America Needs Fatima

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
about America Needs Fatima

America Needs Fatima (ANF) is a nonprofit campaign made up of Catholic citizens united in a common goal: To win the heart and soul of America for Mary, our Blessed Mother. How do we do this? By spreading Our Lady's Fatima message and promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.

To really understand what we do and why we do it, you’ll find it extremely helpful to first get familiar with the Fatima story. What happened in Fatima, Portugal in 1917 frames the context of everything we do here at America Needs Fatima. [top]

2. How does America Needs Fatima go about accomplishing its goal?

First let us say that we can only accomplish our goal because of the invaluable help of donors and volunteers. These wonderful people support our staff as we all work together to spread Our Lady of Fatima’s message through a variety of efforts.

Concrete examples of what we do, is outlined in the "What we do" page. Meanwhile, it’s important for you to know everything we do centers on faith-filled prayer, word, and action.

ANF reaches out to millions of Americans on the Fatima message using in-person visits, hand-distributed fliers, publication-inserted fliers, direct mail campaigns, and major media advertisements. Our anti-blasphemy network organizes peaceful, legal protests and public acts of reparation for attacks on the honor and purity of Our Lord, the Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church.

Hundreds of thousands have already accepted our encouragement to pray the Rosary and do the “First Saturday” devotion (See FAQ #10) requested by Our Lady.

Here are just a few examples to illustrate the dedicated grassroots efforts America Needs Fatima has spearheaded to spread Our Lady of Fatima’s message, to defend our Catholic faith, and to promote Christian values in America:

- In 2006, ANF organized 2,062 separate protests nationwide against the blasphemous movie The Da Vinci Code.
- On October 13, 2007 ANF organized 2, 172 Public Square Rosary Rallies coast-to-coast. These were to honor the 90th anniversary of Fatima's miracle of the sun. To our knowledge this was the largest event of its kind in the history of the United States. Our goal is to increase this number every year until the year 2017 (the 100th anniversary) with a climax of at least 10,000 Rosary Rallies! We would love to have you join us. To do so, call us toll-free at (866) 584-6012.
- Since 1995, the "Mary in Every Home" home visitation apostolate has reached over 400,000 people! Here specially trained “custodians” are invited by families to take Pilgrim Virgin statues to their homes. Our custodians give the family a two-hour Fatima presentation and they all pray the Rosary together. (See FAQ #8)

All of America Needs Fatima’s efforts are profoundly aided by the prayers of many priests and religious across the country who pray regularly for our efforts – your efforts and ours. [top ]

3. When did America Needs Fatima begin its work? When was it formed?

The America Needs Fatima apostolate started in February 1985. [top ]

4. Who directs America Needs Fatima?

Since 1996, Mr. Robert Ritchie has been the Executive Director of America Needs Fatima. Mr. Ritchie has been especially effective in leading national protest campaigns against blasphemous movies such as Dogma and the Da Vinci Code. And he has organized thousands of extremely successful Public Square Rosary Rallies in answer to Our Lady of Fatima’s message. ANF has enjoyed considerable growth with Mr. Ritchie. And with the faithful support of our donors and members, there’s more exciting growth on the horizon.

Mr. Ritchie was born and raised in New York. He was home-schooled in the environment of a loving Catholic family. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of ANF, he spent 10 years spreading Our Lady of Fatima’s message in several countries including Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, New Zealand and Uruguay. [top ]

5. How many members does America Needs Fatima have?

Active membership is over 125,000 and growing. If you add up the numbers, since 1985 more than 200,000 people have participated in the America Needs Fatima apostolate at one time or another. [top ]

6. Does the Catholic Church support America Needs Fatima?

Over the years, America Needs Fatima has received hundreds of letters from bishops and priests – praising the apostolate or specific efforts we have undertaken. They thank us for what we do, and encourage us to continue. Click here if you would like to read some of these letters. But more important yet, over the decades hundreds if not thousands of priests and religious have supported America Needs Fatima with their invaluable prayers. [top ]

7. Are donations to America Needs Fatima tax-deductible?

Yes! America Needs Fatima is a campaign of The Foundation for a Christian Civilization, Inc., a New York nonprofit and publicly supported 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. And this is why your donations to America Needs Fatima are deductible up to 50% of your federal adjusted gross income.

Online donations are accepted. Click here to donate to America Needs Fatima now. And may our Blessed Mother repay you!

