima. The connection between these two devotions emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and the call to deepening one's faith, highlighting how both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary offer a unique path to understanding divine love.

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS!

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

NOTICES - FOCUS ON ACTIVITY

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK FEATURE

FATIMA ARTICLES

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS FEATURE

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

DONATIONS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

News updates from Patrick Cunningham,

Topics covered: Cathedral Visitations / Online Rosary / Catholic Bishops Statement / Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Dear Members,

CATHEDRAL VISITATIONS COMMENCE

I am pleased to inform you that the PVS pilgrimage tour around the Cathedrals has started with the opening visit to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Swansea, presided over by our Patron Bishop and Archbishop of Cardiff and Menevia, Rt Rev Mark O’Toole. EWTN-GB was present to film during the day as part of our collaboration to promote the First Five Saturday devotion. You can see the podcast from His Grace Mark O’Toole talking about the Rosary and the First Five Saturday devotion below.

The importance of the cathedral visits lies in the fact that they allow the faithful to bear witness to our faith and to God’s request to make Our Holy Mother known and loved. The Visitations are an opportunity to celebrate Mass, for prayer, namely the rosary, for adoration, for reconciliation, and also to view a film and talk about the events that took place in Fatima and their relevance in today’s world.

WAF-E&W Custodians and their respective teams visited four cathedrals in May, and a further four will be visited in June. I hope you will be able to join us as we continue our journey around the dioceses of England and Wales. The full list of Visitations can be seen below.

ON-LINE ROSARY AND PROMOTER TRAINING

In recognition of Our Lady’s request to say the rosary, and with the particular intention of hastening world peace, we hope to recommence an online rosary soon and will keep you informed about that.

We are also planning to arrange online Promoter training to assist those who feel called to help promote the message of Fatima within their locality. There is such an online event on 16th June from 7-9 pm. More details about this can be seen below.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES STATEMENT

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the bishops have recognized the profound invitations to peace, prayer, and penance contained in the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima. They encourage all Catholics to a renewal of faith, especially in their love for the Eucharist and the sacraments, and commend the Five First Saturdays devotion as a fruitful means to enter into this renewal. You can see more details about this statement at the link below.

VATICAN GRANTS A JUBILEE YEAR TO SHRINE AT PONTEVEDRA BETWEEN 10 DEC 2025 AND 2026

In granting this Jubilee Year, the Holy See is offering a special of spiritual graces to all those who shall make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Pontevedra and fulfil the normal requirements to obtain the indulgences of the jubilee. More details about this can be seen below.

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Useful Resources and Media

Our new website

We have now completed our new website. Please visit and explore the wide range of content.

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

Our Patron Bishop Archbishop Mark O'Toole reflects on the Fatima message and the First Saturday devotion in a short video .

New - WAF Introductory Video

Our new video emphasises the importance of the Fatima message for our times and how we can best respond. View the video here.

Visitation - Holy Rood parish Swindon

The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fàtima and the Relics of Ss Francisco and Jacinta Marto visited the Catholic Parish of Holy Rood in Swindon from 7-8th June 2025. More details here .

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

We hope you were able to participate in the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion recently. Here are some useful resources to help you understand better this important devotion.

Locations | Leaflets | Meditations | Enquiries

WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

Download the Flyer

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Spiritual reflections from Canon Jason

Topics include: The Pontevedra Shrine / June - Month of Sacred heart / The Feast of the Immaculate Heart / First Five Saturdays / Feast Corpus Christi / Pope Leo

Dear WAF Family,

We are all delighted to share the joyful news that the Vatican has announced the possibility of obtaining a Plenary Indulgence at the Pontevedra Shrine during the centennial year, from 10 December 2025 to 10 December 2026.

This spiritual gift is not only a beautiful gesture from the Church, but it also serves to recognize and encourage deeper devotion to, and awareness of, the Five First Saturdays Devotion—its necessity, and the urgent need to promote it now more than ever.

As we begin the month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, we note that the day after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (27th June) is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady.

As we prepare for our First Saturday Devotion and the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart, let us reflect on the significance of the 13 June 1917 apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. In this apparition, Our Lady assured Lucia that her Immaculate Heart would be Lucia’s refuge and the way that would lead her to God. Lucia further recalled:

“In the palm of the right hand of Our Lady there was a Heart, surrounded by thorns which seemed to pierce it. We understood that it was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, which demanded reparation.”

Our participation in, observance of, and promotion of the Five First Saturdays is a wonderful way to remove these thorns from the Immaculate Heart. By keeping Our Lady company for fifteen minutes, we bring healing and comfort to her Heart. Through our First Saturday confession, we turn away from sin—which has inflicted these thorns—and offer a loving, reparatory sacrifice.

During this month of June, as we also celebrate the great Feast of Corpus Christi, let us make many acts of reparation to the Hidden Jesus, following the example of St. Francisco. With St. Jacinta, may we pray for our beloved new Pontiff, Pope Leo.

With my prayers for you all, and for all the children in your families and parishes making their First Holy Communions in the coming weeks,

Canon Jason Jones
National Spiritual Director

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

Click on the section below for more about our important events or activites

Poster Cathedral Visitations

Poster - Promoters Meeting

Poster - Volunteers poster

Poster - Pope Leo Sacred Heart Prayer

PLEDGE MEMBER FEEDBACK

Reflections, thoughts and insights from members

Do you have something to share? A story or an experience which helped with your journey of faith ... please let us know.

Tom, age 15 from Cardiff on the Swansea Cathedral Visitation

It was a pleasure to go to Swansea for the first visitation of Our Lady of Fatima’s statue and the Relics of the little saints of Fatima, which are now touring England and Wales. It was a day of prayer, faith, love and MARY – what more could you want. It was a wonderful chance to meet so many Catholics who love Our Beautiful Mother, and hear so much about her and her modern mission in today’s world!

As a convert from high Church Anglicanism, Our Lady has always been a massive part of my faith since through her, I was led to the Catholic Church. What I’ve realised is that Mary brings me to her Son as no one else does, and says ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ She then walks with me and helps me to do just that. Without devotion to Mary my prayer life fades and without the rosary I can’t love God as I ought. It was so beautiful therefore to see so many people with a great love of Our Mum and her Rosary.

As a member of the World Apostolate of Fatima, I had to go to such a wonderful event but especially when I heard that Saint Francisco and Jacinta’s relics would be there, especially since Our Lady chose to come to such young children with her message of peace. It reminds me that in her heart Mary is a mother first with a great love for her children.

As the Mother of God she also answers the problems of our world especially for the young. One of my favourite Marian hymns ‘Holy virgin by God’s decree’ sums this up perfectly when it says ‘To our needy world of today, Love and Beauty you portray showing the path to Christ we must trace, Mary Our Mother, Hail, full of Grace’.

Young people today have to grow up in a world without hope, without satisfaction and without peace, a world full of promiscuity where the unborn are killed, the sick and elderly seen as a burden and so many are so far from Christ. But Mary is the answer to all this; she shows us what true beauty is – humility and love of God, and she leads us back to the arms of her Son and to His Church.

Her apparitions are warnings but also messages of great power. She reminds us the power of humble prayer, that a simple string of beads can stop wars, and all the powers that threaten the Church and the world. She reminds us that God is more powerful than all of this, and that in the end - despite many thinking all hope is lost and seeing evil being accepted and celebrated everywhere – she will triumph.

We can have confidence that her Immaculate Heart will triumph, peace will be won and souls will be saved, but we must act steadfastly – prayer and reparation can save the world. Our Lady simply asks us to pray the rosary and keep the First Saturday devotions so that she may bring hearts back to her Son and put her Son back into hearts.

It is so wonderful to think that her little Saints will be travelling the country with her Statues during the centenary year, and that Catholics will be able to hear the Fatima message.

It was an absolute pleasure to be at the start of this tour, in Wales, and we must pray that Our Lady brings England and Wales back to God.

Ave Maria!

God bless

Tom

Thomas Hobbs (15) Cardiff

FATIMA ARTICLES

Informative and topical articles related to the Message of Fatima

The Popes and Fatima by Tim Tindal-Robertson

Papal approval of the Message of Fatima

This is the tenth of a series of brief articles which summarise the principal points in Tim Tindal-Robertson's Message of Fatima in the Life of the Church and the Teaching of the Popes, which was published by the Catholic Truth Society, London, in 1998, together with his Fatima in the Third Millennium, CTS London, 2001.

This tenth article continues with Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI, 19 April 2005 to 28 February 2013

In his homily at Fatima on 13 ^th May 2005, Cardinal Policarpo, Patriarch Lisbon, announced that in the Mass he was honouring a promise he made at the end of the Conclave to the newly elected Pontiff, when his turn came to greet him and swear to him communion and obedience: namely, to place his Pontificate at the feet of Our Lady.

In the Angelus on 5 ^th June 2005, Pope Benedict invoked the Virgin of Fatima in these words:

“The heart that resembles that of Christ more than any other is without a doubt the heart of Mary, His Immaculate Mother, and for this very reason the liturgy holds them up together for our veneration. Responding to the Virgin’s invitation at Fatima, let us entrust the whole world to her Immaculate Heart, which we contemplated yesterday in a special way, so that it may experience the merciful love of God and know true peace”.

Regina Caeli address by Pope Benedict on 14 ^th May 2006

“A way to remain united to Christ, as branches on the vine, is to have recourse to the intercession of Mary, whom we venerated yesterday, May 13.

The message she entrusted to the three little shepherds, in continuity with that of Lourdes, was an intense call to prayer and conversion, a truly prophetic message, above all if one considers that the 20th century was scourged by unheard-of destructions, caused by wars and totalitarian regimes, as well as extensive persecutions against the Catholic Church. Moreover, on May 13, 1981, 25 years ago, the servant of God, Pope John Paul II, felt that he was saved miraculously from death by the intervention of a "maternal hand," as he himself said, and the whole of his pontificate was marked by what the Virgin had said at Fatima.

Although there is no lack of anxieties and sufferings, and although there are still reasons for apprehension about the future of humanity, what the "Lady in white" promised the little shepherds is consoling: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." With this conviction, we now turn to Mary most holy, thanking her for her constant intercession and asking her to continue to watch over the path of the Church and of humanity, especially families, mothers and children.”

To mark the 25 ^th anniversary of the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, the statue of Our Lady from the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima was processed into St Peter’s Square on 13 ^th May 2006. At the exact spot where John Paul II fell, a stone was placed with his coat of arms and the date: 13 ^th May 1981. Cardinal Ruini then presided over Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, and read out a message from Pope Benedict XVI expressing the hope that, “the message of Fatima will be increasingly accepted, understood, and lived in every community.”

Pope Benedict’s visit to Fatima, 11–14 May 2010, by Father Lombardi SJ of the Vatican Press Office

VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- Benedict XVI is going to Fatima to show how God acts in history, which is one of the key lessons of the Virgin Mary's apparitions to three Portuguese little shepherds, says a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, analyzed, in an editorial of the latest edition of the Vatican Television Center program "Octava Dies", the reasons why the Holy Father is visiting Portugal this month, from May 11-14, 2010, on the 10th anniversary of the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

"John Paul II wanted the 'third secret' of Fatima to be revealed on the occasion of the beatification of the two little shepherds, Francisco and Jacinta, during the Jubilee of 2000, the transition between two millenniums," said Father Lombardi. "A century was ending characterized by great sufferings, on which in fact the visions of Fatima gave at once a dramatic and luminous interpretation: time of war and of martyrdom, in which the Church and the Pope himself shared profoundly the sufferings and thirst for salvation of the whole of humanity."

The following extracts of the homilies and addresses of Pope Benedict at Fatima are taken from the CTS booklet, Benedict XVI, Shepherds of Fatima.

In our time, in which the faith in many places seems like a light in danger of being snuffed out for ever, the highest priority is to make God visible in the world, and to open to humanity a way to God. (Rosary in the Chapel of the Apparitions, 12 May 2010).

The Lady “come from heaven” [was] the teacher who introduced the little seers to a deep knowledge of the love of the Blessed Trinity, and led them to savour God Himself as the most beautiful reality of human existence.

We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete … may the seven years which separate us from the centenary of the apparitions hasten the fulfilment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. (Homily at Mass on 13 May 2010)

Catholic Herald Article published 13 May 2025

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

F atima News highlights from around the World

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

Some video highlights of recent Fatima events and media.

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop John Wilson

Cardiff-Menevia Visitation

Vatican Granted Jubilee Year

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:16:33 GMT

Vatican grants a Jubilee Year to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra for the centenary of Our Lady’s Apparition to Sister Lucia.

The Vatican has granted the Convent-Shrine of Pontevedra, in Spain, the privilege of celebrating a Marian Jubilee Year from December 10, 2025 to December 10, 2026, on the occasion of the centenary of the apparition of Our Lady and the Child Jesus to Sister Lucia. It was during this apparition, on December 10, 1925, that the devotion of the First Five Saturdays of the month was requested by Our Lady. The devotion consists in going for Confessing, receiving Holy Communion, reciting five decades of the rosary, and keep Our Lady’s company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, with the intention of making reparation to Her Immaculate Heart.

The commemoration began on December 10, 2025, date of the apparition and will be extended to December 2026. In granting this Jubilee Year, the Holy See is offering a special period of spiritual graces to all those who shall make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Pontevedra and fulfill the required precepts to obtain the indulgences of the jubilee.

The House of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontevedra, is run by the religious congregation “Servants of the Lord”, who are now setting up a network of volunteers to assist in welcoming the pilgrims and visitors during the centenary year. A set of pastoral activities will also mark the occasion. The official program for the celebrations of the centenary will hopefully be soon released. Here is the webpage, in Spanish, with more information: https://www.casadelinmaculadocorazon.es/

Let us start preparing our hearts for this, with our prayers.

Kind regards,

Nuno Prazeres / Ana Reis

World Apostolate of Fatima – Intl. Secretariat

Our Lady of Fátima: observing the centenary of the First Five Saturdays devotion

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:22:00 GMT

Eight years after her apparitions to the children of Fátima – Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos – the Blessed Virgin appeared to the eldest of them, Sr Lucia, while she was a postulant in the Dorothean convent at Pontevedra in Spain. 10 December 1925, she fully revealed the Five First Saturdays devotion associated with the Fátima message.

The centenary of this apparition is being celebrated this year by the World Apostolate of Fátima (WAF) in England & Wales, which is part of a worldwide organisation which is the officially approved Fátima body in the Church. The Apostolate is arranging for two Fatima statues, and relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, to visit all the cathedrals in England and Wales between May of this year and October 2026, in a repeat of what happened in 2017, the Fátima centenary year.

The Five First Saturdays is a monthly devotion, to be done over five consecutive months, which involves the recitation the rosary with a 15-minute mediation, plus Confession and Holy Communion, with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary afflicted by the sins of mankind. In return, Our Lady promised to those who complete the devotion assistance at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation – that is a promise of heaven.

