Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

Dear Commons Community,

Fátima is a Portuguese city located 125 kilometers due east of Lisbon.  Its worldwide fame is due to the phenomenon of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by three shepherd children from May 13th to October 13th, 1917.

Lúcia dos Santos, (nine-years old), and her cousins ​​Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto

In 1917, the three children (Lúcia dos Santos, (ten-years old), and her cousins ​​Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto (eight and six-years old respectively) claimed to have witnessed six apparitions of Our Lady on May 13th, June 13th, July 13th, September 13th and October 13th in the place of Cova da Iria , with one apparition taking place on August 19th. The apparition of the Virgin Mary asked them to pray the rosary every day, for the conversion of sinners , and to do penance . She also asked to have a chapel built in her honor. 

The Sanctuary or Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, located where the apparitions occurred, has become one of the most important international destinations for religious devotion, receiving approximately six million people per year.  There several structures enclosed by a very large plaza or square.

After Fatima, we stopped at Nazaré for lunch,  a small seacoast fishing town, with a spectacular beach and harbor.  Certain times of the year, waves on its beaches are measured as high as 100 feet.

Very interesting.

Tony

Actual site of the apparitions

Tombs of Lucia and Juanita in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

Tomb of Francisco

Main Altar of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

Nazaré