Apostolate of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

On the weekend of May 14/15 Brother Antonio from the Heralds of the Gospel will come to Holy Martyrs of Japan to speak to us about the "Apostolate of the Shrine of our lady of Fatima".

       This Apostolate was started in the year of 2001, when Pope John Paul II blessed the first shrine, presented to him by Msgr João Clá Dias, founder of the Heralds of the Gospel.

       The Holy Father said: “Now go to the world and preach the Gospel through the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. Since then, the Apostolate of the Shrine has spread to over 70 countries of all continents.

"On several occasions during the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, She asked the little shepherds to offer sacrifices and penance as acts of reparation to Her Immaculate Heart for the offenses it receives from mankind. Thus, on the apparitions of the Angel, that prepared the children for the apparitions of the Mother of God, he said to them: “Pray! Pray very much! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of  mercy on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High”. 

This Apostolate consists in forming groups of 30 families within the boundaries of the parish. Each group receives a shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is an icon with a picture of Our Lady as she appeared in Fatima. After being blessed by the pastor, the shrine passes from family to family, visiting each family for one day, every month.

On the day the family receives the shrine it gathers in the evening to say a Rosary to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Reparation for the sins of mankind and for the conversion of sinners. In Fatima Our Lady said: “Jesus wants to establish this devotion in the world, and that acts of reparation are offered to my Immaculate Heart”. They may invite friends and neighbours to join them in the prayers if they wish so.

On the following day the shrine is passed to the next family on the list.

Each group will have one or two coordinators to make sure that the shrine circulates smoothly, according to the schedule.

By visiting the homes, Our Lady brings them peace, and inspires their members to spread devotion to Her Immaculate Heart among their friends and neighbours.