Dear Crusaders of Fatima,
The month of February starts on the First Friday of the month followed by the First Saturday on the 2nd which happens to coincides with the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This is the event we reflect upon in the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. We also celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life, not to mention Groundhog Day. On February 11th we join the church in its celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes and the International Day of the Sick. Let us pray for healing as we keep in mind the healing springs at the shrine in Lourdes France all those who have been stricken by the flu and other illnesses.
It was in February 1858 when Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette and identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. We reflect on this as part of our First Saturday Devotion when we consider the reasons for Five First Saturdays and pray for those who commit blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception; “Our Lady prepared the foundation for what she said and did at Fatima in 1917, when she appeared to the little shepherds and placed a focus on her Immaculate Heart — which
was ultimately immaculate because of her Immaculate Conception. Our Lady told them that to
save souls from hell, God wished to establish in the world devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
She later gave details of this devotion to Sister Lucia, specifically the request for reparation
to her Immaculate Conception in the First Saturday devotion.” 1. “Oh, Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Check out our website for the blog on St. Bernadette: /www.fatimashrineboston.org. We highlight secular events this month as well like Presidents day and hope the Groundhog sees his shadow. Let us also consider offering up the cold, snow, ice, and the long winter days as a sacrifice for the conversion of sinners as we patiently wait for spring.
Construction continues through the winter on the Monastery, the Church and the new apartment building. There will be some disruption this spring as work begins on the grounds around the shrine in April. When you come to the shrine this month just be careful of where they have installed a new water retention tank and dug up part of the walkway. There is a path there, but just be careful especially if the weather is bad. The first phase of construction is scheduled to be completed this summer. This will include the site work around the shrine, walkways, lighting, signage, and planting. We more than likely are inconvenienced during this spring months and may need to plan some of our events off-site temporary. We will keep you up to date as soon as we are informed of the schedule, in the meantime the shrine is opened and running on a normal schedule. The electricity has still not been restored but we are told it will be any day. Please pray for this intention.
We ask your prayers for all past members and benefactors of the Crusaders of Fatima. May they rest in Peace! We will place on the altar for the First Saturday of the Month the prayers intentions that were placed in the intention box and through our website.
The Rev. Success Geantry will be presiding at our First Saturday devotion in February.
1. Donal A Anthony Foley
