Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz has led a procession of Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue during previous visits to the Diocese of Buffalo. (Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer)

The United States tour of the world famous Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will make its way to churches in Hamburg, Cheektowaga and Elba during the first week of June.

On Wednesday, June 1, St. Mary of the Lake, 4737 Lake Shore Road in Hamburg will host a 7 p.m. procession followed by Mass and a discussion led by Patrick Sabat, the custodian of the statue. After Mass there will be a small reception with light refreshments. The church will be open until midnight for Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and for meditation before Our Lady. On Thursday, June 2, there will be Mass at 8:15 a.m. and a talk by Sabat. The church will remain open until noon.

On Friday, June 3, the statue visits St. John Gualbert, 83 Gualbert Avenue in Cheektowaga, starting at 7 p.m. The following day, the statue makes its way to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 65 South Main Street, Elba, for viewing which starts at 3:30 p.m. on June 4 and continues into Sunday, June 5.

In 1917, the Mother of God appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal and gave them a peace plan from heaven. Hundreds of favors and graces, including cures and countless conversations are associated with the image. Also, on more than thirty occasions, the statue has appeared to shed tears.