World-famous Statue Brings Fatima Message to Diocese

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Diocese of Lake Charles 

The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was welcomed with plenty of praying hands during a tour to eight church parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles Aug. 13-18.

The statue has visited all 50 states and more than 100 countries since 1947 with the purpose of bringing Our Lady’s message of hope, peace, and salvation to millions of people across the world.  

Students at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School had the chance to see the world-famous statue during their back-to-school Mass on Aug. 18. Larry Maginot, statue custodian with World Apostolate of Fatima, reminded the students that even at their young ages, they can help the Blessed Mother save souls and bring peace to the world by praying the Rosary every day. 

It was during the six Fatima apparitions in 1917 when Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos (age 10), and her cousins, Francisco (age 9) and Jacinta Marto (age 7) in Portugal asking them to pray the Rosary and offer penance daily in reparation for sins — a message meant for every single person, even to this day.

The recent Fatima Tour for Peace marked the second time in five years for the statue to visit the diocese. Church parishes serving as hosts included Our Lady Help of Christians, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Immaculate Conception, all in Jennings; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady Queen of Heaven, and St. Margaret of Scotland, all in Lake Charles; St. John Bosco in Westlake; and Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Sulphur. 

Our Lady’s visit at the Cathedral coincided with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15. Hundreds of people took to the streets of downtown Lake Charles to share the Fatima message with a Marian procession in the evening. Earlier in the day, Bishop Glen John Provost consecrated the Diocese of Lake Charles to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Martin Torres said he and his wife, Gracie, have a special connection to Our Lady of Fatima, so they were excited for the opportunity to view the historic statue, especially since the visit coincided with their anniversary. 

We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on the same day that Our Lady of Fatima statue visited the Cathedral,” said Torres. “The Blessed Mother has become an integral part of our faith, our life, and our healings. When our Mother comes to visit us, we come to visit her.” 

The six-day tour began at all three Marian churches in Jennings. Loretta Smith, a parishioner at Our Lady Help of Christians, said she is drawn to the Fatima statue because of what Our Lady told the three shepherd children of how important it is to pray the Rosary. 

“It is very important to listen to her because she is the Mother of God,” said Smith. “When I walked in the church and saw her, I felt a little leap of joy in my heart.” 

Betty Ann Caraway said the statue’s visit for her was like the Blessed Mother telling her, “Come to me, bring all your troubles to me.” 

“For her to come visit now is such a special gift, especially for my family,” Caraway said, “I have a 4-month-old granddaughter going through surgery this morning. For our Blessed Mother to be here today is a great gift. Our Lady does those things for us.” 

Debbie Timpa and Janelle Bruce, parishioners of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley, were among those who traveled to St. John Bosco to be a part of the Fatima story. 

“For people who don’t get to travel to where the apparitions occurred, the statue brings the experience to us,” said Timpa. “You feel like you are a part of the miracle.” 

David Hardy said it was the “Miracle of the Sun” that took place on Oct. 13, 1917, and witnessed by 70,000 people that fascinates him. “Considering the fact that atheist journalists were converted on the spot and shaken to tears is a big mover and shaker for me,” said Hardy. “Our Lady of Fatima has a very special place in my heart. When she has something to say, I listen.” 

The Pilgrim Virgin Statue was sculpted nearly 75 years ago by José Thedim according to precise instructions of Lucia, who said it was the closest resemblance to the Blessed Mother that she had ever seen. 

“When you look into the statue’s eyes, it’s like they are twinkling as she looks back at you,” said Ann Vincent, who participated in the Marian procession. “It’s like she is saying, ‘I hear you; it’s going to be OK.’ I realize as a mother that you can’t navigate anything on your own, so I look toward Our Lady to help me as a mother.” 

Peacefulness and sense of holiness is how Cynthia Matthews described her experience of seeing the statue at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.  

“It is easy to feel so comfortable after praying and talking one on one with the Blessed Mother, like nothing else in the world matters,” Matthews said. “You know she hears you and she is going to intercede for you to her son Jesus. I saw her when I needed her the most. We have had so much sickness among the elderly in our church, some with COVID, some with cancer. It’s been rough.” 

Janet Jones helped prepare a nine-day novena ahead of the statue’s visit at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Prayers for the sick and elderly, return of fallen away Catholics, and direction of the youth were just some of the intentions brought to Our Lady of Fatima. 

When the statue arrived at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, Linda Portie said she could feel the calmness and peace that accompanied her. 

“Her visit was timely because this is a difficult time for so many. Some good friends are suffering with COVID, and some others have cancer, so I brought those special intentions to Our Lady,” said Portie. “I know miracles do happen when she visits.” 

To learn more about helping spread the message of Fatima, visit www.fatimatourforpeace.com.