With the celebration of Vespers on May 3rd, the novenarium in honor of Our Lady of Fatima began in the Sanctuary of Soveria Mannelli
Bishop Monsignor Serafino Parisi presided over the solemn rite with the presence of the clergy of the Vicariate of Soveria Mannelli.
Welcomed by the parish priest Don Roberto Tomaino and the Mayor of the city of Reventino, Dr. Michele Chiodo together with the entire municipal administration, also present was the commander of the Soveria Mannelli carabinieri company, Captain Gabriele Migliano.
In a sanctuary packed with numerous faithful, the Bishop first venerated the image of Our Lady of Fatima, an authentic copy donated by Cardinal Marto, Bishop of Leira-Fatima and crowned by Pope Francis on 25 April 2018 and then presided over the Pontifical Vespers.
“In the fullness of time,” the prelate underlined in his homily, “Mary represents the bond between God and men. We are no longer slaves, but children. And so also in a few words Saint Paul, appealing to Mary as Woman, testifies to her task”.
The Bishop then met in the hall of the Sanctuary with the members of the parish pastoral and economic affairs councils of the Vicariate, within the synodal path that the diocesan Church is experiencing.
A moment of dialogue, discussion and sharing about some themes that concern parish life and its testimony of evangelical transparency.
The prayer journey towards May 13 continues with the pilgrimage of the Unitalsi Section of Lamezia Terme which traditionally goes up to Soveria Mannelli to experience a gesture of Marian devotion.
At the end of the Holy Mass, as every evening, the traditional internal procession aux flambeaux will take place, with the image of the Madonna carried on the shoulders of the Unitalsi stretcher bearers this evening.
