The 20th anniversary of the Our Lady of Fatima Family Crusade will be celebrated Oct. 11 at San Lorenzo Ruiz Church, Walnut.
Parishioners and devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary will come together to pray the rosary at 4 p.m., followed by Mass at 5 p.m. with Father Tony Astudillo, pastor, presiding.
“The rosary is a powerful evangelization tool which helps bring a family together," said lead coordinator Vangie Sia. “It has made people aware that by praying and meditating the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, things are made possible. All disappointments and hurts are carried by God. Through ‘Mama Mary,’ we all can respond to situations with ease, grace and wisdom."
Our Lady of Fatima Family Crusade began with a handful of families in 1994 led by Sia and fellow parishioners Linda Basilio, Bert Paglinawan and Normie Gamalindo. Each week, beginning on a Sunday, images of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Joseph, Infant Jesus and Our Lady of Nations are brought to a sponsoring family. During the course of the week, rosary prayers are said, using the Pilgrim Virgin's Prayer Book as a guide.
The prayer group grew each time images went from one house to another. At the end of each week, the sponsoring family organizes a fellowship as they give thanks to God for giving them the opportunity to be visited by the Pilgrim Virgin.
“For 20 years, this has been a sacred intent of all families involved in the family crusade: to bring families together and to pray for one another,” said parishioner Tess Domingo. “Seeing families transformed through praying the rosary has given us joy.”
Fellowship, reception and entertainment follow after Mass at San Lorenzo Ruiz’s Velucchi Hall. Images of Our Lady of Fatima may be brought for blessing. Information: (626) 523-8880 or (909) 595-9545.
