Sam Lesante speaks with the curators of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.
This International Pilgrim Image is said to have cried real tears at one point.
Nov 10, 2012
The Sam Lesante Show
Sam Lesante speaks with the curators of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.
This International Pilgrim Image is said to have cried real tears at one point.
Nov 9, 2012
Sacred Statue visits Scranton Diocese in Pennsylvania
Jun 20, 2012
Di Ionno: Newark worshipers find serenity in eyes of beloved statue
LINK - The Star Ledger
View full sizeParishioners let go of balloons as they sing "Hail Marry" in Spanish.
A few years ago, the statue needed restoration work. Behind the eyes of the statue were serial numbers of certain jewel, carried by a German jeweler, that went into the eyes.
Di Ionno: Newark worshipers find serenity in eyes of beloved statue
Published: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 8:00 AM Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 11:56 AM
EnlargeA close up view of the face of the statue. Our Lady of Fatima, the Virgin Mary statue tied to the appearance in Fatima Portugal will be at the Inmaculado Corazon de Maria church and paraded through the streets of the Ironbound Saturday night. Saturday June 16, 2012. NEWARK, NJ, USA. Photo by (Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger)Our Lady of Fatima statue visits Newark's Ironbound area. gallery (17 photos)
NEWARK — Words can’t quite capture the magic in the lady’s eyes, or the emotions they inspire.
People can’t even find the right word to describe their color.
"I’ve heard everything," said Carl Malberg, the custodian of the Our Lady of Fatima statue. "I’ve heard blue, brown, amber. Those eyes are a mystery to me. Same with the expression. I ask people what expression they see, and no one answers. They can’t put it into words."
Colors, expressions, words, all have earthly limits.
The impact of the statue does not.
The statue has been displayed around the Newark Archdiocese this month, concluding with the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart this weekend.
Last weekend, it came to the Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Newark’s Ironbound, where it was displayed on a stage of blue silk curtains and surrounded by vases of yellow, white and red roses for a 24-hour prayer vigil. On Saturday evening, the statue was delicately lifted from its base and placed on a wooden sedan, with a man at each of the four handles, and other men surrounding it to keep it from being touched.
"We want that robe to stay as white as it is," Malberg said.
It was carried out of the church and paraded on Lafayette and Ferry streets, led by a group of children holding blue and white balloons and singing "Ave Maria" and other Blessed Virgin worship hymns in Spanish. A group of 300 adults, many with white-ensconced candles, followed, reciting the rosary, singing and exalting the presence of the famed statue. Down Ferry Street, they passed open-air bars and restaurants, and the Portuguese shops, many of which had replica statues in the windows.
Immaculate Heart — also known as Immaculado Corazón de Maria — is a Spanish language church now. The neighborhood is not as largely Portuguese as it once was, and the worshipers come from Puerto Rico, Central and South America. Over the weekend, people from the suburbs, too, came to kneel and pray before the statue, and stare into its eyes.
View full sizeParishioners let go of balloons as they sing "Hail Marry" in Spanish.
The mystique of the eyes are part of the statue’s lure. A sign at the base says, "Do Not Touch Her, She Will Touch You." A booklet about the statue encourages people to "look into her eyes" and tells of "more than 30 times" the statue has shed tears in front of hundreds of witnesses.
"When I look in her eyes, I feel something change in me," said Carmen Figueroa, a parishioner. "The way I feel, I can’t understand myself. It’s like I feel peace, and I love everybody. When I close my eyes, I see her, I see something beautiful."
Martha Mager of Caldwell said, "the closer I got, the more it moved me. I felt peaceful, but I also felt a slight chill when I looked into her eyes. But it was a feeling of comfort."
Her friend, Colleen Spina of Morris Plains, said, "the eyes were very telling. I felt they moved. The more I stared at it, the more emotional I became."
Asked the color of the eyes, Spina paused. "Hmm. I’m not sure. Blue? I think they were blue."
The statue is one of two made by sculptor Jose Thedim, described by Malberg as "the Michelangelo of Portugal." Thedim’s white-cloaked Mary, is based on the description given by three children who were visited by the Blessed Mother during the spring and summer of 1917 in Fatima, Portugal.
Thedim’s first statue was so popular with worshipers, it was decided a second statue should be made to visit churches throughout the world, "and bring the message of Fatima to all people," said Patrick Sabat, who with Malberg, travels with it. "And that is a message of good news; that for people who believe, there is still hope in the world."
After the statue was made in 1947, Malberg said, it was blessed by the Bishop of Fatima.
