Today, the Capelinha de Fatima in Tinubdan Hills, Tacup-Lambusan, San Remigio, Cebu celebrates its 5th Annual Fiesta in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Today also marks the 109th Anniversary of the Final Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the three shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.
The fiesta celebration started with the Fatima Experience—praying the Holy Rosary in different languages and the candlelight procession (Light of Asia).
Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presided over the 5:00 AM Solemn Pontifical Mass. He was joined by Vicar General Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda and other visiting priests.
“Pray and repent.” This enduring call of Our Lady in her apparitions was echoed by Archbishop Abet in his homily, emphasizing that genuine devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary must lead the faithful to conversion and a renewed relationship with God.
“Isip mahigugmaong inahan di makaya ni Maria nga adunay bisan usa lang sa iyang mga anak nga mahisalaag sa dautang dalan … Ang iyang tuyo ra gyud nga ang katawhan sa Diyos mahibalik kaniya,” the Archbishop said.
“If we all decide to go back to God, can you imagine what will happen?” he added.
Archbishop Abet further stressed that devotion to Mama Mary should not end with prayers and expressions of love, but should draw the faithful ever closer to Jesus and inspire them to live out their Christian mission through love and service.
Reflecting on Mary’s unwavering presence at the foot of the Cross, he highlighted her example of fidelity and compassion, especially toward those who suffer.
“Si Mama Mary, ang iyang kinabuhi hangtud sa katapusan, giuban niya sa iyang Anak. Wala gyud siya mobiya. Samtang ang mga tinun-an mibiya, siya nagpabilin sa tiilan sa krus. Naghatag og ehemplo unsa ang tinud-anay nga anak sa Diyos. Dili mobiya sa lain nga nag-antos,” said Archbishop Abet.
Prior to the Holy Mass, the Light of Hope project was launched to support the repair and rehabilitation of the Capelinha de Fatima, which sustained damage during the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Northern Cebu on September 30, 2025.
In the rationale, project lead Fr. Moenil Lapa emphasized that the initiative goes beyond fundraising, inviting everyone to become instruments and bearers of hope as the Marian pilgrimage site begins its journey toward restoration.
“Sa matag kandila nga atong pasigahon, adunay paglaom nga atong ipaambit. Sa matag kandila nga atong paliton, adunay gamay nga bahin sa atong kaugalingon nga atong ihalad alang sa pagbangon pag-usab niining matahum nga capelinha,” said Fr. Moenil.
Through every candle lit and every contribution offered, the project seeks to bring people together in faith and solidarity, turning a shared devotion to Mary into a concrete act of love for a place that has become a refuge for countless pilgrims.