This devotion is a very important part of the Fátima message, not least because it was linked by the Blessed Virgin to the conversion of Russia during her July 1917 apparition, when the children were given the Secret of Fátima in three parts.

In this centenary year of the First Saturdays devotion, the current world situation has become increasingly more serious and worrying, and so a renewed promotion of the Fátima Message, with its promise of the conversion of Russia, the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and an era of peace, has become an even more urgent necessity.

As regards Russia and its conversion, this is especially so, given the current aggression in Ukraine, which is also a threat to Europe as a whole, but particularly Eastern Europe. The situation is further complicated with what looks like less American involvement in Europe. At the same time, more countries, for example Iran and North Korea, are striving to develop their nuclear-weapons programmes. The Holy Land and the lands around it are seeing renewed bloodshed, and the China/Taiwan stand-off is an ever-present worry – and this is to say nothing of the continuing humanitarian crises, and the increasing persecution of Christians worldwide.

If this seems alarmist or exaggerated, then it is sobering to recall that during her July 1917 apparition, Our Lady spoke of the danger of various nations being annihilated. On 13 July 1917, she requested, “the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays.” The first part of her request was fulfilled when Pope St John Paul II consecrated Russia collegially with the bishops of the world on 25 March 1984; thereafter the Soviet Union and its Communist ideology collapsed from within.

It now remains for the Church to fulfil the second part of Our Lady’s request – the promotion of the Five First Saturdays devotion. Then she will fulfil her promise, that “Russia will be converted and a period of peace will be granted to the world.” That is why the Five First Saturdays devotion is so important and why the centenary is being celebrated this year.

In this centenary year of the First Saturdays devotion, humanity is entering a more precarious, indeed perilous era, and thus the Fátima Message must surely assume a much greater importance for the Church and the world. As individuals we can do very little to ameliorate the global problems we are now facing in a direct way, but at Fátima, Our Lady gave us the means to bring about real and lasting change in the world, and peace, and that is through the power of prayer to change minds and hearts.

The Centenary of the Five First Saturdays devotion is an opportunity to present the Fátima message anew, through increased commitment to prayer and devotion. The World Apostolate of Fátima in England and Wales, through its programme of visits of the Fátima statues and relics to all the cathedrals in England and Wales is leading the way.

Donal Anthony Foley is a committee member for the World Apostolate of Fátima (WAF) in England & Wales .

Mary Calls Us To Deep and Abiding Prayer

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:17:37 GMT

Prayer is the mainstay of the Christian and Catholic life and so it isn’t surprising to see how, once the Fatima children had experienced the awesomeness and power of the angel of Fatima and the beauty and goodness of Our Lady, they increasingly devoted their lives to prayer.

We can learn some important lessons from this and from the Fatima message, generally, for our own prayer lives.

The Angel of Portugal, or Angel of Peace, as he identified himself, appeared to the three seers during the summer of 1916, when they were playing on the stone slabs of the well at the bottom of the garden belonging to Lucia’s parents.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “Pray, pray very much! The most holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High.”

That the angel should have spoken to the children in this way is highly significant. He had previously appeared to them in the spring and invited them to pray with him as follows: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You!” – telling them that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to their supplications.

He appeared again in the fall and taught them a prayer of adoration of reparation for sins against the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, known as The Angel Prayer.

Sister Lucia tells us, “His words engraved themselves so deeply on our minds that we could never forget them. From then on, we used to spend long periods of time, prostrate like the Angel, repeating his words, until sometimes we fell, exhausted.”

Later on, during the apparitions of Our Lady, she too, was insistent on the great importance of prayer, calling them to pray the Rosary every day, and relating that Francisco must pray “many Rosaries” before he would be called home to heaven.

Following their kidnapping by the local mayor on August 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin implored, “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them.”

From all of this, we can deduce that their vocation was so exalted that a complete dedication to prayer was demanded of them and that this ought to come before everything else. Sister Lucia later wrote that the Blessed Virgin was not just speaking to three little children. Surely, we who seek to follow in the footsteps of the seers, need to make prayer much more the center of our lives.

Prayer Makes A Difference

When the Blessed Virgin appeared in Belgium in the early 1930s, at Beauraing and Banneux, the message she delivered then also focused on the importance of prayer. During the apparitions, she told the children at Beauraing to “pray, pray very much,” and to “pray always,” while at Banneux, she told the seer to “pray much.”

This was in the context of the rise of Nazism in neighboring Germany, with all the terrible evils that it would bring down on the world.

It can be difficult to pray, at times, even when we are in a calm and recollected mood – it becomes much more difficult if we are disturbed by a spirit of fear or discontent at what is going on around us or in the news, or on social media. Somehow, we have to be so focused on prayer that it acts as a rock in our lives and prevents the currents of discontent which swirl around us from overwhelming us.

The reality is that rather than neglecting prayer we need to realize that, following the teaching of Our Lady, our prayers and sacrifices really do matter and really do make a difference, and also that they enable us to remain steadfast in the Faith, regardless of what is happening in the world.

If, as she repeatedly reminded us at Fatima, the Rosary has the power to stop wars and bring about peace, then praying it devoutly can certainly help us to deal with the lesser problems that we have to deal with in everyday life.

Sister Lucia is reported to have said, “The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given new efficacy in the recitation of the Holy Rosary. She has given this efficacy to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families … that cannot be solved by the Rosary.”

It’s very easy to get caught up in the idea that the “end times” are upon us, or just around the corner. But Our Lady promised at Fatima that in the end her Immaculate Heart would triumph and that a period of peace would be granted to the world.

Therefore, despite the chaos that flares up in our modern world periodically, we are, in a deeper sense, moving onward towards a time of peace, and we ought to concentrate on that rather than on the transitory events of each day.

The Fatima seers are our models regarding prayer, and we too must allow ourselves to be led deeper into prayer by the Blessed Virgin, and particularly the prayer of the Rosary. If we do that, we will be truly living the message of Fatima.

Donal Anthony Foley

Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 22:07:41 GMT

A Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

To run from 4th to 13th May or 4th to 13th October

A wonderful resource provided by Fr Richard Nesbitt

Early Fatima All Night Vigils & Pilgrimages

Fri, 23 May 2025 14:44:42 GMT

Here are some extracts from Fr John de Marchi’s book The True Story of Fatima , describing the penitential aspect of early pilgrimages to Fatima.

They show the original spirit animating the early pilgrims to Fatima, many of whom walked to the Cova da Iria, and then spent the night in the open air without any accommodation and so doing an All Night Vigil.

This is the spirit that can also be reproduced by a modern walking pilgrimage to the Shrine, or indeed to any recognised Marian shrine.

Fr de Marchi writes describing the situation in the 1930’s and 1940’s: “There must be some reason..., why Fatima, which appears as undisturbed a place as any in the western world, has been able to draw to itself on certain days more pilgrims than have ever crowded, as excess population, the city of Rome itself—with Rome's great treasures, glories, and long tradition as the heart and mind of the Church. A million people (a number equal to one-seventh of the total Portuguese population) have assembled within and about the rocky field near Fatima that is known as the Cova da Iria.

“There are no hotel accommodations nor any other shelter for those who come to Fatima at these extraordinary times. There is only this open field and the surrounding slopes of the simple countryside to provide a resting place. Customarily, on these few great occasions, the pilgrims arrive the night before the scheduled devotions. Often it has rained the length of the night, as though to test the fibre of the faithful. It seems fair enough, on the evidence, to say that Christian devotion has never in modern times exceeded the fervour of these demonstrations in the Cova da Iria on the thirteenth day of May or October in any of recent years.

“The pilgrimages to the Cova da Iria grew to immense proportions, not only from Portugal but from both hemispheres and almost every corner of the earth. Fatima was to call down upon Portugal an immensity of grace, and for Christendom at large has come to symbolise the spiritual war against Communism and to be the focal point of the new crusade.

“The apostolic nuncio presided at the first Portuguese national pilgrimage on May 13, 1937, at which it is calculated some half million pilgrims were present. The second national pilgrimage took place on May 13, 1938, and was the fulfilment of a promise made by the Portuguese episcopate if our Lady should deliver Portugal from the Communist menace which caused the terrible civil war in Spain, and which was waged in places only a few yards from her soil.

“The 13th of October, 1939, marked one of the most glorious pages in the history of the great new Marian shrine. The cardinal patriarch of Lisbon presided at the pilgrimage to implore peace for Portugal.

“From the 8th to the 13th of April, 1942, on the occasion of their second national congress, the Juventude Catolica Feminine (Girls Catholic Youth Movement) organised the triumphal journey of the statue from the Chapel of the Apparitions, to Lisbon and back again to the Cova da Iria by the 13th of May, where another notable national pilgrimage took place to celebrate the silver jubilee of Fatima. In October of the same year, the Holy Father, Pius XII, broadcast in Portuguese his famous consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Fr de Marchi also gives this testimony from Senhora Maria da Capelinha, who was associated with events at the Cova da Iria right from the beginning.

“After that day on which the sun danced (she has told us) there was an endless procession of people to the Cova, especially on Sundays and on the 13th day of each month. The people came from all around—all kinds of people, really. The men came with their sticks and bundles on their shoulders, and the women came carrying children. Even the old and infirm came faithfully, and all of them would kneel near the tree where our Lady had appeared. A remarkable thing, but no one ever seemed weary or tired when he was here. It was, from the beginning, a place that gave strength.

“Here,” said Maria da Capelinha, “at this holy place, mark you, nothing was ever sold, not a cup of wine or of water—nothing! And, oh, what good times those were for true prayer and true penance. Often we would weep with emotion.”

Telling us of this place where her own heart and hopes had found an enduring home, Maria da Capelinha would sometimes have tears of great and remembered joy running down her cheeks:

“Here there were many tears and prayers for our Lady, Father, and when there were plenty of people, we would sing our favourite hymns. All of us, it seems, did so much penance with such joy of heart, that I believe if I had died just then that our Lady would have taken me straight to heaven. Surely those days are long gone, but I cannot help myself from wishing to live them again.

“People went home contented from the Cova because our Lady always heard their prayers. Truly, recalling those times I can think of no one saying that our Lady had not responded to prayer. All who came, it seems, came with faith, or else, if they did not have it at first, they found it here.

“One day a man who had come a long way was standing there soaked with the rain. I went up to him and asked him if there were any ill effects. ‘No,’ he told me, ‘I am every bit all right and have never passed such a happy night as this. I have come and yet I do not feel at all tired. I am so happy in this place.’ I remember this because, apart from the rain, it was winter, and terribly cold, and this man had passed the whole night in the open air, since there was no shelter for him.”

Bishops Resolution on First Saturdays

Fri, 23 May 2025 11:54:00 GMT

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Resolution on the Five First Saturday devotion

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales met for their Spring Plenary Assembly at Buckfast Abbey in Devon from 5-8 May. During this meeting they passed various resolutions, including the following one which expresses thanks to WAF England and Wales for the World Apostolate of Fatima Centenary Cathedral Tour:

"The Bishops of England and Wales are grateful to the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF) Team for organising the visitation of the two National Pilgrim Statues and the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco to all Cathedrals and Catholic shrines in England and Wales between May 2025 and October 2026. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the bishops recognise the profound invitations to peace, prayer and penance contained in the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima. They encourage all Catholics to a renewal of faith, especially in their love for the Eucharist and the sacraments and commend the Five First Saturdays devotion as a fruitful means to enter into this renewal."

Our National Spiritual Director, Canon Jason Jones commented about this development as follows:

"In this month of May of the centennial year of the Five First Saturday Devotion, the World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales, rejoices in the official recognition and support it has received from the Conference of Catholic Bishops England and Wales. Our Bishops met recently at Buckfast Abbey and with the support of our Bishop Patron Archbishop Mark of Cardiff-Menevia, the Resolution was passed to support the Cathedral Visitation initiative of WAF during the Centennial Year.

"The WAF takes great encouragement in this recognition and thanks the Bishops of our lands for their gracious support to the various projects and initiatives undertaken by WAF as a means of the New Evangelisation within the Church."

Accession of Pope Leo XIV

Wed, 14 May 2025 14:44:01 GMT

Accession of Pope Leo XIV

There are definite signs from both the words and actions of Pope Leo XIV so far that his pontificate will have a distinctly Marian aspect:

• First Public Prayer as Pope : Immediately after his election, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to pray a Hail Mary with him during his first public appearance, connecting his new ministry to the intercession of Mary and explicitly invoking her protection and guidance for his mission and for the Church.

• First Trip Outside the Vatican: Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV’s very first journey was to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, a Marian sanctuary beloved by the Augustinians and historically significant for papal devotion to Mary. There, he prayed before the ancient image of the Virgin, recited St. John Paul II’s prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel with those present, and concluded with a Hail Mary and the Salve Regina.

• Entrusting His Pontificate to Mary: During his address at Genazzano, Pope Leo XIV stated, “I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new ministry that the Church has entrusted to me,” and reiterated his “trust in the Mother of Good Counsel,” quoting Mary’s words from the Wedding at Cana: “Whatever He tells you, do it.” He encouraged the faithful to be inspired by Mary’s example and to remain faithful to her.

• Visit to St. Mary Major: On his way back from Genazzano, Pope Leo XIV stopped at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the most important Marian church in the city. There, he prayed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, "The Salvation of the Roman People," again highlighting his Marian devotion.

• Consistent Marian Devotion as Cardinal : Even before his election, as Cardinal, he celebrated Mass at the Genazzano shrine and used his homily to urge the faithful to look to Mary for inspiration in spreading peace and reconciliation.

In short, Pope Leo XIV’s early actions and words - beginning with his first public prayer, his immediate pilgrimage to Marian shrines, and his explicit entrustment of his mission to Our Lady - demonstrate a clear Marian emphasis that is likely to shape his pontificate.

We all need to pray that Pope Leo will lead the Church under the guidance of Jesus and Mary and that they will protect him from all harm.

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favour, we pray, on Leo our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV consecrated to Our Lady

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV was evoked on several occasions during this May 12-13 Pilgrimage to Fatima. The most significant reference was the act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV that D. José Ornelas made, in the presence of the Portuguese episcopate, before the Image of the Virgin of Fatima, at the end of the Mass of this 13th.

"We are at your feet, the Bishops of Portugal and this multitude of pilgrims, on the 108th anniversary of your Apparition to the Little Shepherds, in this Cova da Iria, to consecrate to you the ministry of the current successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father Leo XIV", he began by saying, in the introduction to the jubilee prayer of consecration, where he asked the Mother of God for tenderness, discernment, courage and the ability to, inspired by the Message of Fatima, "continue to launch to the world the urgent cry for peace", as he did in the first words he addressed in Rome after his election.

