EUROPE/PORTUGAL - Celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the apparitions in Fatima - “May the Blessed Virgin Mary show once again her maternal concern for the men and women of our day, often tempted to distance themselves from God”

Fatima (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday 13 May, at the Marian shrine in Fatima, Portugal, a special Mass to mark the 90th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary was presided on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, in the presence of delegations from over 30 different countries. In his address with regard to the message Our Lady gave during those apparitions the Cardinal asked the Mother of God to show once again her "maternal concern for the men and women of our day often tempted to distance themselves from God misled by the ‘Golden Calf' of worldly trivialities". The Cardinal said the fact that many people in Europe are tempted to abandon their faith is a challenge for Catholics today who cannot look on with indifference while Europe sails en route for apostasy. “Together we pray to Our Blessed Mother to illuminate minds and to inspire ‘prodigal sons and daughters’ to make their way back to the House of the Father. We make special mention of the sons and daughters of Europe tempted to abandon the faith which was the continent's vital strength for centuries”, he said.
"Today we entrust the destiny of the peoples and nations of this continent to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for our part we promise to work to put back at the heart of society the leaven of the Gospel which shaped its history for centuries ", he concluded.
On the occasion of the anniversary the local Bishop of Leria-Fátima in a message to the Pope thanked him for sending his Papal Legate as a sign of love, his spiritual presence and his apostolic blessing upon all present. He also assured the Pontiff of profound communion and love on his own behalf and that of all the bishops and people in Portugal. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2007 righe 25 parole 259)