By Jennifer Nunes, St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, our diocesan faith community gathered in joyful devotion to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, which is marked on May 13 on the church calendar each year.

Held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Saskatoon, the annual event this year commemorated the 108th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s first apparition to three shepherd children in 1917.

The celebration began with celebration of the Eucharist, reverently presided over by diocesan Vicar-General and St. Mary Pastor Fr. Kevin McGee, along with concelebrants Fr. Phong Pham and Fr. Luke Tran.

In his homily, Fr. McGee reminded the assembly that in this Jubilee Year, we are all called to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The cherished tradition of honouring our Lady of Fatima at St. Mary Parish has been part of diocesan life since the 1980s, when Maria Silveira, inspired by deep love for Our Lady, generously entrusted to St. Mary Parish a replica statue of Our Lady of Fatima—modelled after the one in the Chapel of Apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. The offering was not merely a gift, but a profound act of faith and devotion—a spiritual legacy that continues to bear fruit in the hearts of the faithful through renewed prayer and trust in the Blessed Mother’s intercession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosary procession

Following Mass, the faithful took to the streets of Saskatoon in a traditional rosary procession, with pilgrims from many parishes in the diocese honouring our Blessed Mother with hearts full of devotion.

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried through the streets around St. Mary Catholic Church with great reverence, accompanied by pilgrims praying the rosary and singing the cherished hymn A Treze de Maio.

Among the participants were three children dressed as the little shepherds of Fatima — Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and Sister Lucia dos Santos, OCD — who were entrusted with the heavenly messages from Our Lady of Fatima.

The procession included sacred symbols of Catholic faith: the Holy Cross, incense, holy images, banners, the rosary, and little girls dressed as angels. It was also a radiant display of our cultural richness, as pilgrims carried flags and wore traditional clothing from many nations—testifying that, although we come from different cultures, we are united in one faith, one Church, and one love for Our Blessed Mother and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The parish and event organizers extended heartfelt thanks to Saskatoon Police Service for their support and protection during the annual procession, and to the City of Saskatoon for enabling this public act of faith and devotion.

Our Lady of Fatima has led countless souls to deeper prayer, conversion, and peace through her message and motherly presence. She gently invites us to open our hearts to God’s grace, and — like a true Mother — always shows us the way to her Son. Under her mantle, may we continue our journey together as faithful pilgrims of hope.

May Our Lady of Fatima continue to intercede for us and lead us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!”

May our devotion to Our Lady of Fatima bear fruit in our lives, drawing us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. Let us continue to walk in faith, hope, and love, under her maternal mantle. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

 

Concluding prayers and traditional hymn

Following the procession, the faithful gathered once more in prayer to conclude the religious part of the celebration in the sanctuary of St. Mary Church.

With hearts full of gratitude, pilgrims sang Uma Prece Final – One Final Prayer, the traditional farewell hymn to Our Lady of Fatima, which is sung in the sanctuary at Fatima, Portugal, at the close of pilgrimages.

As is tradition in Fatima, pilgrims raised and waved white handkerchiefs during the closing hymn—an expression of affection, reverence, surrendering and farewell to Our Lady, entrusting their prayers to her maternal heart as they depart. This simple yet deeply symbolic gesture is a moving reminder that, though we depart from her image, we remain always under her loving gaze and protection.

The hymn echoes the tender love of the faithful for Our Lady, with lyrics such as: “If we leave, O Virgin Mother, / With your blessing we shall go; / Hearts renewed, with hope rekindled, / Joy and peace you did bestow. / O Virgin Mary, Farewell / O Mother dear, Farewell!”

 

 

Community gathers for food and fellowship

After concluding the sacred portion of the celebration in honour of Our Lady of Fatima, the pilgrims came together in joyful fellowship in the church hall to continue the feast with a potluck supper.

In true Catholic spirit, the meal was a beautiful reflection of the richness of our faith family—an incredible abundance of delicious foods lovingly prepared and shared by people from many different cultures and backgrounds. Dishes from around the world filled the tables, a joyful symbol of the unity we find in our diversity, rooted in one faith and one family in Christ.

Fellowship is an essential part of our Catholic life. From the earliest days of the Church, the faithful gathered not only for prayer and the breaking of the bread, but also to support one another, share in one another’s joys and burdens, and build authentic Christian community. As Scripture reminds us: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, tothe breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

Moments like these—gathering together after prayer to eat, laugh, and share—strengthen the bonds of love that unite us as the Body of Christ. They remind us that the Church is not just a building, but a living family, walking together in faith.

Thanks to the generosity of all who contributed and for the gift of community that makes our church a true spiritual home.

Ordination anniversaries

During the potluck supper, pilgrims also gathered in joyful thanksgiving to celebrate the 28th anniversary of ordination of Fr. Kevin McGee and Fr. Phong Pham, who were both ordained on May 17, 1997, and whose unwavering “yes” to God has borne fruti in countless lives. Their love, service, and quite witness to Christ have been a blessing in our community and beyond. We thank God for the gift of their vocation, and ask Our Lady of Fatima to continue to walk with them as her spiritual sons.

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Photos and reports were previously published on the St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon Facebook Page – LINK.

Diocesan communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.