Leaders and members of the World Apostolate of Fatima gathered in Fatima from the 17th to the 21st of November of 2008, for their General Assembly.
The meeting congregated Bishops, priests and lay people from thirty countries, such us Argentina, Mexico, Cameroon, Nigeria, Fiji Islands, Italy, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Philippines, Slovakia, Germany, South Korea and the United States of America. The President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylco, sent his chief bureau, Mons. Miguel Galindo, as his personal representative.
The works were carried out in an atmosphere of union, sharing and opening to renewal. During the first days, reports on the activities of each country were presented. Some of these activities include Vigils with adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, retreats and meetings on the Message of Fatima, the practice of the First Saturday’s devotion, processions and visits to the families with the image of Our Lady of Fatima and also the recitation of the rosary in group. In some countries, the spreading of the Message of Fatima is also done through publication of magazines, books and by collaborating with periodicals, radio and television.
The program of the assembly entailed also moments of formation through conferences. Some practical questions on the organization of the World Apostolate of Fatima in the various countries were also discussed in order to create conditions for a wider and more efficient network.
The participants were also called to elect the new International Board of Trustees, composed by nine people from different countries, who shall guide the path of the association during the next four years.
As main guidelines for the present action, it was decided that the association should invest more and more on the formation of lay people and in particular of the families, using as model the way the Little Shepherds lived the Message of Our Lady. It was also decided to begin a wide campaign for the propagation and practice of the First Saturday’s devotion, starting with the parishes and widening it to the dioceses and the whole Church. At the same time, there will be an effort to continue implementing the program of Eucharistic Adoration for children and young people. The organization of the visits of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, in coordination with the Fatima Shrine, shall also be reinforced.
The Apostolate is also planning to edit updated leaflets, books, videos and to make a better use of the Internet for spreading the Message of Fatima and the charisma of the association. At the same time, it will develop campaigns for recruitment of new members, particularly addressed to the youth, so that they may become Apostles of Our Lady of Fatima and missionaries of the New Evangelization. The organization of pilgrimages to the Shrine of Fatima as a unique opportunity for spiritual enrichment will continue to be encouraged. The meetings of regional centres will be fostered, so that the exchange of experiences and the coordination of joint activities for each region of the globe, may take place.
The assembly was also marked by powerful moments of prayer, some of which held at the Shrine of Fatima. The participants took the opportunity to renew their personal commitment to Our Lady at the feet of her image, in the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, so that, when back to their native countries, they may continue to bear abundant apostolic fruits.
World Apostolate of Fatima approved by the Holy See
Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, presented on the 3rd of February, 2006, in Rome, Professor Americo Pablo Lopez-Ortiz, International President of the World Apostolate of Fatima, the decree of erection of the World Apostolate of Fatima as a public association of the faithful for the Universal Church.
New Bishop of Leiria-Fatima
The new Bishop of Leiria-Fatima was warmly welcomed by people on Sunday, June, 25 th, the day he officially assumed the spiritual guidance of the Diocese. More than 150 priests and 25 bishops were present to assist the passing on of the testimony.
“You have been considered perfectly mature to welcome this family of faithful people”, was written in the apostolic letter, read publicly during the ceremony. In the letter, Pope Benedict XVI advises the new bishop of Leiria-Fatima to ask protection for his work to the Blessed Virgin of Fatima, “to whom you will be special faithful”. Bishop Serafim, now the emeritus bishop of the diocese will be fixing his residence at the house of Our Lady of Carmel, in Fátima.