"People right away saw a change in the eyes," he said. "The eyes were never the same after that. They became alive with the spirit of Mary."
A few years ago, the statue needed restoration work. Behind the eyes of the statue were serial numbers of certain jewel, carried by a German jeweler, that went into the eyes.
"When restoration artist got the new jewels," Malberg said. "I can’t use these. They don’t match.’ It was proof the eyes had changed."
And while the Virgin statue only sheds tears occasionally, it evokes tears constantly, from women and men who knelt before it.
"I remember one big, husky guy — he looked like an ex-Marine — came out and told me, ‘The longer I stared at it, the more emotional I got,’ Malberg said. "He was trying not to cry, but couldn’t help it.
"I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it. This is no ordinary statue.’"
Jun 8, 2012
Jun 5, 2012
Feb 19, 2012
Thousands welcome the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima
http://sanfabianparish.blogspot.com/2012/01/thousands-welcome-international-pilgrim.html
Thousands welcome the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima
by Elizabeth N. Terte
11 January 2012 – San Fabian, Pangasinan. “It is truly edifying!” Mr. Carl Malburg, the present custodian of the statue, exclaimed in awe and amazement as he watched the number of devotees who visited the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, where the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima stayed on 9-10 January 2012, grew by the hour.
“The number of devotees who are coming even surpassed the devotees who come on Holy Thursday and Good Friday”, said Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, parish priest of the San Fabian. “The people have been continuously coming in and out of the parish church since Our Lady was brought in the parish church.”
Grace-Filled Visit
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was brought to the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, from the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City after an overnight visit. Parishioners, led by the Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, and the members of the Knights of Columbus, including the K of C Honor Guards, accompanied the transfer from Dagupan City to San Fabian, Pangasinan.
The statue was met at the foot of the Cayanga bridge by hundreds of parishioners. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas was on hand to welcome the statue. The Mayor of San Fabian, Madam Irene F. Libunao and BM Mojamito Libunao, joined the parishioners in welcoming Our Lady in San Fabian. Our Lady arrived in San Fabian shortly after 9:00 AM. Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza put the crown on the head of Our Lady as soon as she was brought out of the vehicle which transported her. The Archbishop led the devotees in the procession going to the parish church.
Waves of White Handkerchiefs
The pupils of Longos Elementary School with their teachers were the first
to welcome the statue as it passed their school. They waved their handkerchiefs, as the Longos Central Elementary School Drum and Lyre played Marian songs.
Pupils and students from the different schools in San Fabian lined up along the processional route to welcome Our Lady. They soon joined the procession in going to the parish church.
Students from the Archdiocesan School of San Fabian, St. Blaise
Christian School, West and East Central Elementary Schools and the San Fabian National High School joined the hundreds of parishioners during the procession.
Archbishop Soc: “San Fabian as Center of Formation of Priests”
Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, presided over the Mass welcoming Our Lady in San Fabian.
Archbishop Soc revealed why of the many parishes in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, it was only in Dagupan and San Fabian that were visited by Our Lady of Fatima.
“San Fabian will soon become the center of formation of our priests”, Archbishop Soc said. “Next month we will start the construction of the Theology Seminary in Palapad (San Fabian). Before Jesus will come, Mary has to come first.”
The Theology Seminary in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
The Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan has assigned a lot in Barangay Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan measuring twenty seven thousand square meters as the future site of the theology seminary.
A pious lady architect who has been a recipient of the papal award Pro
Ecclesia et Pontifice, Architect Susana Castillo, has made the design for the future seminary. Once completed, it will be able to accommodate eighty seminarians who can also take their classes in theology within the same compound.
The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan has already two formation houses
for future priests: the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan and the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.
A massive fund raising campaign is being undertaken by the Archdiocese for the construction of the Theology Seminary which is to begin next month. The Theology Seminary is envisioned to be finished and fully operational by June 2013.
Unending Flow of Devotees
Since the arrival of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the morning of 9 January, it was observed that
there had been continuous flow of devotees visiting and venerating Our Lady. Many had observed that it was like the number of people who go to the church during the Holy Week, or during the fiesta of the town.
Families come to pray in front of the image of our Lady. “It is very touching to see children being led by their parents as they kneel and pray the rosary in front of Our Lady”, Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza observed.
Visit to Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan
A farewell Mass was celebrated on 10 January at 2:00 PM, by Rev. Fr. Genaro Jijune Herramia, the Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of St. Thomas
Aquinas.
