2 minute read
Your Rose Offerings in Fatima
This May, thousands of devotees of Our Lady joined the America Needs Fatima initiative and have sent roses to the Shrine of Fatima, in honor of their mothers, living and deceased, as a tribute to the Mother par excellence, the Most Pure Mother, the Mother of all men, the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
At five o’clock in the afternoon of May 13, the bells of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, with its characteristic Ave Maria melody, announced the offering of multicolored white, red, yellow, and pink roses on the esplanade of the sanctuary. The name of each mother was written in small letters on a large banner with a photo of the Virgin. The ceremony was simple, but emotional. The representatives of America Needs Fatima explained to the gathering pilgrims the beautiful symbolism of those roses that would later adorn the Virgin’s altar.
The day before, during the massive candlelight procession, pilgrims from far and near were able to contemplate with surprise and admiration a unique banner of the Virgin Mary. The names of thousands of America Needs Fatima members and friends appeared on our banner and joined our volunteers in spirit at the annual candlelight procession.
The procession began, as usual, at 9:30 p.m. with the recitation of the Holy Rosary in many languages. Between each mystery of the rosary, the Ave de Fátima was sung, and the pilgrims raised their candles, creating a sea of candles above which the image of the Virgin stood out, advancing slowly through the crowd. As always, the procession was led by a large, luminous cross and banners.
Oh, generous Children of Mary who have greeted the Blessed Virgin Mother with these roses on her feast day, symbolically your mothers were there, next to her, under her protection and her mantle. Hopefully one day you can come in person and participate in these acts of love for Holy Mary.
We would like to thank all our America Needs Fatima friends and supporters who made this beautiful offering to Our Blessed Mother a reality!