The participants at the Third World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, held in Rome last November, were received by Pope Francis on the last day, at the Clementine Hall, in Vatican.  The International President of the World Apostolate of Fatima, Prof. Américo Pablo Lopez Ortiz and the Director of the International Secretariat, Nuno Prazeres, were among the restrict group of people that greeted and spoke to the Holy Father.

This international congress organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity from November 20 to 22, under the theme “The joy of the Gospel, a missionary joy”, was attended by 300 people, from 40 different countries representing nearly 100 ecclesial movements and new communities. It was a wonderful experience of the missionary dynamism of the Holy Spirit in the Church!

Prof. Américo, in greeting the Holy Father, handed personally to him a petition letter on behalf of the World Apostolate of Fatima International, to establish the First Saturday’s devotion in the Universal Church. “As we are approaching the centennial of the Fatima Apparitions in the year 2017, this should be the greatest gift of the Universal Church to Our Lady of Fatima, the universal establishment of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Communion of Reparation of the First Saturdays” said the President.

Pope Francis, in his address to the participants outlined three main directions for the Movements: conserve the freshness of charism, respect freedom and always seek communion. And he added: “You are Movements, so keep going, be always on the move!” The full text of his message can be read here.

© Photos: L'Osservatore Romano