I have a question for you. Where would you end up if you drove 1 and ó hours north of where you live? Would you arrive at a place you have been to before or maybe to a place where you have always wanted to go? I asked myself this question after I read that Lisbon, Portugal is only 1 and 1/2 hours south of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima!

The birthplace of St. Anthony, Lisbon, is only this short distance away from the place where Our Lady would appear 722 years later! All Franciscans have a devotion to Mary, but I believe St. Francis and St. Anthony model for all of us what that relationship should be like. And I feel that Our Lady of Fatima, is a wonderfully effective devotion.”

As you join with the Franciscan Friars to begin this new Novena to Our Lady of Fatima, know that the power of our joined prayers will be an effective way of receiving the help of the Mother of Us All, the Mother of God, and the Virgin of Fatima. Your generous gift, joined with the prayers of this Fatima Novena, helps us serve those who come to our doors each year for the basic necessities of life. Because of your generosity, we are able to serve over 2 million people who come to us asking for help each year!