The introduction to prayer also highlighted the importance that the Successor of Peter has in the Message of Fatima and evoked the visit of the last four Popes to Fatima, specifically the last presence of Pope Francis and the appeal he left here for a Church open to all.

The International Anniversary Mass on May 13 was concelebrated by 27 bishops, including two cardinals – Cardinal D. António Marto, bishop emeritus of Leiria-Fatima, and Cardinal D. Fortunato Frezza, canon of St. Peter's Basilica – and 282 priests. Also present at the altar were 14 deacons.

13th May 2025

Tue, 13 May 2025 16:29:00 GMT

A beautiful insight into the Holy Mass and activities at the Shrine of Our lady in Fatima in Portugal, on this special anniversary. Presented by EWTN. The event celebrates 108 years of Our Lady's message to the children.

Prayer Feedback - Anthony Cardiff

Tue, 13 May 2025 10:44:59 GMT

Hi Fatima team, I wanted to share that we have been praying at our parish to Our Lady for an increase in parishioners attending our Five First Saturday prayer events. I am delighted to report that we are now seeing around 15-20 participants most months – praise be to God!

Website volunteers needed

Mon, 05 May 2025 14:49:29 GMT

Helping the WAF Website and Social Media campaigns

The election of a new Pope is a moment of renewal and hope for the Church, a fresh start allowing the Church to re-present, to present anew, the teaching of Christ in all its richness - and that teaching also includes the Fatima Message.

During this Centenary year, WAF England and Wales is working hard as an organisation to visit all the cathedrals in England and Wales with the Message of Fatima. You can greatly assist in that process by helping us to promote these Visitations on social media.

It just involves reposting material on our website, Facebook and Twitter/X relating to upcoming Visitations. By doing this we can greatly expand our promotional efforts and reach many more people.

It is a very simple and easy thing to do, but it will greatly help us. The next Visitation is to Southwark Cathedral this weekend.

If you would like to be involved in this campaign please email us - you will be sent more details.

2025 Jubilee Cathedral Visitations

Thu, 01 May 2025 14:55:24 GMT

General WAF Novena to Our Lady of Fatima

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:39:52 GMT

A useful Novena to our Lady of Fatima for those who wish to grow in the Devotion.

This can be used at any time to support general prayer intentions.

St Thomas More Church

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:42:24 GMT

St Thomas More Church 42 Exton Rd, Bournemouth, BH6 5QG

Join us at St Thomas More Church Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

5:00pm: Rosary, Confessions and Meditation
6:00pm: Fatima prayers and Mass.

http://st.thomasmorechurch.org.uk/

St. Mary’s Catholic church, 69 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:34:14 GMT

St. Mary’s Catholic church, 69 Upgate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9HD

Join us at St Mary’s Catholic church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturday devotions every first Saturday of the year, starting with the Creed at 10 am followed by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mass of Our Lady follows immediately at 10.30 am. Confessions from 11.00 to 11.30 am.

First Saturday devotions began here 6 years ago. At first 4 or 5 people attended but over the years the number have increased and there are now around 25 people attending regularly.

https://www.stmaryslouth.org.uk//index.html

St Mary’s Catholic Church, 97 Ashby Road, Loughborough

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:18:33 GMT

St Mary’s Catholic Church, 97 Ashby Road, Loughborough LE11 3AB

Join us at St Mary’s Catholic church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

http://www.stmarysloughborough.org.uk/

Tel: 01509 262123

9.15 am Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10.00-11.00 am Devotion of the Five First Saturdays

Our Lady and St Patrick’s church, Launder Street, Nottingham

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:59:46 GMT

Our Lady and St Patrick’s church, Launder Street, Nottingham, NG2 1JQ

Join us at Our Lady and St Patrick’s church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturday Devotions: Rosary plus meditation begin at 9:25 am promptly, with Mass at 10 am. Confessions available before Mass.

https://olspnottingham.com/

St Mary’s Catholic church, 40 Belton St, Nottingham

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:55:05 GMT

St Mary’s Catholic church, 40 Belton St, Nottingham NG7 6FY

Join us at St Mary’s Catholic Church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturday Devotions: The Rosary with meditation will take place after Mass at 10:00 am. Also Confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00 am.

http://stpaulsstmarys.org.uk/

Good Shepherd church, 3 Thackeray’s Lane, Woodthorpe, Nottingham

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:51:21 GMT

Good Shepherd church, 3 Thackeray’s Lane, Woodthorpe, Nottingham, NG5 4HT

Join us at Good Shepherd church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

https://www.goodshepherd-arnold.org.uk/

Tel: (0115) 926 8288

10:00am Mass
11:00 – 12 noon, Holy Hour – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Confessions. The Rosary is said from approximately 11:15am, followed by private meditation, and there is also a reading, intercessory prayers, the Fatima prayers, an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a prayer to St Joseph, and an Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Our Lady Help of Christians Church

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:45:06 GMT

Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Castle Street, Luton Beds LU1 2AG

Join us at Our Lady Help of Christians Church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturdays devotion

08:30 – Rosary.
09:00 – 09:30 – Adoration, Confession and 15 minutes meditation.
09:30 – Holy Mass.

Tel: 01582 723 254

https://www.ourladyhelpofchristians.co.uk/

Parish Priest: Fr Brendan Seery

St Edwards church in Kettering

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:40:29 GMT

St Edwards church, 2 The Grove, Kettering NN15 7QQ

Join us at St Edwards church for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturdays devotions begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9.00 am, followed by the Rosary and Fatima prayers and 15 minutes of meditations on the Rosary. Holy Mass is at 10.00 am. Confessions are from 9.30 to 9.55 am, and in the evening from 7.00 – 7.30 pm

http://www.stedwardskettering.org.uk/

Our Lady of The Assumption and the English Martyrs, Hills Road, Cambridge

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:06:02 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady of The Assumption and the English Martyrs, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1JR

Join us at Our Lady Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

First Saturdays: at 10:45, after the 10:00 Mass, as per the request of Our Lady of Fatima, for reparation to Her Immaculate Heart.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday 09:00-09:30; 10:30-11:15; 16:30 -17:15

Contact

www.olem.org.uk

Tel: 01223 350787

St. Philip Howard Catholic Parish, 33 Walpole Road, Cambridge

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:05:04 GMT

St. Philip Howard Catholic Parish, 33 Walpole Road, CAMBRIDGE CB1 3TH

Join us at St. Philip Howard Catholic Parish for the Five First Saturdays Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Five First Saturdays Devotions : 09:30 Mass, followed by the Holy Rosary, meditations and Confession.

(Confession available: Every Friday with Eucharistic Adoration after 09:30 – 10:00; Saturdays after 09:30-10:00 Mass

https://www.sphcambridge.co.uk/

The Most Holy Trinity Church, 71 Wickhay, Basildon, Essex

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:53:43 GMT

The Most Holy Trinity Church, 71 Wickhay, Basildon, Essex, SS15 5AD

Join us at The Most Holy Trinity Church for First Saturday Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima. All are welcome!

Time and further information

First Saturday devotions normally monthly – but check the newsletter :
http://basildoncatholics.org/newsletter/newsletter.pdf

Devotions – Veneration of statue of Our Lady of Fatima statue
From 9 am: Adoration, Rosary, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Fatima prayers, 10 am Mass.

http://basildoncatholics.org/

Parish of Our Lady and St David, Wesley Street, Cwmbran

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:50:04 GMT

Parish of Our Lady and St David, Wesley Street, Cwmbran NP44 3LX

Join us at the Parish of Our Lady and St David for First Saturday Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima. All are welcome!

Time and further information

Saturday: 9.30am Mass, 10.00am First Saturday Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, until 11.15am
Sacrament of Reconciliation, until 11.15am

https://ourladyoftheangels.org.uk/

St Teilo’s Church, Whitchurch, Cardiff

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:40:59 GMT

St. Teilo's Church, Old Church Rd, Cardiff CF14 1AD

Join us at St Teilo’s Church . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturdays: Mass at 10 am followed by Rosary and confessions after that.

https://stteilos-olol.co.uk/

Nazareth House Cardiff, Colum Road, Cardiff

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:37:14 GMT

Nazareth House Cardiff, Colum Road, Cardiff, CF10 3UN

Join us at Nazareth House . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Rosary starts at Nazareth House 9.30 am with Mass at 10am, followed by confessions.

https://www.sistersofnazareth.com/service/nazareth-house-cardiff/

Christ the King and Our Lady of Lourdes, 14 Westhill Road, Coventry

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:25:33 GMT

Christ the King and Our Lady of Lourdes, 14 Westhill Road, Coventry, CV6 2AA.

Join us at Christ the King and Our Lady of Lourdes . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

The schedule for First Saturdays devotions is: Mass at 9.30am followed by Adoration with Rosary, then Silent Adoration (with Confession throughout), finishing at 11am.

https://ctk-cov.org.uk/wp/

St George and St Theresa Catholic church. Station Rd, Dorridge, Solihull

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:22:04 GMT

Fatima Five First Saturdays at St George and St Theresa Catholic church. Station Rd, Dorridge, Solihull B93 8EZ

Join us at St George and St Theresa Catholic church . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Confessions at 9.15am, plus Rosary and consecration, Mass at 10 am.

https://www.catholicchurchdorridge.uk/

Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Redditch, Diocese of Birmingham

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:17:23 GMT

Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Redditch, Diocese of Birmingham

Join us at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish . Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Mass 9.30 am, followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet, then Rosary on First Saturdays according to Our Lady of Fatima’s instructions.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.00 to 11.00 finishing with Benediction, and Confessions during the Holy Hour.

The rosary is led by members of the Legion of Mary.

There are also First Saturday devotions at Hilton House near Lichfield – 10:00 am Holy Hour, 11:15 Holy Mass, 12:00 Holy Rosary, with confessions, followed by refreshments in meeting room. Please email Nichola at: nichola313@btinternet.com for more details.

http://www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk/

Our Lady & St. Brigid Parish, Northfield, Birmingham

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:13:23 GMT

First Five Saturdays devotion at Parish of Our Lady & St. Brigid, Northfield, Birmingham

Join us at Parish of Our Lady & St. Brigid for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

Mass at 10 am, followed by Confessions, plus Rosary.

http://www.ourladyandstbrigid.info/home/4592096033

St Dunstan’s Kings Heath, Birmingham

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:10:16 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at St Dunstan’s Kings Heath, Birmingham

Join us at St Dunstan’s Kings Heath church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

There are Five First Saturday devotions at St Dunstan’s, Birmingham, including Mass at 11 am, along with the Rosary, meditation and Confessions.

https://www.stdstj.org/

St Mary’s Catholic church, Croydon, London

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:05:18 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at Our Lady of Reparation, St Mary’s Catholic church, Croydon, London

Join us at St Mary’s Catholic church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

https://www.saint-mary.org.uk/index.htm

St Joseph’s Roehampton, London

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 21:01:22 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at St Joseph’s Roehampton, London

Join us at St Joseph’s Roehampton church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

We offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance every Saturday from 8:30 – 9:30 am, followed by Morning Prayer of the Church at 9:30 am, followed by Holy Mass at 10:00 am, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Hour) from about 10:45 to 11:45 am during which the priest is available for Confessions / Reconciliation.

The Rosary is prayed, and there is a period of silence too. Concludes with Benediction at about 11:30 / 11:45 am. Angelus at 12 noon.

https://www.stjosephroehampton.org.uk/

St. Pius X church, The Triangle, Norbiton, Surrey

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:51:56 GMT

First Saturdays Devotion at St. Pius X church, The Triangle, Norbiton, Surrey, KT1 3RU

Join us at St. Pius X church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

https://www.stpiusxchurch.org.uk/parish_groups/world-apostolate-of-fatima/

Our Lady and St Peters church, 15 Victoria Drive, Wimbledon Common, London

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:47:28 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady and St Peters church, 15 Victoria Drive, Wimbledon Common, London, SW19 6AD .

Join us at Our Lady and St Peters church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

Confessions at 9.35 am, Mass at 10 am, Rosary & Meditation after Mass about 10.35 am

https://ourladyandstpeterwimbledoncommon.org/

Courage and the secret

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:56:29 GMT

When in prison in August 1917, Jacinta was told: “All you have to do is to tell the Administrator the secret.” – “Never,” Jacinta replied vigorously, “I’d rather die.”

The Holy Father

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:55:15 GMT

Jacinta’s vision of the Holy Father at the Loca da Cabeco: “Can’t you see all those highways and roads and fields full of people who are crying with hunger and have nothing to eat? And the Holy Father in a church praying before the Immaculate Heart of Mary ? And so many people praying with him?”

Conversion of Sinners

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:53:51 GMT

When Our Lady came to visit her at home Jacinta said: “She told us she would come to take Francisco to heaven very soon, and she asked me if I still wanted to convert more sinners . I said I did. She told me I would be going to a hospital where I would suffer a great deal; and that I am to suffer for the conversion of sinners, in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary , and for love of Jesus . She said my mother would take me and I would have to stay there all alone.”

Just before Francisco went to heaven Jacinta said: “Give all my love to Our Lord and to Our Lady, and tell them that I’ll suffer as much as they want, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary .”

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:47:59 GMT

Reparation

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:44:42 GMT

The necessity of prayer

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:43:41 GMT

After seeing the vision of hell on 13 ^th July 1917, Jacinta said: “We must pray very much , to save souls from hell. So many go there. Why doesn’t Our Lady show hell to sinners? If they saw it, they would not sin …”

oing to dance any more, because I want to offer this sacrifice to Our Lord.”

Penance Suffering and Sacrifice

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:42:14 GMT

Jacinta said: “Tell the crickets and frogs to keep quiet, I have such a terrible headache” – “Don’t you want to suffer this for sinners ?” – “Yes, I do. Let them sing!”

She also said: “I’m not going to dance any more, because I want to offer this sacrifice to Our Lord.”

Confidence in Our Lady

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:40:33 GMT

Jacinta said: “We must never be afraid of anything. The Lady will always help us. She is such a good friend of ours.”

God as Light

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:39:13 GMT

The children’s first vision of Our Lady , 13 ^th May 1917. A light came from Our Lady’s hands, the rays of which, wrote Sister Lucia, “penetrated our hearts and the innermost depths of our souls, making us see ourselves in God Who was that light , more clearly than we see ourselves in the best of mirrors. Moved by an interior impulse, we fell on our knees, repeating in our hearts, ‘Most Holy Trinity I adore you. My God, my God, I love you in the most Blessed Sacrament.’ ”

The presence of Holiness

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:37:54 GMT

On being with Francisco in his room people remarked: “It is a mystery one cannot fathom. They are children just like any others, they don’t say anything to us, yet in their presence one feels something one can’t explain, and that makes them different from all the rest,” and also, “It seems to me that when we go into Francisco’s room, we feel just as we do when we go into a church.”

