{"id":4997,"date":"2020-07-03T11:13:01","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T09:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smbf.pl\/?page_id=4997"},"modified":"2020-07-03T11:13:02","modified_gmt":"2020-07-03T09:13:02","slug":"secretariat-of-fatima","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smbf.pl\/en\/secretariat-of-fatima\/","title":{"rendered":"Secretariat of Fatima"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Fr. Krzysztof Czapla, PhD, S.A.C., Head of the Secretariat of Fatima<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Activities and Mission of the Secretariat of Fatima in Zakopane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fatima Secretariat operates at the Shrine in Krzept\u00f3wki; however, they are two separate entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I. Heritage of history<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Secretariat of Fatima was established in 1996. To understand the meaning and purpose of its creation, reference should be made to some events in the history of Poland and the Church in Poland:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.<\/strong>\u00a0The involvement of Pallottine priests in the development of the Fatima cult, starting with the preparation of the act of dedicating Poland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on September 8, 1946.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.<\/strong>\u00a0Handing over the statue of Our Lady of Fatima by the Primate of Poland, Stefan Wyszy\u0144ski to the Pallottine priests from Zakopane (1961). These beautiful words of the message were spoken then by the Primate to Fr. Stanis\u0142aw Czapla, then the superior of the community in Zakopane: “I transfer the statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the Pallottines to Krzept\u00f3wki, Zakopane, so that it would defend Poland in the south, the other remains in Bielany to defend Poland in the east”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.<\/strong>\u00a0It is worth emphasizing that the statue of Our Lady offered by the Primate did not stay in Zakopane but made pilgrimages to Polish dioceses along with Pallottine missionaries preaching the retreats of the Family Rosary Crusade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.<\/strong>\u00a0Contribution to the development of the Fatima cult in Poland<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although there are earlier (as to the time of their inception) places of Fatima cult, like Tarn\u00f3w, Turza \u015al\u0105ska and Trzebinia, it is Krzept\u00f3wki that from the beginning has been characterized by apostolic activities that go beyond the borders of the parish or diocese. The dynamism and apostolic commitment that have characterized the Fatima Centre in Zakopane from the outset seem to be its distinctive features, which need to be emphasized in order to properly perceive their later fruits: the creation of the Shrine of Fatima and other apostolic works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.<\/strong>\u00a0For the sake of proper development of Our Lady of Fatima cult in Poland, with a view to providing priests and faithful with relevant materials on the subject of Fatima, on the initiative of Fr. Miros\u0142aw Drozdek S.A.C. publishing house “Library of Fatima” (\u201cBiblioteka Fatimska\u201d). is founded in 1992. As part of the series of this publisher, many valuable publications have appeared, pioneering in Europe and the world (e.g. \u201cFatima Prayer Book\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.<\/strong>\u00a0Initiating Fatima apostolic movements in Poland in 1995-1996: the Family Rosary Crusade, the White Army \u2013 Fatima apostolate for children and the Apostolate of Fatima Families, which statutes were positively evaluated by the Committee for Pastoral Care of Families of KEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7.<\/strong>\u00a0The involvement of the Pallottines in the development of the Fatima cult in Poland was noticed by the Polish Episcopate during the peregrination of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in 1995-1996. At that time, the Pallottine priests were entrusted with the protection of the statue of the Mother of God during the visitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
II. The establishment of the Secretariat of Fatima<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
All these events and circumstances contributed to the intensification of apostolic activities undertaken by the Pallottines in the work of spreading the message of Fatima. From the beginning, these efforts were accompanied by the thought and desire \u2013 in the interest of proper development of the cult of Our Lady of Fatima and of Fatima piety \u2013 to develop appropriate materials and pastoral help. For this purpose, the Provincial Board of the Pallottine Fathers appointed in 1996 the Secretariat of Fatima at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Zakopane, with Fr. Miros\u0142aw Drozdek, S.A.C., as its first director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The love for Fatima and the dynamism of the curator from Krzept\u00f3wki and his long-term cooperation with the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal and Marian centres in many countries had a defining influence on the shape of