Our Lady of Fatima Statue Visits AHN

As the Academy of the Holy Names prepared for Thanksgiving, our community took a sacred pause to reflect, give thanks, and pray in the presence of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. On November 22, this renowned statue graced our campus, offering students, faculty, and visitors a profound opportunity to connect with the Mother of God and her enduring message of peace and hope.

Since 1947, the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue has traveled the globe, carrying a mission of spiritual renewal. Blessed by the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima and Pope Pius XII, the statue represents Our Lady’s “Peace Plan from Heaven,” first shared during the 1917 apparitions at Fatima. Her call to repentance, prayer—especially the Rosary—and living God’s commandments remain as relevant today as they were over a century ago.

The statue’s visit to AHN included communal prayer, veneration, and a special Mass, as well as moments of quiet reflection for personal intercession. Students deepened their understanding of the Fatima message and the importance of entrusting their prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“When Mary appeared to the children at Fatima, she told them to pray the Rosary to obtain peace in the world and the conversion of sinners,” says Kim Fulton, 7th grade math and religion teacher. “Our 7th and 8th grade students were blessed to pray a decade of the Rosary in the presence of the statue. Praying the Rosary brings each of us into a deeper relationship with Jesus and Mary, which is an overarching goal of our religion curriculum.”

Experiencing the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue on campus deepened our community’s understanding of the Fatima message and renewed its commitment to living a life rooted in faith. “When I first heard the statue would be coming to the Academy, I was excited and a little shocked to witness something so historic and special,” shares 8th grader Ava Clarke. “On that day, I volunteered to lead the Rosary, and saying the prayer felt more meaningful because it was in the presence of the statue. Experiences like this help me feel closer to God and make me realize how blessed I am to attend a school where I can grow in my faith."