Through a television broadcast, the Marian sanctuaries around the world, including the Basilica of the Annunciation of Nazareth, joined together to recite the rosary and celebrate the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima.
On May 13, the eyes of the five continents were on Fatima, a small city in Portugal, where, exactly a hundred years ago, the Virgin Mary appeared to three children, two of whom, Jacinta and Francisco, were proclaimed saints in a celebration presided over by the Holy Father in the presence of five hundred thousand pilgrims.
Joy and grace overflowing all over the world: the initiatives promoted in different countries encouraged Mary’s devotees to take part in this celebration.
One of these initiatives was promoted by the Diocese of Rome. Through a television broadcast, the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary were recited simultaneously in five Marian churches, beginning with the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the Eternal City.
The first transmission was produced at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, a special place where the Virgin Mary received the angel’s announcement that she would be the Savior’s Mother.
The Sanctuary of Czestochowa in Poland, the Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan in Argentina and, of course, the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal, also took part in this special broadcast.
Returning to the Holy Land, another initiative took place there to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Appearances of Our Lady in Fatima: the Mother of Jesus was also honored in the Basilica of Gethsemane, Jerusalem.
Here, the Holy Hour with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for Peace in the world, was followed by a procession with the Image of Our Lady of Fatima, led by members of the Vatican Swiss Guard all the way to the Garden of Olives.