On Friday members of the Catholic community from throughout the Tri-State gathered at the Fatima shrine outside Hanging Rock to mark the 100th anniversary of the purported apparitions of Mary in Fatima, Portugal.

According to church traditions, at the height of World War I, three shepherd children saw Mary appear to them monthly, urging them to pray for world peace.

Fatima, and following “Miracle of the Sun,” are of major importance to Catholics, described by Father David Huffman of St. Joseph Church in Ironton, as “the biggest miracle since the Resurrection.”

On Friday, a mass was conducted at the shrine, located on the old U.S. 52.

It was built by Father Lou Phillips in the 1950s through donations and serves the Catholic communities throughout the region, including Ironton, Pine Grove, Wheelersburg and Portsmouth.

It has been maintained since its dedication, first by Boy Scout troops, and now from churches in those areas, as well as from the Knights of Columbus.

All who have worked to keep it up deserve praise for providing a beautiful spot in our are, which draws people from around the region to come and worship.