Sept 10, 2017 Fatima

Bright and early this morning we loaded ourselves into the car and drove up to Fatima to catch the Sunday morning service at the Fatima basilica.   

Let me give you a little background on Fatima.  It was the site of an appearance of the Holy Virgin in 1917.  The Holy Virgin appeared before three children and ordered them to return to the same tree every day for six months.  On the final day some 70,000 pilgrims were with the children to witness the appearance of the holy Virgin.  However only Lucia the oldest of the three children heard the final words of the Holy Virgin which as a vision of Hell, a vision of a war worse than World War I and of a papal assassination.  This final vision was finally revealed by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the millennium when he visited Fatima.   My apologies if I do not have the facts exactly right. 

The basilica is quite large with a central tower which is 213 feet (65 m) and is set with statues of the saints on either side.  The esplanade which is set in front of the basilica is twice the size of St Peter’s square in Rome.  It held over a million people on the occasion of John Paul’s visit.  In the square is a giant rosary, a giant crucifix and a statue of John Paul II.  I have to say it is a very impressive sight and it is no wonder that it attracts millions of pilgrims every year. 

After our visit we wandered out into the town and down the streets of Fatima. They are crowded with shops selling every manner of religious paraphernalia.  There is something for everyone.  There is an unbelievable array of statues, pillows, t-shirts, Portuguese tiles with holy pictures, key chains, rosary beads, silver trays, and on and on.  John Paul II even has his own take out restaurant.

We had a fabulous meal in a local restaurant and headed home.  To say it was a very interesting day would be a huge understatement. 

Terry