Considering a pilgrimage

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As most of you already know, the centennial of the appearance of our Lady at Fatima is in 2 years time.

Although it might be a bit early, I’m considering whether to go on a pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal in May 2017.

Is this a good idea? Does anyone have advice in this regard?
 
May I ask why it wouldn’t be a good idea to go on a pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017 (or at any other time)? I can think of no reason myself :confused:

You mention it possibly being “a bit early.” A bit early for you personally? Or a bit early to celebrate the centennial? Some other reason?
 
Considering that many thousands of people have the same idea…I don’t think it’s at all too early to make travel plans, book flights, secure lodging, etc.
Take lots of pictures and post a few in an album when you return!
 
UpUpAndAway said:
May I ask why it wouldn’t be a good idea to go on a pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017 (or at any other time)? I can think of no reason myself :confused:

You mention it possibly being “a bit early.” A bit early for you personally? Or a bit early to celebrate the centennial? Some other reason?
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I meant given that it is still 2 years away, whether it was too early to contemplate a pilgrimage now. Maybe a little bit closer to 13 May 2017 (the centennial of the 1st time our Lady appeared to the 3 shepherd children)? But as Pianistclare stated, given that thousands of believers have the same plans it would be good to book early.

I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be a good idea to go either, so that was why I was asking for opinions.

Given that this would effectively be a once in a lifetime event, is the reason that pilgrimage to this sacred place at this particular time came to mind.
 
Johann_du_Toit said:
I meant given that it is still 2 years away, whether it was too early to contemplate a pilgrimage now. Maybe a little bit closer to 13 May 2017 (the centennial of the 1st time our Lady appeared to the 3 shepherd children)?

I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be a good idea to go either, so that was why I was asking for opinions.

Given that this would effectively be a once in a lifetime event, is the reason that pilgrimage to this sacred place at this particular time came to mind.
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Our Deacon is planning on attending the Convocation of 650 Deacons with Pope Francis in 2017. He’s making arrangements NOW.
 
pianistclare said:
Our Deacon is planning on attending the Convocation of 650 Deacons with Pope Francis in 2017. He’s making arrangements NOW.
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If his Holiness is going to be there (Come to think of it, it’s basically guaranteed the Holy Father will attend in person) then that would be an additional reason to go! I always wanted to meet the Pope face to face.
 
Johann_du_Toit said:
I meant given that it is still 2 years away, whether it was too early to contemplate a pilgrimage now. Maybe a little bit closer to 13 May 2017 (the centennial of the 1st time our Lady appeared to the 3 shepherd children)? But as Pianistclare stated, given that thousands of believers have the same plans it would be good to book early.

I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be a good idea to go either, so that was why I was asking for opinions.

Given that this would effectively be a once in a lifetime event, is the reason that pilgrimage to this sacred place at this particular time came to mind.
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Heck no, it’s not too early! This is a major event in the making. Hordes of pilgrims will be there. Book as early as you can. You will know if it’s too early when those whose services you seek to engage say, “sorry, we’re not taking reservations that far in advance.”

I can’t imagine what possible reason there could be not to go (besides the obvious material considerations like lack of funds). But from my first response you knew that already 😃
 
Johann_du_Toit said:
As most of you already know, the centennial of the appearance of our Lady at Fatima is in 2 years time.

Although it might be a bit early, I’m considering whether to go on a pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal in May 2017.

Is this a good idea? Does anyone have advice in this regard?
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Good idea.

The Pope is visiting in 2017 too.
 
Do it.

You will never regret it.

Hubby and I did a 21 day Holy Land Tour of Egypt, Jordan and Israel.

Mt Nebo, Petra, Mt Sinai, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, Jerusalem and many more biblical places you only read about.

It was an unforgettable spiritually rewarding journey and we plan on returning.
 
Do it. Totaly. Just don’t do it on foot.

Portugal is a dreadfull place to be a pilgrim. Last saturday, a car ran over a group of 80 pilgrims, resulting in 5 dead, 4 seriously injured and 20 mildly injured. This because someone going on foot to Fatima has to go on the side lanes of National Roads where there are no sidewalks, and there’s no such thing as hostels, pilgrim assistance [apart from the Red Cross hospitals and some parishes that help].

13 of May gathers a huge bunch of people. It’s amazing, specialy if you arrive the night before and get to see the candle procession.

I too am going on a pilgrimage, but it will be to Santiago de Compustela this July.
 
SilverAvenger said:
Do it. Totaly. Just don’t do it on foot.

Portugal is a dreadfull place to be a pilgrim. Last saturday, a car ran over a group of 80 pilgrims, resulting in 5 dead, 4 seriously injured and 20 mildly injured.
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You speak about that as if that was a common thing to happen. We have a flow of millions of pilgrims every year, and this was the first time I have ever heard of something like that happening… :rolleyes:

Back on topic - you should totally do it! However, if you can take the advice of a fellow Portuguese pilgrim, I’d tell you not to go either in May or October. Pilgrimages are supposed to be times of relative peace and internal spiritual growth, so that you have fertile ground to grow in holiness. Fatima leaves you no room for that if you go at the time when going there is all the rage - the pilgrim routes will be filled to the bone, you won’t have access to the Chapel of Apparitions due to the half a million people that will be there between you and it, and you get there, you have good chances of getting crushed by everyone that wants to see His Holiness.

There are no doubts 2017 will be a busy year all around for Fatima, but I’d suggest that you go there on a low season time (maybe July, when the good old Portuguese sun will scare away most travellers, as they aren’t used to it - which reminds me, do bring a lot of sunscreen and internal strength in Our Lord to face it!), as that leaves you room for a more quiet time for yourself.

With all this, and considering what our fellow Portuguese brother in faith just told you, plan your voyage so that you don’t have the problem of having no place to sleep. Even if that means preparing to sleep on a sleeping bag a few meters from the road! And yes, that’s totally a thing that I’d be thinking of doing myself soon enough, and I wouldn’t be the only one! 👍
 
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