On June 22, 2024, the charming town of Savage, Minnesota, was blessed with a special presence during its annual Dan Patch Days Parade. Our group of devoted followers of Our Lady of Fatima joined the festivities, bringing with us not just our faith but also a spirit of community and sharing.

The day began with a touch of uncertainty. Weather forecasts had predicted storms, casting a shadow of doubt over the parade. However, as we've experienced before, Our Lady had other plans. Just as she did at the recent Faribault Heritage Days Parade, the skies cleared, allowing us to march in her honor.

Our group, over 20 strong, assembled at 10:00 AM on Quentin Avenue. We were assigned line-up number 10, a position we took with pride. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement as we prepared for the 11:00 AM start.

What made this parade truly special was the coming together of various members of our faith community. The Knights of Columbus stood tall and proud, serving as guardians for those carrying the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Their presence added a sense of reverence and protection to our procession. Families also played a crucial role, helping to carry the many items we planned to share with parade-goers.

As we marched through the streets of Savage, we distributed more than just candy. Our hands reached out to the crowd, offering rosaries, scapulars, and informative fliers. Each item was a small token of faith, a seed planted in the hearts of those who received them. The joy on the faces of children receiving colorful rosaries and the thoughtful expressions of adults accepting our fliers were heartwarming sights.

We had participants who had traveled from considerable distances to be part of this event. This dedication spoke volumes about the strength of our community and the unifying power of our faith.

The parade itself was a beautiful display of small-town America at its finest. The streets were lined with cheering residents, their enthusiasm infectious. Our group, with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima as our centerpiece, moved through the parade route, bringing a touch of the sacred to this civic celebration.

As we concluded our march, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment and spiritual fulfillment among our group. We had come together, braved the uncertainty of the weather, and shared our devotion with the community of Savage. The fact that the predicted storm never materialized felt like a small miracle, a blessing from Our Lady herself.

This event was more than just a parade appearance. It was a demonstration of faith in action, a way of bringing the message of Our Lady of Fatima to the heart of a community celebration. It showed that faith and civic engagement can go hand in hand, creating moments of joy, reflection, and unity.

We left with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to honor Our Lady, to serve our community, and to come together in faith and fellowship. The Dan Patch Days Parade of 2024 will long be remembered as a day when the sun shone brightly, not just in the sky, but in the hearts of all who witnessed our march for Our Lady of Fatima.

Join us for our next March With Mary! Lakeville, July 13 - Pan O Prog! MORE INFO