July-August 2025- Newsletter Live

Donal Foley

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.


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. 

 NEWSLETTER CONTENTS


๏ปฟMESSAGE 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


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๏ปฟ

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 MeditationsEnquiries 

 WAF AGM & VOLUNTEERS - URGENT APPEAL


๏ปฟPlease 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 ๏ปฟ

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. 


 “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 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

 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

Fatima 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.

 

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. Read more. 


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.๏ปฟ

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...



๏ปฟMessage 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.

DONATIONS: PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK
By Webmaster August 4, 2025
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.
By Website Admin August 2, 2025
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 Immcaulate Heart
By Archbishop John Wilson August 1, 2025
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.
By Webmaster July 15, 2025
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. Read More from Fr Jason
By Webmaster July 11, 2025
๏ปฟ 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.
By Website Admin July 10, 2025
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.
By Webmaster July 7, 2025
Join us as we pray together for The Holy Father's prayer intentions during the month of July 2025.
By Donal Fatima June 13, 2025
World Apostolate of Fatima England and Wales
By Nuno Prazeres / Ana Reis June 11, 2025
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 will begin 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 World Apostolate of Fatima has launched an International Congress in Fatima and a pilgrimage to Pontevedra and Santiago of Compostela from December 5 to 12, 2025 , with the purpose to grow in knowledge and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to join the solemn celebrations of the centenary of the apparitions in Pontevedra, reinforcing the importance of the First Saturdays request. Registrations are still open! If you have not registered yet, please rush to do it and do not miss this unique opportunity. For more information and registration click here: https://congress.worldfatima.com/#info 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
By Donal Foley June 7, 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. 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 .