Pilgrim Virgin Visits Los Gatos & San Jose, CA
For the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the SSPX chapels of Los Gatos and San Jose, CA were graced with the reception of the Pilgrim Virgin of Our Lady.
The reception ceremony took place in the evening of May 12, starting with prayers outside by the trailer followed by a procession of the Pilgrim Virgin into the church. Once inside, the altar was adorned by flowers, Our Lady was crowned and the faithful. Fr. Christopher Pedersen led the recitation of the Rosary. Fr. William Kimball celebrated Mass that evening, and gave a sermon, reflecting on the apparitions at Fatima and how the 3 children—Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta—acquired the desire to offer everything they could to make sacrifices for sinners.
Honoring the Apparitions at Fatima
On Saturday, May 13, the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, was a perfect spring day. Mass was celebrated early that morning, and afterwards the priests, sisters, and faithful met at Cesar Chavez park in downtown San Jose. 300 of the faithful came to attend this beautiful, public tribute to Our Lady of Fatima, in the midst of the skyscrapers of the city. Many passersby stopped to join in the prayers for a time, or to take scapulars, rosaries and flyers from the information booth. Fr. Gerard Beck, the first assistant of the U.S. District, began the morning with an inspiring sermon on the Sorrowful Heart of Mary, and then gave profound meditations for each of the fifteen decades of the Rosary, as the lovely statue of the Virgin was carried by the men of the parish in procession circling the park. Children carried flowers to honor their heavenly Mother, and hymns were heartily sung by all present. The procession concluded with the Litany of Loretto, and Fr. Beck gave all his blessing to close a wonderful, grace-filled day.
The Mass of the Immaculate Heart
The sung Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was served at St. Aloysius’s church On May 14. After Mass, Fr. Pedersen knelt in front of the Pilgrim Virgin and led the congregation in renewing the consecration of the parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This was a great opportunity to mediate on the graces of Our Lady, the graces she pours out on our parish, our families, and each of us individually. After the prayers finished, there was another procession of Our Lady across the Retreat House grounds- with joyful singing and happy attendance of the parishioners. The celebration was concluded with a parish brunch together, where good company and good food were paired.
Throughout the week (from May 15 through May 19), a daily Rosary was said before the Pilgrim Virgin in the evenings at 6pm. Every day the flower arrangements grew, as individuals brought their personal offering to the Queen of Heaven.
On Saturday, May 20, morning Mass was celebrated and afterwards the departing ceremony took place. Kneeling in front of Our Lady, Fr. Pedersen led the Fatima prayers and the litany of Our Lady. Father concluded with sharing how the graces from Our Lady’s visit to Los Gatos have already been manifested, how she makes up for everything that is lacking in our offerings, and how we could not survive without her. After the prayers were completed, the men of the parish carried Our Lady outside and lovingly sent her on her way and she will go onto grace another parish with her presence.
Source: sspx.org - May 31, 2017
