The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, known for its miraculous intercession among devotees, arrived yesterday in Bacolod City for a two-day visit.

Also known as the “Crying Madonna”, the pilgrim image arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport on board the 1 p.m. flight from Manila and made a stop at the Barangay Sang Virgen Shrine and San Diego Parish in Silay and in St. Nicholas de Tolentino Church in Talisay before proceeding to the Our Lady of Fatima Church in Bacolod City.

Fr. Ernie Larida, its parish priest, said this is the second time for the pilgrim image to visit the Philippines.

The image arrived last week in Manila and will leave for Cebu tomorrow, Larida said.

After the 5 p.m. concelebrated mass at the Fatima Church yesterday, members of various lay organizations in the Diocese of Bacolod spent the night with the image inside the church, saying the Holy Rosary while holding a vigil.

A dawn mass at 5 a.m. this morning was to be celebrated at the Fatima Church, followed by a procession to the San Sebastian Cathedral where the image will stay the whole day today. It will leave for Cebu early morning tomorrow, Larida said, adding, “The pilgrim image brings the message of calling for world peace and reparation of sins,” he added.

The pilgrim image of the Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal, has traveled the world and has visited countries such Russia and China.

The image was sculpted in 1947 by Jose Thedim, based on the description of Sr. Lucia, one of the three children who saw the apparition of Mary the mother of Christ from May to October 1917 in Fatima, Portugal.

On October 13, 1947, the statue was blessed by the Bishop of Leiria at Fatima, Portugal to be the pilgrim, the traveler, and was sent out to visit different countries bringing the message of hope and world peace.*NAB

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