Going to Fatima

  • Thread starter Thread starter Johann_du_Toit
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Johann_du_Toit

Guest
After a lot of soul searching and getting my affairs into order, I have finally booked for a Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal for May 2017. Hopefully this will be a life defining an spiritually enriching experience.

Has anyone here been to Portugal? Any advice that might be needed for the trip and the stay?
 
Johann_du_Toit said:
After a lot of soul searching and getting my affairs into order, I have finally booked for a Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal for May 2017. Hopefully this will be a life defining an spiritually enriching experience.

Has anyone here been to Portugal? Any advice that might be needed for the trip and the stay?
Click to expand...
I have no advice. I just wanted to wish you Bon Voyage and to have a blessed visit. 🙂
 
God bless you! I will be praying for your pilgrimage.

Having been to Fatima twice before, there are two points of advice I would give.

The first is for you to realize that Fatima is far off of the beaten path. I don’t know how much hassle you will encounter getting to Fatima with a guided pilgrimage, but both times I went on my own and both times it was a rather trying ordeal simply getting to the village. I usually give this advice to anyone going on a pilgrimage, but I feel it is especially suited to Fatima. A pilgrimage is your entire journey: from the moment you leave your doorstep to the moment you cross it again. Allow any hardship or trial you experience to draw you closer to God, be it missing a bus or sustaining a personal injury.

The second is specific to Fatima. If you have time before your program starts and are staying within walking distance of Fatima, I would advise to visit the plaza during or just after sunrise. When I did this, there was nearly no other pilgrims and it allowed me quiet time to simply walk around and pray. It was one of the most peaceful experiences of my life.

Again, may God bless you!
Br. Ben
 
Johann_du_Toit said:
After a lot of soul searching and getting my affairs into order, I have finally booked for a Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal for May 2017. Hopefully this will be a life defining an spiritually enriching experience.
Click to expand...
A blessing indeed. The centennial mark is special.

If you haven’t read Sr. Lucia’s Book Calls from the Message of Fatima, it may be an additional enriching experience. After reading it, I was truly amazed at the faith she maintained.
 
Fatima is wonderful. We went on a winter’s day, it was very cold and fairly quiet. However, there were still pilgrims on their knees moving across the huge square.

I experienced a little miracle at Fatima. I’m quite sure Our Lady assisted me to spring up the many stairs to the Basilica, it was as if someone was lifting my feet.

And yes, Lourdes is a very spiritual place. Spent a week there last year and we hope to return next year.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top