the Fatima cult in Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cFatima Library\u201d releases became very much appreciated, often constituting one of the first editions prepared for the pastoral use. About 40 valuable books have been published, as well as many newsletters, leaflets and various types of publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One should also remind the organization of international Fatima congresses (1990-1997), keeping the largest (after the Shrine in Fatima) documentation related to the apparitions and the development of the Fatima message, independent research on the phenomenon of the message of Fatima, publishing an annual Bulletin for Pilgrims, maintaining constant contact with major centers of Fatima worship in the world, and participation in all significant congresses and seminars on Fatima-related topics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the initiative of the Secretariat of Fatima, retreats for priests were organized, all of them related to the development of the cult of Fatima in Poland. Between 2002 and 2004 three editions of the retreats took place with the participation of the rector of Fatima, Fr. Luciano Guerra (two in Zakopane and one in the Shrine of Fatima).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
III. Reorganization of the Secretariat of Fatima after 2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Fr. Miroslaw Drozdek\u2019s death (May 25, 2007) the reorganization of the structure of the Secretariat of Fatima began, combined with the amendment to its statute, which outlined, among others, the following objectives and scope of activity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Fatima Secretariat undertakes initiatives to spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima and to promote the cult of Fatima in Poland and in the world; in this respect, it supports existing and emerging shrines and centres of Fatima worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It pursues its goals by taking the following actions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– collecting literature and documentation on the message and cult of Fatima,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– providing the latest and source materials related to the content of the message and forms of Fatima worship through publishing activities and the use of social media,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– maintaining close contacts and cooperation with the Shrine of Our Lady in Fatima and undertaking joint initiatives with other shrines and institutions related to the Message of Fatima\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is one of the last published texts of Fr. Drozdek (published in the Bulletin for Pilgrims for 2016) \u2013 his ideological testament for future activities undertaken by the Secretariat of Fatima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“On first Saturdays the victory comes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. From the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Zakopane-Krzept\u00f3wki, we announce the cordial Fatima appeal to join in the solidarity service of the first Saturdays with John Paul II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We start this service on April 1st this year, linking it with the first anniversary of the death of the Servant of God John Paul II and sister Lucia of Fatima (February 13th). There is no need to explain to anyone how far the deaths of the last Fatima visionary and of Pope John Paul II are related to the message of Fatima. We know that the third part of the secret of Fatima, with the miracle inscribed in it \u2013 that is, saving the life of the Holy Father, who was to be killed in a deadly attempt in 1981 \u2013 connected Our Lady of Fatima and her message with the Polish Pope. This occurrence indicated us, believers, the next important stage of the Fatima message. Yes, Fatima’s promises are being fulfilled before our very eyes. We participate in this secret. This participation means that we are facing a new task…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.<\/strong> During the second pilgrimage to Fatima (1991), the Holy Father John Paul II said: “In 1917, here in Fatima, Mary with motherly firmness urged all humanity to conversion and prayer. After 75 years, many elements have changed in the panorama of Europe and the world, during this century, and especially in recent years, we have witnessed numerous momentous events. Fatima, continuing silent listening to God’s voice, is still a constant reference point and a call to live the Gospel. A light of consolation spills over from Cova da Iria, bringing hope and allowing us to understand the events that shape the end of the second millennium\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot of time has passed since 1991, a lot has happened, and many historical facts related to the Message of Fatima occurred. This story also includes the death of Sister Lucia and the departure of our beloved Pope John Paul II to the House of Father. His crossing the threshold of eternity on the first Saturday of the month, more \u2013 at the time of Jasna G\u00f3ra Appeal \u2013 it is a special sign for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. This year there are two historical events: the 60th anniversary of the act of entrusting the Polish Nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Jasna G\u00f3ra (September 8, 1946) and the 25th anniversary of the assassination attempt and the miracle of saving the life of John Paul II on May 13, 1981\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IV. The idea of \u200b\u200bthe Great Novena of Fatima.