Fatima Pilgrimage

Why we chose Fatima

I have always wanted to visit Fatima, Portugal. Well, more accurately, I longed to go ever since my son was very small, and we learned the details of what transpired there together. We loved reading about the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in this tiny remote village during World War I and also watching a sweet high-quality children’s video of the occurrences. It is so relatable for little ones because Our Lady appeared to three elementary-aged shepherd children, in a small cove, above a “holm-oak” tree. The “seers”, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, were normal joyful, playful, prayerful children.

The Apparitions

The apparitions actually began with an Angel visiting the children in 1916, as a way to prepare them for what was to come. By May 13, 1917, several months had passed since the final Angel apparition, and they resumed their daily routine of shepherding, praying the Rosary, and playing. On that Sunday morning after Mass, they were at play in the Cova da Iria near their sheep when they saw something like lightning. They headed home down the hill, thinking it was an approaching storm.

There was another flash of light, and over an oak tree appeared a lady…

“all dressed in white, more brilliant than the sun, radiating a light clearer and more intense than a crystal glass filled with clear water pierced by the most burning rays of the sun.”

She revealed her name as “Our Lady of the Rosary”, and she would visit them five more times on the 13th of the month with messages for them to share with the world. Suddenly, their simple lives were taking a sharp supernatural turn.

The Messages

Our Lady gave the children several messages, including the prophecy that a future pope would be assassinated, which is accepted as the assassination attempt on Pope St. John Paul II. Some of the messages are here in italic script, with my notes in regular script:

1. “Pray the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.” (It was the time of World War I.)
2. “Pray, pray much, and sacrifice for sinners, for many souls go to hell because there is no one to sacrifice and pray for them.”
3. “…The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.” (World War I ended a year after this message.) But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. (Of course, World War II later happened, which could not have been known in 1917.)
4. “…I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heard, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred. The Holy Father will have much to suffer. Several nations will be annihilated.
5. “Finally My Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me and she will be converted, and an era of peace will be granted to the world.” (In addition to other popes’ consecrations which some claim were incomplete, Pope Francis did this consecration of Russia on March 25, 2022.)
6. “When you pray the Rosary, say after each mystery: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need.” (Today most Catholics add these words when praying the Rosary.)

For faithfully relaying these important messages, the shepherds were subject to humiliation, ostracization, interrogation by government and Church officials, and even jailed briefly. Despite threats of terrible punishments, such as being boiled in oil (!), they never recanted. For several months, no one believed them. However, this would change.

The Miracle of the Sun

Apart from the children, no one saw Our Lady when she appeared, though multitudes came to the Cova da Iria hoping to experience the mysterious happenings. The cousins asked her to perform a miracle so all would believe. On the overcast cold rainy day of October 13, 1917, there were 70,000 (sodden and muddy) spectators on the hillside! All of a sudden, the clouds disappeared to reveal a bright sun and a clear blue sky. Everything and everyone was dry in an instant. Then the sun began to “dance” in the sky at one point even appearing to hurtle toward the earth. No one was hurt, no one’s eyes were damaged, and moreover, many came to believe in the apparitions that day, including newspaper reporters, photographers, doctors, and many others. It became known as the “Miracle of the Sun”.

We were going to see this hallowed ground where these prophecies, which over time proved to be true, were unveiled.

Getting There

The pilgrimage to the Fatima Shrine (or Sanctuary as it is also known) was happening! Our day began at 6 am to get a taxi to the Lisbon train station. We got off at Santarem to see some of the historical sites there on the way, however, we learned that the train station is a bit far from the city center and the historical parts are uphill and nowhere in sight. Thus, we passed on that side trip, got a lovely coffee and pastry in the train station, and hopped the next train for our primary destination of the Fatima Shrine! When we arrived at the station labeled Fatima, it immediately became clear no one was around. Was this the correct stop? After a fashion, two women, perhaps from Russia or Poland, appeared asking us about a taxi to the Fatima Sanctuary. There were no cars, taxis, buses or other people. In fact, it was the right stop, however, it was a good half hour away from the Shrine — at breakneck speed anyway. Eventually, John inquired at a sleepy bar, and the proprietor ultimately procured a reluctant cabbie to come get us and the Eastern European ladies. The driver was a cross between Mario Andretti and a skinny Scooby-Doo villain, complete with a scowl etched on his craggy face. Fortunately, John jockeyed to ensure that I had the front seat as I am prone to carsickness. Thank goodness! After a harrowing ride that involved much last-minute braking and fast turns on winding roads, we screeched into the ample Shrine parking lot! We retrieved our backpacks from the trunk and made our way to the entrance.

Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fátima

We first saw a glimpse of the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fátima (Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima) from the back. The distinctive golden crown which holds the cross is for Our Lady who wore such a crown when she appeared here. We were finally here!

This is where the tombs of brother and sister, Francisco and Jacinta, are; their cousin, Lucia, is entombed here also.

Rosary in Many Languages and Mass at the Capelinha das Aparições

A soft rain was now falling. We gathered with probably 100 other pilgrims at the outdoor Capelinha das Aparições (Chapel of the Apparitions). It is more or less the middle of the vast expanse of the Fatima Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is bookended by two Basilicas. The chapel is extremely simple, largely open on three sides, with only a roof and benches for seats, of marble and wood construction. At the center is a glass-encased statue of Our Lady at the spot where she appeared a little over 100 years ago above the oak tree. That tree itself did not survive as early-day pilgrims cut branches as ersatz ‘relics’, more properly called souvenirs, however, there is a massive tree right next to the chapel; an offshoot of the original. It lends a lovely lush green to an otherwise fairly austere and bland Sanctuary. As I reflected on the grayness of it all, it seemed that perhaps the people of God are meant to be the color and the life here.

Here, as more and more people gathered, and it became standing room only, we joined in a multilingual Rosary and afterward a Mass. A couple beaming with joy renewed their vows at the Mass. The rain mostly let up and everyone went to explore this special place.

Praying for everyone by name at the Basílica da Santíssima Trindade

Now we made our way to the other end of the Sanctuary complex where the Basílica da Santíssima Trindade (Basilica of the Blessed Trinity) is. This is where, for the first time, we said aloud each and every prayer intention we had brought with us, as well as some of those we met along the way to that point and those of the folks who were writing us with requests at this website. We knelt and bowed our heads and prayed. These were emotion-laden moments — we were fulfilling our mission!

Dining

We enjoyed two heart-warming and surprisingly wonderful meals at Casa Platano, in walking distance of the Sanctuary and our hotel, served both times by the aptly named local “waiter-extraordinaire” and connoisseur of all comestibles, Francisco. At the end of dinner, he gifted us with truffles and white port. A treat! (This was after an unforgettable dessert of port wine and orange custard with almonds, fruit, and a delightful foam.) I would be remiss not to mention that our accommodation, the Hotel Estrela, was excellent as was Patricia who checked us in and gave us every courtesy and advice.

Of Candles and Praying the Stations of the Cross

After eating and resting, it was night, and we returned to the outdoor chapel for the evening Rosary and Procession. We had our chunky khaki-colored candles and were ready. Sadly, it turned out that because we had not seen or known to purchase candle holders to catch the wax drippings, we did not have them, and we were told to extinguish ours due to the possible damage to the marble all around us. It was also unfortunate for our neighbor pilgrim who likewise did not have a candle, as John had cut one of ours in half for him to use which he gladly accepted; alas all three of ours had to be snuffed. Praying the Rosary (or following/fumbling along!) in four languages was a learning experience. Then we made our way to the nearby area of black iron-grated candle stands holding hundreds of candles brightly burning in rows, and we added ours. Curiously, intermixed with these we saw melting remnants of candles shaped like various body parts — the tradition here is to burn a candle in the shape of the site of any ailment for which you seek healing, such as an ear if you have hearing loss. They sell them in all the shops.

Everyone lined up for the Candle-lit Procession around the Shrine, a beautiful sight to see! As we had joined our candles to the multitudes in the grates, now we were being beckoned by the softly glowing Stations of the Cross mosaics gracing the exterior of Basilican of the Rosary in a gentle arc. We were inspired to pray the Stations of the Cross. Here is a beautiful version of the Stations infused with Holy Scripture. What we did was a very modified one for each of the 14 Stations — kneeling before each one and blessing ourselves (genuflecting), reciting the name of the Station (such as “Jesus in the Garden”) and praying,

“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy Cross,

you have redeemed the world.”

See my other journal post for photos of each stunningly-detailed Station and the Station prayers.

On completing the Stations, we looked out over all the candles flickering in the darkness, and the place was no longer leaden. Something hopeful, inspirational, and indeed prophetic had happened here long ago, and it was still happening on this luminous night.

As if further ‘proof’ were needed, at the bus station the next morning, a full rainbow greeted us!

(Some portions of the above were adapted from www.fatima.org, www.americaneedsfatima.org, www.churchpop.com, and www.pilgrimvirginstatue.com)