Faithful gather to pray rosary to celebrate the “Miracle of the Sun”

October 14, 2017 (Story by Mason Beecroft - Eastern Oklahoma Catholic) 
Catholics throughout the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma joined approximately 20,000 other rallies worldwide to pray the rosary at noon today to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the “Miracle of the Sun,” or “The Day the Sun Danced,” that took place on October 13, 1917 near Fatima, Portugal. The miracle was viewed by 70,000 or more people that day and is reported to have been seen from as far as 25 miles away.

    In addition to the several “Rosary Rallies” held in the diocese, St. Michael Radio sponsored a 5K “Rosary Run” in downtown Tulsa that started and concluded at Holy Family Cathedral to benefit their mission of proclaiming the Catholic faith through their radio ministry. At every kilometer, participants had the opportunity to stop at a marker to pray one of the joyful mysteries. Then, between each marker there were 10 smaller markers, each signifying a Hail Mary.

    The Rosary Rallies and Rosary Run anticipate the arrival of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Oklahoma next week. The statue is taking a two-year tour through the United States and will arrive at St. John Before the Latin Gate in Bartlesville on Thursday, Oct. 19 and will be present at the school Mass on Oct. 20 at 8:15 a.m. The statue will be present for veneration until 6 p.m. After veneration at St. John before the Latin Gate, it will depart for Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa with veneration beginning at approximately 8 p.m. 

    The statue will be there for the 8 a.m. Mass on Oct. 21 and remain for veneration until 1:30 p.m. and then travel to the Discipleship Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) at the Union Performing Arts Center in Tulsa for a 4 p.m. Mass. St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Okmulgee will then host the statue on Oct. 22 beginning at 8 a.m. The statue will then depart for the Dallas area at 5 p.m.

    The prayer rallies are organized by America Needs Fatima and their website can be found at americaneedsfatima.org. Also, more information about the mission and programming of St. Michael Radio can be found at stmichaelradio.com. For expanded coverage of Our Lady of Fatima and the visit of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue, please see the October issue of the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic or visit www.fatimatourforpeace.com.