Fatima Shrine, Chapel of Apparitions

Peace and tranquility, that is Fatima.

We stayed at the Hotel Estrela de Fatima. Our first day there was wet, drizzles of rain poured continuously and the air was chilly. The atmosphere was solemn while you are being showered by holy water for cleansing before visiting the shrine. Fatima has a tremendous effect on one's soul and being, what with a world that needs peace.

My memory of the story of Fatima is not that vivid until I came to this place. Francesco, Jacinta and Lucia. The three innocent children to whom the "Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion" appeared. Francesco died at 8 years old, followed by Jacinta and later, both of them were canonized. Lucia, on the other hand, whom we see with the Pope, died just recently, in 2005. It was her whom the Lady shared the secrets of Fatima, including the conversion of Russia and the attempt in the life of the Pope. Because of this, the bullet that hit the Pope was given as a gift to our Lady and was incorporated at the center of Her Crown.

At the place of the apparitions, our Lady requested Lucia to have a church there, thus a small chapel was built, later on a very large open church enveloped the tiny chapel (it looks like a very tiny house at the altar, see photo below and compare it to the one above with an olive tree at the right side). This is the Sanctuary in the Cova da Iria. It was here that we said the rosary in Italian, Spanish, English, Korean and Filipino.

The Lady appeared near an olive tree, which eventually disappeared as people got a portion of it little by little. A similar tree nearby was then preserved in memory of the original tree.

We have a dear Mother who loves us and brings us to Her Son. Mother Mary asks that we pray the rosary daily for the conversion of sinners.

Dear Lady of Fatima, we come on bended knees
To beg your intercession for peace and unity.
Dear Lady, won't you show us the right and shining way
We pledge our love and offer you a rosary each day.

You promised at Fatima, each time that you appeared
To help us if we pray to you to banish war and fear.
Dear Lady, on first Saturdays we ask your guiding hands
For grace and guidance here on earth and protection for our land.