It was long overdue, but I finally went on a very special pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes. I had hoped to post about this last week, but have been very busy with house (dog sitter did not stay with dogs! what a mess!) and car (alternator died on first day back home) and taking my dear Mimi out of the water for the winter, and I lost my wallet. So I will share a few pictures and the experience at Fatima, Portugal. The rest will be done as I can.
To refresh memories, Fatima is the location of the apparition of the Blessed Mother to three shepherd children - Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. It is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions.
I will admit, I fell in love with the stories about little Jacinta. She must have been a little firecracker. This was such an incredible and overwhelming experience. To visit the site of the apparition was extremely moving, and no words can express the feelings at the burial sites of the three children (Lucia died as an adult many years later, Francisco and Jacinta died very young). The late night procession was incredibly moving with thousands of people from all over the world carrying light candles walking together with a very moving rendition of Ave Maria.
Here a few pictures I have been able to organize.
The basilica at night, next to the site of the apparitions and the burial site of all three visionaries.
The nativity scene.
Statue of the Blessed Mother used during the evening procession.
A few nuns on the pilgrimage.
Francisco and Jacinta statues on the church grounds.
Videos of the procession.
Statues in town center of Fatima.
The burial sites for Lucia and Jacinta. This was truly a moving visit to the Church.
The burial site of Francisco inside the church.
The basilica is beautiful.
A mural in the Church of the Rosary.
A series of small bands played all day at the shrine commemorating the site of the apparition.
Mass was said frequently during the day and evening by many visiting groups of many countries from around the world.
Home of Lucia.
Home of Francisco and Jacinta.
Relative of Lucia.
More to come!
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