At Fátima’s heart, the candles gleam, Where whispered prayers meet heaven’s dream. Pilgrims walk where visions shone bright, In sacred hush, they find the light. Fatima is becoming the most famous pilgrimage shrine in the world dedicated to Marian devotion. Our Lady appeared 6 times to 3 shepherds in 1917 telling them 3 secrets about world policy performance.
After 1h15m drive from Lisbon, our first stop is going to be a comfort stop for toilets, bar (price of drinks not included) and religious handicraft. Next we go to Ajustrel to see the house where Lucia, the most important shepherdess in the apparitions, used to live.
Then we go to the huge sanctuary where you will have more than 1 hour to pray to Our Lady and to visit:
-The Basilica with the tombstones of the shepherds witnessing the apparitions of Our Lady - Lucia, Jacinta, Francisco.
-The Apparitions’ Chapel - heart of the shrine, built on the place where Our Lady appeared to the shepherds. It’s here that most masses are commonly held by priests in several languages.
-Right in front of the Chapel, a source of water came to light. There's a tap near the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where you can get the pure water to be blessed by a priest.
-Also, to the left of the Apparitions’ Chapel, you’ll find a spot full of candles where you can light a candle and make a vow to Our Lady not far, is the main Office of the Information Service, where you can get all the information you want about Fatima.
-On the floor of the vast square, there is a marble passage crossed by pilgrims on their knees until they reach the Apparitions’ chapel to ask physical and spiritual heal from Our Lady or fulfill a promise. Your guide will point out the most significant sites of interest on the square, but he/she can’t guide visits inside the Holy places, it’s not permitted.
Return to Lisbon by the same motorway.
