This article has been updated.
Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville combined all the fun of a
parish festival with the Catholic Church’s flair for celebrating the Mother of
God during all-day party May 13, the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima and the
100th anniversary of her apparitions to three Portuguese children. After Mass
and a rosary procession around the church that morning, parishioners participated in dozens of other Mary-related activities for the whole family.
Genevieve Rohlene, 6, swirls icing on a cupcake to make a rose,
a classic Marian symbol.
The narthex of the church was buzzing with people, but in front
of the Our Lady of Fatima statue, groups of parishioners quietly prayed the
rosary in different languages, including Spanish, Swahili and Shona, the language
of Zimbabwe. In the parish’s Our Lady Hall, church choirs sang Marian hymns and
children had their faces painted. The hallways were decked with parishioner-made
paintings, drawings and tapestries of Mary.
Artist Michelle Kotas led children in painting watercolors of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary. An infographic on a whiteboard explained the symbols
within the familiar image. “That was one of the messages of Fatima: to spread devotion
to the Immaculate Heart,” she said. “I started to have a devotion to the
Immaculate Heart about two years ago and I’ve been painting this image over and
over again. Anybody can paint and make it a prayerful moment. Kids are really
open to this, they get it.”
Kotas was one of the parishioners who used their expertise and
talent to teach others about Mary, while dozens of others prepared food, handed
out schedules and kept the busy event running smoothly. Hourly talks were given
in English and Spanish relating the history of Fatima and on the faith, and
tours were given describing the art and architecture of the church.
During a more lighthearted activity, baker Stephanie Kenneally
taught people how to garnish a cupcake with an icing rose. “A rose is an
important Marian symbol and this is something fun and festive for any Marian
feast day,” she said.
Gardener Jessica Gaulden led a session on planting a Mary garden,
displaying rows of common herbs and flowers with Marian names. In the Middle
Ages, many plants were commonly given religious monikers such as virgin’s
flower (periwinkle) or Infant Jesus’ shoes (snapdragon), she explained. The name
marigold has lasted to modern times.
“People were growing plants and so it was an easy way to teach
the faith,” said Gaulden. “As time went on, a lot of monasteries began having
gardens just in honor of her.”
Women from the Swahili community in the parish
pray the rosary in front of the Our Lady of Fatima statue.
Parochial vicar Father Brian B. McAllister’s mother, Delane
Karalow, a professor at Lynchburg College, spoke on the history of Mary in art.
As Catholics, we should be proud of the beautiful art that has been inspired by
our faith, she said. “A religion that isn’t rich and deep and profound couldn’t
produce this quality. We should always be ready to contribute to the creation
of it,” said Karalow.
In a small way, the activities of the Marian Festival, even as
simple as stringing a rosary together, add to the great trove of art dedicated
to the Queen of Heaven.
