Lorens D'Silva

Karwar, Jan 18: Center for World Apostolate of Fatima for the diocese of Karwar was launched by Bishop Derek Fernandes at Molkod recently, in the presence of Bishop Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum and the National Ecclesiastical Advisor for World Apostolate of Fatima. Hundreds of people from all over the diocese and delegates of WAF from Goa and Mumbai were present to celebrate this event along with the Annual Feast of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima at Molkod, near Honavar.

Bishop Derek also designated the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Molkod as a sacred place of Pilgrimage to obtain Indulgences during the Year of Faith. Referring to the historic events that led to the dedication of the Church of Molkod to Our Lady of Fatima in 1934, Bishop hoped that Molkod would one day be termed as the Fatima of the Diocese of Karwar. He also expressed his hope that through the efforts of the people in promoting the message of Fatima and the benevolence of Our Lady of Fatima, it may eventually become a shrine and a pilgrimage center.

Responding to the aspirations expressed by the Bishop, Anthony Dias, recounted the history of Molkod Church. He said, “The island of Molkod has over 200 years of history. A big cross erected by the Catholics on the bank of the river Sharavati was the only place of worship to begin with; and the recitation of the Rosary was the only prayer whenever they gathered as a community. There was no possibility of celebrating the Mass even on the annual feast day. Eventually a chapel was built and was placed under the care of the Parish Priest of San Salvador Church, Honavar, situated on the mainland far away from the island.”

 He also spoke of the role played by Our Lady in the lives of the villagers: “The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was gifted way back in 1934 by the Patriarch of East Indies, Most Rev. Deo Thonio Manuel Vierra de Castro after witnessing the devotion and faith of the people during his pastoral visit to the village. Many people from all walks of life come to Molkod to experience the special graces and favours that Our Lady of Fatima has been bestowing upon them ever since. The people have a strong faith and many vocations to religious life have come from this village.”

Earlier the Bishops were accorded a traditional welcome with a procession from the village entrance to the Church led by the children and people, marching to the tune of the village brass-band.

The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima led the liturgical entrance procession and was placed beside the altar as it is normally done in Fatima. Bishop Peter preached the homily and explained the message of Fatima – prayer, penance and sacrifice. He emphasized the importance of Rosary as a prayer and urged the people recite it together in the family.

After the Holy Eucharist two young girls dressed in white walked swiftly through the aisle to the accompaniment of the music of “Bells of the Angelus”, holding in their hand the crown for Our Lady. As Bishop Derek crowned Our Lady all sang the Fatima hymn - “Ave, Ave, Ave Maria”. Bishop then led the congregation to recite the “Act of Entrustment” composed by Blessed Pope John Paul II, entrusting the families in the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and prayed for peace in the families and the world at large.

Speaking on behalf of the WAF delegates from Goa, Francis Barreto remarked, “In 1917 the First World War was raging, without showing any sure sign of concluding peacefully. Pope Benedict XV, turned to the Blessed Mother of God, and urgently requested all Christians to beg the Virgin Mary to obtain peace in the world, and to solemnly entrust the task to her. The Pope wrote of his plea for peace in a letter dated May 5, 1917 addressed to all the Bishops of the world: He ordered that the invocation, Queen of Peace, pray for us be permanently added to the Litany of Our Lady.

The Blessed Virgin responded to the Holy Father only eight days after he appealed to her, on May 13, by personally appearing herself to the three little children of Fatima and revealed her plan for peace.” He added, “The Virgin still awaits worldwide prayer and penance and we could do much by joining the World Apostolate of Fatima to spread this urgent message and to live the same in our lives.”

Fr Britto D’Silva, Spiritual Advisor for Diocesan World Apostolate of Fatima conducted the felicitation programme and Fr Alphy D’Silva, the parish priest proposed the vote of thanks.