“New Bishop of Beja, D. Fernando Paiva, to Lead September International Pilgrimage at Fátima”[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i_bPA7rt-U[/embed][embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7nnjxjZR0s[/embed]

Photo: Sanctuary of Fatima

Fatima, September 6, 2024 (Ecclesia) – The new bishop of Beja, D. Fernando Paiva, will preside over the September International Anniversary Pilgrimage to Fatima, which commemorates the fifth apparition of Our Lady to the Shepherds, on the 12th and 13th of this month, informed the Marian sanctuary.

D. Fernando Paiva, 61 years old, from the presbytery of Setúbal, was ordained bishop and took over the Diocese of Beja on July 7, after being appointed the 15th bishop of Beja by Pope Francis on March 21, succeeding D. João Marcos.

The Sanctuary of Fatima also announced the program for the celebrations of the September International Anniversary Pilgrimage, which will begin on September 12 at 21:30 with the recitation of the rosary at the Chapel of Apparitions, followed by the candlelight procession and the Celebration of the Word at the Prayer Site Altar.

September 13, Friday, will start with the Eucharistic procession at the Prayer Site at 07:00, the rosary at the Chapel of Apparitions at 09:00, followed by Mass, with the blessing of the sick and the farewell procession, which concludes the celebrations of this anniversary pilgrimage to Fatima.

The September pilgrimage commemorates the fifth apparition of Our Lady to the Shepherds, and according to the Marian sanctuary of Cova da Iria, there have been announced 40 groups of pilgrims from countries across four continents – Europe, Africa, Asia, and America: Portugal, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Spain, the United States, France, Haiti, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, and Senegal.

Regarding the president of the September International Anniversary Pilgrimage, D. Fernando Paiva was born on November 26, 1962, in Oliveira (São Pedro do Sul), in the Diocese of Viseu, he graduated in Electrotechnical and Computer Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon before entering the seminary; in 2004, he completed a degree in Theology at the Faculty of Theology, at the Portuguese Catholic University in Lisbon, and in 2013, he obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy of Religion and Religious Phenomenology.

Photo: João Marques/Diocese of Setúbal

The bishop of Beja was ordained a priest on April 10, 2005, in the Diocese of Setúbal where he was the parish priest of Our Lady of the Annunciation, a member of the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, served as prefect, economist, and vice-rector of the Major Seminary of São Paulo de Almada from 2015 to 2017; the bishop of Setúbal, Cardinal D. Américo Aguiar, appointed him vicar-general in December 2023.

CB