Despite chilly weather and the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, over three hundred faith-filled people from around Western New York attended the culmination of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Diocesan Shrine’s six-month devotion to Our Lady of Fatima on Monday, October 13th. The clergy and organizers said the joy and faithfulness of the assembly was palpable. Rev. John Stanton, Senior Parochial Vicar of Together in Christ Catholic Family, concelebrated Mass with Rev. Dany Abi-Akar, Pastor, St. John Maron Church. They were assisted by Deacons Greg Moran and Marc Leaderstorf. Father John shared this impression of the evening, “You could sense the maternal presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the community, reflecting the wonder and awe of God.”
Catholics are called to be instruments of peace by praying the Rosary daily. Father John’s homily pointed out that, “We saw evidence of the intercessory work of the Blessed Virgin Mary this morning when the hostages were released in the Middle East. We are called to be instruments of peace in the world. Our Lady of Fatima told the shepherd children to pray the Rosary every day in order to obtain peace for the world.” Following Mass, seven children, ages 3 – 18, led the community in praying the Holy Rosary during the Rosary Procession through the beautiful peaceful grounds of Sacred Heart’s Shrine. Father John was inspired by the evening’s event and said, “This experience has given me the boost I need to pray the Holy Rosary more faithfully.”
A similar number of people have been coming to Sacred Heart on the 13th of each month since May to hear the messages from Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal that began on May 13, 1917, and occurred on the 13th of each month through October of 1917 and to participate in the celebration of Mass and the Rosary Procession. This is the fourth year that Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Diocesan Shrine, located in Bowmansville, NY, has held the multi-month Fatima devotion.
Debra Lesinski, organizer of the Fatima events and chairperson of Sacred Heart’s Revive Ministry, told us that over 200 people also enrolled in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular on Monday evening. She said, “The large numbers participating in our Fatima celebrations is an indicator as to what’s happening among the faithful of the Church. They are looking for additional ways to express and strengthen their faith, and reviving the devotions are turning into mini pilgrimages that revive the soul. The Revive ministry is working on bringing more Catholic devotions to the faithful of Western New York in 2026.” If you feel called to assist in this ministry that serves all the lay faithful in Buffalo, please contact Debra through Sacred Heart’s parish office at 716-683-2375.
