The Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal attracts pilgrims that flock along the little lanes on May 13 and October 13, dates that are significant to the Fátima apparitions
A 45 minute drive out of Lisbon, Portugalwill see you gradually leave the organised bustle in the heart of the city to agreen surroundings interspersed with the occasional structure and perhaps oddhorse or cow that may have wandered out of its familiar habitat. Driving pastareas faous for cheese production and then Lisbons characteristic pine trees,you gradually see a merger of old and new, as windmills of the yesteryearsdraped with blades of fabric stand beside those of an electronic nature usedfor harnessing power. All in all, as you drive down a highway where thewilderness closes in on you, one can’t help but think that it is an appropriateroad to be on when visiting one of the most popular religious shrines in theworld; Fatima.
Fátima became famous for its affluence withregard to pilgrims that visit the Marian shrine (the largest Basilica dedicatedto Our Lady), built to commemorate these religious events. The origin of theseevents can be traced back to May 13, 1917, when ten year old Lúcia dosSantos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were in themidst of their daily routine, herding sheep, at a location known asthe Cova da Iria near their home situated in the village of Fátima.Lúcia described seeing a woman that was, "Brighter than the sun, sheddingrays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal ball filled with the mostsparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun." Fromthat initial date, appearances were reported to have been recorded on thethirteenth day of every month from June right up to October, the only exceptionbeing the month of August. This missing of an apparition occurred, when after ahuge uproar arising from the children’s tale causing people to flock to thesite, the government detained the children for questioning. According toLúcia's account, the woman confided to the children three secrets over thecourse of her appearances, known as the Three Secrets of Fátima.
For those with strong religiousinclinations, or first time visitors to Portugal, Fátima is a must-see. The farside of the esplanade boasts the gigantic basilica, in neo-classical style,with an extremely tall central tower. Flanking this, are colonnades that linkit with buildings dedicated to conventual and medical use. Inside this basilicalie the tombs of the three seers Jacinta and FranciscoMarto and Lúcia dos Santos. The Church of the Most Holy Trinity,one of the largest churches in the world, was built on the other side of theesplanade during the 2000s. The first stone laid at the base of the altar atthis church was gifted by Pope John Paul II, and formed a part of Saint Peter’sTomb.
Whether it is for the folklore, to witnessa large part of Catholic history, or just for the long drive through thecountryside, one simply must go to Fatima, because irrespective of the reason,it is ultimately the journey that does make the destination.
