OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE - KARJAT

Our Lady of Fatima is a title given to the Virgin Mary in connection with her apparitions to three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos, and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto—in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. The apparitions are considered among the most significant Marian events in Catholic history.

Key Details about Our Lady of Fatima:

1. The Apparitions:

   - The Virgin Mary appeared six times between May 13 and October 13, 1917, to the three children while they were tending sheep in the fields near the village of Fatima. 

   - Mary identified herself as the "Lady of the Rosary" and called for prayer, repentance, and conversion.

   - The central message was a call to pray the Rosary daily for world peace and the conversion of sinners.

2. The Miracle of the Sun:

   - On October 13, 1917, during the final apparition, a crowd of over 70,000 people witnessed the "Miracle of the Sun," where the sun appeared to dance, change colors, and move erratically in the sky before returning to its normal state. This event was seen as a sign validating the children’s accounts.

3. The Three Secrets of Fatima:

   - The apparitions included revelations that became known as the Three Secrets of Fatima:

     - First Secret: A vision of hell where souls suffer due to sin.

     - Second Secret: Prophecies related to World War II and the spread of communism, along with a call for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

     - Third Secret: A symbolic vision involving the persecution of the Church, which was officially released by the Vatican in 2000 and linked to the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

4. The Devotion:

   - Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima centers on the Rosary, penance, and making reparations for the sins of the world. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is also a key aspect of this devotion, symbolizing her love and suffering for humanity.

   - The First Saturday devotion, where the faithful receive Communion, pray the Rosary, meditate, and go to Confession on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, was requested by Our Lady as a means of reparation.

5. Fatima Shrine:

   - The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal is now one of the most visited Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims each year, particularly on May 13 and October 13, the anniversary dates of the first and last apparitions.

6. Canonization of the Visionaries:

   - Francisco and Jacinta Marto were canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017, the centennial anniversary of the apparitions, making them the youngest non-martyrs to be declared saints. Lucia, the third visionary, became a Carmelite nun and her cause for canonization is in process.

7. Significance in Catholicism:

   - The apparitions of Fatima have had a profound impact on the Catholic Church, particularly in the 20th century. The messages emphasize the need for conversion, prayer for peace, and devotion to Mary as an intercessor.

   - Pope John Paul II had a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, attributing his survival of the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981, to her intercession.

These elements combine to make Our Lady of Fatima an enduring figure of hope, peace, and devotion in the Catholic faith.

The Our Lady of Fatima Church in Karjat holds the distinction of being the first church in India and Asia to be named and dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. This shrine is a remarkable gift and blessing to the Archdiocese of Bombay, with a rich history tied to the devotion to Our Lady, dating back to the early 20th century. The church is home to a beautifully carved wooden statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which was brought to India from Fatima, Portugal, in 1920.

Karjat: A Place of Pilgrimage

Though Karjat Railway Station is popularly known for its famous local snack, the "vada pav," for many Catholics, Karjat is significant as a pilgrimage site due to the presence of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, located adjacent to the station. This church has become a spiritual haven for those seeking peace and the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima. 

Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three young Portuguese shepherd children from Aljustrel received apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria, near Fatima, a city located 110 miles north of Lisbon, Portugal. This event, marked by a call for repentance, devotion to the Rosary, and world peace, took place during the tumultuous time of World War I. The apparitions gained global attention, and the name Fatima—an Arabic name meaning "abstainable" and coincidentally the name of the sister of the Prophet Muhammad—became synonymous with the Virgin Mary's message of peace and hope.

Arrival of the Statue and Construction of the Church

During this period, Portugal was also undergoing political upheaval, having overthrown its monarchy in 1910. The new government disbanded religious organizations, leading many missionaries to flee and establish missions elsewhere. It was during this time, in 1920, that the elegantly carved wooden statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which now graces the main altar of the church at Karjat, was brought from Portugal to India. 

The history of the Karjat mission began even earlier. On March 5, 1915, Fr. Aniceto Pereira, then the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Matheran, purchased a plot of land close to Karjat Station from Pestonji Bhikaji Balaporria and Ardesan Pestonji Bhikaji on behalf of the Bishop of Daman. This land was intended for the construction of the church for the Roman Catholic Mission, Karjat. At that time, there were not many Catholics in the area, except for the railway workers, as Karjat had become a hub for railway workshops, particularly for steam engines.

Dedication to Our Lady of Fatima

When Our Lady of Fatima appeared in 1917, Fr. J. A. Gomes was in charge of the Karjat mission. The idea of dedicating a chapel to Our Lady of Fatima was conceived at that time, but it did not come to fruition until later. In 1920, permission was granted for the veneration of the Our Lady of Fatima statue, which was housed in a room at Karjat Railway Station for the devotion of the Catholic railway staff.

In 1929, Fr. Orphine DeSa, then an assistant priest at Gloria Church, Byculla, and in charge of Karjat, managed to set aside funds for the construction of the chapel. Under the supervision of Fr. Stephen Pereira, the chapel was completed in 1936, and the statue brought from Portugal was placed in the newly built chapel. By this time, devotion to Our Lady of Fatima had spread, and in 1935, the first pilgrimage to Karjat began. 

Expansion and Mission Work

In 1937, the Karjat mission was handed over to the Jesuits, who were already managing a mission and church at Kune, Khandala. In 1939, the Jesuits purchased additional land for expanding their mission and school behind the Karjat church. The Jesuit priests played a crucial role in expanding the mission's activities to nearby areas such as Kalapur, Panvel, and other districts, especially in reaching out to tribal communities through education and outreach programs.

Some of the prominent Jesuit priests, including Fr. Victor, Fr. Nubiola, Fr. Thillo, and Fr. A. Ribes, are fondly remembered by Mrs. Carmel, one of the oldest surviving members of the Karjat parish, who was 92 years old at the time of writing. The church was officially registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 as the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in 1955, during the time of Fr. Morey SJ.

Challenges and Triumphs

The Karjat mission faced several challenges over the years. In 1974, the Gram Panchayat proposed a tax on pilgrims visiting Karjat, which was strongly opposed by the local Catholic community. Thanks to the efforts of Fr. Britto and Leandro D'Mello, this decision was reversed. Similarly, in later years, the Panchayat attempted to tax buses arriving for the annual feast, but alert parishioners successfully prevented this measure.

In 1978, the Jesuits moved out of Karjat due to an inability to continue the mission work. This period was difficult for the parish, as the Archdiocese of Bombay expressed its inability to sustain the pilgrimage due to a lack of priests. However, under the leadership of Fr. Frank Britto, the tradition of pilgrimage continued, despite Central Railway discontinuing special train services for devotees. 

From 1980, the Pilar Fathers from Amarnath officially took charge of the Karjat parish, ensuring that the pilgrimage and mission work continued. In 1993, the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) priests took over, and under their leadership, the parish saw further development, including the purchase of land for a priest's residence, which today overlooks the church.

A Shrine of Devotion and Pilgrimage

Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Karjat is a beacon of devotion, drawing pilgrims from across India. It is one of the most famous shrines in India, often referred to as the Fatima of the East. Devotees from all walks of life and all religious backgrounds visit the shrine, especially during the annual feast day in October, to offer prayers and seek the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima. Plans are underway to elevate the shrine to the status of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Fatima, fulfilling the dream of the local Catholic community.

This sacred place stands as a testament to the enduring faith of the Catholic community in Karjat and the powerful message of peace, prayer, and conversion delivered by Our Lady of Fatima. The shrine continues to inspire and provide spiritual solace to all who visit, making it a truly blessed and holy site for generations to come.