

While the Blue Army was founded in 1947, because of its rapid spread around the world, it became necessary to erect a new society.

The World Apostolate of Fátima has its world headquarters in the Domus Pacis ("House of Peace"), a pilgrim guest house in Fátima, Portugal. Currently, there are over 20 million members. The foundation of the International Blue Army took place at the House of Pontevedra, Spain, where Mary is said to have appeared to request Communion of Reparation every First Saturday. Colgan then went to the Vatican in May 1947 to meet Pius XII in order to present his project for approval from the pontiff. Colgan began preaching his message and gained success, especially with the assistance of writer John Haffert who began delivering conferences on the message of Fátima and the Blue Army. Thus was born the Blue Army, from Colgan's own words: "We will be the Blue army of Mary and Christ, against the red of the world and of Satan."įr. Colgan began to think about extending this to other parishes and other nations. This was also a success and the congregation all enrolled. The first was a signed promise that one would try to uphold these values and the second was to wear a blue ribbon or blue medal in order to remember the promise. His message was highly successful however, he wanted to make more of a lasting impression upon his congregation, and so he added two further items of his own invention.

The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fátima devoted by the Blue Army
