26/02/2026
A WITNESS TO THE MIRACLE
The National Pilgrim Image (NPI) of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the 50 statues blessed by Pope Paul VI in 1967 to be given to different Catholic nations. Through the efforts of the late co-founder of the Blue Army John Haffert, former Ambassador Howard Dee, and the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, the image arrived to the Philippines in 1984 and was crowned as the “National Pilgrim Image” at the start of the National Marian Year on December 8, 1984. The image of Our Lady was the forefront of the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 that ended the dictatorship and restored democracy in the Philippines. This is a witness to a miracle that is EDSA.
From Bahay Maria Foundation, the care and custody of the National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima was formally transferred to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela City on October 17, 1999. In celebration of the Centennial of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, on May 13, 2017, the National Pilgrim Image was granted an Episcopal Coronation by the late Bishop Jose F. Oliveros.
Six years later, by the grace of God, the Holy Father, Pope Francis granted the Canonical Coronation of the National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima in response to the petition of Malolos Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo because of the numerous testimonies of answered prayers attributed to Our Lady’s intercession and the image’s role in various historical events that shaped the nation. The NPI was canonically crowned on February 25, 2024, officiated by Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, witnessed by various bishops and archbishops of the country.
At present, the canonically-crowned image continues to visit parishes, shrines, schools, institutions, and communities all over the country. The National Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima, remains to be a symbol of peace, hope, and unity, and a reminder to every Filipinos that the Immaculate Heart of Mary is our refuge and the way that leads to God.
Mahal na Birhen ng Fatima, Mabunying Reyna’t Ina namin, ipanalangin mo kami.
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