Fatima - a place of pilgrimage

A small town with a population of 10 tons increases significantly from May to October. At this time, pilgrims from all over the world flock here to worship this holy place, find spiritual solace and ask for healing from diseases for relatives and friends. The Virgin Mary of Fatima is considered a healer, it is the faith in healing that attracts believers to this place.

Here the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherds in 1917 and revealed three secrets, three epistles, three secrets. The first phenomenon occurred on May 13, and every 13th day until October the Virgin appeared to children in the form of a “beautiful lady”.

In the first epistle was the appearance of hell, a sea of fire in which the souls of sinners floated. The second is the prediction of the beginning of the Second World War. And the revelations about Russia. “If Russia does not turn to God, many innocent people will die,” she said.

The children did not know that Russia was a country, they thought it was a sinful woman and prayed for her salvation. Of course, all three prophecies have very vague meanings and can be interpreted differently, and there are many different translations. But the recognition of the miracle is considered proven by the Vatican.

The third letter, long kept secret by the Vatican, was made public only in 2000, but there are still doubts about its authenticity.

On the last day of October 13, a miracle was revealed.

Many believers come to the first and last days of appearances. The power of faith of people is striking, many of whom walk to the city from all over Portugal, and after reaching, kneel at the beginning of the square, and along the marble path to the very chapel Vision go on their knees, accompanied by relatives and friends.

Candles are lit, service is held in different languages of the world. Catholics from all over the world come here to worship the Blessed Virgin. Every resident of the country considers it his duty at least once to visit this place and ask the Virgin Mary for health or healing. Pope Francis visited Fatima from 12 to 13 May 2017. The visit of the Pope was timed to coincide with the centenary of the appearances of the Mother of God.

Near the city are the caves of Grutas da Moedas - Money Grottoes, and we get into a fairy tale. It is hard to imagine that we have such beauty under our feet. The grottoes were discovered in 1971 by fox hunters. But there is a local legend that a rich man was attacked by robbers. A scuffle ensued and a bag of money fell and fell through the ground. As long as the bandits did not look for the bag, they never found it. The gold coins scattered in the grotto gave the place its name.