FATIMA

Last year, June 2019, I got the opportunity to visit Portugal.

I had a strong desire to go to Fatima, yet it didn't seem possible at the time.

My friends, Veronica and Paul had chosen Portugal as their holiday break and invited me to join them for a week. I jumped at the chance.

Where they were staying was on the outskirts of Lisbon, the Capital. By trial and error we found our way to the Metro and had a wonderful day enjoying the sights. Lisbon is a beautiful City and not expensive either.

My next adventure was to travel solo to Fatima, first via Metro and then to find Coach depot and book myself onto the coach going to Fatima. 

Most of the two hour trip was spent chatting with an Indian lady.  She was on holiday with her husband and we had a good discussion about religion as she was Muslem, yet interested in the Christian faith. We chatted about Fatima and the story of our Lady appearing there. In her faith they use prayer beads, so I gifted her my rosary beads and we parted company as she was travelling further to the coast.

My next adventure was to find my Hotel. It seemed practical to get a taxi and within minutes I was deposited outside the Santa Antonia Hotel, situated just within walking distance of Fatima Cathedral! 

That evening after Mass,  I took part in the Procession of Light around the open square with hundreds of people, mostly families and some tourists too. What an delight to watch as each one of us carried our candles, forming a moving line of Light in the darkness and praying the rosary in different languages.  

Just the memory of it puts a longing on me to return again to Fatima!