PROGRAM

Blessed are you because you believed!

On the occasion of the anniversary of the final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima (October 13, 1917), the faithful belonging to diverse associations of Marian spirituality will gather for a Marian Day. For this occasion, the original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be brought to Rome.

Saturday, October 12

7.45 – 12.00

Pilgrimages to the tomb of the Apostle Peter will be led by guides according to particular language groups which are assigned the following times:

                7.45 – 8.00                          English speaking pilgrims;

                8.00 – 8.15                          Spanish, German and Polish speaking pilgrims;

                8.15 – 8.30                          French and Portuguese speaking pilgirms;

                ore 8.30 – 12.00                   Italian speaking pilgrims.

N.B.: At 12:00 St. Peter’s Square will be closed to the public and, thus, all must exit the Square so that the necessary security checks can be made for the gathering with Pope Francis in the afternoon.

9.00 – 12.00

Eucharistic Adoration and the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held in the following churches, all of which are located near to St. Peter’s Square:

San Giovanni dei Fiorentini (Via Acciaioli, 2) – CONFESSIONS in Italian, English, Spanish;

S. Maria in Traspontina (Borgo Sant’Angelo, 15) (a partire dalle 9.30) – CONFESSIONS in Italian, English, Spanish, French, German, Polish, Portuguese;

Cappella di Santa Monica (Piazza del Sant’Uffizio) – EUCHARISTIC ADORATION.

14.30

The opening of the entrance gates to St. Peter’s Square.

16.00

The procession of the original Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in St. Peter’s Square.

All of the pilgrims are invited to bring with them a white handkerchief in order to welcome with the tradition salute the Statue of the Madonna.

17.00

Pope Francis welcomes the Statue of the Madonna of Fatima.

Via Matris and Marian catechesis.

19.00

The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will arrive at the Sanctuary of Divino Amore* and the prayer vigil “With Mary through the night” will begin:

a) Recitation of the Holy Rosary united with those in Marian sanctuaries throughout the world (19.00);

b) Prayer Vigil (from 22.00).

The vigil, “With Mary through the night” is being organized by the Vicariate of Rome and sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

Sunday, October 13

7.30

The opening of the entrance gates to St. Peter’s Square.

9.45

The entrance procession of the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

10.30

Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square presided by Pope Francis.

At the end of the Mass, the act of entrustment by the Pope to the Madonna.

* The Sanctuary of Divino Amore, via del Santuario, Roma – for more information: www.santuariodivinoamore.it.