Welcome! The World Apostolate of Fatima is an International Catholic Association of Pontifical Right.
From Russia to Fatima - Pro-life Pilgrimage with Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa
An international meeting of pro-life advocates from sixteen countries was held in January 28-30, 2012 in the Polish city of Czestochowa, where the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna - an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary—is currently housed. This icon is highly revered both by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. During the meeting, the participants discussed the plans for a pilgrimage of a replica of the Icon of Czestochowa throughout Europe and Asia with the intention of promoting the defense of human life and entrusting it into the hands of Mother Mary.
The meeting gathered mainly pro-life representatives from Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, UK, and the U.S. Fátima, in Portugal, was represented by Nuno Prazeres, director of the International Secretariat of the World Apostolate of Fatima, who addressed the participants about Our Lady’s message and welcomed the initiative of having the Icon travelling on pilgrimage from Russia through Central/Eastern Europe and ending in Fatima.
It is interesting to note that at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Czestochowa, at the side of the famous and miraculous icon, there is a special gift from Pope John Paul II: the stole he was wearing around his waist when he was shot in St. Peter’s square, in 1981. On it we can see the sprinkled blood spots. In Fatima, placed in Our Lady’s crown, we have the bullet that almost killed him, also a gift from the Pope. These two elements help us to make a close connection between Czestochowa and Fatima.
Fr. Zacharias Jablonski, from the monastery of Jasna Gora, explained the tradition of sending icons on pilgrimages and even on the frontlines of battles, with a request to God for help, where there is the greatest threat to life.
On January 28th, all participants made an "Act of Trust and Consecration" to the Black Madonna icon of Jasna Gora, in her sanctuary. This solemn celebration was led by Czestochowa Archbishop Stanislaw Nowak along with two other bishops and numerous Polish and foreign priests. Also present were Orthodox priests from Ukraine and Belarus and the pro-life leaders from these countries. During the ceremony, Archbishop Nowak blessed a copy of the icon of Czestochowa. According to an ancient tradition of the Pauline Fathers, the copy was touched to the original which the Orthodox Church also recognizes as a significant gesture. Archbishop Nowak called it the “kiss of love.”
Former Italian president Oscar Scalfaro dies at 93 - A man of great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima
The World Apostolate of Fatima expresses his tribute to Mr. Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, former President of the Republic of Italy, great friend and confidant of Blessed John Paul II and President of the World Apostolate of Fatima - Italy for many years, who died at the age of 93, last January 29.
Mr. Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, who served as president of the Italian Republic from 1992 to 1999, was praised by Pope Benedict XVI, after the announce of his death, that he was “an illustrious Catholic statesman” who “always strove to promote the common good, and the perennial ethical and religious values of Christianity.”
He was also a person who never hid his Christian faith, his full participation in the life of the Catholic Church, or even his genuine devotion to Mary. In this way he effectively demonstrated how to be both a deeply convinced believer and a supporter of the shared fundamental values of the civil and political life of the country, while respecting the pluralism of positions.
Mr. Scalfaro was an active member of the World Apostolate of Fatima in Italy whom he served as its president for many years. In 2006 he participated in the public ceremony of the approval of the WAF International Statutes, at the Vatican, offering a beautiful and inspiring message at the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. As a head of state and magistrate, he was a model to be followed as he practiced the sanctification of his daily duties and the First Saturdays Devotion with proverbial discipline. We are very grateful for his holy life as a true disciple of Jesus and beloved son of Mary. May he rest in peace.
PRESIDENTE DO APOSTOLADO MUNDIAL DE FÁTIMA EM ENTREVISTA
Prof. Américo López-Ortiz, presidente do Apostolado Mundial de Fátima falou à revista FAMÍLIA CRISTÃ sobre o trabalho do Apostolado em todo o mundo, que junta cerca de 20 milhões de fiéis em 110 países. Desde os países que mais vivem a mensagem de Fátima até aos desvios que insistem em deturpar a importância, tudo foi abordado nesta conversa, até a conversão da Rússia e a certeza de que os males deste mundo são resultado dos seus pecados. Por isso, foi preciso uma longa conversa onde se falou da história do movimento, da aprovação pela Santa Sé, dos desvios à mensagem «autêntica» de Fátima... e de Maria, a força que faz estes apóstolos levarem o nome de Deus aos quatro cantos do mundo.
During three intense days, from November 7-9, 2011, the members of the International Board of the World Apostolate of Fatima met at Domus Pacis, in Fatima, for their annual meeting. Coming from eight different countries and travelling for many hours, the members were delighted to meet once again and spend their time assessing the working plan of our organization, discussing internal affairs and plan ahead new pastoral activities.