Sadness of God due to Sin

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:36:21 GMT

His father asked Francisco why he was sobbing one night, believing he had hurt himself: “I was thinking of Jesus who is so sad because of the sins committed against Him.”

Consoling our Lord

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:35:15 GMT

After the final apparition in October Francisco said: “I would like to console Our Lord, and after that convert sinners , so that they won’t offend Him any more”, because, he explained, Our Lady had said people must not offend Our Lord any more “ because He is already so much offended ”.

When Lucia asked Francisco if he was suffering, in his last days: “Quite a lot, but never mind. I am suffering to console Our Lord , and afterwards, within a short time, I am going to heaven .”

Love for God

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:59:43 GMT

After the fifth apparition in September Francisco said: “How good Our Lord is. I have only seen him twice and I love Him so much. But I am so sorry to see Him sad like that. I offer Him all the sacrifices I can think of.”

We will soon be in Heaven

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:56:02 GMT

When threatened with death in prison, after they had been abducted in August, Francisco said: “If they kill us, we will soon be in heaven. How wonderful! Nothing else matters.”

The Holy Trinity

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:54:54 GMT

After the July apparition, Lucia recorded “What wholly absorbed Francisco was God the Most Holy Trinity, perceived in that light from Our Lady which penetrated our inmost souls.”

Afterwards Francisco said, “We were on fire in that light which is God, and yet we were not burnt. What is God? We could never put it into words. What a pity He is so sad. If only I could console Him.”

Francisco and the Rosary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:52:50 GMT

After the first apparition of Our Lady on 13 ^th May 1917 Francisco said: “O my dear Our Lady, I will say as many Rosaries as you want.”

He also said: “I loved seeing the Angel, but I loved still more seeing Our Lady. What I loved most of all was to see Our Lord in that light from Our Lady which penetrated our hearts. I love God so much. But he is very sad because of so many sins!”

Receiving Holy Communion

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:51:35 GMT

After the 3 ^rd apparition of the Angel, in the autumn of 1916, when Francisco and Jacinta received the Precious Blood, he said: “I felt that God was within me, but I did not know how.”

Francisco said to Lucia: “You go to school, and I’ll stay here in the church, close to the Hidden Jesus. It is not worth my while learning to read as I’ll be going to heaven very soon.”

Francisco said to Jacinta, after receiving Holy Communion the day before he died: “I am happier than you are because I have the Hidden Jesus within my heart.”

Francisco and Priesthood

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:49:26 GMT

Francisco wanted to become a priest and used to collect stones to set up little altars. When they had apples for lunch, he would peel them and cut little white circles out of them, and pretend he was giving Holy Communion to Lucia and Jacinta.

Pope Saint John Paul 11

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:46:47 GMT

In his homily at the Beatification on 13 ^th May 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II said that Francisco attained “a true form of mystical union with the Lord”.

The Pope also said that Jacinta, “could well exclaim with St Paul: ‘I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, the Church’ ” (Col 1: 24).

Pope Saint John Paul II

I love our Lord

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:44:06 GMT

Jacinta said: “I love Our Lord so much. At times I seem to have a fire in my heart, but it does not burn me … I never get tired of telling Our Lord and Our Lady that I love them.”

Francisco said: “No lamp is as beautiful as Our Lord’s (the sun)” he used to say to Jacinta, who preferred Our Lady’s lamp (the moon) because “it doesn’t hurt our eyes”.

Pope Saint John Paul II

Jesus Christ is for us a model

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:30:38 GMT

Jesus Christ is for us a model , which we must follow and seek to imitate. Although He was God and had therefore, all grace and strength, He was also truly human; and He chose to prepare Himself by prayer, to submit his human will to that of the Father, who needed Him as an expiatory victim for the sins of humanity. To his human nature, suffering, humiliation and death were repugnant, as it is for all of us, because they are the punishment for sin; sin which He did not commit, but for which He chose to make satisfaction on our behalf.”

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .((p.281) - with minor edits in some instances.

The gift of Mary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:28:11 GMT

The Angel told Mary that she was full of grace: ‘Hail full of grace, the Lord is with

you!’ If Mary had not been full of grace and all holy, the Angel could not have said that to her that she was full of grace, because she would have some stain of sin in her. ‘The Lord is with you,’ - said the Angel – because Mary belongs totally to God and exists totally for God. To think that Jesus shared His Mother with us! He gave us Mary to be our Mother in the spiritual order of grace. What a great gift God has given us!

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 274) - with minor edits in some instances.

Pray for one another

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:26:11 GMT

If the Apostle Paul tells us to pray for one another, (Ephesians 6:18-20)we have much more reason to ask Mary to pray for us, because her prayer will be much more pleasing to the Lord in view of her dignity as Mother of God and her closer union with Christ, true God and true Man, by reason of her mission of co-Redemptrix with Christ as well as her great sanctity.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 266) - with minor edits in some instances.

Those who say the Rosary daily

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:25:23 GMT

Those who say the Rosary daily are like children who, every day, manage to find

a few moments just to be with their Father, to keep him company, to show him

their gratitude, to do some service for him, to receive his advice and his blessing. It is an exchange of love, the love of the father for the child and the child for the father; it is a mutual giving.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 271-72) - with minor edits in some instances.

The prayer of the Rosary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:21:51 GMT

I believe that, after the liturgical prayer of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the prayer of the holy Rosary, because of its origin and sublime nature of the prayers which compose it and also on account of the mysteries of our redemption which we recall and contemplate in each decade, is the most pleasing prayer we can offer to God and the one most beneficial to our souls. If this were not so, Our Lady would not have recommended it to us with such insistence. (p. 266)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 263) - with minor edits in some instances.

Recommended - the prayer of the Rosary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:20:58 GMT

Calling to mind the insistence with which God, by means of the Fatima message, recommends the prayer of the Rosary, and also all that the Church’s Magisterium has said about it over the years, we can conclude that the Rosary is a form of vocal prayer which, in general, suits all of us, for which we should have the highest regard, and which we should make the greatest effort never to abandon. (p. 263)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 263) - with minor edits in some instances.

How can we say that we possess charity

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:17:07 GMT

How can we say that we possess charity if we do not love God and our neighbour; if we cannot manage to make the sacrifices necessary in order to fulfil each and all of the Commandments? We have no charity if we cannot deny ourselves sufficiently in order to be pure, chaste, humble, faithful to God and to our neighbour who are poor and need our help, our assistance in their difficulty, our alms and our comfort; if we cannot deny ourselves enough so as to give to our needy neighbour what we do not, preferring to waste it on what is useless and unnecessary.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima .(p. 258) - with minor edits in some instances.

By sin we damage ourselves

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:15:45 GMT

By sin we damage ourselves , depriving ourselves of the grace of God, putting

ourselves in danger of eternal damnation, throwing away our personal dignity, our good name, honour, material, moral and spiritual goods and, in many cases, even the possibility of exercising our freedom, since as the Lord says: “the sinner becomes the slave of sin”. We sacrifice our health and very often, our temporal and eternal life. Sad consequences of our transgressing the Law of God!

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima . (p. 257) - with minor edits in some instances.

The law and the love of God

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:14:07 GMT

As Jesus teaches us, the whole law is summed up in the love of God and our

neighbour for love of Him; in other words, we love others because they are children of God like ourselves and, therefore, our brother or sister, with free will like ours, with the same rights as we have, and destined for eternal life. Accordingly, it is this love which leads us to observe each and all of the commandments, because all of them, in one way or another, refer to God and our neighbour. This observance always redounds to the glory of God, our own good and that of our neighbour. On the other hand, their transgression affects God’s external glory – that is, in his creation, not in Himself - does harm to our own good and the good of our neighbour, considered both as an individual and as a member of society.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima . (p. 256) - with minor edits in some instances.

God gives Himself through love

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:13:18 GMT

As we see, God gives Himself to us through love , and this love, when it is kindled in a heart, softens everything, sweetens everything, because it extinguishes the fire of unruly passions and smooths the ways of holiness, which consists in the observance of the divine Law, through love. It is then that the person’s love for God becomes more fervent, and the union between them is made closer by strong and unbreakable bonds, until this love becomes the person’s very life. And, led by this love, gives him/herself completely to God and to others, for the love of God. What one then desires is to communicate to others this treasure of grace and happiness which we ourselves now possess within us, to make the way smooth for them and help them to continue on it, so that they may enjoy the same good fortune which has made us happy: love. (p. 255)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima . (p. 255) - with minor edits in some instances.

True love - its demands

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:11:54 GMT

All true love demands giving, renunciation, self-sacrifice, self-surrender. This was how God loved us from the beginning. He created us in His image, making us sharers in his life, in his gifts such as intelligence, power of reflection, wisdom, free will, freedom and destined us for eternal life. All this sharing in His gifts which He has granted us, in the order of nature as well as of grace, is, on God’s part a self sacrifice, a self surrender, a self revelation and a descent, out of love, so as to raise us up, to honour us, to perfect us and to associate us with Himself.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (pp. 253-54) - with minor edits in some instances.

The voice of God

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:42:24 GMT

Even if people do not want to heed the voice of God , its echo must vibrate in the

human conscience for as long as the race exists and afterwards- in eternity, in the despair of those who, because they did not follow it, are lost forever.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 247) - with minor edits in some instances.

Our Life with God

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:40:56 GMT

Let us make sure that our life with God is all that it should be by our faithful and constant observance of His law and His word which is His Word incarnate, Jesus Christ our Saviour: “He who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 230) - with minor edits in some instances.

People should repent

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:39:57 GMT

It is therefore alarming to see, in today’s society, the ease with which people plunge into immorality . To remedy the situation, there is only one solution: the people should repent , reform their lives and do penance. For those who do not want to take this road Jesus Christ says: “Unless you repent you will likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 230) - with minor edits in some instances.

Servants to our Brothers and Sisters

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:37:54 GMT

Since we are Christians, followers of Christ, we must all become servants of our brothers and our sisters ; we must serve them with love, with respect for the personality and the dignity of our neighbour, because the dignity of each one does not come from the place he or she occupies but rather from each person’s right to that respect.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 230) - with minor edits in some instances.

Thy Neighbour

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:36:03 GMT

All of us to a greater or lesser extent, in whatever situation we are placed, have a responsibility for the good of others, and the salvation of their souls . By our attitude towards them, by our words, our actions and the prayers we should say

for them, by our words, our actions, and the prayers we should say for them, either in private or in public, with them and for them, we have to help one another to keep on the right road: the road of faith in Christ, the road of hope and love which unites us all in Christ, Head and Leader of His people, the Church.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 226) - with minor edits in some instances.

Priesthood in Christ

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:33:29 GMT

We must realize that we have been made sharers of the priesthood of Christ in order to co-operate in His work of Redemption. The realization of this will help us to observe worthily the precept concerning Sunday as an obligation, by the study of the laws and truth of God, so that, in our daily lives, we may know how they apply in each case, how to live them ourselves and transmit them to those

around us, above all to those entrusted by Heaven to our responsibility. (p. 225)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima ( p. 225 ) - with minor edits in some instances.

Baptism and dignity

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:32:04 GMT

It was in Baptism that we receive our priestly dignity, (1 Peter 2:5). in virtue of which we can offer spiritual sacrifices; all the good works of a Christian, making known the wonders of God, all the prayers of supplication and thanksgiving offered by

ourselves and our neighbours, the witness of a holy life, self sacrifice and the gift

of ourselves in the service of others. (p. 225)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima ( p. 225 ) - with minor edits in some instances.

Observance of Sunday

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:30:33 GMT

If our observance of Sunday is limited to merely abstaining from work we cannot say with an easy conscience, that we are keeping God’s commandment since we have respected the part of it that refers to rest, but failed to observe the part that bids us to consecrate the day to the Lord.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima ( p. 223 ) - with minor edits in some instances.

True Happiness

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:29:08 GMT

True happiness is found only in God, the further we draw away from God, the more we sink down, and the more unhappy we become; the nearer we draw towards God, the happier we are and the greater we become as persons,

because only in God are truth, justice, true love and greatness to be found. (p. 221)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima ( p. 221 ) - with minor edits in some instances.

Temptation and pride

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:27:21 GMT

The temptation to pride is a lie! Throw yourself over the precipice of vice, no harm will come to you! God down! Why do we not rather set ourselves to climb upwards instead of descending? Mount, climb higher! Be pure, chaste, just, be

faithful to God and to your neighbour, be retrained in your conduct. Go higher

and god will embrace you in his fatherly arms.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p.220) - with minor edits in some instances.

The existence of God

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:25:40 GMT

We have no difficulty in believing that such and such famous men, lived, because history mentions them. But it also speaks of the existence of God, his deeds, and his works. Why, then, do we not believe? Is sacred history less worthy of belief than profane history? Are the sacred writers less truthful than profane ones? Now, the sacred writers tell us; “In the beginning God created the

heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 212-213) - with minor edits in some instances.

Happiness through God

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:12:58 GMT

The person who believes in God is happy , because he knows he has a Father from whom all things come, yet is above all human paternity. He loves his Father, rests in His arms and lives for this Father who is goodness, mercy,

forgiveness and love!

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 212) - with minor edits in some instances.

The Church

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:11:15 GMT

And let us not waver or move away from the Church when we see imperfections in some of her members, because, individually, we are all weak and sinful. But the Church does not cease to be holy for all that; holy in her laws and in the doctrine entrusted to her by God, holy in her Head, Jesus Christ, her divine founder and Saviour, holy in the divine Spirit which animates and helps her, and

in the life of grace generated and nourished by the Sacraments.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 210) - with minor edits in some instances.

The Ten Commandments

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:09:35 GMT

The Ten Commandments are among the chief aims of the Message. In fact, Our Lady ended the series of apparitions in Fatima with these words: “Do notoffend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended”. And previously, on the 13th July, she had already said “In October, I will tell you who I am and what I want”. Thus, what Our Lady wanted and, therefore the

main object of the Message, was to beg us not to offend Our Lord because He

was already so deeply offended. (p. 207)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 207)- with minor edits in some instances.

We are pilgrims into eternity

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:07:56 GMT

From the moment of our conception, our life continues through time and goes on to eternity , where it will abide. As long as we live on this earth we are pilgrims on the way to heaven, if we keep to the way that God has marked out for us.

This is the most important thing in our lives: that we should behave in such away as to ensure that, when we depart from this world and at the end of time, we shall deserve to hear from the lips of Jesus Christ those consoling words:

“Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the

foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). (p. 204)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 204)- with minor edits in some instances.

Blessed if we are persecuted

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:05:54 GMT

The Lord tells us that we should be blessed if we are persecuted on his account, because the prophets before us were persecuted in a similar way. But why is that those whom God has chosen for a special mission, and with whom He has more direct contact, are persecuted and oppressed? It is the continuation of the mystery of the Cross which marks out for us the path to Heaven. (p. 202)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 202)- with minor edits in some instances.

