Golden Jubilee of Fatima Festa in Welkom
Fatima Festa 2023: Fr Clement Mweni OP and Fr Rodney George OMI lead the Fatima procession around St Dominic church grounds. Photo: Nicolette Whittle
By Nicolette Whittle – Kroonstad Diocese saw parishioners gather at St Dominic’s church in Welkom on Sunday, October 15, to celebrate the golden jubilee of the popular Fatima Festa.
Fifty years ago, Joao Farinha and my mother Luky Whittle – then a Southern Cross columnist – decided to approach the Dominican parish priest with a request to introduce an annual feast day in honour of Our Lady of Fatima.
I recall the response of Fr Carel Spruyt OP who received the appeal. He lifted up the crucifix of his wooden rosary with humble devotion and said, “As St Dominic accepted the request for the rosary from Our Lady, how can I possibly refuse?”
The first Welkom Fatima Festa: photograph of children dressed as Fatima seers in front of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, in the sanctuary of St Dominic’s church in Welkom. Photo: Sean Whittle
Thus the first Welkom Fatima Festa came into being. Congregants adorned the church with banks of flowers and candles. A choir was established and children dressed as Fatima seers. My father took photographs of both church and candlelit processions. In subsequent years, Fr Leal from Portugal and thereafter Fr Rogerio from Madeira conducted Fatima Festas, with Dominican fathers as gracious hosts.
The daughters of Mr and Mrs Farinha – Fernanda, Ermelinda and Alice – continue to coordinate the Fatima Feast. Fr Clement Mweni OP hosted the golden jubilee of the Fatima Festa on October 15, and Fr Rodney George OMI preached a moving sermon about the Fatima message.
Fatima Festa 2023: Two parishioners, the little girl dressed as an angel. Photo: Nicolette Whittle
After holy Mass, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried in procession from the church around the grounds. Children dressed as Fatima seers and angels clustered around the statue as church dignitaries led devotions. Congregants prayed the rosary and sang hymns. Parishioners followed the Fatima tradition of waving handkerchiefs towards the statue as a sign of reverence and love for the Blessed Mother of God.
Joseph and I had travelled to Welkom to attend the Fatima feast day. Older parishioners reminisced about the first Fatima Festa so many years ago. Priests, sisters and parishioners – many who have gone to their eternal reward – were remembered with affection and gratitude.
Fatima Festa 2023: Parishioners outside St Dominic’s church Welkom, at the culmination of the procession. Photo: Nicolette Whittle
I recalled a conversation I had with Fr Spruyt so many years ago. As a very small child, I asked him how he wished St Dominic’s church to be remembered in years to come. After a few moments of thought, Fr Spruyt answered, “As a spiritual powerhouse of prayer.”
For half a century Welkom has spread the Fatima message of penance, prayer and rosary for the conversion of sinners. May St Dominic’s church continue as a powerhouse for the Divine to centenary and beyond.
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