September 5, 2023

Festa Mass, procession draw thousands to Ludlow

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

A candlelight procession followed the outdoor Mass, Sunday, Sept. 3 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow.

LUDLOW – Thousands attended the 75^th annual Festa Thursday Aug. 31-Monday, Sept. 4 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow. The four day festival, a fundraiser for the parish, celebrates the message of Our Lady of Fatima and Portuguese culture. The culmination of the weekend each year is the Sunday evening Mass and candlelight procession. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., of the Archdiocese of Boston celebrated the 6:30 p.m. Mass. Cardinal O’Malley delivered the homily in mostly Portuguese speaking of the example of the Blessed Mother.

“People think Catholics are a people of no, we are a people of yes. Mary said yes,” he said speaking of the Blessed Mother’s acceptance of God’s will in her life.

The lawn in front of the outdoor chapel where the Mass was held was packed with the faithful. Thousands of people from all over the Northeast travel to Ludlow each year for Festa, which includes a carnival, food, and entertainment.

“Festa is an experience I wish everyone could experience. The procession is centered around a tribute to Our Blessed Mother,” said Patty Supczak, a longtime parishioner and cantor at Our Lady of Fatima.

“Between the beautiful music, candles and carrying the statue of Mary along with the lighted cross and flags of the different parishes, it moves me and brings me to tears every year. This year marked our 75^th anniversary and every year seems more special than the last,” she said.

From May to October 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal: Lucia dos Santos, 10, and her two cousins, Jacinta, 7, and Francisco Marto, 9. The Blessed Mother told the children to pray the rosary daily for peace and to offer up their suffering for the conversion of souls. At the time of her appearances, the flu ravaged Europe and Portugal had entered World War I on the side of the Allies.

In 2017, Pope Francis canonized two of the Fatima children, Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Both children died from the flu.

“It was so beautifully uplifting and moving to see hundreds of people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds from near and far gather to pray,” said Mena DeCarvalho, a member of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow.

“Our Lady is the loving mother of Jesus, mother of all and wants us to live in God’s love and peace. Hence, she appears and speaks to us. The message from God that she spoke in each of her six apparitions in Fatima continues to be relevant for us and timeless,” DeCarvalho said.

After Mass, people lit candles and processed in the neighborhoods surrounding the church on Winsor Street in Ludlow, praying the rosary.

The choir sang in both English and Portuguese. Following the procession, people placed candles in front of the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, just down the hill from the chapel.

Conventual Franciscan Father Pedro de Oliveira is the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Father de Oliveira was born on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal. He emigrated in childhood with his parents and siblings to Massachusetts.

Speaking of the Blessed Mother he said, “She presents all of our petitions to her son. She desires us to always turn to her son so we can live a life in line with his will … her son has a difficult time saying ‘no’ to her.”