Our duty to become holy

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:03:07 GMT

For us who have the happiness of possessing the gift of faith, which we receive in the gift of Baptism, the duty to be holy obliges us to something more: to be clothed with supernatural life, to impart a supernatural character to all our

actions, in other words to be holy because God is holy. This duty obliges us to

live in the shadow of the holiness of God. (p. 196)

God Himself guides our steps along the road to holiness : “I am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless”. (Genesis 17:1). To walk in the presence of God is to realize that His gaze is upon us, and that our whole being is, as it were, in front of the mirror of the light of God. Hence, when we realize that God sees us, we will not dare to offend Him. On the contrary, there will be born in us a desire

to fulfil His law in order to please Him, to give Him pleasure, to merit His favours and graces, and to sanctify ourselves in order to become like Him. Herein lies true union with God for every one, and it is this that makes us holy. (p. 196)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 196)- with minor edits in some instances.

The model of perfect holiness

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:18:42 GMT

Thus Mary is for each one of us, the model of the most perfect holiness to which a human being can aspire in this poor land of exile. How many times will she not have read and meditated in her heart these words of Sacred scripture: “You shall

be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19,2). What God says to us here is for everyone and for all states in life … This commandment obliges us to observe all the other commandments, because to transgress even one of them is to fall short of holiness.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 195) - with minor edits in some instances.

More on Suffering

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:15:38 GMT

It is through the merits of Christ that all suffering has value and purifies us from sin. It is by our union with Christ that suffering can make us victim pleasing to the Father, and make us holy. (p. 178)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 178) - with minor edits in some instances.

The value of suffering

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:14:09 GMT

We also have the apparition of Our Lady of Sorrows, with a meaning that we must not fail to recall. By means of this vision, God will have wished to show us the value of suffering , sacrifice and immolation for the sake of love. In the world of today hardly anyone wants to hear these truths, such is the extent to which people are living in search of pleasure, of empty worldly happiness, and exaggerated comfort. But the more one flees from suffering, the more we find ourselves immersed in a sea of afflictions, disappointments and suffering. (p. 178)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 178) - with minor edits in some instances.

A good Confession

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:13:07 GMT

IGod forgives us our sins but on the condition that we are truly resolved not to sin again. A firm purpose of amendment is one of the requirements for a good confession .

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 177) - with minor edits in some instances.

The virtue of humility

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:11:18 GMT

In the beautiful lessons of Jesus Christ which he has left to us, we see the obligation we all have to practice charity and to avoid any impurity which makes us unworthy to be with God and our neighbour. We also see how we enhance our own nobility when we respect authority and practice the virtue of humility . As our Master has said “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). (p. 172)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 172) - with minor edits in some instances.

Fatima and the Family

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:10:06 GMT

God entrusted to the family the sacred mission of co-operating with Him in the work of creation. This decision to associate His poor creatures with His creative work is a great demonstration of the fatherly goodness of God. It is as if He were making them shares in His creative power; making use of His children in order to bring forth new lives, which will flower on earth but be destined for

Heaven. (p. 162)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 162) - with minor edits in some instances.

Responding fully to the message

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:08:29 GMT

We must not think that, in order to respond fully to the implications of the Message and the precept of love, it is sufficient to avoid sin, in order not to offend God. This is undoubtedly the first step, but it is not enough. He is more than a Father to us: we offend Him by our coldness, our forgetfulness, our indifference and our carelessness; we are behaving in an ungrateful way towards Him, like someone who does not recognize his or her principle Benefactor, the One to whom we owe most.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 160) - with minor edits in some instances.

Sin is an offence against God

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:07:01 GMT

When we despise or violate the commandments of God, we cause hurt and offence to that which is most magnificent in God, God, in the fatherly love with which He created us, enfolded us with loving care in all that surrounds us for our own good and which He created for our good, the love with which He redeemed us from sin and opened to us the gates of Heaven, with which He will grant us to us our inheritance in His Kingdom. Hence, every sin is an offence against God Our Father and a rejection of His love, since we are preferring our sin to the love we owe to God and to possession of His Kingdom, knowing that by our sin we lose the right to it. (p. 158)

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 158)- with minor edits in some instances.

Continue to pray the Rosary

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:05:32 GMT

Why does the message ask us to continue to pray the Rosary ? Because prayer is the basis of spiritual life. If we give up praying, we deprive ourselves of that supernatural life which comes to us from the meeting of our soul with God, a meeting which comes about in prayer.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 150) - with minor edits in some instances.

A life with prayer

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:03:50 GMT

Without a life of prayer and contact with God, every apostolate is fruitless, because it is God who makes effective what we do, what we say and the efforts we make. Hence, the Message tells us: “Pray and make sacrifices” so that through your prayers, your words, your example, your acts of self denial, your work and your charity, you will be able to help your brothers and sisters to get up again if they have fallen, to return to the right path if they have strayed away

from it, and to draw close to God if they are estranged from Him.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p.145)- with minor edits in some instances.

Say the Rosary every day

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:00:14 GMT

I think that the special injunction from Our Lady to Francisco that he should say many Rosaries is for all of us. It is not that saying many Rosaries, as such, is an indispensable condition for going to Heaven, but that we must pray much. Naturally, to say the Rosary every day was the most accessible form of prayer for those children, as it is today for the great majority of people, and there is no doubt that it will be difficult for someone to be saved if they never pray.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 126) - with minor edits in some instances.

Concerning self denial

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:59:18 GMT

It is true that keeping the word of God involves self-denial and renunciation, but it is also that it is precisely in this self denial and renunciation, that we prove our love to God: ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up

his cross and follow me’ (Mark 8:34).

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 122) - with minor edits in some instances.

Praying in the Spirit of Penance

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:52:07 GMT

Another practice is to pray , in the spirit of penance , with one’s arms outstretched in the form of the cross, in union with Christ crucified, or to pray prostrate with one’s forehead touching the ground, thus abasing ourselves before God Whom we have dared to offend, we who are nothing to his presence. Although such penances are not obligatory, they are necessary in many cases; for example, to help overcome fiery natures which cause people to sin, or the violent temptations of the world, the devil, pride and the flesh.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 109) - with minor edits in some instances.

Living in peace through prayer

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:39:43 GMT

We all desire and long for peaceful days, to be able to live in peace . But this peace will not be achieved until we use the Law of God as the norm and guide to our steps. Now the entire Message of Fatima is a call to pay attention to this Divine Law. (p. 59)

In carrying out our every day tasks, we must endeavour to be aware of God’s presence: call to mind that God and our Angel Guardian are close to us, see what we are doing, and in what frame of mind we are doing it. Hence we must sanctify our work, our rest, our meals, our wholesome entertainments, as if they were an ongoing prayer . This intimate and familiar converse with God, transforms our work and our daily occupations into a true and abiding life of prayer, making us more pleasing to God and bringing down upon us extra special graces and blessings.

Quotes from Sr. Lucia's Calls regarding the Message of Fatima (p. 95) - with minor edits in some instances.

Voice: From a WAF Volunteer

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:11:27 GMT

Voice from a volunteer in the South Team – Barbara Dixon interviewed by Kianne Rodrigues

I was asked to interview Barbara, who is a Lead for the Children of the Eucharist & Young Missionaries of Mary (COTE&YMM), and also Membership Coordinator, for the World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales, about her role as a Volunteer for the South team.

Luckily for me, I had the pleasure of meeting her when she was at my Parish, Holy Rood Church here in the Diocese of Swindon for the Parish Visitation of the NPVS.

The World Apostolate of Fatima has two teams that travel around England & Wales – The Northern team covers the Dioceses of Leeds, Lancaster, Liverpool, Wrexham, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Salford, and Hexham and Newcastle.

The Southern team covers the Dioceses of Clifton, Cardiff, Menevia, Northampton, East Anglia, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Westminster, Brentwood, Arundel & Brighton, Southwark, and Birmingham.

Q AND A's

Remembering Keith Paver

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:11:09 GMT

Remembering Keith Paver - WAF Member in the Diocese of Northampton

We take this opportunity to send our condolences to family of Keith Paver, who sadly passed away this year. Keith attended our WAF AGM in 2022 as an observer as his wife, Fedilis, is our promoter for the Diocese of Northampton.

The AGM is a time for us to interact, and to share our vision for the common goal of spreading the Message of Our Lady given when she appeared in Fatima to the three seers. The AGM sessions organised for promoters and members enrich us, and enable us to better understand the various programmes that WAF E&W promotes - but most importantly, it is a time for us to become more personally bonded, as we are usually only in contact via online communications.

Getting to know Keith for the first time, as he shared his experiences, gave me a chance to talk about my experiences with WAF as well. I built up my confidence in talking to him as I would with anyone who wanted to know more about the Apostolate.

Although Keith came as an observer, he was drawn by the energy of everyone present, and the talks on the importance of the Rosary presented by Patrick Cunningham made him ask questions so as to understand more about Our Lady’s secret weapon. These sessions probably gave him the chance to contemplate on his role as a member as well.

It was a great joy for us to see Keith being invested in the brown scapular by Fr Cecil Rogerson (Spiritual Director of Birmingham Archdiocese). Fedilis told us she never expected him to take that step forward and she was delighted that he did!

It would have been lovely to see Keith at our AGM last year, but we understood he was not well by then. I hope this article will remind members of the wonderful opportunity of spending time with each other at the AGM and hope that more will come for this year's AGM in November. We never know do we. How precious time is...

On behalf of all of us who have met and known Keith, we offer our prayers to Our Blessed Mother to look after Keith as he rests in peace by her side. To his family, especially Fedilis, we are thinking of you.

IMAGES - Keith Paver

Reflections: 2024 AGM – Imitation of Mary

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:10:51 GMT

by Kathleen Too

Brothers and sisters

First I would like to thank Patrick and Barbara and the WAF committee for organising such a wonderful AGM in such a beautiful location at the Franciscan Ladywell centre in Godalming, Surrey.

Our Lady of Divine Motherhood here in Godalming is shown to be nursing baby Jesus, and in the same way our World Apostolate of Fatima is in need of tender loving care and nursing. We can but only do this with the help of Our Lady, divine food from heaven, listening to the Gospel, and through divine providence. Our WAF mission here in England and Wales is her mission.

We heard talks from Donal Foley how the mission of WAF England and Wales is so important for her Immaculate Heart to triumph. Our Lady told us that we must repent, consecrate ourselves to her immaculate heart, make reparation on First Five Saturdays for the conversion of sinners but not only the conversion of sinners but the conversion of England because England is Mary’s Dowry and it brings the words we hear from Fatima closer to home to Walsingham. We heard of prophecies from St John Vianney and St Dominic Savio on the conversion of England for the triumph of God.

So WAF England and Wales has its importance today and it is what Our Blessed Virgin Mary wants. It is her heart’s desire that we came to Goldalming to do her mission. Our lady has given us this opportunity to make devotion to her immaculate heart known. She said in Fatima on the 13th July 1917:

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart."

Our mission is clear. We need to establish devotion to her immaculate heart so as to help bring about the conversion of England and Wales, and the triumph of her immaculate heart.

So WAF England and Wales needs your help to help establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

How do we do this?

Conference Images

Pilgrim Virgin Statue visits: St Mary's Church, Sunderland

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:10:34 GMT

The Northern Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue visited St Mary's Church in Sunderland on Saturday 1 June 2024. After what seemed to be never-ending rain, wind, and cloudy weather leading up to the visitation and the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, the sun came out and added its warmth to a thoroughly enjoyable day of devotion to our Holy Mother of Fatima.

Parish Priest Fr Christopher Hancock was delighted with the turnout and participation in the day's events. The day itself was made possible by the diligent organization of the Legion of Mary, who recently re-established the Legion in the parish.

The day started with a Rosary for world peace, followed by the Fatima prayers, leading up to Holy Mass which was concelebrated by Fr Chris and assistant priest Fr Emmanuel. Bishop Seamus Cunningham was also on hand in the confessional throughout the morning service.

The statue of Our Lady was crowned at the start of the Mass with a floral crown of blue and white flowers and presented to Fr Chris by Leroy Temojo Etonu, in what was an incredibly special moment for all the congregation.

After Holy Mass, the statue was carried in a procession as a witness of faith from St Mary's church to Keel Square in the city centre of Sunderland. During the procession Marian songs were sung in what was truly a very moving experience for both the people in the procession and the onlookers from the local shops and cafes along the route. Some of them were taking photographs and looking in a quizzical way at the Statue and procession.

Arriving at Keel Square Fr Chris consecrated the City of Sunderland to our Holy Mother. There is another statue in the square known as the Knife Angel (sometimes referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression).

The Knife Angel is a contemporary sculpture, created to highlight knife crime in the United Kingdom and educate young people on the harmful effect violent behaviour can have on their communities. Divine providence guided both statues to be present in the square, both of which represent peace. which is so desperately needed in the world today and within our local community.

Following the procession a shared lunch was held in the church hall, followed by a Film and talk on Fatima and the importance of the First Five Saturday devotion, which was requested by Jesus during an apparition to Sister Lucia at Pontevedra in Spain on the 10th Dec 1925. The day concluded with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Investiture and Enrollment in the Brown Scapular followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

I f you would like a visit and day of devotion to our Holy Mother, please consult your local parish priest for approval and contact Patrick Cunningham at safeguarding@waf-ew.org.uk

Sunderland Pilgrim Statue Images

Pilgrimage Experience: Fr. Ghebreyesus

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:10:21 GMT

By Rev Fr Ghebreyesus Woldekidan, the Parish Priest of St Augustine of Canterbury, Harehills, Leeds.

Some people consider Fatima and Lourdes only as historic sites. They are not. They are daily places of devotion and conversion. Millions of people from different nations and denominations visit these Holy places as pilgrims. They receive many graces and return to their homes healed.

This is in brief what I received in Fatima last July.

My Parishioners have invited me three times since I joined the parish. Each time I declined or made a poor excuse. However, during Easter 2024 a devoted anonymous family brought a Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to my presbytery and gave it to me and said, "Father G this is for you."

It is a big statue, maybe 70-80 inches high. When I saw this Holy Statue I cried, saying, “My Heavenly Mother instead of visiting you in Portugal you have visited me in Leeds.”

I brought the statue of Our Lady of Fatima into every room of the presbytery and into our Church St. Augustine of Canterbury and bowed and asked for her blessing and protection. In brief, this statue pushed me to come to Fatima in Portugal as a pilgrim in July 2024.

On the night of the 9th of July when we were due to leave, my group asked me to be ready for 5 am as we needed to arrive at 6 am at Manchester Airport.

That night was a nightmare as I did not sleep and was feeling quite unwell. I was feeling down and I had thoughts of cancelling my pilgrimage. God is GOOD and wanted me to have this new experience and blessing.