There are so many ways you can be an instrument of God and help spread the Fatima message. In fact, you can easily do this for the generations that follow us – you can leave a legacy. Please pray and consider a charitable bequest to America Needs Fatima in your Will by joining the Immaculate Heart Guild—A Legacy of Faith. If you would like more information on this, please call 1-888-317-5571 and ask for an Immaculate Heart Guild brochure (code: 315a). [top ]

8. What is the “Mary in Every Home” apostolate?

America Needs Fatima’s "Mary in Every Home" apostolate is a powerful and personal way for us to bring the Fatima message home . . . into the homes of faithful Catholics, their entire family and dear friends.

When invited into someone’s home for this two-hour visit, an America Needs Fatima custodian brings a 48" Pilgrim Virgin statue. Together everyone watches a 25-minute DVD on the Fatima story and message. The custodian gives two other small presentations and then the Pilgrim Virgin statue is crowned by the host(ess) in their home. Then everyone prays the Rosary. “Mary in Every Home” is a beautiful and inspirational time, and many graces have been received and many lives changed as a consequence.

The ANF custodians also distribute free devotional materials on the Rosary and the five First Saturdays devotion. America Needs Fatima has dedicated custodians who travel the country reaching thousands of homes every year. See FAQ #9 to find out how to arrange a visit in your home.

Evidently, since ANF Custodians cannot reach every home personally with the Fatima statue, we mail a free and beautiful picture and devotional prayer to Our Lady of Fatima to nearly 2 million families each year. To order a free copy, please call 888-317-5571, or click here. [top ]

9. How can I schedule a visit of a Fatima Pilgrim Virgin statue to my home?

Just call 1-888-460-7371 (toll free). Our staff in the Kansas scheduling office will be happy to arrange a visit of a statue the next time a custodian is in your area. [top ]

10. What is the “First Saturday” devotion and how do I do it?

The “First Saturday” devotion is a beautiful way to console our Blessed Mother, and to help restore and strengthen the good in our society. At Fatima on July 13, 1917 Our Lady announced that she would come and ask for the “First Saturday” devotion. Later she appeared in a vision to Sister Lucia in 1925 (the oldest of the 3 children who saw Our Lady at Fatima). Here’s what Our Lady said:

“. . . all those who for five months on the first Saturday go to confession, receive Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for 15 minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to Me, I promise to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls.”

This is a simple yet powerful devotion. Here’s all you need to do: On the first Saturday of 5 consecutive months go to confession, receive Communion, say 5 decades of the Rosary, and console Our Lady by meditating for 15 minutes on any mystery of the Rosary.

During Sister Lucia’s vision in 1925, Jesus also spoke to her. In the words of Jesus, “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother which is covered with thorns…" You can remove thorns from Her heart with your loving “First Saturday” devotion and receive the graces she promises. [top ]

11. Does America Needs Fatima sell rosaries and statues?

Yes. Our Online store is currently "under construction" but we do have a large selection of statues, crucifixes, rosaries, books etc. Pleaes call our Customer Service department to order a catalog. Call toll-free (888) 317-5571. [top ]

12. Does America Needs Fatima publish books?

Thanks to the generosity of its many supporters and volunteers, America Needs Fatima offers its readers a selection of books; some written by ANF Members and some not. These include . . .

Fatima a Messsage More Urgent than Ever – by Luiz Sergio Solimeo
Jacinta's Story – by Andrea F. Phillips
Meet the Witnesses – by John Haffert
The Book of Confidence – by Fr. Thomas de Saint-Laurent
The Secret of the Rosary – by St. Louis de Montfort
The Way of the Cross – by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Annual Fatima calendar
Sermons of Hope - by St. Alphonsus
Exposing the Errors of Russia - by Luiz Sergio Solimeo

To learn more about our publications, or to purchase any of the above books, call toll free (888) 317-5571. [top]

13. Is there a relationship between America Needs Fatima and the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP)?

Yes. America Needs Fatima is The American TFP's special campaign to spread the Fatima message in the United States. [top ]

14. Is America Needs Fatima linked to Fr. Nicholas Gruner and The Fatima Crusader?

No. America Needs Fatima is not associated in any way with Father Nicholas Gruner or his quarterly publication, The Fatima Crusader. [top ]

15. What if I have more questions?

We encourage to contact us by:
Phone: 1-888-317-5571
Mail: America Needs Fatima,
P.O. Box 341,
Hanover, PA 17331
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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