The Archbishop of Saurimo, in Angola, and President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé, D. José Imbamba, presided on Saturday evening, September 12, over the celebration of the Word of the September International Anniversary Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fátima, which commemorates the fifth apparition of Our Lady to the shepherd children on September 13, 1917. The celebration was attended by some 70 thousand pilgrims in the Prayer Grounds of the Cova da Iria.
In his homily, D. José Imbamba stated that the liturgy suggests "the audacity of trust against indifference" and warned of "serious global problems," including spiritual indifference and dryness, ethical relativism, lack of commitment to faith, the breakdown of families, and the social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The prelate also warned of the absence of peace, "visible in wars, social divisions, and in the loneliness and barrenness of hearts."
D. José Imbamba asked the pilgrims not to be afraid to welcome God's graces and to say yes to love, life, mission, solidarity, and social friendship. The president of the pilgrimage referred to the four Popes who have made pilgrimages to the Shrine of Fátima — St. Paul VI, St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis — noting that they "reinforce" the same message of the Gospel.
The pilgrimage program included the recitation of the rosary at the Apparition Chapel and the candlelight procession, with a cardinal, four bishops, 85 priests, and two deacons concelebrating. For this pilgrimage, 95 pilgrimage groups from 26 countries on five continents were registered, with Poland, Italy, Spain, and the United States being the countries with the most registered pilgrims. This Sunday, September 13, D. José Imbamba presides over the International Anniversary Mass.