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The circumstance that outlined and dominated the activities of the Fatima Secretariat after 2007 was the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. It became a specific reference and mobilization in the development of guidelines and the nature of the work, which eventually, in 2009, got the name of the Great Novena of Fatima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Great Novena is a work which aim was to unite all the strengths and hearts that love Mary, and to help the modern world apprehend the message of Fatima, acting in response to the requests of Mother of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Novena began on May 13, 2009, but it was assumed that you could join in at any time, and anyone who wanted to pray and work for Mary could do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Fatima, the Holy Mother invited everyone to cooperate in the work of salvation. On the threshold of the centenary of her apparitions, one had to take to heart this urgent call to get involved in saving the world. Therefore, the Novena is an invitation to prayer, sacrifice, catechesis, apostolate, preaching thematic sermons; it is an invitation to Rosary or devotion of the Five First Saturdays. All this so that \u201cMary would be more known and loved by people all over the world, that the time would come for the triumph of her Immaculate Heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To join the work of the Great Novena of Fatima<\/strong> meant to fulfill what Mary had asked for at Fatima: a daily Rosary, dedication to her Immaculate Heart, and repairing for the sins that hurt her Immaculate Heart on first five Saturdays of the month. Everyone undertaking the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Novena of Fatima should make one or several of the following commitments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.<\/strong> praying the rosary, preferably every day, as Our Lady asked us to do<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.<\/strong> celebrating the First Saturdays devotion for the consecutive five first Saturdays of the month, with faith and love, repairing for the sins that hurt the Immaculate Heart of Mary<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.<\/strong> consciously entrusting himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at least once a year, on August 22, on the feast of Queenship of Mary (according to the ordinance of Holy Father Pius XII, on that day the whole Church should renew consecration to the Immaculate Heart)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4<\/strong>. saying the Great Novena of Fatima, e.g. once a week; this prayer was a sign of the unity of everyone joining the Novena<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.<\/strong> participating in Fatima services held on the thirteenth day of the month<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.<\/strong> getting to know Mary better and better, e.g. by reading relevant books<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each year of the Novena was related to the fixed topic for the year, which was bringing closer and indicating the important substance of the message of Our Lady of Fatima. The topics for the consecutive years of Novena were as follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2009 \u2013 SURE OF THE VICTORY. Confrontation with the civilization of death.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2010 \u2013 SAFE ON THE EDGE OF TIME. Always with Mary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2011 \u2013 MORE THAN WORLDLINESS. There is heaven, there is hell, there is purgatory.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2012 \u2013 WE DON’T LIVE FOR OURSELVES. Compensation for the sins of the world<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2013 \u2013 THE EUCHARISTIC KEY. A miracle of miracles that changes everything<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2014 \u2013 INVITED TO HEAVEN. Yet the rosary, scapular, penitential cord<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2015 \u2013 POWER OF THE FAMILY. Home Church, which cannot be prevailed by the gates of the netherworld.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2016 \u2013 GOD IS MERCIFUL. The last word belongs to God who is Love<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2017 \u2013 ROAD THROUGH THE HEART. Covenant of the hearts: Jesus\u2019, Mary\u2019s and ours.