The 13th Day

Year 2017 is a year offered by the devotees of Our Lady of Fatima, for this is a hundred years after her apparition on the Year 1917 at Cova da Iria, Portugal, exactly 100 Years since the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia last May 13, 1917 at Cova Da Iria. On that day, our Lady told them that she will appear to them every 13th day of six consecutive months. Thus, on July 13, 1917 she appeared again.

A hundred years after, the devotees of Fatima from Davao gathered last July 13, 2017 at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish to commemorate the visit of Our Lady and her message. A hundred years her message still rings true until today. Recitation of the rosary, hearing of confessions and a celebration of Holy Mass were the spiritual exercises the devotees made.

The Mass was presided by Fr. Paul Dagangon and the messages about penance, prayer, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary were emphasized during the homily of the parish priest namely Fr. Pete Lamata. Our Lady of Fatima who called herself as the Lady of the Rosary, as mentioned during the homily “invites each one of us to have devotion to her Immaculate Heart in order to have peace. Peace in one’s own conscience, peace with God, peace in our homes, peace in our family, peace in all and in between nations.” Through prayer of the rosary every day, little sacrifices as reparation for the offenses against God, and the first five consecutive Saturdays devotion (which is to have confession, communion, rosary, and meditation during the quarter of an hour of one or more decades of the rosary).

This shall happen again next month August 13, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Bangkal Davao City. (Jay Ann Peteros | Editorial & Training Asst.)