Anthony and Carmen Rivera describe the hours of unbroken prayer and soaring Marian hymns they experienced honoring the Blessed Mother as “the closest thing to being in Fatima.”
“The world today is so difficult for families. Our Lady is always there for them,” said Carmen Rivera, a parishioner in St. Mary of the Lake Parish. “The Church is the first home. We know Our Lady is here with us.”
The Riveras were among more than 700 faithful who spent hours of devotion in the Lakewood church as the International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima visited the area Oct. 14-15. The image is one of six statues blessed by Pope Francis in 2017 and sent on mission to each continent to pray for peace and life.
A devotion to the Blessed Mother was lived out among many faithful in the Diocese over the past few weeks, as parishioners took part in pilgrimages both at home and abroad.
Eighty-six-year-old Theresa Donnelly was among those who went on pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and France with Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor in Freehold’s St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, and Msgr. Thomas Gervasio, pastor in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton.
Donnelly, a parishioner in St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River, has a longstanding devotion to Mother Mary. She said visiting Fatima and Lourdes had always been on her “bucket list.” “All the people [bearing] candles at Lourdes really affected me,” she said. “When I watch [television coverage of] Lourdes, I feel much more spiritual now.”
St. Robert parishioner Melissa Mistretta was also moved by her Lourdes experience. In a reflection she wrote while on pilgrimage, she said, “If hope was ever palpable, it is in Lourdes. I feel my Mother’s love all around me. I don’t want to spend all my precious moments here merely asking for prayers to be answered for me, but I want the Lord to know how very thankful I am for all he has blessed me with.”
Fred and Jane Bresani of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, were among 28 pilgrims to visit Spain and Portugal with their pastor, Father Daniel Swift, and Father Daniel Kirk, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson. They said their trip to Fatima reinforced their belief that the Catholic Church is truly universal, citing the kindness they shared with others they met.
Of Fatima, Linda Xerri, parish youth ministry coordinator, said, “The story of the three shepherd children who trusted completely in the Blessed Mother has helped me realize that faith is the most precious gift one can possess, and it is grown and sustained through prayer and absolute submission and trust in God and his plan for us.”
Correspondents Lois Rogers and Christina Leslie and Managing Editor Jennifer Mauro contributed to this report.