The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima and the three white doves.
 
In 1946, Portugal celebrated its 300th anniversary of the country's consecration to the Immaculate Conception.  Therefore, on this special anniversary, the Portuguese wished to celebrate it with great pomp and grandeur In order to manifest their great love for Our lady of Fatima.   A great procession with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was organized which began in Fatima at the Cova de Iria where She appeared to the three children and ended at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Lisbon, 70 miles away.  Men carried the statue on a platform the entire way on foot, with the changing of the “guard” in each city along the way.  In every city, massive crowds came to show their devotion with different festivities including all night adoration and concluding with Holy Mass in the morning before She began her journey again. 
 
As a mark of honor and thanksgiving, six white doves were released into the air on December 1st, 1946.  Three of them flew down to Our Lady’s feet and remained at Her feet during the whole journey to Lisbon.  They refused to eat or drink and they ignored all the commotion and noise that attended the Statue as She passed through the villages.  Rose petals were tossed at Our Lady and brushed against the doves, lights and thunderous fireworks blazed in the night skies, crowds pressed all along the path of Our Lady.  Once in a while the doves would drift up a little off the statue, as to prove that they were not tied there.  This remarkable event became such a sensation that the local newspapers recorded all the details and aroused the interest of all of Portugal.
 
With the white doves still perched at Our Lady’s feet and still having refused to eat, the statue finally arrived in Lisbon at Our Lady of Fatima Church on December 5th, in time for the great Feast on the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.   It seems as if all of Portugal was wondering what the doves would now do, since they had reached the destination of great import. 
 
On December 7th at 3:00 p.m., thousands of children were consecrated to the Blessed Mother.  There was an enormous evening candlelight procession at 9:30 p.m.  Masses were then offered throughout the night and the solemn High Mass was held in the morning.  While this Mass was progressing, there was a sudden fluttering of wings.  One of the doves flew to the Epistle side of the altar and the other to the gospel side.  As the bishop straightened to elevate the Consecrated Host, they alighted and folded their wings, one on each side, as if they were adoring the Host.
 
The third dove was still at Our Lady’s feet.  Then all of a sudden, at the moment of Holy Communion, the third dove flew up to the top of the crown of the statue.  As the bishop turned and held up Our Lord saying “Ecce Angus Dei” (“Behold the Lamb of God”), astoundingly, the dove spread its white wings and held them open. 
 
It seems Our Lady held the doves at Her Feet, on this special occasion, so that they could give glory to God at Holy Mass Who, in turn, confirmed the glory that He has given to Our Lady – Our Lady of Fatima.
 
 

Here is Fr. Gabriel Mary's, F.I.  latest Report:
We have been able to complete the provision of doors and windows of one of the 4-classroom building, while the second one has been roofed. Meanwhile, we have completed the building of the toilet, with good toilet facilities for the Pupils and the Teachers. We need some fund to complete the plastering and provision of doors and windows for the second uncompleted classroom block, and to paint the buildings thereafter.
Furthermore, we have been able to plant maize and cassava on 3 acres, part of a family land, donated to the Institute by one of our generous benefactors here in Ijebu-Igbo, proposed to be used for a future Technical school to assist the indigenous youths in vocational skills acquisition. The corn and the cassava farm are meant to provide food both for the pig farm and the Friars as well.
                                             UN-GOING/IMMEDIATE FUTURE PROJECTS:

• On Farming: In another development, we have procured 150 palm seedlings for

immediate planting as first phase of the palm project, which I mentioned earlier.
             
 Meanwhile, the pilot phase of the piggery has commenced, and we hope to increase the stock to a reasonable commercial quantity as soon as possible. We hope to use the proceeds from the piggery to assist the payment of the teachers’ salaries. (Average of 19, 200 USD, per annum for the staff strength of 24)

• On School Development- We hope to procure a piece of Land, about 2 acres beside the school premises, which would cost us about 850 USD, for the school playground and future expansions.

                                                  CHALLENGES:

• On Means of Transportation-The very urgent problem that is facing our apostolate at the moment is non-availability of a suitable means of transportation to the villages. The roads are rough and muddy, more so, with the rain, it becomes very difficult to travel on the road. The most adequate means of transportation to the villages is a strong and durable 4x4 Pickup. (A jeep with four wheel drive). The current cost price for a good Pickup jeep (Toyota, Takoma model), durable and suitable for the village roads, by a recent market survey, is between 5,500 – 7,000 USD.