Islands Prayers Foi
pp. 72-73 · Read in the full issue
Peace
Mystic Statue Arouses Religious Fervour
IN the latter part of 1951, ther was a remarkable religious de monstration in all the principe islands of the South Pacific.
Under the direction of the Roma: Catholic Church, the statue of Ou Lady of Fatima, in the care of tw priests—one from Portugal and on from Belgium—was exhibited i public in New Guinea, Solomon New Caledonia, New Hebrides. Fij Western and Eastern Samoa, an French Oceania. In every islan visited, there were memorab] scenes of religious fervour.
It is believed that a mirac] occurred near the village of Fatimi in Portugal in 1917, when tb Blessed Virgin appeared repeated] before certain children, and prc phesied the end of World War : the outbreak of World War I] and the spread of Communism. T avoid wars, men were urged t amend the manner of their live Subsequently, a statue was cor structed, to memorise the appari tion, and it stood for many yeai near Fatima, on the spot wher the miracle occurred.
In 1947, the Pope directed that the statute be taken on a pilgrimage around the world, which will occupy some ten years. Its purpose is to stimulate the prayers of the people
for peace.
Apart from its religious and sym bolic character, the campaign is re garded as a direct challenge to the insidious, under-cover campaign of the Communists against religion.
Already the image has been shown in 50 countries, and —if the fervour of the masses of followers of the Catholic Church is any indication — this religious appeal for world peace has been phenomenally successful.
The appeal is based on the essential mysticism of the Catholic Church, and consequently the scenes which have attended the appearance of the statute in the South Pacific Islands have been a little puzzling to non-Catholics.
But all classes in all the Islands visited have accepted these de monstrations with respect; and in many places non-Catholics, recog nising the high purpose of the visit, have joined with the Catholics in their prayers that World War 111 may be avoided and the menace of Anti-Christ (which Communism re presents) may be swept away.
Typical of scores of Islands scenes, as the statue was exhibited in the public streets. This photograph was taken in Western Samoa. Father Jepson, of Apia, walks beside the Belgian priest who is carrying the statue to the Church. (Super- Bash Studio.)