It was God’s will that my pain went and that I was restored with new energy and strength. I felt fit and ready by the time it came to leave the presbytery.

The pilgrims that I travelled with to Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal were prepared and organised by the World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales.

All in all, there were 41 pilgrims. We all came from different backgrounds, and we were so blessed as we had Fr Jason as our chaplain for the pilgrimage. There were 4 clergy in all, two from London, Fr Richard Nesbitt and Fr John McKenna, myself and Fr Jason from Wales.

When we arrived at Lisbon Airport, the weather as you can imagine, was very hot. We waited for all the pilgrims to assemble from their different flights, and then we started our pilgrimage with joy and enthusiasm.

When I arrived, I personally found Fatima to be a very spiritual place built on Holy Ground, and obviously highly respected and popular, with a well-organised programme.

Every Morning I went walking or jogging before everyone woke up. On my return, I passed by Our Lady’s Apparition Site and drank from the miraculous Holy Water of Fatima which is incredible and I believe helped with my health situation.

The Fatima Sanctuary is wonderfully prepared to support each and every pilgrim to grow spiritually and benefit from the graces of Fatima. The Basilica of the Holy Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions, where every night we had a Rosary procession, the Holy Trinity church; the underground chapel of Silent Adoration, the confessionals, the Rosary Museum – these are just a few of the many places we visited. For me they were all very uplifting and places of grace and blessing.

The International Mass, which is held in front of the Basilica on Sundays and on the feast days of Our Lady of Fatima, gave me a special opportunity to read the Bible in English. On that day, I did not announce to the other 41 pilgrims of our group that I was going to read the Gospel. The Sanctuary area is big and open; I did not really know where my group were; I just knew that I was reading officially in English the Gospel of the day.

The microphone had an incredibly high volume. I started to read, and one member of our group told me later; “I was tired during the prayers and hymns in Portuguese which were a bit difficult to understand, and I felt like sleeping … When I heard your voice, I thought, oh this is Fr G!”

So she roused herself and joyfully listened to the Gospel of the day praising God as we had a priest from our group reading in a language, she could understand.

The other incredible situation I experienced was through a family from the Philippines. I do not remember his name now exactly as I am terrible at remembering names. I think his nickname was Totto. Incredibly he invited us for lunch almost every day. He is retired and lives in Fatima. He wishes to spend the rest of his life near to our Lady. What an amazing and devoted decision. It is a beautiful thing to come from another part of the world and buy a house and live there for the rest of your life in Fatima. A wonderful decision.

All in all, for me it was a great blessing to be in Fatima. It touched my whole life. Her, Yes, her Fiat, is the call for everyone, particularly for us clergy; she was given to us on the cross through St John. The Pilgrimage increased my personal devotion and makes me want to be nearer to Our Lady for the rest of my life. Let us follow in the footsteps of Our Lady. Her Yes, her humbleness, her faithfulness, and devotion to her immaculate Heart to inspire us every moment of every day.

My advice to each member of the clergy is, talk to God frankly, as Mary did. Do not be afraid. It is okay to tell him your fears and concerns. It's okay to admit doubts and confusion. Let him relieve your anxieties about the impossible. Give him the chance to dispel any unbelief in his power—and his desire—to take care of you. Make time for him to grant you wisdom and understanding for the difficult situations. You just may be surprised by what happens!

Then, like Mary, humbly place yourself at God’s disposal. Do it especially when you have nothing available for the situation. Give God room to be God, the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving Father of—you!

St. Leo the Great once wrote: "Majesty humbled itself, power became weak, and eternity mortal."

A man, Jesus, died because he was a man, but was free of death because he is God. The incomprehensible became comprehended; the eternal became finite; the Lord of the universe became servant to all creation.

If God could manage that, he can handle the stuff in our lives!

In brief, two words sum up Fatima for me. It is a place of PEACE, and HEALING for our souls. May God Bless you all with the intercession of Mary the Mother of God, Our Saviour bless us all.

Our Lady of Fatima: Pray for Us

Saints Jacinta and Francisco: Pray for us

Blessed Lucia: Pray for us.

Fatima Pilgrimage Images

First Saturday Devotions: Recap and Looking to the Future

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:10:05 GMT

First Saturday Devotions at Holy Rood, Swindon – Recap and Looking to the Future - by Priyanka Peixoto

Our parish of Holy Rood, Swindon, is one of the largest parishes in Clifton Diocese. We have a multicultural congregation with people from different ethnic groups participating in the life of the parish. A significant proportion of the congregation are of Goan origin, which has a historic Portuguese connection. This probably explains why there exists a strong devotion to Our Lady of Fatima amongst the congregation.

It was during the pandemic that First Saturday devotions commenced in our parish. Julia D’Sousa, who is now the WAF promoter for Holy Rood, along with the support of her family and several parishioners formed a prayer group that met online to pray for the parish and beyond, which included the First Saturday devotions.

In 2022, when parish life returned to a ‘new normal’, the First Saturday devotions moved to the parish church. With the support of our parish priest at the time, Canon John Cunningham, this took the form of an hour and a half of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, together with praying the Fatima prayers and the Rosary with meditations on the mysteries.

In June 2023, the parish was privileged to host a visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin statue and the relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. This event from 3rd to 4th June had been eagerly anticipated by the parish. Regular attendees of the First Saturdays and other parishioners came together to support the visitation with various preparatory activities, both behind-the-scenes and during the event.

The visitation was a great blessing with hundreds lining up after each of the four Masses that weekend to pray before the Pilgrim Virgin and venerate the relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. Jerry Rivera, WAF E&W National President, gave a talk about the First Saturday devotions and the Fatima message of penance and reparation, which is very relevant today. We also had an enrolment ceremony in the Brown Scapular.

The WAF team had various books, leaflets, and other devotional items available to spread the message of Our Lady. Such was the demand for scapulars that we ran out of them! The devotion of the people was moving to see; particularly at the farewell procession of the Pilgrim Virgin. Parishioners lined up the street, with flowers in hand, waving her goodbye.

Since then, we have continued with the First Saturdays in the church, with the approval of our new parish priest, Fr. Lucas Rodrigues. We continue to encourage more parishioners to join this devotion by publicising it in the church via the newsletter, posters, announcements and also through social media and personal invitation. Several parishioners have come together to form a team to support the First Saturdays via music ministry, leading the prayers, and planning and organising for future visitations of the National Pilgrim Virgin statue, etc.

We are also close to launching the Home Pilgrim Virgin visitation programme. By visiting each home, we know that Our Lady will continue to reach out to her children and spread her message of peace, penance and reparation, one family at a time.

From a small seed, devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through the First Saturday devotions is gently blossoming in the parish. May it continue to grow and draw many souls into the school of Mary, so that her Immaculate Heart may triumph in our land and in the world.

Swinden Pilgrim Statue Images

Jubilee 2025 Cathedral Visits - Update

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:44:45 GMT

We continue to prepare for the Cathedral Visitations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First Five Saturday Devotion of Reparation throughout England and Wales. The first visit will take place on the 3rd May 2025 when we visit St Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea, in the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, Wales.

We will then visit a further 13 Cathedrals in 2025, with the remaining Cathedral visits being concluded by 31 Oct 2026 when we visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of The Most Precious Blood at Westminster. You can see details of these Visitations, here ...

In addition, we will be visiting local parishes and hope that you will be able to join us in our pilgrimage of Hope around England and Wales.

The purpose of the World Apostolate of Fatima is help spread the message of Fatima and follow in the footsteps of Sister Lucia and her cousins, in helping to restore the centrality of God in our lives.

Please help us in our journey of Faith and join us for the Cathedral and Parish visits. If you would like to arrange a visit to your parish, please send us a message

Ave Maria!

Feast Day: Saints Francisco & Jacinta 20th February

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 17:36:54 GMT

This month we celebrate the feast day of Saints Francisco and Jacinta on the 20th February. Two of the three shepherd children, Jacinta and Francisco, lived short but heroic lives and dedicated themselves in service to God’s Will and the message of Hope emanating from Fatima.

It is also important to remember the calling of the three little shepherds from Fatima, whose lives were transformed by their service, sacrifice and acts of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They were chosen to reveal to the world God's message of Hope, heaven's peace plan, to a world that was turning away from God.

This message is still so relevant today and that is why it’s important to recognise the signs of the times in our day and the power of prayer in our lives. Our Lady gave us the Rosary through St Dominic, and in Fatima asked the children to pray the Rosary every day. She also said that Jesus wants her to be known and loved throughout the world and we can help to do this through the First Five Saturday devotion of Reparation.

Parish Statue Visitations Updates

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:52:45 GMT

We are not currently accepting parish bookings for Pilgrim Virgin Statue visitations for the SOUTHERN dioceses, but you can still make PARISH bookings for the NORTHERN dioceses by contacting Patrick Cunningham at the email address below.

NORTHERN DIOCESES (Hexham & Newcastle, Lancaster, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Salford, Liverpool, Hallam, Shrewsbury, Nottingham, and Wrexham) – Submit your request her e

SOUTHERN DIOCESES (Plymouth, Clifton, Portsmouth, Arundel & Brighton, Southwark, Brentwood, Westminster, Northampton, East Anglia, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Menevia)

WAF Prayer intentions for February

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 17:56:48 GMT

The WAF England & Wales Prayer intention for February is " That the Feast of the Little shepherds helps to inspire us all to live and celebrate the centenary of the Five First Saturdays Devotion. "

Great Jubilee Year - Visitations to UK Cathedrals

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 23:40:30 GMT

Members of WAF England and Wales met with Cardinal Nichols to request Fatima Statue Visitations to the Cathedrals of England and Wales for the Centenary of the revelation of the First Saturdays Devotions in 2025. This has been agreed, and the tour of the Statues will

begin in May 2025 and conclude in October 2026. This programme coincides with the Great Jubilee Year for the Church next year. These special Jubilee celebrations take place every 25 years, and the theme for next year’s is “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Currently Updating - Groups

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:33:30 GMT

First Saturday Devotions at St Mary’s Catholic Church , Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 3EY

Join us at St Mary's Catholic Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Rosary 9.30a.m, in the Blessed Sacrament chapel; Holy Mass follows at 10.00 am followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Contact

http://www.northtynesidecatholic.org.uk/

Brompton Oratory, Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:41:34 GMT

The Five First Saturdays devotion is no longer done publicly at Brompton Oratory in London.

Join us a t Devotion at Brompton Oratory for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

The devotion can be done privately, and the Oratory is ideal for this because the church is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

There are public Masses on Saturday and Confessions are easily available throughout most of the day either in church or at Oratory House.

Also the church is open all day for those wanting to pray the rosary or do their 15 minutes meditation in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Contact

https://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/

The Most Precious Blood and St Edmund, 115 Hertford Road, Edmonton, London

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:34:47 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at The Most Precious Blood and St Edmund, 115 Hertford Road, Edmonton, London, N9 7EN

Join us a t Devotion at The Most Precious Blood and St Edmund for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Five Saturdays devotions begin with Adoration of the Blessed sacrament at 11.00am with confessions during exposition, until 12.00 noon, when Holy Mass takes place.

The Rosary is after Mass and then there is the 15 minute meditation. (For a normal Saturday, as above but there is no meditation after the Rosary).

Contact

https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/edmonton/

St Mary of the Angels, Moorhouse Road, Bayswater, London

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:29:02 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at St Mary of the Angels, Moorhouse Road, Bayswater, London, W2 5DJ

Join us a t Devotion at St Mary of Angles for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

First Saturdays commencing 5 October 2019 – The probable format is as follows, but please check before travelling:

8:00 am Adoration, 9.40 am Meditation on Rosary, 9.55 am Benediction, 10:00 am Mass, 10.30 am Rosary (Confessions till 11:00 am).

Contact

https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/bayswater/

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Morriston, Swansea

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:17:06 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Morriston, Swansea

Join us a t Devotion at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

1st Saturday of the month, from May to October Sacred Heart parish keeps the 1st Saturday request of Our Lady at Fatima.

10:10 am Act of reparation, 10.15 am Holy Rosary, 10.30am Holy Mass

11:15am Eucharistic Adoration, plus confessions allowing for a 15 minute meditation on the Rosary, plus adoration, and confessions, concluding with Act of Consecration and reparation to the Immaculate Heart, plus Fatima Ave, and Benediction at 11.45am.

(Between November and April the details are as follows: 10.15 am Holy Rosary,10.30am Holy Mass, followed by confessions, and allowing for a 15 minute meditation on the Rosary.)

Contact

https://sacredheartmorriston.org.uk/

St Alban’s Church, Macclesfield

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:06:37 GMT

Five First Saturdays Devotion at St Alban’s Church, Chester Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 8DJ

Join us at St Alban's Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Josiane Fearnley organises these devotions and asks that people join in every first Saturday of the month, as our Lady of Fatima requested. The devotions begin at 10:30am with the Rosary, the Consecration Prayer and Reparation to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, followed by Exposition and Confessions at 11am, concluding with Mass at 12pm. This devotion takes place on EVERY first Saturday of the month throughout the year. All are welcome.

Contact

https://www.stalbanmacc.org.uk/

Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury, Magdalene St

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:50:50 GMT

Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury, Magdalene St, BA6 9EJ

Join us at Shrine of Our Lady Glastonbury for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Rosary, and Meditation will be offered at 9.30, (9.20 start if Mass at 10am – if not, 9.40 start).

Confessions (in English and Polish) from 10.30-11.00, during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

First Saturday Devotions are held at St Joseph’s Church, Camp Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2JH, commencing at 10.00am.

Rosary, and Meditation will be offered at 10.30am following Mass, Confessions from 10.45am.

Contact

http://www.northtynesidecatholic.org.uk/

St Patrick’s Catholic Church, New North Road, Huddersfield

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:38:10 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, New North Road, Huddersfield, HD1 5JY

Join us at St Patrick's Catholic Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

From Saturday 6th October 2018 and every 1st Saturday of each month, all eligible Catholics are encouraged to observe the First Saturday Devotion requested by Our Blessed Lady wherever Day Mass is celebrated in the Diocese of Leeds.

The devotion is made up of Confession, Holy Communion, five decades of the Rosary and keeping Our Lady company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Time and further information

Adoration from 10:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m, Confession from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by the Rosary.

Contact

http://www.holyredeemerparish.co.uk/

St Mary’s Catholic Church, Cullercoats, North Shields

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:23:25 GMT

First Saturday Devotions at St Mary’s Catholic Church , Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 3EY

Join us at St Mary's Catholic Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event.

