Hello! Today, after sleeping for almost 24 hours, I was feeling well enough to make my way out of bed and go to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
If you’ve never heard of Our Lady of Fatima, here is some background. In 1917, Mary, Mother of Jesus, appeared to 3 shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, 6 times over 6 months. These apparitions were approved by the Church as authentic supernatural experience. The farm land where the apparitions had occurred was owned by the family of the shepherd children, and is now a Sanctuary and very popular pilgrimage site.
There is a massive outdoor area, like a giant open square for people to gather, and surrounding it are multiple buildings and sites. There is a minor Basilica and Church built here, as well as an outdoor chapel. There are specific sites within the sanctuary that are marked as spots where Mary appeared. Two of the shepherd children died young, and the other lived a long life, and have all since been buried in the Basilica. There is an enormous metal cross on one end, and over 12 statues of different saints. And just nearby you can actually go and see the home of Sister Lucia! (We will be visiting tomorrow).
I’ve always been so intrigued by the story + history of Our Lady of Fatima, which made it so incredible to visit the site of these apparitions, pray in the Basilica, visit the tombs of the children, and stand in awe of everything around me. I highly recommend visiting Fatima + the sanctuary if you get a chance, it truly is beautiful! There is a section that is a small alcove where you can purchase a candle and light it for prayer intentions you may have. There were tons of people and so many candles lit (and so many candles melted and broken off, too haha). I have been keeping you all in my prayers, I wish you could be here with me to experience it first hand! Hopefully you can one day.
Today was short since I slept a lot, but it was very good none the less. I look forward to checking out more of the Sanctuary tomorrow before we head back to Lisbon. You are all in our prayers, please keep us in your prayers.
Buen Camino!
Hannah
