33rd Annual Fatima Pilgrimage Draws Crowds
Top: The commencement of the pilgrimage from the church. Bottom: The Statue of Our Lady in the church before the commencement of the pilgrimage
By Manny de Freitas – The 33rd annual Fatima pilgrimage hosted by Blessed Sacrament Church in Malvern East, Johannesburg, took place on May 10, beginning with Mass at 17:00 in the church, followed immediately by the pilgrimage through the streets of Bedfordview.
Over the past 32 years, hundreds of people, mainly Catholics, have taken to the streets of Johannesburg to complete a two-hour pilgrimage on foot. The first pilgrimage took place in 1992, originally organised by the parish youth group, with about 50 young parishioners participating. Since then, the pilgrimage has gained traction and grown year on year.
This on-foot pilgrimage celebrates the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in the Portuguese hamlet of Fatima. The first of six apparitions took place on May 13, 1917. During these apparitions, Mary, under the title of “Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary”, appealed for prayer, conversion, and peace in the world.
“Since these apparitions, millions of people have changed their lives positively and come to practise the messages of Fatima,” explained Manny de Freitas, co-convenor of the pilgrimage, who also organised the very first pilgrimage. He said that because these apparitions took place in Portugal, the Portuguese community has a special devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.
The pilgrimage was led by Fr Andrew Knott OMI. For the fourth year — and as a departure from all the previous years — not only did St Joseph join the pilgrimage in the form of an additional statue, but the route also differed from the pre-Covid processions. This year, for the second time, the pilgrimage began with Mass at 17:00 and concluded back at the church, where pilgrims enjoyed refreshments in the parish hall.
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