St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ronceverte will host a Rosary prayer service on Saturday, Oct. 13, at noon, in honor of the 101st anniversary of the sixth and final apparitions which were proclaimed in the village of Fatima, Portugal.

The public is invited to join in observing this anniversary.

According to the writings concerning the appearance six times in 1918 of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, to the three children, drew wide attention throughout the world, despite the on-going battles of World War I.

The first appearance of Mary to the three children was in May and the final appearance was on Oct. 13. The  final appearance was accompanied by what has been referred to as “the miracle of the Sun,” during which the Blessed Virgin appeared in the sunlight as the sun moved about zig-zag through the sky, streaming silver dust through the clouds, dancing around the sky, causing the estimated 17,000 in attendance to fall to their knees in prayer, confessing sins, and preparing as if this was the end of the world.

Hosted by the prayer group of St. Catherine of Siena parish, the service will begin with the ringing of the church bells at 12 noon and the introduction to the Rosary prayer service.

As a part of the service the unveiling of a new statue of Our Lady of Fatima, “Our Lady of the Rosary,” which was donated for the occasion by the Alleghany Highlands Council 8689 Knights of Columbus.

“In the Rosary, we pray to Jesus’ Mother, asking her to pray for us to her son,” explained Shirley Sweet, chairperson of the Oct. 13 event at St. Catherine of Siena, one of some 23,000 Catholic churches in the United States joining for the Rosary service, praying for peace throughout the world, our nation and our families on Oct. 13 at noon, local time. The Rosary services are also being held in churches in other nations throughout the world.

For more information concerning the special prayer service, contact the office of the Catholic Churches of the Greenbrier Valley 304-536-1813 or the Alleghany Highlands Council 8689 Knights of Columbus 304-645-1373.