I didn't know what to expect on my way to Fátima, Portugal.
I am a Catholic, but I do not believe in miracles but the story of the miracle of Fátima was still interesting enough to add this stop to my list during my trip to Portugal.
It all started when 3 children aged 7, 9 and 10 affirmed having seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the way home.
From May 1917 to October 1917, only these children could see the Virgin Mary, every 13 of the month, when she returned to make an appearance.
When the Virgin Mary last appeared on October 13, 1917, there were approximately 70,000 people at the site hoping to see a great miracle, which did not take place.
All she asked for was repentance and the construction of a chapel on the site, which was done.
Nowadays, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima has an important place in the city.
Many pilgrims come to Fátima in the hope of seeing their problems or their wounds go away.
The interior of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, all in white, encourages calm and meditation.
Across the square is the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.
Much less flashy, this new and modern church was consecrated in 2007 to accommodate the growing flow of pilgrims, 90 years after the apparitions of Fátima.
A little away from the center, there is a very beautiful Way of the Cross which offers a beautiful walk including 14 stops with statue.
At one of the stops we can see a monument commemorating the apparition to the three children of Fátima.
During the day, the site is beautiful to discover, but at night it is simply magical.
All the pilgrims come together to participate in the torch walk and sing along.
A very nice experience that I highly recommend.
After the procession, it is customary to leave your torch here to burn out with all the others.
Photo taken with a Canon PowerShot SX500 IS.
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