Among the various topics discussed, we would like to outline here the following:
·Organization of the General Assembly of the World Apostolate of Fatima, which is planned for November 11-17, 2012, at Domus Pacis, in Fatima. This will be a time for evaluation, sharing of activities and formation of all our WAF national leaders.
·Spiritual and Pastoral preparations for the Centennial of the Apparitions of Fatima in 2017. The WAF is following the pastoral guidelines offered by the Fatima shrine in order to motivate all its member nations to engage in the preparations for the centennial.
·The “Fatima Prayer Everywhere Program” initiated by the WAF-USA and expanded to the International Apostolate. The goal is to bring more people to pray and to bring new members into our organization. The program shall reach people of all faiths, being therefore the first ecumenical program the World Apostolate of Fatima ever adopted.
·New efforts in our mission to carry the work of the New Evangelization through the promotion of the Message of Fatima, by using also the new technologies such as the Internet and its channels.
·The Board also reaffirmed the importance of continuing holding regional congresses around the world for the new evangelization and has scheduled the coming meetings for Europe, Asia, Oceania and Americas for years 2012 -2013.
During the meeting, the Board of Trustees also had the opportunity to welcome the new Rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas and the Postulator for the cause of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, Sister Angela Coelho, who both shared their inputs with the group.
As always happens during this annual meetingo of our Board, a thanksgiving Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions was celebrated under the presidency of Msgr. Seraphim Silva, Bishop emeritus of Leiria-Fatima. During this celebration, hundreds of signed pledges of our Apostolate new members, from all over the world, were placed at the feet of Our Lady’s statue by Prof. Americo Lopez-Ortiz, the WAF International President, entrusting to Mary the life of these new members and the work that is carried out around the world for God’s glory. Prayers were also offered for our benefactors as well as for all our beloved departed members.
FATIMA SHRINE PRESENTS NEW THEME FOR THE PASTORAL YEAR 2011-2012: ARE YOU WILLING TO OFFER YOURSELVES UP TO GOD?
The Shrine of Fatima presented on December 1st, the general theme for the new pastoral year 2011-2012: "Are you willing to offer yourselves up to God?", based on the question Our Lady asked the three little shepherds in Her first apparition, on the 13th of May, 1917.
The theological nucleus of this second cycle of preparations for the Centenary of the Apparitions, in 2017, is "God the Saviour" and the believing attitude is the "oblation of oneself", as it is stated in the Shrine’s webpage (www.fatima.pt) where you can find other supporting materials for the study of this theme. During the presentation of the new pastoral year other initiatives were presented, like a public exhibition until late October 2012, entitled 'On the trail of light – The Fatima apparitions"; a cycle of six conferences with one conference each month until April 2012; and a theological pastoral Symposium in June. Also the pilgrimages and the various celebrations of the official program will be marked by the experience of the first apparition of our Lady in Fatima, remembered through thirteen panels recently installed at the sideways the Sanctuary of Fatima.
FIRST TWO EPISODES OF “FATIMA IN THE WORLD” AVAILABLE IN DVD
The first and second episodes of the series “Fátima and the World” are already available on DVD and subtitled in five languages: English, Germany, Polish, Italian and Spanish.
The first DVD“Fátima, a Miracle in Europe – The History” was released last May and it describes with rhythm, drama, mystery and with fascinating testimonies, the extraordinary link of Fatima to the great events of the XX century: the Second War World; the Cold War, the assassination attempt to Pope John Paul II, followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall. It also includes extra features such as the “The story of the bullet in the Crown of Our Lady of Fatima”, “An account of how school life was under Communism”, “The Fatima hymn sung in various languages” and also a small “Archive of Fatima photos”.
The second DVD“Fatima: A miracle in Europe – Sanctuaries and Testimonies” was released last October 13. In approximately 50 minutes, it presents beautifully the origin of many and different sanctuaries of Our Lady of Fatima in Europe, such as in Spain, where for instances in the Canarian Islands, by invocation of Our Lady of Fatima, the lava of a volcano deviated from a chapel and village, or in Petersburg in Russia where an Icon of Our Lady of Fatima survived from a devastating fire.This DVD also tells us fascinating stories of miracles, especially that of Saint Padre Pio on the occasion of the visitation of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to Italy.
PUBLIC CEREMONY OF APPROVAL OF THE WAF BY THE HOLY SEE
In order to commemorate the permanent approval of the World Apostolate of Fatima as a Public International Association of the Faithful by the Holy See, a public ceremony was held in Puerto Rico, on May 21, 2011.
