Hundreds in Adelaide join Fatima children canonisation and crowning of Virgin Mary

HUNDREDS of people in Adelaide will join the rest of the world to celebrate the canonisation and the centenary of the Fatima children’s apparition on Sunday.

HUNDREDS of people in Adelaide will join the rest of the world to celebrate the canonisation and the centenary of the Fatima children’s apparition on Sunday.

This follows Pope Francis’ visit to the Portuguese town of Fatima for the canonisation of shepherd children Francisco and Jacinta Marto last Saturday.

The annual Marian Procession in Adelaide’s Pilgrim Peace Park will incorporate a peace rally this year, recognising the fact that the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at a needed hour when the world was at war.

Pope Francis addresses journalists during the traditional press conference on his flight back to Rome following a two-day visit at Fatima in Portugal, on May 13. Picture: AFP

St Patricks Technical College students Anthony Kayal and Sarah Mills with college operations manager Greg Collins with a brass crown made by students, for the annual Marian Procession and to celebrate the centenary of the apparitions of Mary to the children of Fatima.

On May 13, 1917 when the Great War was happening, Francisco, 9, and Jacinta, 7, along with their cousin Lucia dos Santos, reported seeing the Virgin Mary and the apparitions continued once a month until October that year.

Both children succumbed to the great flu epidemic in the following years and in 2000 they were beatified by Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Portugal.

To mark the historic event, the statue of Mary at the St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral will be “crowned” with a brass crown made by students from St Patrick’s Technical College as part of the procession.

Archbishop Philip Wilson said the need for prayer during those turbulent times was as great as it is today in a world that was “torn apart by violence in so many ways”.

“As we celebrate this centenary, it is almost like the whole world is at war,” he said.

“Our dedication to Mary, expressed in the rosary, is an important part of the way we can be involved as peacemakers.”

Led by members of the Portuguese community, the colourful gathering of parish and migrant communities will gather at Pilgrim Peace Park for a 2pm start.

Originally published as Hundreds in Adelaide join Fatima children canonisation and crowning of Virgin Mary