26 november, 2016
The Jubilee Year is «a year of grace and commitment» says the rector of the Shrine of FatimaFr. Carlos Cabecinhas participated this Saturday at the Opening Day of the new pastoral year, in Cova da Iria
The Jubilee Year, «solemnly » inaugurated this Sunday with the passing of the Jubilee Portico and with the dominical Eucharist in the Basilica of Most Holy Trinity, is «a year of special grace» that invites «all the pilgrims to commitment» declared the rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas at the Opening Day of the Jubilee Year, that took place this afternoon in the Good Shepherd’s Hall, in the Pastoral Center Paul VI, in Fatima. «The Jubilee Year is a special year of grace. The pilgrims who, during this period, visit the Shrine, participate in a celebration or prayer, can receive the Indulgence of God, the expression of His mercy towards us», said the rector of the Shrine of Fatima. «The Jubilee Year is a year of commitment to God and our brothers, by welcoming the challenges of the message of Fatima and of the example of life of the little shepherds», added the rector underlining that for it is a particularly festive year, «the rhythm of this jubilee of the first Centennial of the Apparitions will be marked by the celebrations». «By celebrating the great event of Fatima, we give thanks to God for all the blessings He spread over us in Fatima, by means of the message delivered in this place and its protagonists», also said Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas To mark and «emphasize the festive feature of this Jubilee Year», the Shrine offers the pilgrims some signs and gestures namely the Jubilee Portico, inspired by the festive arch that in 1917 marked the place of the apparitions and under which Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia had their picture taken; the Jubilee Itinerary of the Pilgrim which is a prayer proposition to all the pilgrims who come to the Shrine during this year and the Jubilee Prayer of Consecration, of entrustment to Mary, in order to consecrate ourselves, with her, to God. The rector had also explained the meaning of the chosen theme for this pastoral year: “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God”, which the starting point is the apparition of October 1917. «Starting from this inspiring sentence, we are invited, throughout this pastoral year, to reflect on the place of Mary in the history of salvation, to recognize that “the Lord has made wonders” in and through Mary, to let us guide by her to God and to give thanks to God for the gift of the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima», declared the rector underlining once more the fact that the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is «the soul of the message of Fatima» and the element that unites all its dimensions. The Jubilee Year, initiated now, will go on until November 26th, 2017. |
