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  It had been made a few years ago , but though it was a bit out of date as it was made before the death of Lucia and the building of the Holy Trinity Church, it gave true insights into story of Fatima.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.