Annie asked if I would be interested in going to Fatima. Sure, why not. Although I am not Catholic I was very curious to learn more about this apparition. Our driver, Loz, drove us out to Fatima, about an hour or so from Lisbon.
Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima is the title based on apparitions to 3 shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal on the 13th day of 6 consecutive months in 1917.....and here they are Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. The 3 Portuguese children reported the apparition of our Lady of Fatima and were initially jailed then threatened that they would be boiled one by one in a pot of oil. Must have been an apparition free zone back then...
Is an apparition a miracle? Apparitions are different than miracles Boca. The person viewing the apparition with the human eye is seeing an angel or a departed soul, but under a material human form, or they may be seeing a glorified body, such as that of Our Blessed Mother, who has come to her children in countless apparitions....not necessarily miraculous for the one receiving them-unless a person in the same place could not see the apparition. On the other hand- a bi-location apparition is miraculous . Did I get that??? Some are called "Marian Apparitions"- a supernatural appearance by the Blessed Virgin Mary. 295 have been reported and studied by the Holy See (the Vatican) but only 9 or is it 12 have been "approved". Hello, a real and objective intervention of divine power.
With millions of followers and a canonical enquiry the visions of Fatima were officially declared worthy of belief in 1930 by the Pope. The building of this Basilica started in 1928. Inside the basilica are the tombs of the 3 witnesses (children) to the apparitions: Jacinta and Francisco Marto and Lucia dos Santos.
Quite a huge property....room for the many many people who visit to pray and pray for miracles. After the construction of the sanctuary brought local development to the region, which eventually allowed thee town of Fatima to be elevated to the status of a city in 1997.
People come from all over the world to thank God and pray to Our Lady of Fatima for miracles...crawling on knees. Many recite the Angel prayer, "My God, I believe, I hope and I love you. I ask for pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you." Numbers can reach hundreds of thousands routinely on May 13 and October 13, the significant dates of the apparitions. They have had over one million show up for specific events over the years, hence the need for the huge open space - and over 4 million visit the basilica every year.
"Conversion of sinners"
Our very knowledgeable and kind hearted guide, Loz, (and Mario Andretti behind the wheel) did a wonderful job explaining all about Fatima.
The architecture and grounds are impeccable.
Annie and Boca feel the Holy Spirit on these grounds...maybe Annie wanted to tan her legs while feeling the Holy Spirit?? And why did Boca bring a suitcase??
Mass is held every 20 mins all day long...the Chapel Apparitions is stunning.
Opposite the basilica is a brand spanking new church. The Church of the Most Holy Trinity is the 4th largest Catholic Church in the World- ultra modern in design.
There are 9 major approved apparitions (by the Catholic Church):
1. Our Lady of Guadalupe/Mexico
2. Rue du Bac, Paris
3. La Salettee, France
4. Lourdes, France
5. Pontmain, France
6. Knock, Ireland
7. Beauraing, Belgium
8. Banneeux, Belgium
and what about Medjugorje?? None in the USA?? So far many sited but none approved. Hmm. How does one get approved??
Have you been to any of them? What was your experience?
Of course Annie and Boca check out some of the 100's of shops located in town, around the Shrine....hey I thought one of the "negative criteria" is any financial gain to the event (apparition) ??
Lots of "stuff" to buy for some of my very Catholic friends....hurry Annie. We need to get back to Lisbon to hook up with our Tauck Portugal-Spain tour. It starts this afternoon. Step on it, Mario!
Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima is the title based on apparitions to 3 shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal on the 13th day of 6 consecutive months in 1917.....and here they are Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. The 3 Portuguese children reported the apparition of our Lady of Fatima and were initially jailed then threatened that they would be boiled one by one in a pot of oil. Must have been an apparition free zone back then...
Is an apparition a miracle? Apparitions are different than miracles Boca. The person viewing the apparition with the human eye is seeing an angel or a departed soul, but under a material human form, or they may be seeing a glorified body, such as that of Our Blessed Mother, who has come to her children in countless apparitions....not necessarily miraculous for the one receiving them-unless a person in the same place could not see the apparition. On the other hand- a bi-location apparition is miraculous . Did I get that??? Some are called "Marian Apparitions"- a supernatural appearance by the Blessed Virgin Mary. 295 have been reported and studied by the Holy See (the Vatican) but only 9 or is it 12 have been "approved". Hello, a real and objective intervention of divine power.
With millions of followers and a canonical enquiry the visions of Fatima were officially declared worthy of belief in 1930 by the Pope. The building of this Basilica started in 1928. Inside the basilica are the tombs of the 3 witnesses (children) to the apparitions: Jacinta and Francisco Marto and Lucia dos Santos.
People come from all over the world to thank God and pray to Our Lady of Fatima for miracles...crawling on knees. Many recite the Angel prayer, "My God, I believe, I hope and I love you. I ask for pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you." Numbers can reach hundreds of thousands routinely on May 13 and October 13, the significant dates of the apparitions. They have had over one million show up for specific events over the years, hence the need for the huge open space - and over 4 million visit the basilica every year.
The architecture and grounds are impeccable.
Annie and Boca feel the Holy Spirit on these grounds...maybe Annie wanted to tan her legs while feeling the Holy Spirit?? And why did Boca bring a suitcase??
Opposite the basilica is a brand spanking new church. The Church of the Most Holy Trinity is the 4th largest Catholic Church in the World- ultra modern in design.
There are 9 major approved apparitions (by the Catholic Church):
1. Our Lady of Guadalupe/Mexico
2. Rue du Bac, Paris
3. La Salettee, France
4. Lourdes, France
5. Pontmain, France
6. Knock, Ireland
7. Beauraing, Belgium
8. Banneeux, Belgium
and what about Medjugorje?? None in the USA?? So far many sited but none approved. Hmm. How does one get approved??
Have you been to any of them? What was your experience?
Of course Annie and Boca check out some of the 100's of shops located in town, around the Shrine....hey I thought one of the "negative criteria" is any financial gain to the event (apparition) ??
Lots of "stuff" to buy for some of my very Catholic friends....hurry Annie. We need to get back to Lisbon to hook up with our Tauck Portugal-Spain tour. It starts this afternoon. Step on it, Mario!
