What a picturesque way to wake up! This is the view from my room.
The pilgrimage officially kicks off later today. This morning I need to get laundry done though. I’ve done laundry in the states at laundromats. There’s always a learning curve to figure out the machines. This time is even more fun since the instructions are in Portuguese. My phone will translate though! Thanks Apple.
Oh no still not helpful a local lady had mercy on me fumbling around. Thank You Lord for sending her
It’s more like hot pudding. Very chocolaty! My sisters and I have been enjoying adult hot chocolates this winter. A touch of whisky really hits the spot on those cold days. 😉 I think that would’ve gone well as an addition here too.
…
And we’re off! Quick version of the Message of Fatima and why this place is important enough for a pilgrimage:
Do you believe God is still speaking to us?
Back in 1917, WWI was going on. Communism was spreading.
Fatima is a very special place in Portugal where, in 1917, three young children named Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary appeared to them several times and shared important messages about love, prayer, and helping others. She asked the children to pray the Rosary, which is a special way of talking to God and remembering important events in Jesus' life. The messages from Fatima encourage everyone to be kind, to pray for peace, and to ask for God's help in making the world a better place.
The story of Fatima is significant because it teaches us about the importance of faith and caring for one another. Many people believe that Mary's visits to the children were a way to remind everyone to turn back to God and to live good lives. The children became examples of how to be brave and faithful, even when faced with challenges. Today, many people visit the shrine at Fatima to pray and to feel close to Mary, hoping to follow her example of love and kindness in their own lives.
What brought me here? My friend Katherine (remember her from DC) went a few years ago. When she got back she said “it’s life changing you have to do it. I can get you on the list.” I signed up not really knowing anything but trusting her. And I wanted my travels to have more meaning so centering it on something Catholic made sense.
I went for the first time January 2024. And it was life changing. Not an immediate overnight transformation. More of a slow grow opening my heart and mind more to God and working to let go of the things of the world that hinder my relationship with Him and harm my journey toward heaven.
It was so impactful then I’m back for a second time. If you’re interested let me know and I’ll get you on the list. 😉 This group goes twice per year. There’s always return pilgrims and a large number of newbies.
I met some wonderful folks last year I keep up with. And this year is looking just as promising.
Back to the day… we start with a tour of the Museum of the Shrine of Fatima. It’s laid out so that we walk in darkness up and down and around sharp corners. There’s reminders of the war that was going on at the time. Then are welcomed into the light. It’s a physical display of the message of Fatima - darkness into light.
The crown jewel (quite literally) of the exhibit is the Precious Crown of Fatima.
It is made of jewels given to Our Lady by the women of Portugal. In the very center under the globe is the bullet that struck Pope John Paul II in the 1981 assassination attempt. He attributes his safety to Our Lady’s protection and said one finger pulled the trigger and another guided the bullet. The assassin even said he doesn’t know how the bullet missed!
Whenever Mary appears she shows up looking like the locals to show we are all her children. This statue caught my eye in the collection. It’s a portrayal of Our Lady with the 3 shepherds from an African tribe.
The evening concludes with mass and supper at the hotel to get to know my fellow pilgrims!
Comments