Time and further information

Rosary 9.30a.m, in the Blessed Sacrament chapel; Holy Mass follows at 10.00 am followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Contact

http://www.northtynesidecatholic.org.uk/

St Agatha’s church, Market Way, Portsmouth

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:13:33 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Agatha’s church, Market Way, Portsmouth, PO1 4AD

Join us at St Agatha's Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

9.00am: Rosary
9.30am: Holy Mass (TLM)
11.00am: Holy Hour with Adoration. 15 minutes meditation on a mystery of the holy rosary; Rosary and devotions; Confessions.
12.00pm: Angelus and hymn to Mary.
1.00pm: Move to St Joseph’s hall for Marian group, Shared meal, Talk and catechesis.
3.00pm: Finish.

Contact

https://www.glastonburyshrine.co.uk/StMarys/contact.php

St Peter in West Street, Shoreham-by-Sea

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:37:23 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish,

in the church of St Peter in West Street Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5WG.

Join us at St Peter's Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

10 am Mass with prayer of reparation and consecration, followed by the Holy Rosary.

Contact

www.olqp.net/

St Barnabas Cathedral, N Circus Street, Nottingham

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:27:21 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Barnabas Cathedral, N Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AE

Join us at St Barnabus Cathedral for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

First Saturday Of The Month Devotion Of Reparation To The Immaculate Heart Of Mary according to Our Lady’s request at Fatima takes place in the Lady Chapel at 12 noon. Holy Mass is at 10:00 followed by Confessions, and there is Exposition in the Blessed Sacrament chapel until midday.

Contact

www.stbarnabascathedral.org.uk/

Northampton Cathedral

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:12:47 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Northampton Cathedral, Cathedral House, Primrose Hill, Northampton, NN2 6AG

Join us at Northampton Cathedral for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

First Saturdays Devotions

Holy Mass 9.30am followed by Adoration, Confessions, Meditation, Holy Rosary, and Benediction.

Contact

Contact number: 01604 714556.
email: parish.cathedralhub@northamptondiocese.org

Our Lady Immaculate Church, London Road, Chelmsford

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:51:19 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady Immaculate Church, London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0RG

Join us at Our Lady Immaculate Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

First Saturday Devotion, the Holy Rosary, Litany of Our Lady.
Prayers in Reparation and Consecration prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Jesus are prayed after the 9.00am Mass.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Confessions follow from 11.00 – 12.00pm.

Contact

https://www.olichurch.co.uk/

The Cardiff Oratory in Formation, St Albans on the Moor, Cardiff

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:42:49 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at The Cardiff Oratory in Formation, St Albans on the Moor, Cardiff, CF24 2NX

Join us at St Albans Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

Latin Mass at 8am, Mass at 9.30am followed by Rosary & Prayers, Confessions before Mass or after.

ContactCardi

http://cardifforatory.co.uk/

St Francis of Assisi, Handsworth, Birmingham

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:37:42 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Francis of Assisi, Handsworth, Birmingham, B19 1EB

Join us at St Francis of AssisiBirminghamBirmin Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

There is a Mass every Saturday at 11:00 am preceded by the Rosary with confessions before and after Mass.

Contact

stfrancis.bham@rcaob.org.uk

St Helen’s Catholic church, Crosby, Liverpool

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:22:21 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Helen’s Catholic church, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 7TQ

Join us at St Helen's Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

Mass is celebrated each Saturday at 12 noon, following Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 11 am and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available from 11.20 onwards..

Contact

https://www.sthelenscrosby.org.uk/

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Westerham, Kent

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:13:17 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Hosey Hill. Westerham TN16 1TB

Join us at St John the Baptist Church for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

First Saturday Fatima Devotions -Meditation and Rosary in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, followed by Benediction takes place at 5.15 pm. Confession is available, and the Vigil Mass is at 6 pm.

Also, St Therese of the Child Jesus, Biggin Hill: Rosary and meditations at 9 am, confessions, 9.55 am Benediction. 10 am Mass.

Contact

Fr Ivan Dominic Aquilina

www.jandtcatholic.com

Our Lady of Fatima Church, White City, London

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:52:49 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, London, W12 7QR

Join us at Our Lady of Fatima's for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Time and further information

9.15am Mass, followed by a Holy Hour of Adoration during which we pray the First Saturday devotions. A priest is also available during this time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Contact

Telephone: 020 8743 8334 Email: whitecity@rcdow.org.uk

Chilworth Abbey, near Guildford

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:27:21 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Chilworth Abbey, In the church of Sampleoak Ln, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8QR

Join us atChilworth Abbey for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Rosary
Fatima Prayers
Meditation
Fellowship

Time and further information

10:00am No Mass, or confession

Contact

TBA

www.chilworthbenedictines.com/

St Therese of the Infant Jesus, Biggin Hill

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:25:52 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Teresa of the infant Jesus, Biggin Hill, Westerham TN16 3LJ

Join us at St Teresa's for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Rosary
Holy Mass
Confessions
Fatima Prayers
Meditation
Fellowship

Time and further information

9 am Exposition and Rosary followed by mediation on mysteries and opportunity for confessions.

9.50 am Benediction, 10 am Holy Mass

Contact

TBA

https://jandtcatholic.com/

St Michael’s Parish, Worthing

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:21:11 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at St Michael’s Parish, 19 Hayling Rise, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3AL

Join us at St Michael's for our Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special event

Rosary
Fatima Prayers
Meditation
Fellowship

Time and further information

10:00am No Mass, or confession

Contact

TBA

www.stmichaels-worthing.org.uk/

St Peters Shoreham on Sea

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:11:16 GMT

Five First Saturday devotions at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish,

In the church of St Peter in West Street Shoreham-by-Sea.

Join us at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish for OUR Fatima devotion to the First Five Saturday's. Visitors are very welcome for this special Event

Holy Mass
Confession
Rosary
Meditation
Fellowship

Time and further information

10 am Mass with prayer of reparation and consecration, followed by the Holy Rosary

Contact

Fr Graham Ricketts

www.olqp.net/

Message from our National Spiritual Director

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:22:24 GMT

Message from our National Spiritual Director

“What about Amelia?” Lucia asked.
Our Lady replied, “she will be in purgatory till the end of the world.”

Dear WAF family,

Our First Saturday this month falls on All Souls’ Day, a day to pray for the Faithful departed and in particular we pray for those in Purgatory “so that they may be loosed of their sins.”

When during the 13 May 1917 apparition Lucia asked about Amelia, the deceased local girl who had been her friend, she received the above response. There are two points to consider regarding what Our Lady said:

Firstly, when she told Lucia that Amelia would be in Purgatory until the end of the world, perhaps that information was intended to encourage Lucia, and those whom she would tell about Our Lady's apparitions. to pray, fast, and offer suffrages on behalf of Amelia and all those who, like her, owe a great debt of temporal punishment due to sin.

After all, one of the key elements of the message of Fatima is the summons to make reparation for our sins and the sins of others, to become conduits of the mercy of God so that no soul will be lost. Our Lady showed the visionaries the fires of hell in order to spur them, and all true children of Mary, to pray and offer penance for the conversion of sinners.

Secondly, the response of Our Lady reminds us that Purgatory actually exists. Our Lady mentions the term specifically and that there is someone there. Not all of us will die and go straight to heaven.

The Catechism of the Church reminds us: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (1030)

The wonderful thing about Purgatory is that it’s not Hell, and that there is a way out which leads to heaven. Those in heaven we refer to as Saints, those in Purgatory we refer to as the Holy Souls.

For us as WAF members, who month after month practice the First Saturday devotion with the requirement of monthly confession and living out the message revealed by Our Lady of penance, sacrifice and prayer, we are already in this world purging and purifying ourselves in readiness for life eternal.

We also have the maternal grace approved and taught by the Church that by being enrolled and clothed in the Brown Scapular we have the opportunity of being taken by Our Lady from Purgatory on the First Saturday after our death (the Sabbatine privilege). What great comfort it is then to be a WAF member and to have all of these spiritual aids to assist us.

Throughout November there are numerous ways in which we can assist those in purgatory:

When writing a request for our parish’s November dead list, we can include the names of loved ones. Our family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues can all be recalled, and we can even include dear Amelia so that we can shorten her stay in Purgatory.

For the first 8 days of November we can obtain the Indulgence for the dead by visiting a cemetery, and saying the prescribed prayers - see below.

Also, maybe we can say the rosary in church before the Blessed Sacrament or in a group. In both of these instances we can obtain the Indulgence and apply it to the Holy Souls.

I look forward to seeing a number of you at our WAF AGM in the middle of the month.

May I also encourage you to join with Archbishop Mark and myself on the Jubilee Holy Year pilgrimage to Pontevedra and Fatima (via Santiago de Compostela) for the centennial celebration of the full and final revelation of the Five first Saturday devotion, which took place in December 1925.

With assurance of prayers for you, and for all deceased WAF members.

Canon Jason Jones
National Spiritual Director
WAF England and Wales

Centenary Pilgrimage to Pontevedra and Fatima

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 18:09:59 GMT

The WAF England and Wales Centenary Pilgrimage to Pontevedra and Fatima, is from 9th - 16th July 2025.

PLEASE NOTE, THE COMPLETED BOOKING FORM PLUS A DEPOSIT OF £350 IS REQUIRED BY 15 NOVEMBER 2024 - WHICH IS ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AWAY.

Join us on Pilgrimage as we celebrate the Centennial of the Apparition of Pontevedra. We will begin our pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela, visiting the beautiful Basilica before we travel on to Pontevedra to celebrate Mass in the Chapel of Sr Lucia.

We will visit Coimbra to see the Museum to Sr Lucia and have Rosary at the Carmel. We then continue our pilgrimage over the next five days in Fatima with a free day for an optional excursion to either Lisbon, Porto or Nazare.

Price: £1,290 per person sharing a twin/double room on a half-board basis. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £175.

Price includes return airfare from Gatwick Airport including hold baggage, half board accommodation, all transport whilst in Spain and Portugal, and all entrance fees.

Price does not include lunches, drinks or items of a personal nature.

Deposit of £350 and completed booking form required by 15th November 2024 with balance and any single supplement due by 16th April 2025. Booking Ref: WAF01

Please contact Pilgrimage People for further information and booking forms.

To sign up directly please go to the website at www.pilgrimagepeople.org

Email: info@ p ilgrimagepeople.org Tel: 0800 612 3423

We remember Our Lady’s promise at Fatima: “In the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph”.

Pilgrimage People Ltd. 28 Norwich Road, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8BB
A Registered Charity 1145830
www.pilgrimagepeople.org
info@pilgrimagepeople.org
0800 6123423 / +44 1223 968363

November Indulgences for the Holy Souls

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:49:55 GMT

Regarding gaining November Indulgences for the Holy Souls, it is worth knowing that from midday today, 1st November, until midnight 2nd November, it is possible to gain a Plenary Indulgence which is applicable to the Holy Souls only, under these conditions:

Make a visit to a Church, say there an Our Father and one of the Creeds, and then fulfil the usual conditions of Confession - up to eight days before or afterwards - and also Holy Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Pope (one Our Father and one Hail Mary). The indulgence may be gained only once a day.

In addition, a Plenary Indulgence can usually also be gained between 1st and 8th November, applicable to the Holy Souls only, by visiting a cemetery and praying there for the dead, even if the prayer is only mental, and then fulfilling the conditions above, including the prayers for Pope.

Anything we do to help the Holy Souls is a great act of charity since they can no longer help themselves, and are utterly dependent on us to help them.

If we release a soul from Purgatory, they will be eternally grateful and will intercede with God for us while we remain on earth.

Suitable indulgenced prayers which can be said at any time for those in purgatory are:

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”

And:

“May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

You can read more about gaining indulgences for the souls in purgatory here:

https://relevantradio.com/2018/11/how-to-gain-a-plenary-indulgence-for-the-souls-in-purgatory/
Resources for November as the month of the Holy Souls

Here are some books relating to this devotion - they can all be downloaded from the Internet Archive as PDFs at no cost, and are well worth reading.

How to Avoid Purgatory - O'Sullivan
https://archive.org/details/howtoavoidpurgat00osul_1

Month of the Dead - Cloquet
https://ia601309.us.archive.org/20/items/monthofdead00cloq/monthofdead00cloq.pdf

Purgatory: illustrated by the lives and legends of the saints - Schouppe
https://archive.org/details/purgatoryillustr00schouoft

The Treatise on Purgatory - St Catherine of Genoa
https://archive.org/details/TreatiseOnPurgatory

Sad news about Brigid McKenna

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:45:44 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Sad news about Brigid McKenna

After so recently celebrating Brigid McKenna's 100th birthday, we now have the sad news of her death on 16th October. As previously noted, she was for many years on the WAF England and Wales Committee, and organised the National Pilgrimage in Birmingham.

Also, there is news of the death of Gerry Stokes, another WAF member from Birmignham, who came to Fatima on Pilgrimage and regularly attended WAF England and Wales Visitations in Birmingham.

It would be good if we could remember both of them in our prayers.

More generally, if you know of any WAF Members who have passed on, and this news hasn't been forwarded to us, please let us know via: admin@waf-ew.org.uk

If you would like us to pray for deceased members of the Apostolate during the AGM Mass later in the month, please advise us via the above email address.

Papal approval of the Message of Fatima

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:42:51 GMT

Papal approval of the Message of Fatima

This is third of a series of brief articles which summarise the principal points in Tim Tindal-Robertson's MESSAGE OF FATIMA in the Life of the Church and the Teaching of the Popes, which was published by the Catholic Truth Society, London, in 1998, together with his FATIMA IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM, CTS London, 2001.

The continuing papal approval of Fatima was summarised by Cardinal Ratzinger in an interview at Fatima on 13th October 1996:

“In the most solemn way possible Popes Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul II have already recognised Fatima and were totally committed to this devotion” (Seers of Fatima, Oct-Dec 1996, pp. 6, 7).

This third article concerns Pope John XXIII, who reigned between 23 October 1958 to 2 June 1963

Pope John XXIII was the first Pope to have visited Fatima in May 1956, when he was Patriarch of Venice.

On 13 December 1962, John XXIII instituted the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, and on 13 May 1963, the day the new feast was first celebrated at Fatima, Cardinal Larraona, the Pope’s Legate, delivered a message to all the world’s priests in which he stated:

“The message of Fatima is a living realisation of the Gospel … Indeed, never has there been a supernatural manifestation of such rich spiritual content as that of Fatima, nor has any recognised apparition given us a message so clear, so maternal, so profound … Live it and cause it to be lived”.

Northern Dioceses Fatima Pilgrimage, September 2024 - Part 1

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:38:33 GMT

Northern Dioceses Fatima Pilgrimage, 19-26 September 2024 - Part 1 By Pilgrimage organiser Patrick Cunningham

Over recent years the World Apostolate of Fatima has visited a number of Churches in the Northern dioceses of England and Wales (WAF-E&W), primarily to promote awareness of the events that took place in Fatima, Portugal, over 100 years ago, and also to encourage devotion to our Holy Mother who constantly intercedes for all Humanity.

