Whether they remained for a few minutes or for several hours, every one of the more than 200 people who visited St. Josaphat Ukrainain Catholic Cathedral on Sunday, July 17, had a unique experience with Our Lady of Fatima.

For most of that day, our Cathedral had the honor of welcoming the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima, sculpted in 1947 according to the description of Sister Lucia, one of the three children who saw Our Lady each month from May to October, 1917.

The statue, sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima, is on an international journey to mark the 100th anniversary of the apparaitions at Fatima, Portugal.  It was brought to the Cathedral through the Apostleship of Prayer.  Our Lady was reverently displayed at St. Josaphat, and many people prayed on their knees in front of her during the day and into the evening.

Over the years, many spiritual gifts have been attributed to the presence of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima, including the sudden conversion of a stubborn heretic, and the enlightenment of those who had resisted praying to Our Lady or to the saints.

At least 150 people joined Fr. Bohdan Barytsky, Fr. Joseph Matlak, and Archdeacon Jeffrey Smolilo in an evening rosary, Moleben, and procession around the Cathedral to conclude a faith filled day that brought many graces.