Dear Friend, 

Earlier this year, I introduced you to Angelina and Alex, two students at St. Joseph Academy in San Marcos, California who were taking a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, on March 19 and volunteered to take all of your intentions and pray for them throughout the pilgrimage. 

Prior to their trip, students were able to venerate first class relics of Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco, two of the children to whom Our Lady had appeared at Fatima.

I must tell you that the pilgrimage changed their lives. Alex said that since his return, he has been drawn closer to praying the Holy Rosary daily.  He feels more aware of Our Lady’s importance and presence in his life everyday and spending more time in prayer.  This was put in his heart after experiencing the beauty of the churches and the powerful spiritual presence of Our Lady in the sanctuary shrine, where the reverence he said: “was so evident, that it deeply touched me.” 

Angelina felt grateful to see the homes of the three shepherd children, Saints Jacinta, Francisco and the Servant of God, Sister Lucy. “They were poor – normal children, going through life when Our Lady appeared to them. Many did not believe the apparitions but they remained faithful.” Angelina was inspired by this and said: “no matter who you are or where you come from in life, you can always go to Our Lady for help and comfort.” 

Most especially, Angelina and Alex both felt that Our Lady was very close to them, with an unbelievable, peaceful presence.

Alex and Angelina took all of your intentions that were printed out with them, along the entire pilgrimage, that were prayed for.  Have you received an answer to your prayer intentions?  Please share this with me; I would like to know how Our Lady of Fatima responded to the prayer intentions that you submitted.

Here are some photos Alex and Angelina wanted to share with you:

This is the house of Lucia dos Santo, the oldest of the three shepard children who witnessed the visions in Fatima in 1917.

This is one of the places where Our Lady appeared to the three children, very green and beautiful.

This is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. We could see it perfectly from our hotel balcony.

This is where another appearance of Our Lady occurred. It's in the middle of the pathway that contains the stations of the cross.

Cathedral of St. Mary Major. The detail in the architecture and stained glass was incredible.

Please keep Alex and Angelina in your prayers, as well as all Catholic youth, as they are the future of our church. May Our Lady of Fatima continue to draw souls closer to her son, Jesus. 

Wishing you a blessed Easter.

Sincerely yours in Jesus and Mary,

Thomas McKenna

Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
http://www.catholicaction.org/

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