Due to this increased awareness WAF-E&W arranged a pilgrimage to Fatima for pilgrims from the Northern Dioceses, with the help and support of Canon Stephen Watson from St Pauls, Alnwick, Fr Manoj Punchakunnel from St Pauls, Cramlington, Fr Saji Thottathil from St Matthews, Jarrow, and Fr Bill Serplus from St Aelred’s at York.

Forty-eight pilgrims inclusive of the four parish priests, plus Deacon Rob Wareing from St Pauls, Cramlington and Sister Bridget Okoye from the Daughters of Divine Love Congregation, Birmingham, joined the pilgrimage which took place between 19th to 26th September 2024.

Pilgrims travelled by coach to Manchester Airport, to board the flight to Lisbon, Portugal, and then finally via coach transfer to Domus Pacis Hotel in Fatima.

The Hotel was initially funded by the founding members of the Blue Army (now known as the World Apostolate of Fatima) to provide accommodation for pilgrims from all over the world. Apart from its many rooms and dining facilities, it also has a large conference room, a chapel at ground floor level, and a Byzantine chapel above. We arrived in the early hours of Friday morning, and all went to their rooms to catch up on sleep.

The pilgrimage began with a talk by Mr. Nuno Prazeres and Mrs. Ana Reis, from the WAF-International Secretariat. Fatima is probably the most prophetic apparition the world has witnessed and came at a time when the world was turning away from God. Our Lady came with a message to restore the centrality of God in people’s lives and with a message of hope to bring peace back to the world. We may well ask what have we learnt and what have we done since then.

This is why prayer is so important. Praying the rosary will bring peace to the world.

The talk was especially interesting given that Nuno and Ana related personal stories about the events in Fatima during the apparitions from the eyewitness accounts of their respective grandparents.

Nuno told a story from his grandfather who had known Francisco. One day his grandfather was playing Hide and Seek with Francisco and some other boys.

Everyone had been found except Francisco, so all the boys started to look for him and eventually they found Francisco on a tree praying the rosary. He had simply forgotten they were playing a game and prayed the rosary. For Francisco God was the centre of his life, and the meaning of his life was to pray.

Ana recalled that her grandmother was about 2 years old at the time of the apparitions. The people of the village were mainly farmers and shepherds, and often quite poor, and so handed down clothes. When her grandmother turned 6-7 years old, she was given a blouse to wear by Jacinta Marto’s mother, Olympia, and she was told that now she was wearing the blouse of Jacinta she now has to be as good as Jacinta was!

Her grandmother lived a long life and died a few years ago at the age of 97. She would pray the Rosary every day of her life and follow the requests of Our Lady of Fatima.

Later, that day we had a tour of the shrine which lies over the apparition site of the Cova da Iria, at Fatima. The Shrine has two Basilicas, one at either end of the sanctuary area. The Basilica of the Holy Rosary was begun in 1928 (11 years after the apparitions of Our Lady in 1917) and was consecrated on 7th October 1953. It has 15 altars and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.

The painting above the high altar depicts the message of Our Lady to the little shepherds (Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta), prepared by the Angel of Portugal through their encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. The tombs of Saints Francisco and Jacinta lie on either side of the high altar, and Blessed Lucia lies next to Jacinta’s tomb.

The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, dedicated on October 12, 2007, has a seating capacity of 8,633. A smaller chapel, the Capelinha, was built at the apparition site and is the heart of the sanctuary. The marble pillar on which the statue of Our Lady rests is the exact spot where she appeared. Four million people visit the sanctuary each year.

The pilgrimage itinerary for the week included daily Mass and visits to sites of interest as well as free time to explore the shrine’s many chapels, including those for perpetual Adoration and Reconciliation. Masses were held each day, most of which were presided over by the priests and deacon from our pilgrimage group. This included a Mass at the Chapel of the Angel of Peace at the shrine, Mass at St Anthony’s, the local Fatima church where the seers went to Mass and to pray, and the church at Santarem (This visit included veneration of the Eucharistic bleeding Host ).

A Rosary and candlelight procession was held each night at the Chapel of Apparitions; this was a very moving experience and well worth attending. Every Sunday, the Sanctuary holds a morning international Rosary, followed by an international Mass. Thousands of people were in attendance as the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was processed to the outdoor altar.

On the Sunday we were in attendance there was a special blessing of helmets for motorcyclists. The event is held annually, drawing many thousands of motorcyclists from across the region. The blessing added to the atmosphere at the shrine showing reverence in a spiritual gathering and fostering community support by raising funds for the purchase of an adapted wheelchair for a 23-year-old resident of Peniche who became a paraplegic after a motorcycle accident in 2021.

The second part of this account will continue next month

Statue Visitations and more News

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:15:10 GMT

Statue Visitations and more News

We are no longer accepting parish bookings for Pilgrim Virgin Statue visitations for the SOUTHERN dioceses for this year, 2024, but you can still make bookings for the NORTHERN dioceses by contacting Patrick Cunningham at the email address below.

NORTHERN DIOCESES (Hexham & Newcastle, Lancaster, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Salford, Liverpool, Hallam, Shrewsbury, Nottingham, and Wrexham) – Patrick Cunningham at safeguarding@waf-ew.org.uk

S OUTHERN DIOCESES (Plymouth, Clifton, Portsmouth, Arundel & Brighton, Southwark, Brentwood, Westminster, Northampton, East Anglia, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Menevia)

For an update on what has been happening recently, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/fatima.apparitions1917
and scroll down.

The WAF England & Wales prayer intention for November is: ""

Message from our Acting National President

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:12:41 GMT

Message from our Acting National President

Registered Charity Number 1198986

2023-2024 Reparatory Intention: Reparation for those who instil in children hatred against the Blessed Virgin Mary

November is a good time to remind ourselves of the important messages contained within the apparitions that took place in Fatima over 100 years ago. In particular the value of prayer, sacrifice, penance and reparation for our sins and the sins of others.

Fatima is a message of hope and shows us how much God loves us and how much He wants us to love Him. The Angel's prayer teaches us that through the infinite merits of His most sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the grace and Mercy of Christ is made available to all.

The gift of the First Five Saturday devotion is one means by which we can help atone for our sins and the sins of others. By offering this devotion as an act of reparation we can help save souls and make Our Lady known and loved as requested by the Child Jesus and Our Lady at the apparition in Pontevedra on 10th December 1925. Let us remember especially at this time the Holy Souls in purgatory, who need our prayers and acts of reparation to help them on their final journey to join the Saints in Heaven.

Finally, next year we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the First Five Saturday devotion across all the dioceses of England and Wales. Details of the planned cathedral visits will be released following the WAF-E&W AGM later this month Please pray for a fruitful outcome from the AGM so we may continue to serve our Holy Mother, and help save souls.

Ave Maria
Patrick Cunningham

Acting National President,
World Apostolate of Fatima, England and Wales
safeguarding@waf-ew.org.uk

Litany of Saints Francisco & Jacinta Marto

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:10:03 GMT

These meditations were very popular and can be used at any time of the year, but particularly in run up to 13th May and 13th October.

Click here for the amended text of the series of Fatima Novena meditations which Fr Richard Nesbitt

Litany of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto

Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us

God the Father, Creator of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Perfection of those who are chosen, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Immaculate heart of Mary, pray for us.

Francisco and Jacinta, children blessed by God, pray for us.
Children so dear to the Heart of Our Lady, pray for us.
Children so loved by all of us, pray for us.

Little Shepherds, in admiration of the glories of creation…
Little Shepherds, gazing in wonder at the starry sky…
Little Shepherds, fondling your furry white lambs…
Little Shepherds, with your clear innocent gaze…
Little Shepherds, with your angelic smile…
Little Shepherds, with your pure soul…

Hearts enchanted by beauty, pray for us.
Hearts yearning for truth…
Hearts overflowing with love…
Amazing wonders of prayer…
Wells brimming over with sacrifices…
Children totally committed and ready for martyrdom…

Francisco, seeker of peace and contemplation, pray for us.
You who would console God…
You who died smiling…

Jacinta, faithful helpmate of the Holy Father, pray for us.
You, the apostle of the Immaculate Heart of Mary…
You, the friend of sinners…

You two, who enjoyed the company of angels, pray for us.
Confidantes of our Lady…
Living witnesses of her Message…
You who loved God so deeply…
Watchers beside the Hidden Jesus…
Adorers of the Most Blessed Trinity…
Stars of light for all human beings…
Burning Bushes of the Most High…
Flames of love for all eternity…

Our Lady of Fatima…Pray for us.
Saint Jacinta Marto…Pray for us.
Saint Francisco Marto…Pray for us.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, forgive us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Let us pray: O God who granted to our two little Shepherds the grace to become little burning bushes on fire with love for the Holy Father and for sinners, and burning with love for Our Lady and the “hidden” Jesus, grant that we, too, may be other Franciscos and other Jacintas, so that we, too, may burn with the same love and, with them, all meet together again in Heaven around Our Lady in adoration of the Blessed Trinity. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:01:37 GMT

There is also this lovely Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Saint John Henry Newman

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, after God’s own Heart, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, in union with the Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, the vessel of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, shrine of the Trinity, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, home of the Word, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate in your creation, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, flooded with grace, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed of all hearts, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Throne of glory, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Abyss of humbleness, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, Victim of love, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, nailed to the cross, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the sad, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of the sinner, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the dying, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of mercy, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart.
R. Conform our hearts to the heart of Jesus.

Let us pray: O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers taught at Fatima

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:59:22 GMT

Pardon Prayer taught to the children by the Angel in the spring of 1916

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love thee.

The Angel’s Prayer, taught to the children in the autumn of 1916

O most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I adore thee profoundly. I offer thee the most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ—present in all the tabernacles of the world—in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

Eucharistic Prayer – repeated by children in their hearts during 13 May 1917 apparition

Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Sacrifice Prayer – taught to the children by Our Lady

O my Jesus, it is for love of You, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners.

Decade Prayer – Our Lady asked that this prayer be said at the end of each decade of the Rosary

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls into Heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.

There is also this lovely Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Saint John Henry Newman

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

V. Immaculate Mary, meek and humble of heart.
R. Conform our hearts to the heart of Jesus.

Morning Offering

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:54:21 GMT

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your Brown scapular as a sign of your consecration – this carries a partial indulgence). I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining with it the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day.

O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can, and I offer them together with myself, to Mary Immaculate, that She may best apply them to the interests of Thy Most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Click here for the amended text of the series of Fatima Novena meditations which Fr Richar d Nesbit

These meditations were very popular and can be used at any time of the year, but particularly in run up to 13th May and 13th October.

Copy of Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

anthony@everydaychristianmarketing.co.uk (Anthony Evans) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:40:02 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Make the most of the season by following these simple guidelines

anthony@everydaychristianmarketing.co.uk (Anthony Evans) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:06:32 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

Make a list

Lists are great ways to stay on track. Write down some big things you want to accomplish and some smaller things, too.

Check the list regularly

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

Reward yourself

When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.

Think positively

Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

anthony@everydaychristianmarketing.co.uk (Anthony Evans) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:06:32 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic

anthony@everydaychristianmarketing.co.uk (Anthony Evans) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:06:32 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.

uk-world-fatima

our Lady of Good Council -26th April

April 2026 Newsletter

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

APRIL - THE ANGEL OF PEACE & ADORATION

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES and FATIMA ARTICLES

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

15 Minute Meditations with WAF England & Wales

IMPORTANT FEAST DAYS

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

PLEDGE MEMBER TESTIMONY

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi Paschal Journey

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

WAF VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

Guidance message from Our National Spiritual Director

Subject: Saturday Fulfilment on Holy Saturday being 4th April

Divine Mercy Sunday: The Angel of Peace and the Heart of the Paschal Mystery

Feast of St Mark, The Evangelist –25th April

The Angel of Peace and Divine Mercy Sunday

Adoration of The Eucharist: A Guide to Encountering Jesus

The Angel of Peace and Adoration

WAF England and Wales Visitation to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral: A Reflective Account

My Reflective Account of the Visitation of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima together with the Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family (Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral)

2026 Jubilee Cathedral Visitations

Hilton House

GLOBAL PRAYER DAY FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE AND IN THE WORLD - 25th March 2026

On March 25, 2026, the World Apostolate of Fatima invites everyone to join a Global Prayer Day for Peace in Ukraine and in the World.

Suffering and Doing Penance: A Path To Love

Penance, Sacrifice and the Cross

The Annunciation

25th of March – Feast of the Annunciation

Walsingham, the Annunciation, and Mary’s Dowry: A Marian Vocation for England and Wales

March 2026 Newsletter

World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales

MARCH - PENANCE AND THE CROSS

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NEW / RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

FOCUS ON FIRST SATURDAYS

Insights from Archbishop O'Toole

FROM OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

FATIMA NOTICE BOARD

FATIMA ARTICLES

Penance, Sacrifice and the Cross

Beginning the Pilgrimage: Inspiration, Preparation, and the Theological-Pastoral Congress

FATIMA GLOBAL NEWS

Vatican Grants Pontevedra Jubilee Year

EVENTS / VISITATIONS

WAF VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL

DONATE TO WAF ENGLAND & WALES

A Journey of Grace: My Pilgrimage Reflection

Beginning the Pilgrimage: Inspiration, Preparation, and the Theological-Pastoral Congress

DAY 33 - HE MADE HIM THE LORD OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND PRINCE OVER ALL HIS POSSESSIONS

DAY 32 - PROTECTOR OF THE HOLY CHURCH, PRAY FOR US

— St. Pope Paul VI

DAY 31 - TERROR OF DEMONS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 30 - PATRON OF THE DYING, PRAY FOR US

DAY 29 - HOPE OF THE SICK, PRAY FOR US

DAY 28 - COMFORT OF THE AFFLICTED, PRAY FOR US

DAY 27 - PILLAR OF FAMILIES, PRAY FOR US

DAY 26 - GUARDIAN OF VIRGINS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 25 - GLORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE, PRAY FOR US

DAY 24 - MODEL OF WORKMEN, PRAY FOR US

DAY 23 - LOVER OF POVERTY, PRAY FOR US

DAY 22 - MIRROR OF PATIENCE, PRAY FOR US

DAY 21 - JOSEPH MOST FAITHFUL, PRAY FOR US

— St. John Paul II

DAY 20 - JOSEPH MOST OBEDIENT, PRAY FOR US

DAY 19 - JOSEPH MOST COURAGEOUS, PRAY FOR US

DAY 18 - JOSEPH MOST PRUDENT, PRAY FOR US

DAY 17 - JOSEPH MOST CHASTE, PRAY FOR US

— St. Francis de Sales

DAY 16 - JOSEPH MOST JUST, PRAY FOR US

DAY 15 - HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY, PRAY FOR US

Suffering and Doing Penance: A Path To Love