It was in 1917 when the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place in Fatima, Portugal. When Our Lady of Fatima first appeared to three little children, one of her comforting and consoling words said was “Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead to God.”

Those words weren’t just meant for the children or the people of Portugal over a century ago. To us here in 2023, after so much suffering through a painful global pandemic and violence of the world, Our Lady of Fatima tells us that those promises of God are irrevocable. God has not forgotten us.

As a reminder of the truth of this promise, it is with great joy that we announce that in May Montclair State's Catholic Newman Center will be visited by the Pilgrim Statue sent from the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. This visit is meant to be a moment of prayer, a renewal of our devotion with the Mother of Heaven and experience of extraordinary grace and blessing that comes from The Son of God and son of Mary - Jesus Christ.

This statue, a special image of Fatima- was crafted by Jose Thedim in 1946, working with one of the original "seers" of Fatima who gave him exact indications about the figure of Our Lady who had appeared to her 29 years earlier. It was created to be sent to those unable to make the pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal themselves, as if to say the Lady of Peace would come to them.

We have been invited to participate in a Rosary, Mass, and fellowship with the students at MSU's Catholic Newman Center on May 7th.

5:00PM: Catechesis: Rise Up and Say “Yes!”

6:15PM: Rosary

7:00PM: Mass

We will provide transportation to MSU from Kean, meeting at 4:15PM in the Vaughn Eames Lot, & provide free dinner for attendees after Mass. Email us to RESERVE YOUR SPOT!