Traveling statue shared by local families

Groups in the Bismarck Diocese dedicated to Fatima have bought statues of Our Lady of Fatima and established a visiting statue program. In Bismarck/Mandan, Deacon Doug Helbing is the caretaker of a statue that people can request for their homes. The purpose is help promote and inform people of the message of Our Lady of Fatima and to encourage them to follow the peace plan of praying a rosary every day, wearing the brown scapular and making the “First Five Saturday” devotion.

As Catholics, there is a clear understanding that the statue is not worshiped but is a powerful reminder of our Blessed Mother’s love and prayers for us, her children. Just like a photograph, the statue helps us visualize and feel closer to her.

“We first had the statue in our home in the spring of 2009, as part of our preparation for the enthronement to the Sacred Heart,” said Shellie Rusch, a parishioner of Saint Anne’s in Bismarck. She said that as her family prepared for the enthronement by praying a novena (nine days of prayer), it seemed that the atmosphere in their home was somewhat chaotic until the statue arrived. “Immediately, there was peace and the chaos came to a halt.” She added, “Our enthronement was beautiful, and even resulted in the blessing of a pregnancy a couple months later.”

To bring the Virgin Pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima to your home, call Dcn. Doug Helbing, 400-0233.

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