WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA CELEBRATES FATIMA DAY By Francis S Barreto

Fatima Day - 94th Anniversary of the First Apparition of Fatima was celebrated with great

devotion and pomp at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Don Bosco's Panjim, Goa, India on 13th May

2011. The celebration began with an introduction by the Chairman Francis S. Barreto at 10.00am

highlighting the importance of the day.

Prior to that, opening prayers were recited by the Secretary Julius Fernandes and Joyful

Mysteries of the Rosary were led by Asst. Treasurer Celine Caldeira. The first talk of the day

“Message of Fatima and The World Apostolate of Fatima” was delivered by Francis S. Barreto,

highlighting the importance and urgency of the Message of Fatima. Dr. Celcio Dias Co-

Coordinator was next with his talk on the First Saturdays. Consecration was the next talk by

Julius Fernandes.

At 11.40am the Luminous Mysteries were led by Anabelle Mendonca. Vice Chairman Anthony

Viegas then followed with his talk on WAF Pledge and Membership. It was the turn of Dr.

Celcio Dias, once again, to talk on an interesting topic Don Bosco and Our Lady. Francis Barreto

spoke on Blessed Joseph Vaz particularly explaining to the gathering the various things that you

find on his picture. The morning session came to an end with the recitation of the Angelus led by

a young girl and preceded by a brief talk on the Angelus by Francis S. Barreto, who highlighted

the importance of reviving the traditional devotion of the Angelus. The grace before meal was

led by Anabelle Mendonca.

Everyone disbursed for lunch which was taken in a spirit of fellowship. The afternoon session at

1.50pm began with sharing/testimonies when members testified what Our Lord and his Blessed

Mother has done for them. The first talk of the afternoon session was by Sr Maria Purificacao

Almeida on Divine Mercy. 3'Oclock prayer and Chaplet of Mercy was led by Ann Mendonca at

3.00pm. A 20- minute’s tea break then followed. At 3.30pm Sacramenta D'Mello led the

gathering into the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Celine Caldeira then spoke about Rosary

in her life, each word coming straight from her heart.

The final talk of the day “Pope John Paul II – The Pope of Fatima” was delivered by Francis S.

Barreto. It was time for spending an hour with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Rev Fr. Bento

D'Souza exposed the Blessed Sacrament at 4.30pm and the Holy Hour was led by Raynor

Viegas. At 5.30pm the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary were led by Erasmo Nunes. The Solemn

Mass began at 6pm after Most Rev Alwyn Barreto the Bishop of Sindhudurg and other

celebrants namely Rev. Fr. Avinash Rebelo Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Fr. Peter da Gama, Rev. Fr.

Miranda, Rev. Fr. Domnic Savio, Rev. Fr. Bento D'Souza, Rev. Fr. Clive and Rev. Fr. Alex were

welcomed by the Chairman Francis S. Barreto with bouquets of flowers.

After the Mass candle-lit procession followed on the grounds of Don Bosco with the Statue of

Our Lady beautifully decorated and mounted on a jeep. At the end of the procession Rev. Fr.

Clive led the gathering into an Act of Consecration to The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The

Immaculate Heart of Mary, at the end of which the entire gathering came in Q to venerate the

Statue of Our Lady.

Daphne Sequeira, Solano and Cheryl Cardoz, Deolinda Fernandes and Anthony Viegas kept the

gathering fully interested in the service with their enchanting voices and music throughout the

day. We can only say “Thank you, God blesses you”. Our sincere thanks to Rev Fr. Romulo

Noronha and all the Salesian Priests of Don Bosco's Panjim for their help and cooperation. We

also thank William and Beulah and all the Don Bosco Past Pupils led by Eddie for their help and

cooperation. We thank one and all.