On November 19, 2010, Feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence, Patroness of Puerto Rico, the Pontifical Council for the Laity communicated to the International President of the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF), Professor Américo Pablo López Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico, that the formal decree of PERMANENT APPROVAL of the World Apostolate of Fatima has been issued and sent to the Vatican's Secretariat of State to be handed to the President though the Apostolic Delegation in Puerto Rico. The WAF enjoys the highest possible juridical status in the Church, that is, an international public association of the faithful of pontifical right for the Universal Church.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity confirmed the World Apostolate of Fatima (W.A.F.) as an International Public Association of the Faithful, with a juridical personality and with its Statutes definitively approved by Decree dated October 7, 2010, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Mons. Josef Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, in a letter to the International President of the Association, Prof. Américo Lopez-Ortiz, pointed out that "this definitive approbation of the Statutes marks a new moment for the World Apostolate of Fatima and it is our hope that it brings a new evangelization enthusiasm in your endeavors."
The World Apostolate of Fatima believes that this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our commitment to spreading the Message of Fatima all over the world, bringing this beam of hope and peace to the hearts of humankind.
The Decree of approval does highlight that "the members of the World Apostolate of Fatima commit themselves to become faithful witnesses of the Catholic faith in their families, at work, in the parishes and communities, participating in this way in the "New Evangelization".The Association has been carrying out for the past years a series of initiatives to better meet this commitment. These include the organization of regional congresses in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America on the New Evangelization and the Message of Fatima, the formation of prayer groups, the launching of Eucharistic adoration programs for children, the coordination of programs for the visitation of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to dioceses and parishes, publication of books, magazines, videos and websites, etc. All this to make the calls of Fatima and the Gospel reach further.We will continue this mission for the greater glory of God!
PRAYING FOR LIFE AT THE FATIMA SHRINE
The International Secretariat of the World Apostolate of Fatima has assumed the recitation of the Holy Rosary, on each first Thursday of the month, in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima, at 18.30 pm. The Rosary is offered for the intentions of our members and, in a particular way, for the respect of human life from conception to natural death.
The International Secretaries of the World Apostolate of Fatima, together with the Portuguese pro-life movement “Corrente de Oração pela Vida”, have decided to start praying the Rosary, once a month, in the Chapel of the Apparitions, at the Fatima Shrine, for life and peace. This initiative was born as a concrete way to show solidarity and involvement with the pro-life work that is carried out around the world and to link it to the Fatima Message, a message of peace, hope and love, so much needed for today’s world. This is a symbolic initiative that should help people to engage more often in praying the rosary for this intention and to bring the Fatima message to the prolife work. The daily Rosary at the Chapel of the Apparitions, at 18:30pm is broadcasted by the Portuguese national radio as well as by two Catholic TV channels. Those who wish to be united more closely with us can also follow the live recitation of the Rosary by internet, at the Fatima Shrine’s website: www.santuario-fatima.ptPray with us and for us!
An international meeting of pro-life advocates from sixteen countries was held in January 28-30, 2012 in the Polish city of Czestochowa, where the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna - an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary—is currently housed. This icon is highly revered both by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. During the meeting, the participants discussed the plans for a pilgrimage of a replica of the Icon of Czestochowa throughout Europe and Asia with the intention of promoting the defense of human life and entrusting it into the hands of Mother Mary.
On January 28th, all participants made an "Act of Trust and Consecration" to the Black Madonna icon of Jasna Gora, in her sanctuary. This solemn celebration was led by Czestochowa Archbishop Stanislaw Nowak along with two other bishops and numerous Polish and foreign priests. Also present were Orthodox priests from Ukraine and Belarus and the pro-life leaders from these countries. During the ceremony, Archbishop Nowak blessed a copy of the icon of Czestochowa. According to an ancient tradition of the Pauline Fathers, the copy was touched to the original which the Orthodox Church also recognizes as a significant gesture. Archbishop Nowak called it the “kiss of love.”
The World Apostolate of Fatima expresses his tribute to Mr. Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, former President of the Republic of Italy, great friend and confidant of Blessed John Paul II and President of the World Apostolate of Fatima - Italy for many years, who died at the age of 93, last January 29. 
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The Pontifical Council for the Laity confirmed the World Apostolate of Fatima (W.A.F.) as an International Public Association of the Faithful, with a juridical personality and with its Statutes definitively approved by Decree dated October 7, 2010, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
