A MASS FOR FATIMA
Portuguese parish holds large gathering to mark first sighting of Mary
Pilgrims have walked more scenic routes to be sure, but a recent procession around a southeast Calgary industrial park made up for its lack of beautiful vistas with an abundance of spirit and faith.
It was a remarkable outpouring of devotion and support in our city, marking the 100th anniversary of the first sighting of Mary, the Blessed Virgin, by a trio of young girls in Fatima, Portugal.
May 13, 1917 was the date eventually recognized by the Vatican as a true revelation of the Holy Mother of Jesus to the trio of girls who were then minding a flock of sheep. The youngsters were told to return on the 13th day of each of the next six months to learn more from Mary. It was the beginning of what would eventually lead Catholics worldwide to acknowledge and rejoice in Our Lady Of Fatima.
Millions of pilgrims have since travelled to the site of those visitations in Portugal.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of the event, Calgarians gathered at our city’s Our Lady Of Fatima church on May 13 of this year. It proved to be the largest gathering in the history of one of this city’s most unusual places of worship. Portuguese immigrants to Calgary had long wanted a place of worship of their own, but for many years they made do with services at other churches, with the Croatian community being especially welcoming.
But in 1994, Catholics of Portuguese heritage had reason to rejoice. They’d built — by their own hands and donations — the Our Lady of Fatima church in this city, albeit in the middle of an industrial park at 4747 - 30 St. S.E.
Earlier this year, Calgary’s Bishop, William McGrattan, encouraged faithful from across the city and beyond to attend a special celebratory mass on May 13. It was a remarkable turnout, culminating in a triumphant march past the warehouses and industrial outlets near the church.
“It is an interesting parish, right there in an industrial park,” said Bishop McGrattan. “The pastor asked for the possibility his church might be designated, for this year, as a site of pilgrimage and he would celebrate that mass monthly and open it up to the people of Calgary and southern Alberta.
“He was amazed at the number of people who arrived. Even the Portuguese parishioners are surprised at the number of people who have been coming this year to the small parish. Here in Calgary, it has become a focal point of devotion for many Catholics and other Christians,” McGrattan said.
“On May 13, the church was packed for the mass, with another 600 to 700 in the hall. In total, close to 1,000 people were there that evening and the idea of having people walk through the industrial park became a moment of experiencing a pilgrimage. Then we all returned for some wonderful Portuguese food.”
For the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima’s, Father Fabio de Souza, it was a wonderful moment.
“For us, this 100th anniversary is very important. Portuguese parishioners built the church in 1994, and normally our celebration is just for us — for Portuguese immigrants. Not many people knew our church because it is in an industrial area in the southeast; but because of the message of Fatima, this has become a main place for devotion this year,” he said.
Every 13th day of each month this year, a special mass is being held at the church in both Portuguese and English to celebrate the centennial of the Holy Mother’s appearance.
Bishop McGrattan has led pilgrims to the actual Fatima site in Portugal and believes Mary’s appearance 100 years ago has a symbolism that resonates today.
“When you look specifically at the apparition and when it took place, it seems to coincide with what society and the world was then experiencing,” said de Souza. “The message was obviously one of prayer, reverence and penance as ways of expressing sorrow for the sense of division caused by the First World War taking place at the time.
“That whole history of war and violence, that began at the start of the century, has continued in different forms, so I think the message of Fatima is still striking a note of truth in the hearts of people today ... We need to be vigilant and aware, to pray for peace and look at our own selves and ask what are we doing to promote that.”
“On a global basis, this anniversary may spark a re-examination of our commitment to peace and the stopping of war and violence,” noted Bishop McGrattan.
... I think the message of Fatima is still striking a note of truth in the hearts of people today ... We need to be vigilant and aware, to pray for peace ...