A group of 35 pilgrims from the diocese from Mumbles, Townhill, Morriston and Neath parishes attended the annual May procession in honour of Our Blessed Lady at Belmont Abbey on the 10th May. Thanks to Fr Mansel of Mumbles parish for arranging the transport.
This year was particularly special, taking place in the 100th year since the apparitions at Fatima in 1917. In glorious sunshine, thanks to the World Apostolate of Fatima in England and Wales, the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried in procession through the Abbey gardens accompanied by the recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by a beautiful service in the Abbey church.
Father Jason Jones, parish priest of Sacred Heart Morriston gave the homily, speaking about how Our Lady through her apparitions points us towards the central message of Christ. He also spoke on the role of the World Apostolate, and pilgrims were given the opportunity to consecrate themselves to Our Lady of Fatima, as well as to pledge themselves to Our Lady by taking on the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. During the final hymn, as usual pilgrims were delighted by the shower of blossom petals over Our Lady and the opportunity to venerate the relics of Blesseds Francisco and Jactinta, due to be canonised by Pope Francis in Fatima on the feast day of 13th May.