Teresita Sorroza, Saipan Seniors Advisory Council president, said the visit of the Blessed Mother “on the day when we express love for each other is very significant.”
She added, “We prayed for more blessings not only for the manamko’ but for the whole CNMI.”
Yesterday, the statue arrived at the Aging Center with its custodians Carl Malburg and Jose Maria P. Alcasid.
Alcasid replaced Patrick Sabat who had to return to the U.S.
The manamko’ prayed the rosary before pinning Valentine hearts on each other.
Jeff Camacho, a member of the steering committee that facilitated the visit of the statue, said since it arrived on Jan. 31, they had not encountered any untoward incident despite the hundreds of people that came to view the image.
Some devotees have been following the statue to its visits to the different parishes on island, he said.
During their visit at the Department of Corrections facility, Camacho said the inmates were very emotional and “were touched by the visit of the Fatima.”
Sister Sestela Altea is the chairwoman of the steering committee.
Manuel R. Mesa, a senior citizen, said he was very happy to see the famous statue of the Virgin Mary.
“I prayed for a long life for everybody here,” he said.
Carlito Hernandez and Roberto Dela Cruz said they were hoping that the visit will further enhance the relationships of the senior citizens with one another.
The statue will be brought to Rota on Wednesday and will stay there for two days before it will be transported to Tinian, Alcasid said.
He said he was very impressed by the CNMI Catholics’ devotion to the Holy Mother.
