Hundreds turned out in honour of Our Lady of Fatima in Fremantle on May 13, with Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey serving as the main celebrant at St Patrick’s Basilica.
The Feast’s celebrations began with Holy Mass, which was con-celebrated by around 10 clergy from throughout Perth.
Mass was followed by a procession through the streets of Fremantle and concluded with Benediction.
During the evening, Archbishop Emeritus Hickey presented Fr Julian Carrasco with a special certificate in recognition and gratitude for his pastoral services to the Portuguese community of Australia spanning decades.
Children dressed as angels were carried upon a float carrying the statue of Our Lady of Fatima as the Rosary was prayed by the hundreds who attended.
Archbishop Emeritus Hickey gave a homily focusing on prayer and penance, two key points made by Our Lady during her apparitions in Fatima.
“Prayer and Penance is necessary,” said Archbishop Emeritus Hickey.
“We cannot fight evil with weapons of destruction. We can only fight evil with prayer and the power of God.”
“Prayer is so important for each one of us. Through prayer we become more united with almighty God through Jesus his son, through the Holy Spirit, all united with Mary and all the saints in heaven; all united with one God as baptised followers of Jesus in the Communion of Saints.”
The Feast has it’s origins in Fatima, a small village in Portugal, where in 1917 Our Lady appeared monthly from May to October to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.
During these apparitions Our Lady spoke about the importance of the Rosary and the need for prayer in a world that was moving further away from God.
During the final apparition, as promised by Our Lady, the thousands gathered at Cova da Iria witnessed the sun move and change in colour.