Mary and Scripture Teachings

I learned many things about Mary in Fatima, especially about their beliefs towards her. One of the main ones that i learnt about while i was over there was that the Blessed Virgin Mary will be with you with her powerful protection always. They also believed that with them would be St. Francis Xavier and Blessed John de Brito (both were Portuguese saints). It was very fascinating learning how they say and cherished Mary, compared to our respects of her. But it was all worth it in the end. (Would definitely do again).

Why was it so important?! :)

Fatima is so important because of what their Lady had been able to prophecies. She gave out  messages that conveyed requests, warnings, promises, concerns and the faith by the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Her message had been confirmed through a miracle. "The Miracle of the Sun". It is said that more than 70,000 people witnessed the sun twirl in the sky, throw off colours and descend to earth.

All Popes since the Fatima Miracle have since recognised that her message was true.

After hearing all of these stories, I had to see for myself that is was real, and I did. I now believe in all the tales told about Lady Fatima and how her messages came true in miracles. It was the best experience of my life, and I am definitely willing to travel on another pilgrimage, and find myself along the way for a second time.

Dates? :)

20th Century!

I had really hoped that by going on this exposition, I would be able to witness something as extraordinary as this.

Most of Europe's Marian pilgrimage sites have been around since the Middle Ages, which is a long time compared to the Fatima Marian Pilgrimage, which has only dated from the early 20th century.

There are many occasions which are connected with Lady Fatima and the pilgrimage, for example; Between May and October during the year 1917, the Three Children (Lucia Dos Santos, Jacinta and Francisco Marto) had witnessed lots of apparitions. Including a miracle which was also witnessed by 60,000 more people, now known by Catholics as "the day the sun danced".

YouTube Clip! :D

Here is a short clip (from YouTube) about the Lady Fatima, who is the reason, the pilgrimage exists today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeMq0SpGKrw

Enjoy :))

Fatima pilgrimage route

Here is the route which i took, experiencing the Fatima Marian Pilgrimage which took me around 15 days. Here I shall give you a simple over view of my tour and where i travelled.
This shrine is located in a town named after the daughter of Mohammed, Islam's great prophet. You will now be dining and staying overnight in Fatima.

Day 1: DEPART USA

First of all, you will need to actually go to Europe (Lisbon). This will mark the beginning  of your journey

Day 2: ARRIVE LISBON

Once you have arrived in Europe your first destination would be to Lisbon, also called Alis Ubbo or "pleasant bay", by its early settlers. here you will be met by a Catholic travel centre representative, who will lead you onto a coach, and settles into a hotel. the rest of the night will be full of exploring markets, and Lisbon, under the guidance of a tour escort.

Day 3: LISBON / SANTAREM / FATIMA

From Lisbon you will then make your way over to Santarem. You will be able to visit the Church of St. Stephen. Next you continue through to Fatima, a major Christian pilgrimage centre in Europe, to a shrine:

 

Day 4: FATIMA: VISIT OF THE SHRINE

In the morning, you will be attending Holy Mass in the Little Chapel of Apparitions. Afterwards,  you will be a part of a tour of the neoclassical Basilica, visiting tombs of shepherd children, Francisco and Jacinta (you will learn more about them during the tour). Lastly, you will be taken on an afternoon excursion to Aljustrel, the children's hamlet, and Valinos. Dining afters and staying overnight at a hotel in Fatima.

Day 5: FATIMA / SALAMANCA

In the morning you will be boarding a coach across the Portuguese-Spanish border of the Salamanca. There, you will be visiting the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, and the great University of Salamanca. you will be celebrating mall at Basilica, and ending the day spending the afternoon at leisure, dinging and staying the night in Salamanca.

Day 6: SALAMANCA / LOURDES

Today, you will enjoy a guided tour of the third largest Cathedral in Spain. After, you will journey into France! In the evening you will have the opportunity t participate in a candlelight procession, finally, having dinner and staying overnight in Lourdes.

Day 7: LOURDES: VISIT OF THE SITES

In Lourdes, you will begin with a visit of the Basilica of St.. Pius X, the world's largest underground sanctuary. Followed by a walking tour which will be concluded with by lunch. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to bathe in the healing waters of the miraculous Fountain or follow the Wall of the Cross of the Calvary. Dinner will then take place followed by an overnight stay in Lourdes.

Day 8: LOURDES / CANNES

Early in the morning, you will be celebrating Mass at the Grotto of Lourdes. After Mass, you are then to be departed from Lourdes, by a motor coach, heading to Cannes. You will now have some leisure time. To end the day, you will dine and rest at a hotel in Cannes.

Day 9: CANNES / MONACO / PISA / MONTECATINI TERME

At the beginning of the day, you will again be celebrating Mass at a local church in Cannes. Then proceeding by coach, on a journey to the Principality of Monaco, where you will a see variety of attractions. Re-boarding the coach, you will then travel to the outskirts of the Italian border, and wind your way along the Italian Riviera. The next stop you will make will be in Pisa, with its leaning tower. The last place you will stop that day will be the spa town, where you will enjoy dinner and stay overnight.

Day 10: MONTECATINI TERME / FLORENCE / ASSISI

Beginning the day is a local guide introducing you to the marvels of Renaissance art, such as, the Piazza Della Signoria. Stopping shortly after at the frescoed chapel in the Franciscan church, and the Ponte Vecchio, also leaving leisurely time to then continue on to the Assisi of St. Francis and St. Clare. Dinner and sleeping arrangements will be held in Assisi.

Day 11: ASSISI / SPOLETO / ROME

Once again celebrating Mass in morning, before a guided tour of the Basilica. There you will be seeing the 13th century Church of Santa Chiara and the Church of St.Clara. You will then continue on the "Eternal City", a town that was once described as "a little bit of Heaven fallen to Earth". You will then be arriving in Rome in time for dinner and will stay there overnight.

Day 12: ROME: THE VATICAN MUSEUMS + ST PETER'S

In the morning you will be heading over to the Vatican Museums, and the High Renaissance murals of Raphael. You will also be visiting the expansive St. Peter's Square and its enormous Basilica. The remainder of the day will be free for your independent activities in the Square. You will then later, join back with your tour group, for Mass at a local church, dinner and will stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 13: ROME: MAJOR BASILICAS + CATACOMBS

Beginning the day will be a tour including three more of the city's major basilicas. Starting with the Basilica of St/ John Lantern. The afternoon will conclude of visiting the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Finishing off the day with the catacombs, underground cemeteries. Dinner and overnight accommodations will then take place in Rome.

Day 14: ROME: ANCIENT ROME

You will start off by visiting the Roma Antica, the Colosseum the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. Also available for you to view will be the San Pietro in Vincoli and St. Peter's chains. The remainder of the day will be free for you to explore and spend as you choose. Finishing the day you will be able to gather with your group to enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 15: RETURN USA

The last day will be dedicated to returning home.

Where is it? :)

Fatima, located in Portugal, is one of the main Marian Pilgrimage sites. Below are two maps of where the pilgrimage is located:

(This map describes one travel route taken for the Pilgrimage in Fatima)