By Kathryn DeCapite
“A Mile for Mary” is a prayerful procession offered in love and reparation—a way to console the hearts of the Blessed Mother and Her Son, Jesus. In a world that often feels loud, confusing, and indifferent to faith, this procession becomes a peaceful act of unity—bringing hope, prayer, and presence into the streets.
Each year, on the last Saturday of October, we select a parish in the Cleveland diocese to host the event and collaborate with a neighboring parish. When two parishes are within 1.5 miles of each other, the procession travels between them. If not, the route winds through the surrounding neighborhood, bringing Christ’s presence to local homes and families.
We chose this time of year with care and contemplation. It offers an alternative to the darkness penetrating our world, to help protect our community from the overshadowing spiritual themes of popular Halloween culture, to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and to gently prepare our hearts for the season of Advent.
This year’s procession was blessed with perfect weather—bright sunshine, clear skies, and a peaceful calm that set the tone. But it was more than a procession. From the opening prayers to the final blessing, the day unfolded as a profound act of devotion. It showed in the reverent faces, the hymns sung with conviction, and the quiet moments of reflection. During the procession, we prayed all four sets of the mysteries of the Rosary, Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious, allowing each step to be steeped in contemplation and love. This was not just a procession; it was a spiritual encounter.
A Mile for Mary is more than tradition. It is a response to Our Lady of Fatima’s call for prayer, reparation, and conversion. Sponsored by Our Lady’s Blue Army—the World Apostolate of Fatima, Cleveland—and hosted this year by St. Therese and Ss. Peter and Paul parishes, the procession invited all to step forward in faith and love.
Our procession was an offering of reparation, a reminder that reverence and love still matter. We walked in prayer—out of love for Mary, for Jesus, and for a world in need of healing. We sought to console the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, wounded by the blasphemies committed against her Immaculate Heart. These blasphemies are the five revealed to Sister Lucia that we are to atone for in the practice of the First Saturday devotion.
- Denial of the Immaculate Conception—rejecting the grace that preserved Mary from original sin.
- Denial of her Perpetual Virginity—refusing to acknowledge her lifelong purity.
- Denial of her Divine Maternity—rejecting her role as the Mother of God and of all humanity.
- Instilling indifference or hatred toward her in children—especially when her maternal love is dismissed or distorted.
- Desecration of her holy images—when depictions of Mary are mocked, defaced, or treated with contempt.
These offenses wound not only her heart but also the heart of her Son, who loves her deeply. We processed to bring comfort, to offer reparation, and to remind the world that holiness is not forgotten, that love still has the power to heal. With Sister Lucia’s words in our hearts, “O Jesus, it is for love of You…” each step became a prayer.
As we moved through the neighborhood, the contrast between sacred tradition and modern culture was striking. A day once rooted in reverence—All Hallows’ Eve—has shifted toward fear, spectacle, and distraction. In the absence of grace, people still search for meaning—but often in places that lead away from truth.
That is why A Mile for Mary matters. It is a quiet yet powerful witness. We walked for the lost, prayed for the forgotten, and carried the intentions of the brokenhearted. With Advent approaching, this procession becomes a way to prepare our hearts for Christ—with humility, hope, and love.
This year, approximately 165 people gathered for the Mass and Eucharistic procession—a beautiful testament to faith and unity. We were blessed to be led by Fr. Kevin Fox, administrator of St. Therese and Ss. Peter and Paul; Fr. Robert Jasany, Spiritual Director of the World Apostolate of Fatima, Cleveland Division; and Fr. Anthony Simone, Pastor of St. Jerome and Holy Redeemer parishes. Along the route, we paused at three homes where the priests offered Benediction—bringing the Real Presence of Christ into the heart of the neighborhood in quiet, sacred moments.
After the final Benediction, we gathered at the outdoor Fatima Shrine to pray the Fatima Prayers. The day concluded with a touching mother-daughter rendition of “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”—a heartfelt tribute to Our Lady.
Following the prayers, participants returned to St. Therese for a lunch social. The warmth and fellowship made for a fitting close to a grace-filled experience.
Looking ahead, A Mile for Mary continues to grow—not only in numbers but in spiritual depth. It reminds us that holiness still matters. That reverence is still beautiful. That love—real, sacrificial love—can still transform hearts.
So let us keep walking. Let us keep praying. Let us continue to console the Immaculate Heart of our Heavenly Mother and prepare the way for her Son.
Next year, on October 31, 2026, we hope you’ll join us in your own diocese, ready to walk, ready to witness, and ready to say “yes.”
If you feel called to bring A Mile for Mary to your diocese, we would love to help you. Please reach out to me at [email protected] to learn how you can host this grace-filled event in your community. Together, we can help A Mile for Mary grow uniting hearts in prayer, reparation, and love each year on the last Saturday of October.
Kathryn DeCapite is president of the World Apostolate of Fatima Cleveland Division. She also served on the National Board of Trustees for 8 years.
