Florida Catholic | Rosary Rallies

Rosary rallies honor Our Lady of Fatima

AMY M. FERRARA | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 10.26.07

Fourth-degree Knights of Columbus carry the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in procession at the rosary rally at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Crestview Oct. 13.
PEGGY DEKEYSER | FC

CRESTVIEW, PENSACOLA | When Patti Pickle found out America Needs Fatima didn’t have a northwest Florida captain for rosary rallies it was organizing around the state for Oct. 13, she said: “Whatever it takes, we’ll do it.”

A parishioner of Our Lady of Victory in Crestview, Pickle wanted to help area Catholics celebrate the 90th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady of Victory joined 2,500 other groups and parishes nationwide in honoring the apparition through the America Needs Fatima campaign, an initiative of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.

The rallies focused on the belief many Catholics share about the Virgin Mary’s appearance to three shepherd children Oct. 13, 1917, in Fatima, Portugal. Rallies were scheduled at noon across the country as a remembrance of the time the apparition took place.

In Crestview, 36 people gathered at Our Lady of Victory Church. Most participants were from the parish, but some traveled from St. Margaret Church in DeFuniak Springs and Holy Name of Jesus in Niceville to pray the rosary. Representatives from the Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus Council 7968 were also present.

“Our Lady smiled on us,” said Pickle, noting Saturday’s clear skies.

After the Knights carried a statue of Mary toward the crowd, participants sang several hymns dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Together, they recited the “Pledge of Consecration of Jesus Through Mary” by St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. Then they prayed the rosary.

In Pensacola, Mary Fitzpatrick of Little Flower Parish helped to organize an America Needs Fatima rally in a field across from the church, alongside busy Lillian Highway. About 30 parishioners from area Catholic churches participated in singing hymns, praying and reciting the rosary. Several people brought statues and pictures of Our Lady of Fatima to the event.

“I left the sign out there,” said Fitzpatrick. “Mary said we need repentance. I’m hoping it’ll catch people’s attention.”

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Rosary rallies honor Our Lady of Fatima

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