On Sunday 17 May, the St Martin’s community celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima, bringing people together for prayer, a procession, the Rosary and the celebration of the Eucharist.
The devotion commemorates the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd children — Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta — which began on 13 May 1917 in Fátima, Portugal. The message shared by the children became especially known for its call to prayer, particularly the Rosary, penance and conversion.
With the support of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Rose of Faith spirituality groups, the celebration in Plaistow began with a time of prayer outside the Portuguese restaurant The Belas, on Barking Road. From there, participants processed together to St Martin’s.
On arrival at the church, a large Rosary made from balloons was placed around the image of Our Lady of Fátima as the community gathered to pray the Rosary.
The celebration continued in church with the Eucharist. In his homily, the Revd Paul Gurnham, parish priest of St Mary Magdalene, reflected on the principal calls of the message of Fátima and encouraged the community to put them into practice in daily life: prayer, penance and conversion. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr Saulo Barros, Priest in Charge of St Martin’s.
This was the third consecutive year in which the parish community has celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima. The celebration is becoming part of the life of St Martin’s and provides an opportunity to bring the community together in faith, prayer and Marian devotion.
The community looks forward to celebrating the feast again next year and welcoming even more people to share in this time of prayer and fellowship.