
Our Lady of Fatima
May 13, 1917 three young children in Portugal encountered an apparition of the Blessed Mother whom the children described as “more brilliant than the Sun.” Two of those children died a few years later during the Spanish Flu pandemic that has been compared to the world’s current challenge of the Coronavirus (which can be translated as crown of the sun). To us, it is no coincidence that the vision of Mary, that was brighter than the Sun, is being called upon to help end a virus that resembles the shape of a sun.
We know the Blessed Mother is trying to communicate with us and on this May 13, 103 years after the first apparition, our Home was fortunate to have a beautiful statue of “Our Lady of Fatima” for prayer in our Gloria Chapel. The statue was loaned to us from the Diocese of Pittsburgh as most other churches have been shuttered since March’s stay at home proclamation. All day Sisters privately prayed in front of the statue and the daily rosary was said in her presence followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Everyone held the same intention in mind—for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic. The statue will remain in our chapel for the remainder of May—Mary’s month! Just as the Blessed Mother appeared to these three small children years ago, she is here with us now to help all of us through these unprecedented times!
Our Lady of Fatima