Fatima’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebrated In Emmitsburg
Saturday May 13, 2017
One thing you can be certain of, come rain or shine there will be a Fatima Procession in Emmitsburg or Fairfield every May and October 13th without fail. It is always attended and put on by members of The Thursday Night Prayer Group. In my early days of attending it would always start at The Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton and process up Seaton Avenue and into St. Joseph’s Church.
After a few years they started locking St. Joseph’s and it was at that time the Fatima processions would start and end at the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seaton and we would just process around the grounds there carrying a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima while praying the Rosary. Again after a few years we were told the Fatima Procession would no longer be allowed on the grounds there either.
It was at that point Fr. <name withheld> allowed his parish, Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary in Fairfield to host the Fatima processions and it has been held there for at least the past 7 or 8 years. The new pastor, Fr. <name withheld" has also allowed it to continue.
Over the years I have written numerous papers describing the events at many of the Fatima Rosary processions starting from when I first arrived back in 1998 up until now. I don’t really know how to put it in words but somehow I feel something very special in Emmitsburg on anniversary days of Fatima and this time was no different except maybe even stronger than usual.
I got up this morning and started the day by attending daily mass at “Home Parish” in “Home town.” Fr. <name withheld> was the celebrant and he gave a very nice talk during his homily on Fatima and today being the 100 year anniversary. When mass ended I left and drove straight to Emmitsburg. When I arrived at St. Joseph’s I knew in my heart that the door would be locked but I walked up to try to enter the church anyway. The door was locked and it gave me a sad feeling remembering the happiness during the days of the apparitions and now it’s always a locked door. I glanced at my watch and the time was 11:33:33.
I drove to St. Mary’s in Fairfield for the 12 noon procession and there was a pretty good crowd there considering the rain and drizzle. Because of the weather we did our regular procession inside the church. The rosary started and I glanced at my watch and the time was 12:13.
During the procession there were two separate times that I suddenly felt a feeling of peace run through me. The first time I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. The second time it said XX:XX:33.
We prayed two decades of the rosary like always. The first one we processed with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the second one we took our seats. After the rosary was complete Mike Sullivan said a few words and we concluded with the Demontfort Consecration followed by a couple of Marian hymns. When everything was over Mike asked me if I was going to the Majors house for a 100 year Fatima picnic. I said yes and glanced at my watch and the time was 1:33.
I drove to Taneytown and arrived at the M's house. I was very happy to see both of them were doing better since the sudden death of their son M.M back in February. Like always it was a very nice get together and the food was fantastic.
Mike Sullivan and I were sitting towards the back of the barn where the picnic was held because of the rain and there were lots of people there. Deacon Stan Wise walked up to the two of us and asked if we would like to receive his blessing before he had to leave. I received his blessing first followed by Mike. When Deacon Stan finished I felt a strong feeling of peace and glanced at my watch and the time was 3:33:33.
A while later I decided it was time to leave because I needed to be back in “Hometown” for my mom’s Mothers Day dinner at Ciro’s. As I was driving I had the sudden thought I should stop at the Grotto of Lourdes and go to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, as this thought hit I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I arrived at the Grotto and glanced at my watch as I walked up to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the time was 4:13. I prayed the Glorious Rosary and glanced at my watch as I finished and the time was 4:33.
R. C.
May 17, 2017
10:33 PM
