Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima Centennial Mass and Reconciliation

Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017

Location: Our Lady of Fatima Church - Benton
Contact: Church Office
Phone: (501) 315-5186

The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered at 4 p.m. followed by Mass at 5 p.m. and a reception in McGinnis Hall. This event is part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, which began May 13, 1917. Similar events are being held Sept. 13 and Oct. 13. Those who receive the sacrament the reconciliation and celebrate Mass on one of these dates may gain a plenary indulgence.

In a letter to the people of the Diocese of Little Rock, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor invited Arkansas Catholics to join Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton in celebrating this centennial. "Pope Francis has acknowledged the centennial year and decreed that those who observe the centennial year by praying before an image of Our Lady of Fatima and fulfilling the other, ordinary requirements may receive a plenary indulgence," he wrote. Mary appeared to the children six times from May 13 to Oct. 13, 1917, on the 13th day of each month. However, in August of that year, the children were imprisoned on Aug. 13 and were not able to go to the apparition site until Aug. 19, which is why the event is being held Aug. 19 this month.

Therefore, the Benton parish is offering the sacrament of reconciliation and Mass on these dates to help parishioners gain a plenary indulgence. To learn more, visit Arkansas Catholic. Our Lady of Fatima Church will also be open during daylight hours to welcome visitors daily for the rest of the year. For more information, contact the parish directly at olfchurchsec@gmail.com or (501) 315-5186.