By Tony C. Diaz | The Pacific Voice

The International Fatima Statue stands inside San Juan Bautista Church in Ordot during its visit to Guam in 2006. (File photo by Tony C. Diaz)

October is the month of the Holy Rosary and for Catholics on Guam, prayer time with Our Blessed Virgin Mary will be even sweeter as a well-known statue of Our Mother returns to our shores.

Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron and Archdiocese of Agana officials are finalizing plans welcoming the return of the International Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the island October 1-21.

Thousands filled Guam’s Catholic churches the last time this particular symbol of our beloved Blessed Mother came to the island in 2006. The statue was on Guam November 18 to December 10 of 2006 and visited 23 of our Catholic churches as well as the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary, St. Dominic’s Senior Care Home, the Skilled Nursing Unit and Archbishop Anthony’s residence at the Chancery.

The Archdiocese’s Division of Pastoral Ministries along with the Campus Ministry Newman Center is coordinating this upcoming visit

Numerous Catholics followed the statue wherever it went on Guam during its last visit, some going to every single parish the statue of Our Mother visited.

The faithful prayed and meditated on the messages of peace and faithfulness to Our Lord that Mother Mary has for the world. They also listened to a series of talks by the caretaker of the Fatima statue.

The statue travels throughout the world bringing Mother Mary’s message of peace, prayers and unqualified obedience to our Lord Jesus. Its caretaker, Carl Marlsburg, is expected to accompany the Fatima statue once again and will be speaking to Guam’s faithful during the pilgrimage.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be an important part of the activities during each visit to Guam parishes.

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Editor’s note – The Office of Youth, Young Adults, which includes the Newman Center Campus Ministry, is part of the Archdiocese of Agana’s Division of Pastoral Ministries. Our work and ministries receive valuable support and grant funding by the Catholic Church Extension Society.