The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of  Our Lady of Fatima visited parishes across the Diocese of Saginaw with the blessing of Bishop Robert Gruss.

The statue is recognized as a primary way the message of Our Lady of Fatima – a Church-approved 1917 apparition of Mary in Portugal – is spread throughout the world. The tour is being organized by the Saginaw Division of the World Apostolate of Fatima (formerly known as the Blue Army).

“It’s such a great blessing for our Diocese  to have Our Lady of Fatima— the world-famous pilgrim statue— come to our area,” said Father Christopher Coman, pastor of Holy Family Church in Saginaw. “It’s a great grace. … It’s not just the statue coming here. Our Lady comes with the statue, and so she’s coming here and she is going to be in our presence.”

“Thank God we have a beautiful Mother, and we get to experience that here,” he said. “This is our Lord working through his Mother. … We give thanks to God for her love and intercession and all that she does for us.”