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Position and evaluation of the Great Novena of Fatima by the Shrine of Fatima<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The position and evaluation done by the Shrine of Fatima were the mobilizing factor and supported the intention to prepare for the 100th<\/sup> anniversary of the Apparitions in Fatima through the Great Novena of Fatima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is how we feel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The Great Novena is opportune since the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary needs to be spread. In this context, the memorable date of the First Centennial of the Apparitions of Fatima may serve as a strong incentive for Christians to adhere more intensely to this devotion. One thing is sure: it will surely be a great contribution to the spreading of the Message of Fatima throughout the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. The Great Novena expresses well how Fatima stand in the hearts of many and it is a hope for today’s Church. Fatima maintains its entire its prophetic density, as it was stressed by Pope Benedict XVI in his homily of last May 13 at Fatima:It is a mistake to think the prophetic mission of Fatima has ended<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. The Great Novena is the initiative known to the Shrine of Fatima whose purpose is to prepare, in an organized, coherent, open way<\/strong>, and for a long period of time (9 years) the First Centennial of the Apparitions of Fatima in 2017. May the Lord help you to carry out such auspicious plan, for, as John Paul II wrote, from amongst the signs of the time in the XX century, Fatima stands out, helping us see the hand of God, provident guide and patient and compassionate Father also in this XX century<\/em>. We stress the fact the first initiative comes from Poland, Country strongly linked to Fatima. The Bishop dressed in white, the much-missed Pope John Paul II, who succumbed, wounded by bullets, came from this land, came from the Polish Nation. By this initiative, the people of this Country show to be conscious precisely of this. We are pleased to notice that the Great Novena is already spreading to other countries\u201d.As it turned out, the Great Novena was a unique apostolic activity known to the Shrine of Fatima. And most importantly, the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Great Novena of Fatima develops every year, although the period of 9 years initially seemed to be a long one. Another initiative of a similar dimension appeared in cooperation with the newspaper \u201cNasz Dziennik\u201d: the idea of \u200b\u200bcelebrating the first Saturdays of month as a gift for the canonization of John Paul II. As it turned out, this activity, which brought Poles together in such large numbers, was the first of its kind in canonization history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Od 2009 roku, a zatem wraz z rozpocz\u0119ciem 9-letnich przygotowa\u0144 do 100. rocznicy fatimskich objawie\u0144, zgodnie z przyj\u0119tymi za\u0142o\u017ceniami, podj\u0119te zosta\u0142y wysi\u0142ki maj\u0105ce na celu pog\u0142\u0119bienie teologiczne i duchowe oraz ujednolicenie i uporz\u0105dkowanie kszta\u0142tu pobo\u017cno\u015bci fatimskiej. W tre\u015bci Or\u0119dzia Fatimskiego g\u0142\u00f3wny akcent spoczywa na nabo\u017ce\u0144stwie do Niepokalanego Serca Maryi, co nie zawsze by\u0142o dostrzegane, czy te\u017c nie zawsze znajdowa\u0142o w\u0142a\u015bciwe odzwierciedlenie w szeroko rozumianym kulcie fatimskim. Dlatego te\u017c, jako pierwszoplanowe zosta\u0142y podj\u0119te dzia\u0142ania, aby przypomnie\u0107 tre\u015b\u0107 Fatimskiego Przes\u0142ania, dostarczy\u0107 pog\u0142\u0119bionej refleksji teologicznej oraz ukaza\u0107 kszta\u0142t i wa\u017cno\u015b\u0107 wspomnianego nabo\u017ce\u0144stwa do Serca Maryi. W ten spos\u00f3b narodzi\u0142a si\u0119 seria materia\u0142\u00f3w wydawanych przez Sekretariat, aby dostarczy\u0107 duszpasterzom oraz wiernym odpowiednich pomocy: duszpasterskich, homiletycznych czy katechetycznych.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
V. Publications issued and prepared by the Secretariat of Fatima<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2009 (along with the 9-year preparations for the 100th anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions), actions have been taken to recall the content of the Message of Fatima, to provide in-depth theological reflection and to show the idea and importance of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In this way a series of materials issued by the Secretariat emerged to provide priests and believers with pastoral, homiletic and catechetical help. Every year, resources have been prepared in the form of books (more than 30 for 9 years), posters, folders, leaflets, pictures, audio-visual recordings or radio and television programs. Meditation recordings for the first Saturdays, which were and are available in parishes, prayer groups and radio stations in many places in Poland and in the world have proved to be very valuable and useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VI. Other forms of apostolate:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The Catholic media, which engaged in cooperation with the Secretariat of Fatima, played an invaluable role in the development of the Great Novena of Fatima. An outstanding contribution to it have: \u201cRadio Maryja\u201d and \u201cTV Trwam\u201d, as well as \u201cNasz Dziennik\u201d, \u201cTygodnik Katolicki Niedziela\u201d, \u201cPrzewodnik Katolicki\u201d, \u201cMiesi\u0119cznik R\u00f3\u017caniec\u201d and many magazines and radio stations with a regional coverage including \u201cRadio Alex\u201d, which from 2012 broadcasts live expiation service on the first Saturdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n