WASHINGTON – Nearly 1,500 students filled the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington
Oct. 2 to pray to Our Lady of Fatima for peace in families
and in the world and for priests and missionaries.
The children – from Catholic schools and home-schooled
families in the Arlington diocese and the Archdiocese of
Washington – were taking part in the seventh annual Worldwide
Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour to pray the rosary, sing and
join in eucharistic adoration.
The main altar was adorned with flags from countries around
the world and children who participated in the opening
procession were dressed in native outfits to represent the
global reach of this day of prayer. As a statue of Mary was
carried to the altar, the children in the congregation waved
white handkerchiefs as a gesture of devotion.
This was the fourth time the event took place at the shrine.
Irish singer Dana hosted the event, which was broadcast live
via the Eternal Word Television Network.
The World Apostolate of Fatima was joined by the Holy
Childhood Association in organizing the Holy Hour and
encouraging young people around the world to gather for
prayers and eucharistic adoration each year on the first
Friday of October.
One group of eighth-grade students from St. John the
Evangelist School in Warrenton has attended the Holy Hour at
the shrine each year. They said the experience makes them
realize they are not alone in their faith.
“It’s important that we’re all praying for the same thing,”
said Helena Wojcik, who said the event gave her a “strong
sense of togetherness.”
Her classmate, Kathryn Mullin, agreed, saying the experience
of “being united with others praying” made her realize she
was part of “something bigger.”
During the service, a student crowned the statue of Mary, and
three students asked New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M.
Aymond, who presided at the service, specific questions about
living out their faith.
When asked to explain eucharistic adoration, the archbishop
said it was “a chance for Christ to be in our midst” and “a
time for us to be in conversation with Jesus, to tell him
what we want for our families.”
The archbishop told the students they can approach Mary as
their mother because she would bring them closer to Jesus. He
also reminded them that they are all called to be
missionaries and to “make sure everyone knows Jesus.”
Connie Schneider, founder of the Worldwide Children’s
Eucharistic Holy Hour and local president of the World
Apostolate of Fatima in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis, sat in the back of the shrine during the Holy
Hour, watching the event that was her idea several years ago.
She craned her neck to get a better view of the children as
they processed down the main aisle, read something from the
altar or stretched to place the crown on the statue of Mary.
After the service she described the effort to have children
around the world praying as “a movement of the Holy Spirit.”
“He’s doing the work, we’re just kind of like secretaries,”
she said, of the many people working behind the scenes to
bring about such a gathering, not only at the shrine in
Washington but at churches around the world.
Schneider told Catholic News Service that she is moved every
year by seeing these young people praying. She is also
confident their faith grows from the experience. As she put
it: “Who can fan that flame in the heart of children other
than Jesus?”
Archbishop Aymond told CNS that the event gives young people
an opportunity to be united in prayer before the Eucharist.
It also gives him “great hope” that these youths, firmly
rooted in their faith, will be able to lead the church.
