Visiting the little Shepherds

Memories of the church of my childhood came flooding back as our little group arrived in Fatima.  This was the place where the shepherd children were granted the favour of heavenly visions, and although I never thought that I would ever be walking the streets of Fatima, here I was.

Overlooking the entry to the Shrine

This metal crucifix greets pilgrims who arrive at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, located in the very place where the apparitions took place.  Facing the cross, away in the distance, is the Church which now houses the moral remains of Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco Marto and their cousin Sister Lucia dos Santos, O.Carm.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

Facing the Church (above) and not far from the cross which welcomes pilgrims is a statue of His Holiness, John Paul II who visited Fatima twice during his pontificate, and who donated the bullet which injured him in 1981 as a gift of gratitude for the protection of the Madonna.

The statue of John Paul in prayer is located just outside the Holy Family chapel - a huge indoor chapel which has been constructed to house the thousands of pilgrims who visit Fatima every year.

The chapel of the Holy Family is actually located directly across the property from the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, and separated by an artistic rendition of the path of life, complete with the doves who keep our souls safe until we meet our God.

Notice the detail of the doves who 'fly' over the path of pilgrims who walk from the Holy Family chapel to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary.