Our Lady of Fatima statue at St Eugene's

The reception of the statue will take place at the Cathedral at 12.30pm on Tuesday March 7, followed by a special Mass at 1pm.

Eucharistic Adoration will continue throughout the afternoon until 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend, concluding with Mass at 7.30pm.

Those present at the 7.30pm Mass may be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The statue is one of six blessed by Pope Francis on January 11, with each to be brought to a different continent.

The statues are being brought to different countries to appeal for prayer and reparation for world peace , and to promote the sanctity of family life in our world.

The European statue will be brought to Derry by representatives of the Alliance of the two Hearts.

The Virgin Mary was reported to have appeared to three shepherd children 100 years ago this year.

Jacinta and Francisco Marto and their cousin Lúcia Santos lived in the small village of Fatima, and one of the children later reporting that the Virgin had told them a series of secrets. The children also reported a series of strange visions.

The Miracle of the Sun the same year was reported to have seen thousands of people gathered near Fatima and many reporting strange solar activity, including the sun dancing.