This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions in Fatima. In the year 1917, the Mother of God appeared to three children on six different occasions. Mary's message to the children was "the hope and possibility of the conversion of the world from its ruinous course was offered to mankind." To read more about Our Lady of Fatima, check this page from EWTN.
The final apparition took place on October 13, 1917. To commemorate this special occasion, schools throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids have held events, including prayer in front of the Our Lady of Fatima statue and reciting the rosary as a school community. A few eighth-graders at Saint Thomas the Apostle reported the following:
Recently we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Fatima. The Fatima [events were] when Mary appeared to three children in Portugal. Mary visited these kids six times throughout the year. Each time Mary visited them she brought them a different message to share with everyone. In many visits she emphasised the importance of praying the rosary. That is why there were four rosaries that our school was a part of on Tuesday.
Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence opportunity for the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions until November 26, 2017. To learn about how to obtain an indulgence, visit this website about the Fatima Centennial.
Read more about "The Meaning of Fatima: 100 Years Later" by reading this article from Our Sunday Visitor.
Saint Thomas the Apostle serves 350 students in preschool through 8th grade. Learn more here.