Fatima Shrine marks significant anniversary

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 11, 2007

A new Vatican exhibition, “Eucharistic Miracles of the World,” is making its first appearance in the area this weekend at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston.

It’s part of the shrine’s three-day observance of the 90th anniversary of the 1917 appearance of Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, asking them to pray for conversion and world peace. The Lewiston shrine was established in 1954 and is staffed by the Barnabite fathers.

The traveling exhibition, which the Vatican is sending around the world, includes more than 130 posters that have color photographs or images of various miracles associated with the Eucharist over the course of history. The posters also include explanations of the miracles. The free exhibition will be on display in the shrine cafeteria from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday.

The posters provide an opportunity to learn more about the miracles and reinspire devotion to the Eucharist, said the Rev. Peter Calabrese, CRSP, shrine associate director. “Most of us never get to go and actually see any of them.”

Calabrese was able to see one of the miracles depicted on the posters, a blood-stained host still preserved in Orvieto, Italy. “For me, it was awe-inspiring to see,” he said.

A priest there during the time of Pope Urban IV reportedly was unsure of the belief held by Catholics in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As he held the host for the consecration, blood ran down his hands, staining the host and the altar linens.

Three-Day Observance

The weekend anniversary observance began Friday (Aug. 10) with the opening of the Vatican exhibition and the start of 40 hours of devotion. It ends Sunday with day-long activities, including music, a candlelight procession, recitation of the rosary and the crowning of the statue of Mary atop the basilica.

“Catholics at times will have extended periods of prayer over 40 hours in memory of the 40 hours Christ spent in the tomb,” said Calabrese, CRSP, shrine associate director. He explained that the practice, originally held around Easter, now is used at various times during the year for the purpose of renewal and celebrating special occasions. People are encouraged to come to the shrine and “watch one hour with the Lord,” praying for special intentions such as world peace or an end to disease.

The Rev. Bernard Confer, OP, opened the 40 hours of devotion Friday. Today (Saturday), he will speak on “Our Communion with the Lord” at 2 p.m. and “The True Presence of Jesus” at 7 p.m.

Confer is a Dominican priest who has done advanced studies on Marian theology. A native of Niagara Falls, he attended St. Theresa’s School and is a Bishop Duffy High School graduate. Confer taught at Providence College, was a chaplain at the Dominican monastery in Buffalo, and currently is stationed at St. Mary’s Priory in New Haven, Conn.

Sunday Events

Events on Coronation Sunday begin with a 9 a.m. Mass and solemn closing of the 40 hours of devotion. Mass also will be held at noon and at 5 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., the Parable Players, a group of youth from around the diocese, will present skits on gospel stories on the island in the pond next to the cafeteria.

At 2 p.m., the Lutheran Chorale of the Niagara Frontier will offer a concert of sacred music (both traditional and modern) in the basilica. This is about the third time in four years the Lutheran group has performed at the shrine, Calabrese said.

At 3 p.m., there will be a rosary procession through the shrine grounds that will end at the top of the 75-foot basilica, where a 13-foot statue of Mary stands on a 6-foot pedestal. A jeweled metal crown will be placed on the statue’s head.

“When the crown gets up there, you can see the sun reflecting off it. It’s really beautiful and imposing,” Calabrese said.

At 4 p.m., Voices of Mercy, from St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo, will sing on the island. The group is made up of lay people who serve the homeless and the poor.

The day ends with a candlelight rosary procession on the shrine grounds at 8 p.m.