Dear Crusaders of Fatima,
October is dedicated to Life, Our Lady, and the Rosary. There are many saints days to note like St. Therese the little flower on the 1st, and the Guardian angels on the 2nd. St. Francis Assisi on the 4th. St. Teresa of Avila on the 15th, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque on the 16th, St. Luke on the18th, St. Paul of the Cross on the 20th, St. John Paul II on the 22th, not to mention the important dates of the 7th normally the feast of the Holy Rosary which falls on a Sunday this year, which reminds me that we will be hosting a Rosary rally at the shrine on that day to close out the 54 day Rosary Novena for our Nation; at 3 pm all are welcome . The 13th is the 101st anniversary of the miracle of the sun at Fatima. We will hold our candlelight procession at the shrine again this month in honor of this event. Then there is also the Eve of all Hallows, followed by the feast of all saints. On this day we celebrate the universal call to holiness the fact that we are all called to be saints. We also consider the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to our final breath and pray that unjust laws in this land will change.
There is a beautiful statue in the church in Fatima where the children were baptized dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary which has a connection to the apparitions. Our Lady revealed to the children during the October 13th apparition her identity when she said: “I am the Lady of the Rosary” it was the answer to the question Lucia had asked the beautiful women from heaven who appeared to them in the Cova in an earlier vision. She said “I will tell you who I am on the 13th of next month”; This is an encouraging realization knowing the power the Rosary has in addressing the needs of our day and the role this particular title of Our Lady has played throughout history. Our Lady of the Rosary, sweet Virgin of Fatima; Pray for us!
The St. Gabriel project progresses as the inside of the Monastery has been completely gutted while scaffolding covers the outside. The road with all new utilities is almost completed.
The shrine is opened daily from dawn until dusk and the entrance is on Washington St. A reminder that parking is available on Washington St. in front of the school/rectory and the back parking lot. Improvements continue around the shrine with clean-up efforts as we seek to replace the wood pews with new soft liturgical seating.
The Candlelight Procession on October 13th will be held at The Fatima Shrine in Brighton. We are looking for volunteers to help; let us know if you are willing to help hold a flashlight or carry the statue. The First Saturday devotions will continue to be held at the Shrine throughout construction, and we apologize for any inconvenience the construction has caused while visiting the shrine.
We would like all of you to know that you are remembered here at the shrine at our devotional services. We ask your prayers for all past members and benefactors of the Crusaders of Fatima. May they rest in Peace! Send us your petitions at P.O. Box 35854, Brighton MA. 02135. I urge you to look for us on the web at http/www.fatimashrineboston.org. Thank you for your support!
The Rev. Philip Dabney C.Ss.R will be presiding at our First Saturday devotion in October,
The Rev. Ronald Tacelli S.J. will officiate at the Candlelight Vigil on the 13th of October at the Shrine.
