In this hundredth anniversary year of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, forty-one pilgrims from our parish travelled to Fatima to pray at the shrine of Our Lady. The weather was perfect and it remained sunny and hot throughout.
Fatima was still very busy with many pilgrims still coming to pray at the shrine. Our stay at the convent of the Dominican sisters was comfortable. During our stay we visited St. Stephen’s church, site of a 13th century Eucharistic miracle. Fr John celebrated mass for our group at St. Stephen’s. We also attended daily mass at the chapel of the apparitions – groups from the United States, Ireland and Nigeria lead us in prayer. In the evening we attended with hundreds of people the recitation of the Rosary and the Procession around the piazza. The stations of the cross was one of the many highlights during the week – It was very humbling and a great experience.. Fatima is a privileged place of Marian presence. But most of all, it was an affirmation of the reality of our faith, and a wonderful opportunity to see the depth and breadth of our faith, as well as to be able to share it with fellow Catholics. May Our Lady of Fatima bless us all.