12 october, 2009
Besides the preparation, in a festive atmosphere, of the visit of Holy Father Benedict XVI, which will coincide with the tenth anniversary of the beatification of seers Francisco and Jacinta Marto (May 13, 2000), the Shrine of Fatima also marks, in 2010, the Birth Centennial of Jacinta Marto.
That announcement was made by the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima during the anniversary pilgrimage of October:
“In 2010 we will try to establish, in continuation with previous years, a connection between the Tenth Commandment- Thou shall not covet the goods of thy neighbor – and the celebration of the Birth Centennial of Blessed Jacinta. We have sought a positive formulation for a theme which could help us to propose something based on Scripture or on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and which could, at the same time, capture a fundamental facet of the life of Jacinta Marto. We came up with the key phrase, or slogan, “Share with joy, like Jacinta”. In fact, Jacinta Marto possesses this quality. She is that child who is always available for God and for others, namely, in the practice of sacrifices, in prayer and in almsgiving. We think that, with that key phrase in mind, we can make a reflection, a catechesis, which would, at different levels, appeal to sharing, to love of neighbor, to generosity, solidarity, amongst other things”.
In the context of the celebration of this Centennial, there will held in June – on a date and with a program still to be announced - a congress that will start off with the life and testimony of Jacinta Marto. Also, during the annual Children’s Pilgrimage, on June 9/10, the little seer of Fatima will be the inspiring figure.
Also, in this concrete context of the commitment of the Shrine of Fatima to the children and youth pastoral ministry, the institution plans to organize on the third Saturday of the month, from December 2009 on, a program specially addressed to children, marked by times of prayer and catechesis.
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