By Manny de Freitas – The 34th annual Fatima pilgrimage hosted by Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Malvern East, Ekurhuleni, took place in May through the streets of Bedfordview, led by Fr Andrew Knott OMI. The pilgrimage began with Mass at 17h00, followed by a procession with statues of Our Lady and St Joseph and concluded at the church with refreshments.
Over the past 33 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. De Freitas added that because these apparitions took place in Portugal, the Portuguese community has a special devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.
- 34th Annual Fatima Pilgrimage Draws Crowds - May 28, 2026
- Are Hillsong Songs Okay for the Mass? - May 27, 2026
- Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas Resources - May 27, 2026
