Gulf Pine Catholic

4 Gulf Pine Catholic • March 6, 2020 World-famous Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima is coming to the Diocese of Biloxi Several parishes will be hosting the world-famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima in late March and early April. This historic image of Our Lady of Fatima has been traveling world- wide since 1947, when it set forth from Fatima to bring Our Lady’s message of hope and peace to a world in need. The statue was blessed by the Bishop of Fatima who prayed that Our Lady’s presence would accom- pany the statue on her travels. In 1952, it was blessed by Pope Pius XII, who commented: “In 1946, I crowned Our Lady of Fatima as Queen of the World and the fol- lowing year, through the Pilgrim Virgin, she set forth as though to claim her dominion, and the favors she performs along the way are such that we can hardly believe what we are seeing with our eyes.” The statue has visited 100 coun- tries, including Russia and China, and is primarily how the message of Fatima spread throughout the world. Hundreds of favors and graces, including cures, and count- less conversions are associated with the image. The presence of this special statue, sculpted by José Thedim based on Sister Lucia's description of her encoun- ters with Our Lady, is a great gift to our community. Here are the parishes that will be hosting the statue: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Biloxi -- Saturday, March 28, with Masses at 8 a.m. (cha- pel) and 4 p.m. (cathedral). The statue will be on display in the cathedral between Masses and will depart after the 4 p.m. Mass. Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Biloxi -- Sunday, March 29. Masses will be at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The statue will be in the church from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. At 11 a.m., there will be a procession and talk by the custodian. Beginning at 1 p.m., there will be quiet veneration. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place following the 5 p.m. Mass, 6-7:40 p.m., followed by Benediction, Eight p.m. Mass follows this. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Hattiesburg -- Monday, March 30-Wednesday, April 1. March 30 -- Opening procession will start at 4:45 p.m. followed by Rosary at 5 p.m. and Mass at 5:30 p.m. fol- lowed by a talk. March 31 -- Quiet veneration from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.; Rosary at 11:30 a.m. and Mass at noon. April 1 -- Quiet veneration from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.; Rosary at 5:30p.m. and Mass at 6 p.m. St. Patrick High School, Biloxi -- Thursday, April 2. The statue will be on display from 9:30-10:40 a.m. Patrick Sabat, Director of Custodians for the World Apostolate of Fatima, will present a talk. There will be a Rosary, Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Alphonsus Parish, Ocean Springs -- Thursday, April 2-Saturday, April 4. April 2 -- Procession at 6:30 p.m.; Custodian talk at 6:45 p.m. At 7 p.m., there will be a penance service, scapular enrollment, expo- sition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until Saturday April 4 (except dur- ing scheduled Masses). April 3 -- Children’s Mass at 8:15 a.m. followed by custodian talk and scapular enrollment at 9 a.m. At 6:45 p.m., there will be another custodian talk and scapu- lar enrollment followed by Stations of the Cross and Mass. April 4 -- First Saturday Devotions with Rosary, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at 7:45 a.m. Mass at 8:15 a.m. followed by custodian talk at 9 a.m. Public ven- eration ends at 9:15 a.m.