What is the Virgin of Fatima Association?

The movement of "Virgin of Fatima"Associations throughout the world work in communion with the Holy Father, the bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic Church. They bring together, under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima, more than half a million faithful, and take great joy in being an extension of the voice and hands of the Church in the New Evangelization.

Adapting themselves to the places and circumstances where they work, various methods of action are employed, aiming to bring an evangelizing message to the greatest number of people possible by:

• the distribution of books containing current spiritual themes;
  

• the distribution of informative bulletins and other publications about Marian devotion and the teaching of the Holy Father;
  

• the co-ordination and formation of parish groups intent on fulfilling the practice of the First Saturday Communion of Reparation;
  

• pilgrimages of several beautiful statues of Our Lady of Fatima to homes, educational institutions, etc.;
  

• animating and assisting liturgical celebrations;
  

• religious and cultural formation of youth;
  

• organization of cultural events (especially in the field of music);
  

• promotion of encounters among laity willing to commit themselves to the New Evangelization;
  

• and more.

From within these Catholic Associations arose a group of consecrated lay people, forming an International Private Association of the Faithful, called the Heralds of the Gospel, which was recently granted Pontifical Approval as an Association of Pontifical Right.

Its members are mainly young people, both male and female, who all practise celibacy and dedicate themselves fully to evangelization. Their houses are spread over 30 countries and they alternate between a life of recollection, study and prayer as well as apostolic activities in diverse dioceses and parishes, with a special emphasis on youth ministry. They number approximately 2,000. In Canada, their houses are located in the Archdioceses of Toronto and Montreal as well as the Diocese of Hamilton.

As a mandate to continue their work of Evangelization, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of their Pontifical approval, addressed these words:

"Greetings, in a special way, to the large group from the International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, Heralds of the Gospel. By being faithful to the Church and its Magisterium, may you remain united to your Pastors and courageously proclaim Christ Our Lord throughout the world. Be messengers of the Gospel through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

From within Canada, we received the following letter of encouragement from Bishop John Sherlock of London, Ontario:

I am certain that this pontifical approval will galvanize your membership into evermore devoted efforts on behalf of evangelization. I am happy, by this letter, to support the efforts that you have already initiated in the Diocese of London.

From Bishop Denis Croteau, O.M.I., from the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith:

"I would like to commend (...) the Heralds of the Gospel. What a beautiful way of bringing the message of salvation to the people at large. I will certainly keep you and the members of your Association in my prayers. I wish you God's most bountiful blessings in a ministry that is exceptional and full of promises"

From the Most Reverend Sleiman Hajjar, Eparch of the Greek-Melkite Catholics in Canada:

"I encourage you to go ahead in your mission to make known, through the beauty of music, the person of Christ and the beauty of His Gospel"

Dear Friend, you too can participate in this beautiful work! Let us all work together in the Christianization of our nation. By uniting our efforts to make the third millennium an era of thriving Faith, may we come to realize the promising words of Our Saviour, "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

E-mail us at vfa@virginfatima.org or contact us by phone at (905) 939-0807 or fax (905) 939-9778.

If you prefer contact us by mail:

P. O. Box 698, Nobleton, ON, L0G 1N0