Pilgrim Statue & Holy Relics Visitation: Vargas Residence, 10/14/2017

It was that time again - the America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally at the Vargas Home in Kailua!  For sure, it's become an anticipated annual tradition for many of us - their family and friends - and this year's rally was bigger than ever.  I'm not surprised, though; it had an air of "extra-special-ness" leading up to it because the 1917 Fatima Apparitions commemorated its Centennial Anniversary this year!  Truly a significant time for the Church, especially for devotees of Our Lady of Fatima... and for everyone else, too, as a matter of fact, because the Blessed Virgin's warnings at Fatima impact the entire world whether people realize it or not!

       

The group of family and friends who

came together this year at the Vargas

Home in Kailua to respond to Our Lady

of Fatima's urgent call for Conversion,

Prayer, & Penance.

As with prior prayer rallies at the Vargas Home the presence of my ministry's lovely Fatima Pilgrim Virgin statue was requested, along with the sacred relics of the three Fatima Seers (Sts. Francisco & Jacinta Marto and Sr. Lucia).  I also took the liberty of including a relic of the Portuguese mystic, Bl. Alexandrina Maria Da Costa, since she is often acclaimed as the "fourth Seer of Fatima" due to her close association with the Fatima Message, and her extraordinary efforts to promote consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The makeshift altar with the statues and relics was a comforting sight, providing us with a devotional focal point and a visible reminder that Our Lady and the Saints pray for us... as well as with us for all the world's problems.

My ministry's 30" Fatima pilgrim statue

I was also asked to say a few words before the prayer began so I took the opportunity to share with those present the little-known fact that Sr. Lucia had reported having additional apparitions of Our Lady and Jesus in the 1920s. During one such encounter the Lord allegedly lamented to the seer that the message was not being heeded as it should be, which is a cause for big concern. Jesus, himself, from back then, seemed to confirm the world's general indifference to Heaven's appeals and look at the results today - we're living in a world that's growing in turmoil and violence (just turn on your TV and watch the news, if you don't understand what I'm saying).  

I further reminded the people that if praying for the entire world was too overwhelming because of how bad things seem now, all over creation, we can start by applying Our Lady's message to our own "little" worlds - pray the Rosary to convert sinners in our small communities and to bring about peace between fighting neighbors; for sinners in our homes and for peace in family disputes; and for our own souls, if we are lacking conversion and peace.  Now, more than ever, we simply can't afford to ignore the Fatima Message - we need the grace that a daily Rosary has to offer.  There is power in the prayer!

With the above being said, we then did our group-prayer in public view, as directed by the America Needs Fatima organization, and it was awesome... again.  And the luncheon that followed was a great way to close-out the event. Spending quality time with co-parishioners outside of the church setting and meeting new friends, while enjoying a delicious fellowship meal together, is always an effective way to build up the kingdom of God on earth.

Another view of the altar that was set up

on the street outside the Vargas home for

the Rosary Rally.  Images of Sts. Francisco

& Jacinta Marto, Bl. Alexandrina Maria

Da Costa flank my Fatima Statue and relics

of the four seers in this ministry's custody.

So thank you, Blessed Mother, for 100 years of graces and blessings through your Fatima apparitions.  Pray for all the Faithful throughout the world and protect us from every evil.  We love you!