We heard on the television that there were actually 300,000
people at the mass yesterday, so I think there must have been even more the
night before. During the procession Tony
recognised the Deacon who had been in the Holy Land with us in 2009 and
mentioned it to Paul who met him this morning – what a small world!
Here you can see John, our group leader in front of the vast
plaza. He has been so patient with us and has been a fount of information and he has a wicked sense of humour.
This picture shows the plaza with the Trinity Church (which
holds 10.000) at the far end, the Apparition Chapel on the right and the altar
at which mass was said for the two big masses.
The basilica is just behind us.
We have seen a vast amount of beautiful, and very varied in
design, artwork, all depicting scenes of the story of Fatima:
As we were unable to say the Stations of the Cross on
Saturday because of the crowds, we decided to go down to the basilica and
follow the mosaic Stations on the walls outside. They are very beautiful, especially this one
of Jesus meeting Our Lady.
Next we went to the tiny chapel of the Angel which is just
at the end of one of the arms sticking out from the basilica. It was the only time we will be able to have
a private mass – quite a contrast from yesterday! We were able to be readers, Eucharistic
ministers and to sing our own hymns.
We watched a film about the children’s families and the
progression of the devotion of Our Lady of Fatima.
It had been made a few years ago , but though it was a bit out of date as
it was made before the death of Lucia and the building of the Holy Trinity
Church, it gave true insights into story of Fatima.
Tonight we have been to another torchlight procession, but
as the vast majority of people have gone home it is much quieter – in fact
Fatima has now become quite a sleepy little village. We had the privilege of leading the Rosary in
English tonight before the procession and then processing behind the statue of Our Lady - wonderful experience.
Having been to mass this morning we all left after the procession.