A City of Mary

The dream and calling of Rev. Andrew Avellino Bonet

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima & St. Cajetan

Founded in 1985 by Rev. Father Bonet, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima & St. Cajetan offers the Traditional Latin Catholic Masses to all who attend. The Shrine was the first of its kind in central Florida. Father Bonet arrived in Florida, driving a yellow school bus with only one dream: spreading the Traditional Catholic Mass to as many people as possible. He traveled across the state, celebrating the Traditional Roman Catholic Latin Mass for various congregations. Upon arriving in Hernando County, he was captivated by the scenic beauty of Weeki Wachee and envisioned it as the ideal location for his dream project, the City of Mary, which evolved into the Shrine Project.

The dream for THE SHRINE PROJECT included:

a church,
a cemetery,
a school that welcomed underprivileged children, and
an assisted living facility equipped with gardens tended by both the residents and the school’s youth, where the children benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of the residents.

Positioned between Hernando and Citrus County, it is strategically located in Central Florida, making it easily accessible for Traditional Catholics across the state. Despite facing many challenges, he secured over 25 acres and built the Shrine from the ground up. The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and St. Cajetan is a historic and iconic Traditional Catholic Church, featuring beautiful statues, stained glass windows, life-size stations of the cross, a choir, and the Traditional Latin Mass. Its parishioners are a talented and diverse community.

Father Bonet is no longer with us,

but his dream is finally coming true.

The City of Mary has started to come alive with new landmarks like

a shrine,
a cemetery,
developing plans for an assisted living facility,
and a school—OUR LADY OF FATIMA ACADEMY.

Located on a 25-acre wooded campus at 10360 Atlanta Avenue on church property, the school offers both private and homeschool programs. These programs serve all, especially underprivileged youth and families, who are eligible for full tuition grants through government-funded initiatives like the Step-Up Program and community charities. The school fulfills Father Bonet's vision to support the community by embracing a diverse student body and celebrating each individual's unique talents. It also provides an excellent academic and spiritual environment for children in grades K through 12, helping to realize their full potential while fulfilling Fr. Bonet’s dream of the Shrine Project. As we embrace what the City of Mary symbolizes—her welcoming embrace across all ages—we also honor her love and reverence for her son, Jesus Christ.

All these developments originate from one man's vision to preserve traditional Church values, care for the elderly and children, and uphold the community spirit of traditional-style churches.

The journey has been far from easy, but Shrine of Fatima & St. Cajetan continues to learn and grow through challenges.

The Shrine exclusively offers the Traditional Latin Mass, reflecting obedience to the longstanding teachings of the Traditional Roman Catholic Church. Since Father Bonet's death the church has continued to uphold these traditions. By sticking to the Traditional Latin Mass, the priests and parishioners of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima and St. Cajetan demonstrate their refusal to adopt the reforms introduced by Vatican II. Their aim is to preserve the Roman Catholic Faith by maintaining the doctrines and practices established before Vatican I. They believe this approach safeguards the integrity of Catholic teachings. Pope Pius XII emphasized that the sacred liturgy is deeply connected to the core truths of the Catholic Faith, and therefore, it must align with and reflect these truths. For this reason, the Church carefully preserves the text of the Mass to prevent doctrinal errors from entering the liturgy. Additionally, while English is easier to understand, slang, colloquialisms, and regional influences can shift meaning over time and across different locations. The Shrine makes it easier by disbursing missals with the English translation alongside the Latin text true to tradition. Even children learn to use them effortlessly and quickly memorize many Latin prayers.

Since 1985, the Shrine has served as a sanctuary for Catholics who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass. Everyone is welcome to attend our services! Feel free to stay afterward and visit with our parish family. We enjoy sharing time together, learning about the unique qualities our county offers.

Additionally, like St. Francis of Assisi, Father Bonet's kindness towards animals has inspired many to cultivate a love for horses, chickens, dogs, and cats over the years. (He even gave directions to find a way to include welcoming well-behaved personal pets at the ALF.) It is customary to find a well-behaved pet visiting the property who has been rescued by one of the inspired parishioners. Fr. Bonet's influence has reached people of all ages, including our Administrator, who always has a rescue-pet, and at just over 15 years old, organized a fundraising effort to provide a free summer camp for 70 children. As a reward, Father Bonet took them to Walt Disney World at the end of the summer to celebrate their dedication to the Faith and community service during the camp.

Father Bonet's vision continues to inspire many generations, just as the Church Administrator has made it her life mission to carry on Fr. Bonet's legacy by expanding the missions of the church to make the City of Mary a reality.

The goal is to make the Traditional Catholic Latin Mass widely accessible, support the community, and inspire conversions by exemplifying dedication to the sacraments, faith, and mutual love and devotion to the salvation and care of the human race.

“Charity, by which God and neighbor are loved, is the most perfect friendship.”
– St. Thomas Aquinas

For those interested in a Traditional Latin Catholic Mass,

visit ShrineofFatima.com

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima & St. Cajetan is located at

10360 Atlanta Avenue, Weeki Wachee,

and can be contacted at (352) 556-2869 for more details.

The Shrine is located just off Highway 19 on Atlanta Ave., about 8 miles south of Sugarmill Woods in Weeki Wachee.