For the first time in history, the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima visits Ukrainian territory, where it will remain until April 15.
Newsroom (18/03/2022 09:30, Gaudium Press ) On Thursday, the 17th of March, the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima arrived in Lviv, a city located in the western part of Ukraine. The arrival of the image is in response to a request made to the Shrine of Fatima by the Greek-Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Lviv, Ihor Vozniak.
On March 10, the Ukrainian prelate asked the Portuguese Shrine for the image to be sent “so that we may pray for protection and that peace may return to the country.” The Marian Shrine responded the following day.
First time the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima visits Ukraine
The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima, which is visiting Ukrainian territory for the first time in history, and which will remain in the country until April 15, was welcomed by hundreds of Ukrainian devotees gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Lviv. The Ukrainian Archdiocese said in a statement that Catholics will ask “God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for peace in Ukraine and the world.”
The director of the Department of Liturgy of the Shrine of Fatima, Father Joaquim Ganhão, pointed out that the visit of the pilgrim image of Fatima echoes what Our Lady asked for in Her messages, this being “undoubtedly a very important trip, as a messenger of peace, as a mother who invites Her children to peace.”
Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
On March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The same act will be performed at the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the current Apostolic Emperor and envoy of the Holy Father who will preside over the ceremony at the site of the Marian apparitions.
On July 13, 1917, during one of Her apparitions to the three little shepherds at Fatima, Our Lady asked that Russia be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart, warning that “if My requests are heeded, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to Me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.” (EPC)
Compiled by Sandra Chisholm
