Quote
“The camaraderie is the big part of it. You’re there with other Catholic Christian men. You never have to worry about whether you’re going to say the wrong thing.”
| Jim Hill, an administrator with the Archdiocese of Newark, at the archdiocese’s annual Catholic Men’s Conference. Nearly 3,000 men gathered at Seton Hall University on March 15 for a day of fellowship, prayer, penance and Mass. The conference’s keynote speaker was Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York.
Profile
Geraldine “Geri” Ribao
Youth and young adult minister, St. Anthony Church, Kalihi
- Fav Scripture quote: Isaiah 55:8
- Food: Garlic mushroom pasta with chicken
- Movie: “27 Dresses”
- Plate lunch: Roast pork
- Commandment: First
- Most memorable priest: Father Gus Uthuppu
- Potato salad or mac salad: Potato
- Latest iPod download: “He Mele No Lilo”
Saints under 35
Through the eyes of children
The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima occurred as the world was embroiled in bloody conflict. World War I was in its third year and Portugal in political turmoil when three children from that nation began receiving apparitions of Mary at Cova da Iria, near Fatima.
Mary asked the young Portuguese shepherds — siblings Jacinta and Francisco Marto, and their cousin Lucia dos Santos — to perform a number of tasks. They were to return to the spot where they saw her on the same day each month for the next six months; in addition, she requested that they learn to read and write as well as pray the rosary to bring about peace in the world. The trio also was tasked to pray for Russia, which was headed for communist rule.
Mary’s final apparition on Oct. 13, 1917, drew tens of thousands of people, who witnessed what later was called “the miracle of the sun.” The Our Lady of Fatima apparitions inspired a movement that remains strong today; it encourages faithful to take Mary’s message of prayer, repentance and sacrifice to heart, and follow the prayer requests she bequeathed on the three children.
Francisco and Jacinta each died of influenza in 1919 and 1920, respectively, and were beatified in 2000. Lucia, who became a Carmelite nun, attended their beatification ceremony. (americancatholic.org)
