I had no idea what was in store for me on my first day working at the Blue Army Shrine.

7:30 AM start time. I clocked in, met all of my co-workers for the first time, and was immediately handed a bright blue polo shirt by my new boss, who smiled cheerfully, inviting me to grab a bagel and some coffee for the road.

I gratefully accepted the coffee—because, well, I always say yes to coffee. But let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. The Keurig overflowed the little Styrofoam cup, and by the time I got into my car to drive up the hill from the small office building to the Shrine, it had spilled all over my lap. Baptism by caffeine? Maybe.

It was Event Day. Or so I was told.  Apparently, it is a big deal. Staff were rushing around in matching blue shirts (like mine), and my boss kept apologizing that it was a bit much for a first day. But I just smiled. I was glad to be outside, surrounded by such beauty.

The Blue Army Shrine has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve lived nearby for over 20 years and have visited many times for Mass, prayed in the Rosary Garden, and walked the Outdoor Stations. It’s one of the most peaceful and picturesque places I’ve ever been—nestled in the hills of New Jersey, with stunning views and immaculate grounds. Just being there fills me with awe and peace.

I had never heard of Event Day before. But there I was—after 28 years of being a stay-at-home mom—on my very first day going back to work. I couldn’t help but giggle every time I said it out loud. My youngest had just left for college, and I had been praying about what I was supposed to do next.  When I saw the Shrine was hiring part-time help, it felt like the perfect nudge from the Holy Spirit. My job that day was simple: help man the tables outside the Shrine where we had brought up items from the gift shop for visitors to browse and purchase without having to wait in long lines.

As it turns out, Event Day is a monthly celebration held at the Shrine to commemorate the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Each month, hundreds—no, thousands—of people gather to honor one of the six dates Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. (If you haven’t looked into the Fatima apparitions before, I can’t encourage you enough—it’s a beautiful and deeply moving piece of our Catholic heritage.)

At the Shrine, the day includes a beautiful outdoor Mass, a Rosary procession, opportunities for Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration.   I had never seen the Fatima Farewell before. People rushed the gift table to grab their ‘hankies’—a tradition where everyone waves them high as Our Lady passes by during the procession, all while singing together. It was so moving.

What surprised me most wasn’t the beauty of the grounds (which is always breathtaking), or even the number of attendees (which was in the thousands!)—it was the peace.

People traveled from hours away. They took off work. They brought their families. They filled every chair, and those who didn’t brought their own lawn seats and blankets. But there was no chaos, no stress. Just calm. Just reverence. Just love.

As the day ran down, and we put everything away, my boss kept watching me, no doubt wondering if I would show up the next day for the non-Event day work.  As for me, I just kept smiling.  What a gift it was—to serve while witnessing such a living, breathing example of faith.

I would definitely be back.

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Join the RC Women of New Jersey in celebrating the 108th Anniversary of the First Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima with a beautiful day of prayer, reflection and devotion at the National Blue Army Shrine.

Schedule of Events:

10:30 AM – Confessions
12:00 PM – Rosary Procession with the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima
12:30 PM – Speaker: TBD
1:15 PM – Holy Mass, Celebrant: TBD

Following Holy Mass:

• Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
• Eucharistic Procession
• Benediction
• Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Blessing of Religious Articles
• Fatima Farewell
• Enrollment in the Brown Scapular

Come and spend this special day under the maternal mantle of Our Lady