The International Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue comes to Hawaii!

  

The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue

of Fatima, as displayed for public veneration

in the church of St. John the Apostle and

Evangelist in Mililani (Oahu), Hawaii.

[click on each photo on this blog to

view larger images]

At this writing, Hawaii is being graced by the presence of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima.  This is the world-renowned image, carved by the Portuguese sculptor, Jose Thedim, in 1947... and which miraculously wept human tears on several occasions, most notably in Las Vegas and in New Orleans (see the photo below).  In addition to the tears, other signs associated with the statue include changes to its facial expression and posture, the fragrance of roses, and healings.

The hallowed statue will be touring Hawaiian parishes from November 1st until November 21st, 2014.  Tonight it was present at St. John the Apostle & Evangelist Catholic Church in Mililani Town from 8:00pm to Midnight, where I had the joyful opportunity to venerate it and pray a Rosary in front of it.

I arrived at the Mililani parish at about 10:00pm and it wasn't crowded at all although there was a steady stream of people coming and going while I was at the church.  Right when I walked in I immediately sensed the peoples' devotion and love pouring out towards the Blessed Mother.  I was moved.

The statue, itself, was magnificent; almost life-like in appearance.  The presence of Our Lady emanating from the image was also quite tangible; just looking at it gave me goosebumps and the impression that I was in the presence of something that was touched by the hand of God.  I was awed.

For readers out there who have never heard of the Fatima Events, it all began on May 13, 1917, when the Blessed Virgin appeared to three shepherd children in the Portuguese hamlet of Fatima.  Our Lady went on to appear five more times in the consecutive months to deliver an urgent message for all mankind, which was primarily a call for sinners to convert; a request for atonement of the sins of the world; and to pray the Rosary, especially for Peace.

The child-seers of Fatima (L to R):

Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Blesseds

Francisco & Jacinta Marto.

Adding credence to the apparitions was a great solar miracle that occurred on October 13, 1917, which was witnessed by 70,000+ pilgrims.  Furthermore, several predictions uttered by the Virgin - e.g. the end of World War I, the start of World War II, and the fall of Communist Russia - were all accurately fulfilled.  The apparitions were approved by the local Bishop in October 1930, and the International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was commissioned with the intent that it be a traveling  "ambassador" of the legacy and message of the Fatima apparitions.  The sacred image has since traveled extensively, but now mainly in the USA.

  

Local pilgrims gathered around the world-

famous representation of Our Lady of Fatima.

As tired as I was from a long day, my distant drive to see the miracle statue was well worth it.  I offered my Rosary for family, friends, and also for the Poor Souls whose Feast was celebrated today.  I am going to sleep tonight very grateful to God and Our Lady for yet another special blessing in my life.

For Hawaii locals interested in seeing the Pilgrim Virgin Statue, please click here to access/download the tour schedule from the official website of the Honolulu Diocese.  May Our Lady of Fatima pray and intercede for our island home.