The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima visited St. Elizabeth Church in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan on Thursday, May 16, and the day-long Spanish-language event included processions, a talk on Fatima and the Eucharist, and a closing Mass at 7 p.m. 

The pilgrim statue has been visiting parishes (May-July) along the National Eucharistic Revival Seton Route in prayerful preparation for the Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage. St. Elizabeth was the only Archdiocese of New York parish visit. The talk on Fatima and the Eucharist was given by the statue’s custodian, Patrick Sabat. The statue is from the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, in Asbury, New Jersey.             

“I came here today to be with the other people, to be together in prayer with fellow Catholics,”  Luis Manuel Alonso, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth, told The Good Newsroom at the church after participating in a mid-afternoon Praying of the Rosary. “I am very grateful for all of this – this special day.” Alonso is a married father of two sons, ages 16 and 20.          

Also at the church was Melania Chrysostom, a St. Elizabeth parishioner, who said, “It was very important to participate in the prayer, during this Pentecost time. It is a day to reflect, to pray and to listen in the subconscious when the Lord speaks to us.” She noted the importance of the Fatima pilgrim statue visit, and of conversion during these days of Pentecost and Eucharistic Revival. She also attends Mass at the nearby St. Frances Cabrini Shrine, and is a married mother of a grown son and a grown daughter.       

Musical accompaniment for the several dozen people at the mid-afternoon Rosary Prayer was provided by a singer-guitarist, Marileida Ulerio, who is a parish member. The closing Mass was celebrated by Father James Sheridan, parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth.   

There are 13 Fatima Pilgrim Statues, which travel the world on a mission to spread peace and hope. After numerous outings, the first Pilgrim Virgin was enthroned in the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and leaves it only on special occasions. May 13 is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima.