Denver Catholic

13 DENVER CATHOLIC | MARCH 25-APRIL 7, 2017 Independent & Assisted Living Nursing • Medicare Rehabilitation In-Home Care • Out-Patient Therapy There is a place that's just waiting for you to experience senior living as it should be — St. Andrew's Village. Acting your age is not a requirement. Acting how you feel is always encouraged! Whether splashing in the pool, enjoying our Happiest Hour with friends and neighbors, or an evening of fine dining where our staff knows your favorite drink, you'll feel years younger and enjoy every minute of it. Ask about a Priority Reservation. Call 303.695.8100 for lunch and a visit! Click StAndrewsVillage.net Feeling Young at Heart? We know just the place. . . EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY I f you can't travel to Portugal this year for the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, take heart, Mary has come to visit you. The International Pilgrim Virgin statue, which was carved and blessed in Fatima, Portugal, is in the Denver and Colorado Springs dioceses now through April 8. "Mary comes to visit her children," Carl Malburg, custodian, told the Denver Catholic. "[She] goes to distant places to see the people who can't visit Fatima." On May 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima and again on the 13th of each month through October, bringing the world a message of conversion, prayer and penance. The three young seers were Lucia dos Santos, 10, and her cous- ins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, 9 and 7 respectively. At the last apparition, which included the famed "miracle of the sun" wit- nessed by thousands and reported by newspapers, Mary called herself "the Lady of the Rosary." The Church later declared the appa- ritions worthy of belief. "The fi rst Pilgrim Virgin statue was commissioned and blessed in 1947 by the bishop of Fatima so everyone could learn about the Fatima message," Mal- burg said. It was sculpted by Jose Thedim based on the description of Lucia, who had become a Carmelite nun. "The original one was very busy, but after 25 to 30 years they retired it," Malburg said. "What I and others have are (hand-carved) copies of the origi- nal. The bishop (of Fatima) recognizes about 12 or 15." People are captivated by the beauty of the statue and feel Mary's presence, Malburg said. "When we look at pictures of people, we feel closer to them," he said. "That's the moral presence. That moral presence is very strong in the statue. … You really can't explain it without experiencing it." The Fatima message of conversion, prayer and penance is as relevant today as it was when given 100 years ago, Mal- burg said. "We've already had three popes in the 21st century and they've all said its more relevant today than then," he said. "Pope Francis will be in Fatima on May 13, the 100th anniversary. Why would the pope choose to travel to that spot? He wants to remind people to be even more aware of Fatima and its importance." The Pilgrim Virgin statue will be at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immacu- late Conception March 18 and at Regis University March 28-29. It will also visit several Catholic grade schools and parishes. The tour will conclude with a pro-life procession and rosary in front of Planned Parenthood in Glenwood Springs. For the complete schedule, visit pilgrimvirginstatue.com and click on "tour" then "Colorado." CREATE A VISION FOR YOUR MARRIAGE When preparing for marriage, it's also important to have the question in mind: What is it that God wants to reveal to the world through your marriage? Father Fox recommended coming up with a two, fi ve and 25 year vision for your marriage, even adding little things like making it a goal to embarrass your chil- dren with your a© ection for each other. "What is your vision for your rela- tionship? I think having a vision is critical. What would we like people to say about us as a couple?" Father Fox said. "Start [your] mission as a couple by going to a charitable organization. [Your] being married is a mission from God, and reveals God's heart to the world. Get to know what poverty is, and make that a part of a mission…then it begins to give focus to [your] marriage." "We believe marriage is not only possible, but [that] your vision and God's vision for your marriage should get closer every day of your married life," Father Fox added. Whether you're engaged or still discerning, these four tips can help you prepare for the sac- rament of marriage. STOCK PHOTO BY ROXANNE KING editor_king@icloud.com @RoxanneIKing Fatima centenary brings Mary to CO Fatima Pilgrim statue in Denver, Colorado Springs through April 8 Mary comes to visit her children. [She] goes to distant places to see the people who can't visit Fatima." CARL MALBURG Custodian " For complete schedule, visit pilgrimvirginstatue.com.

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