FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On 13th May 1917, nine year old Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were herding sheep at the Cova da Iria near their home in Fatima. To these poor humble children Mary the Mother of Jesus appeared. The apparitions continued until 13th October that year. Because she asked the children to pray the Rosary daily for peace,Our Lady of Fatima is also know as Our Lady of the Rosary.

Jacinta and Francisco did not live to adulthood, dying just a couple of years after the apparitions. Lucia became a Nun and lived to the great age of 97 years. She died on 13th February 2005

Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta

Today, 13th May 2017, Pope Francis is in Fatima.  On this 100th Anniversary of the first appearance of Our Lady at Cova da Iria, His Holiness will beatify the two little shepherds, Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

We Newfoundlanders have our own special connection to Our Lady of Fatima. Back in May of 1955, thousands of Portuguese fishermen walked in procession from the Harbour to the Cathedral (now Basilica) of St John the Baptist. Through the streets of St John's, these devout men bore on their shoulders beautiful statues of Our Lady of Fatima and the three little seers.  The old City rang with the voices of the fishermen as they praised Our Lady in song. Upon reaching the Cathedral, they reverently deposited the statues in a niche near the altar where they remain loved and honoured, to this day.

May 1955, thousands of Portuguese Fishermen accompany their Lady of Fatima to the Basilica

Thanks to CBC, this amazing footage of that memorable day in 1955 can be seen by clicking here.  Please take the time to watch this beautiful video.  It is another important part of our wonderful history.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us

PHOTO AND ANECDOTES THANKS TO ENID

For this great photo and the information, I have to thank Enid (Stanford) O'Brien.  I am sure many memories will be revived with this picture & with Enid's anecdotes.  Thanks very much, Enid.

"Hi,

I am attaching a photo of St. Patrick's Convent School girls.  I believe this might be Sister Immaculata's Class (Grade 6) or Mrs. Whelan's Class (Grade 7) taken about 1956/57.  The names are as follows:"

St Patrick's Convent School, Patrick St, about 1956

"Row 1 (L-R) Florence Furey, Carol Ann Mealey, Rhonda Flynn, Elizabeth Roche, Janet Cochrane, Betty Rodgers, Frances Kidney, Jeannie Fitzgerald, Barbara Crotty.

Row 2 (L-R) Joan Rumsey, Geraldine Reddy, Nancy Cole,  Zita King, Elizabeth White, Sheila Pridham, Jackie Sears, Cynthia Reddy, Helen Power, Anna Whelan, Marietta Dillon, Rosemary Grouchy and Thelma Walsh

Row 3 (L-R) Patricia Nelder, Marcia Hurley, Margaret Kent, Shirley Walsh, Emma Doyle, Carmelita Hearn, Betty Royle, Peggy Boggan, Maureen Manning, Eileen Healey, Enid Stanford, Andrea Meaney

Row 4 (L-R) Sheila Ellis, Jeanette Barnes, Madelene Roy, Marie Evans, Theresa Brewer, Patricia Squires

As far as I know there are two people on this picture gone to their eternal reward, ie, Andrea Meaney and Jacqueline Sears.

The things I remember most about Sister Immaculata was her presence at the door checking if the students had a rubber bag, if not, leave your boots by the door.  The school was new at that time and she wanted it spotless.  The thing I enjoyed about her class was that she lent us books to bring home to read, ie, Nancy Drew, Little Women, etc.  Also, I enjoyed her needlework class on Wednesday.  Even though I was a bit afraid of her I know looking back she had a good heart. 

Other memories I have of St. Patrick`s was the Sale of Work.  Everyone brought milk, sugar, etc and the nuns made cookies and fudge.  Tables with white cloths were set out in classrooms of the old school and it was the first time I ever saw sugar cubes for tea.  I thought it was all so grand. 

Also, I remember a Capt O`Grady coming up to teach us how to march.  We practised out in the playground.  We all marched when the Portuguese fishermen brought the Lady of Fatima statues to the cathedral.  All Catholic schools were in that  parade.  We wore our uniforms and white tams on our heads. 

Happy times, good memories.

Enid"

OUR LADY OF FATIMA



OUR LADY OF FATIMA, BASILICA OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST,
 ST JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

This is a great link on the Basilica website.   It is a short video clip of that beautiful day in May 1955 when the Portuguese Fishermen carried the statue of Our Lady of Fatima through the streets of St John's.  The statue was lovingly and reverently placed in the Basilica where it still resides.  This video brought back happy memories for me.  I hope it does the same for you.  If you are too young to remember the occasion, ask you mother about it - or your grandmother even!

http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/basilique-basilica/assets/year_of_joy.html