Local Catholics invite community to annual Rosary Rally to pray for peace and unity
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IDAHO FALLS — Local Catholics invite community members to learn about the Miracle of Fatima and pray for world peace this Saturday at their Rosary Rally.
Celebrated annually on Oct. 13, the Miracle of Fatima, or the Miracle of the Sun, is part of a series of events that occurred in Fatima, Portugal, where three shepherd children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, according to Carlos Estrada, organizer of Saturday’s event. Our Lady of Fatima is another title given to the Virgin Mary.
These apparitions occurred in 1917, from May to October, while World War I was still ongoing. He said that the children were told by the apparition of the Virgin Mary to pray the rosary, share the messages given to them, and that, in return, the war would end that November.
Although the war continued for another year, Oct. 13 was unique because it was the day the Miracle of the Sun occurred, when thousands of people traveled to the town of Fatima to witness a miracle foretold by the three shepherd children, according to local Catholics.
Estrada said what folks reported varied; some saw the sun dance in the sky, and others saw the apparition of the Virgin Mary before them.
According to the Associated Press, it wouldn’t be until 1930 that the apparitions were considered authentic.
For Saturday’s event, the Rosary Rally is a nationwide campaign by America Needs Fatima that plans to hold over 20,000 of these rallies across America. Estrada said the event aims not only to bring people together as a community to learn about one another’s religion, but also to pray for peace and unity.
“There is no need for wars or conflicts, and that has been the main calling of Our Lady,” Estrada said.
Saturday’s rosary rally will mark the 9th year local Catholics have hosted it here in Idaho Falls. He said that it is a great time for folks interested in learning more about the Catholic religion or the rosary itself.
Estrada said children are also invited to participate, as each child will be given flowers to give to a statue of the Virgin Mary.
“It’s gonna be a beautiful event,” Estrada said. “We are calling for unity because, in these divisive times, unity is really important.”
The event will start at 3:30 p.m. at the Snake River Greenbelt Band Stage.