Before the image was transferred to the next place to be visited by Our Lady, the Pilgrim Virgin Image was brought to Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, at the location where the Theology Seminary will be built. A short prayer was led by Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza. Marian Songs were sung during the short procession to the topmost part of the hill where the future chapel will be built.
“The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima may leave us, but she will always remain in our hearts.” Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima visits Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan, the site of the Theology Seminary in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagpan
This hill is where the Chapel of the Theology Seminary will be built.
(Elizabeth Terte is a member of the Union of Prayers for Vocation (UPV)of the Parish of St. Fabian. She is also a member of the Parish PREX Secretariat. She is at present the Head Teacher of Palapad Elementary School – ed).
11 January 2012 – San Fabian, Pangasinan. “It is truly edifying!” Mr. Carl Malburg, the present custodian of the statue, exclaimed in awe and amazement as he watched the number of devotees who visited the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, where the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima stayed on 9-10 January 2012, grew by the hour.“The number of devotees who are coming even surpassed the devotees who come on Holy Thursday and Good Friday”, said Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, parish priest of the San Fabian. “The people have been continuously coming in and out of the parish church since Our Lady was brought in the parish church.”
Grace-Filled Visit
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was brought to the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, from the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City after an overnight visit. Parishioners, led by the Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, and the members of the Knights of Columbus, including the K of C Honor Guards, accompanied the transfer from Dagupan City to San Fabian, Pangasinan.
The statue was met at the foot of the Cayanga bridge by hundreds of parishioners. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas was on hand to welcome the statue. The Mayor of San Fabian, Madam Irene F. Libunao and BM Mojamito Libunao, joined the parishioners in welcoming Our Lady in San Fabian. Our Lady arrived in San Fabian shortly after 9:00 AM. Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza put the crown on the head of Our Lady as soon as she was brought out of the vehicle which transported her. The Archbishop led the devotees in the procession going to the parish church.Waves of White Handkerchiefs
The pupils of Longos Elementary School with their teachers were the first
to welcome the statue as it passed their school. They waved their handkerchiefs, as the Longos Central Elementary School Drum and Lyre played Marian songs.Pupils and students from the different schools in San Fabian lined up along the processional route to welcome Our Lady. They soon joined the procession in going to the parish church.
Students from the Archdiocesan School of San Fabian, St. Blaise
Christian School, West and East Central Elementary Schools and the San Fabian National High School joined the hundreds of parishioners during the procession.Archbishop Soc: “San Fabian as Center of Formation of Priests”
Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, presided over the Mass welcoming Our Lady in San Fabian.
Archbishop Soc revealed why of the many parishes in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, it was only in Dagupan and San Fabian that were visited by Our Lady of Fatima.
“San Fabian will soon become the center of formation of our priests”, Archbishop Soc said. “Next month we will start the construction of the Theology Seminary in Palapad (San Fabian). Before Jesus will come, Mary has to come first.”
The Theology Seminary in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
The Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan has assigned a lot in Barangay Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan measuring twenty seven thousand square meters as the future site of the theology seminary.
A pious lady architect who has been a recipient of the papal award Pro
Ecclesia et Pontifice, Architect Susana Castillo, has made the design for the future seminary. Once completed, it will be able to accommodate eighty seminarians who can also take their classes in theology within the same compound.The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan has already two formation houses
for future priests: the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan and the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.A massive fund raising campaign is being undertaken by the Archdiocese for the construction of the Theology Seminary which is to begin next month. The Theology Seminary is envisioned to be finished and fully operational by June 2013.
Unending Flow of Devotees
Since the arrival of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the morning of 9 January, it was observed that
there had been continuous flow of devotees visiting and venerating Our Lady. Many had observed that it was like the number of people who go to the church during the Holy Week, or during the fiesta of the town.Families come to pray in front of the image of our Lady. “It is very touching to see children being led by their parents as they kneel and pray the rosary in front of Our Lady”, Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza observed.
Visit to Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan
A farewell Mass was celebrated on 10 January at 2:00 PM, by Rev. Fr. Genaro Jijune Herramia, the Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of St. Thomas
Aquinas.Before the image was transferred to the next place to be visited by Our Lady, the Pilgrim Virgin Image was brought to Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, at the location where the Theology Seminary will be built. A short prayer was led by Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza. Marian Songs were sung during the short procession to the topmost part of the hill where the future chapel will be built.
“The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima may leave us, but she will always remain in our hearts.” Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima visits Tandagan, Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan, the site of the Theology Seminary in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagpan
This hill is where the Chapel of the Theology Seminary will be built.
Photos and pictures courtesy of Judys Apilado, Violeta Omiles and Weng Nicer (from their Facebook accounts. – ed)
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