What has become an annual procession in downtown Columbus to honor the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima took place again this year with a large contingent of priests, religious and laity walking 1.8 miles between Columbus Holy Family and St. Patrick churches on Monday, May 13.

Led by altar boys carrying a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, flags and a crucifix, the procession began at Holy Family, 584 W. Broad St., and proceeded east on West Broad over the Scioto River bridge into downtown before moving past the Ohio Statehouse and stopping for prayer in front of St. Joseph Cathedral before moving on to St. Patrick.

Each mystery of the rosary was recited throughout the procession in honor of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to three children in Portugal in 1917 to offer a message of prayer and repentance for the world.

The pilgrims filled St. Patrick Church for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament that concluded with Benediction led by Father Michael Mary Dosch, OP, former pastor at St. Patrick and former novice master for the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in Cincinnati. The Dominicans have staffed St. Patrick since 1885.

The evening began with a Holy Hour at Holy Family that included Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary and Benediction.

Among the estimated 500 faithful taking part in the procession were the Mercedarian Fathers from Holy Family, Dominican friars from St. Patrick and clergy from St. Leo Oratory and diocesan parishes. Also joining the procession were religious sisters from various orders who minister in the Diocese of Columbus.

Religious sisters and clergy members lead the prayers in front of St. Joseph Cathedral during the procession. CT photo by Ken Snow
The procession stops in front of St. Joseph Cathedral for prayers. CT photo by Ken Snow
A member of the procession holds a statue of Our Lady with the three Fatima children along the route. CT photo by Ken Snow
Altar boys kneel for prayer in front of Our Lady of Fatima and the Blessed Sacrament inside St. Patrick Church at the end of the procession. CT photo by Ken Snow
Father Michael Mary Dosch, OP, blessed the congregation at St. Patrick Church with the monstrance during benediction at the end of the procession. CT photo by Ken Snow
Maria Francesca Pia Filomena, OFS, a secular Franciscan and a member of Gahanna St. Matthew Church, prays during Benediction. CT photo by Ken Snow