Trekcapri's 2014 Portugal Adventures: Day Trip to Fatima

What a fun time I'm having so far.  Tomorrow I leave for Obidos and it will be the first of my two overnight day trips I have planned on this trip.    

So far, I've seen many sights here in Lisbon and have also done day trips to Belem, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, Evora and Fatima. This post will be about my moving experience visiting the small town of Fatima.  I took a 90 minute bus ride from Lisbon to Fatima. From the bus station in Fatima it is a short walk to the Sanctuary.  Fatima is a small town with much religious significance for Catholics, but it is also a wonderful place for all visitors.  For me personally, I have a real interest in this subject.  I think it all started when I first watched this old classic movie (and I can't remember the name of it), but it was a story about Mary appearing before this girl or nun.  That scene for some reason had an impact on me.  I wasn't sure I would be able to do this day trip and I am so glad that I did because it has been one of the more moving travel & life experiences I've had.  

On May 13, 1917 three shepherd children were pasturing their little flock in Cova da Iria.  After their midday praying the Rosary, they saw a brilliant light in the spot (where the Chapel of Apparitions now stands), "a Lady more brilliant than the sun", from whose hands hung a white rosary.  

The Lady told the three children that it was necessary to pray much and she invited them to return to the Vova da Iria during five consecutive months n the 13th day of that hour.  The children did so and the 13th day of June, July, September and October the Lady appeared to them again and spoke to them.  On October 13 with about 70,000 people present the Lady said to the that she was the Lady of the Rosary and that a chapel was to be built there in her honor  After the apparition all present witnessed the miracle promised to the three children in July and September the sun resembling a silver disc coud be gazed at without difficulty and whirling on itself like a wheel of fire it seemed about to fall upon the earth.  

There is a nice church here where I was able to catch the tail end of mass. 

   

Here is a photo from the Brochure of the three Shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.  

This is a photo of where one of the childre (Jacinta) is entombed.

A close-up of one of the murals/

This really reminded me a bit of St. Peters in Rome.

I thought it was going to be raining (well, it did on the bus ride back to Lisbon), but it was a beautiful day. 

I was so moved to be here I sat and prayed and thought of all the people in my life and prayed for everyone. 

A wider photo of the Chapel 

Where visitors light their candles and pray for family & friends.

Here's a quick video I took.

And the Dream lives on . . . .