On solemn days, this piece of jewellery from the 1940s is placed on the image of Our Lady of Fatima venerated in the Capelinhas das Aparições.

Portugal – Fatima (11/10/2021 10:00, Gaudium Press) For the first time in history, the precious crown of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is being exhibited in the Church of São Roque, in Lisbon. The exhibition takes place on behalf of the 1st Biennial of Contemporary Jewellery.

According to the exhibition organisers, this is an opportunity to remember this important piece of jewellery from the 1940s, which is placed on the image venerated in the Chapel of Apparitions on solemn days, whose relevance goes beyond its artistic and patrimonial value.

History of the crown of Our Lady of Fatima

The crown originated in 1942, when some devotees of Our Lady, in gratitude for Portugal not having entered World War II, donated valuable pieces of jewellery (necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings) that were used to make a crown for the Marian image.

It was only after the end of the war, in 1946, that the solemn coronation of the image of Fatima took place. At the time, Pope Pius XII commanded the Church, but apostolic trips were not yet made, so the pontiff sent a papal legate to the Shrine of Fatima to, in the name of the Pope, solemnly crown the image.

In 1981, Pope Saint John Paul II survived after being attacked in Saint Peter’s Square. Eight years later, the bullet that hit the Holy Father was delivered by him to Dom Alberto Cosme do Amaral and placed in the crown of Our Lady of Fatima. (EPC)