| Fatima Excursion 6 September 2009 |
At about 8:30 am we walked for about 20 minutes from our Coimbra hotel to the Inter-city
Bus Terminal ("Rodoviario"), bought round-trip tickets for our excursion to Fatima and also
one-way tickets for tomorrow's trip to Nazare. At the bus terminal we had a snack while
waiting for the 9:30am bus to Fatima.
Bus Terminal ("Rodoviario"), bought round-trip tickets for our excursion to Fatima and also
one-way tickets for tomorrow's trip to Nazare. At the bus terminal we had a snack while
waiting for the 9:30am bus to Fatima.
At about 11:00am we arrived in the small town of Fatima. Following the crowd we soon
arrived at Fatima's religious center. At the front of the Basilica a priest on an glass
enclosed platform facing the esplanade was conducting a religious service in Portuguese.
Some pilgrims were at stands buying religious candles and Fatima souvenirs. Others were
standing in a line to toss their candles into a large fire-pit. A few were walking toward the
Basilica on their padded knees. Some, like us, were taking in the scene.
arrived at Fatima's religious center. At the front of the Basilica a priest on an glass
enclosed platform facing the esplanade was conducting a religious service in Portuguese.
Some pilgrims were at stands buying religious candles and Fatima souvenirs. Others were
standing in a line to toss their candles into a large fire-pit. A few were walking toward the
Basilica on their padded knees. Some, like us, were taking in the scene.
In addition to other religious items most of the stands also sell large candles shaped like
life-sized human body parts --- arms, legs, feet, breasts, hands, also internal organs such as
livers and kidneys, etc. These candles represent body parts with which the pilgrims (or loved
ones) are having medical problems. Some religious persons believe that hurling these burning
body-part candles into the fire-pit will help cure the medical problem, especially if
accompanied by a prayer.
life-sized human body parts --- arms, legs, feet, breasts, hands, also internal organs such as
livers and kidneys, etc. These candles represent body parts with which the pilgrims (or loved
ones) are having medical problems. Some religious persons believe that hurling these burning
body-part candles into the fire-pit will help cure the medical problem, especially if
accompanied by a prayer.
Worship of Our Lady of Fatima began 1n
1917 when three young children in the village
of Fatima reported that the Virgin Mary
miraculously appeared and spoke with them.
The children's report was widely accepted in
Catholic Portugal and Our Lady of Fatima
became the de facto patron saint of Portugal.
The shrine at Fatima is an important
pilgrimage destination comparable to Lourdes
in France.
1917 when three young children in the village
of Fatima reported that the Virgin Mary
miraculously appeared and spoke with them.
The children's report was widely accepted in
Catholic Portugal and Our Lady of Fatima
became the de facto patron saint of Portugal.
The shrine at Fatima is an important
pilgrimage destination comparable to Lourdes
in France.
Pilgrims on their knees
Stand selling religious articles
Stand selling religious articles
Stand selling religious articles
Interior of the Basilica
The Basilica viewed from the Esplanade
In the Basilica are the graves of two of the
children reporting being with Our Lady of Fatima
children reporting being with Our Lady of Fatima
The Esplanade and the Church of the Holy Trinity
viewed from the platform in front of the Basilica
viewed from the platform in front of the Basilica
At the far end of the Esplanade from the traditional Basilica is the very modern Church of
the Holy Trinity.
the Holy Trinity.
Front of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Fatima.
Entrance to Church of the Holy Trinity. Overhead are
nets with cutouts. The sun shining through the nets
makes silhouettes of birds appear on the wall.
nets with cutouts. The sun shining through the nets
makes silhouettes of birds appear on the wall.
Altar of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Interior of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Concluding our visit to the religious sites in Fatima we had lunch in the popular Restaurante
Santa Clara and returned by bus to Coimbra.
Santa Clara and returned by bus to Coimbra.
Restaurante Santa Cruz, Fatima
Bus ready to take us back to Coimbra.
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We were impressed by the religious fervor of many of the pilgrims to Fatima