We must carry the message of Our Lady of Fatima to the wider community, said the preacher at the July Marian Devotions at Laventille Shrine.

That message, continued Fr George Pritchett, is a message of salvation.
“We all must carry that message, and others must see it in our hearts…we must be witnesses by our lives.”

The Emmanuel Community priest spoke on the Marian apparitions a tFatima at last Sunday’s devotions. He emphasised that the Blessed Virgin did not appear at any “centre of communication” of the day, like London or Rome, but an obscure village in Portugal, to three children.

Rudolph Le Cointe accompanies students of Success RC School at last Sunday’s Laventille Devotions. Raymond Syms photo

He said it was “our responsibility” to live the message of love as it was the message of God. We are sent by God to carry that message to those we meet, he added, and if we are faithful to the calling, God will use us.

“We bear the witness, He does the converting.” He urged the congregation to follow Mary’s peace plan of prayer, sacrifice, patient bearing of trials and suffering, and daily fulfilment of our lives.

Fr Pritchett said we must remember that as Christians we are a people on a mission to bring God’s love to the world. This mission is “the mission of the Church” he ended.

As in May and June, the afternoon of devotions began with a walk from a venue within walking distance of the shrine. Last Sunday, the walk began from St Dominic’s church, Morvant. It was led by members of the Woodbrook-based pro-life Emmanuel Community, bearing a statue of Our Lady of Fatima on a bed of flowers.

At the shrine, the recitation of the Rosary and the singing was led by students of Success RC School. Students also did the readings for the Mass which followed devotions. Archbishop Gilbert presided over the devotions and conducted the Benediction.

Last Sunday’s devotions fell on the feast of Our Lady of Carmel and emcee Pat Fletcher extended greetings to all present who celebrate the feast day. There was a smaller than usual crowd, perhaps due to the rainy weather.