On Sept. 11, Christ the Redeemer Parish will host the International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima at Assumption Church in Atco.
The statue, sculpted in 1947 by Jose Thedim, is based on the description of Lucia Dos Santos, one the three young children, along with Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who saw Our Lady each month from May-October 1917 in Fatima, Portugal.
Since its creation, the statue has been revered in more than 100 countries, comforting millions around the world with Our Lady’s message of hope and peace.
First-class relics, including a piece of the holm-oak tree on which Our Lady appeared to the children, and relics of Jacinta and Francisco, will also be present in Atco for veneration, encased in a gold reliquary.
Judy Studer, who received the relics from Father Luis Kondor, postulator for the cause of the beatification of Lucia Dos Santos, and Francisco and Jacinta Marto, will accompany the statue and speak about the relics and statue after the day’s Masses.
In his gift to Studer, Father Kondor requested that the relic travel with the Pilgrim Statue, and that Studer use the reliquary to bring hope and healing to all sick people and share the story of Fatima with children.
The day will start with Mass at 8 a.m. Eucharistic adoration will begin at 8:30 a.m, and be continuous until 9 p.m. that evening, except for the 6:30 p.m. Mass.
The pilgrim statue will be displayed for veneration and prayer from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 8:30 a.m., 12 noon and at 7:30 p.m. Divine Mercy will be recited at 3 p.m.
Father Thomas Barcellona, Christ the Redeemer pastor, will offer Mass at 6:30 p.m., in thanks to all first responders of 9/11. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed following Mass until 9 p.m.
Petitions to Our Lady of Fatima may be left in a basket at the feet of the statue. These petitions will be taken to Portugal, and placed at the Shrine of Fatima.
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