Opening Speeches of the Fatima Bishops Conference:

Opening welcome by Mrs. Coralie Graham - Editor

Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Welcome:

     On behalf of the lay people we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming because Fatima means so much to us and to our children. We look to you for our leadership, to protect our souls and to protect our children's souls, and Our Lady here, She has the answer.

     I only want to take a moment of your time and again thank you for coming but I also would like you to remember all the lay people who sacrificed so much and prayed so hard so that we could all be here today to hear what Our Lady is trying to tell us. Please remember all those people, all the little people all over the world who worked so hard so we could all be here today.

     Before I turn you over to Father Gruner I would like to introduce to you His Excellency Bishop Francis Michaelappa from Mysore, India. Bishop Michaelappa would like to make a presentation of thanks to Father Gruner.

Presentation by Bishop Michaelappa of Mysore, India:

     Your Excellencies, on behalf of the Cardinals, the Archbishops, Bishops, brothers and sisters from all over the world who have answered the request of Father Nicholas Gruner to come here to honor the Blessed Mother and to listen to Her, the Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Queen of Peace, Queen of Priests, Queen of the entire creation. We know of his great devotion to the Blessed Mother and he wants to diffuse it all over the world.

     He had obstacles but he is not afraid because, "he who wants peace prepares for war". And therefore, on behalf of all of you, on behalf of all the Bishops, the Archbishops, Cardinals, and people of God all over the world. Not only in India but all over the world, we honor Father and we encourage him, we pray that the Blessed Mother will guide him to bring Her name to the whole world.

     This is the Indian way of honoring somebody, putting a shawl around him in praise and thanksgiving. As I said "to show gratitude is an expression of love". This is our way of honoring any eminent person. We pray the Blessed Mother to increase your devotion and also to give it to others. Thank you.

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