Faithful Celebrate Fatima's 100th Anniversary
The Evansville praesidium of the Legion of Mary held a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s first apparition to the three Portuguese peasant children on May 13 at St. Mary Church in Evansville. Deacon Charlie Koressel led the celebration, and Deacons Dan DeCastra, Jose Garrido and Ed Wilkerson assisted. Deacon Wilkerson serves as Administrator pro tempore of Sts. Mary and John Parish.
“If we can transfer this honor today as sacred giving of ourselves in reparation for sins against God and the Church, we will see a great transformation,” Deacon Koressel said during his reflection. “Let us all be open to the sweetness and promptings of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady to see how God can move in our lives.”
The celebration began inside St. Mary Church as those who filled the sanctuary sang “Immaculate Mary” and recited the Litany of Mary. Many then joined a Rosary procession that took them through the streets surrounding St. Mary and across the church parking lot.
Members of Knight of Columbus Auxilio Council 16454, of Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville and St. Philip Parish in Posey County, carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the procession, and members of the Monsignor A.J. Sprigler 4th Degree Assembly 253 escorted them. They faithful prayed the Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary. Organizers used a two-way radio to enable those who could not process to remain inside the sanctuary and pray the Rosary.
After completing the Rosary and singing “Hail Holy Queen” once back inside the church, three 2017 First Communicants participated in a Crowning of Mary. They included Faith Renee Mattingly of St. Philip Parish and sisters Rhiannon and Breanna Nellis of St. Wendel Parish in St. Wendel.
After a scripture reading and Deacon Koressel’s reflection, the celebration continued with exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - including praying of the Divine Praises – and Benediction. The service concluded with the singing of “Holy God We Praise Thy Name.”
