The square at Fatima is vast. It can hold twice as many pilgrims as the square at the Vatican in Rome. ( Another large beautiful plaza). After walking down the steps at the entrance to the square, I walked to the middle of the square. To my left was the info center and the candle stands, then the Capelinha (built on the spot where Our Lady appeared in 1917), behind the Chapel was the Fatima Hospital, in front of me, I saw the Basilica and its esplanades on each side of the edifice. As I turned around in the immense space, I saw the new Church of the Holy Trinity which is very modern and low to the ground. (I realize that pilgrimage sites need to expand to accommodate the growing crowds but it is beyond me that these new structures are always so cold and unattractive. A thing of beauty usually inspires. Lourdes, Knock, and Fatima have new churches that just don’t seen to blend in well). The square at Fatima usually has several hundred faithful daily but that changes on the 13th of the months from May until October. These are the days of the original apparitions.. The area is packed with thousands and thousands of pilgrims. The reverence is palpable. The silence is profound. As I stood there I felt so small in this grand square. Awe is the word that came to mind. I was truly awed by the size and the beauty and the entire Fatima story.
Fatima, Portugal © 2013 Connie Hand. All rights reserved.
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Fatima's Huge Square
The square at Fatima is vast. It can hold twice as many pilgrims as the square at the Vatican in Rome. ( Another large beautiful plaza). After walking down the steps at the entrance to the square, I walked to the middle of the square. To my left was the info center and the candle stands, then the Capelinha (built on the spot where Our Lady appeared in 1917), behind the Chapel was the Fatima Hospital, in front of me, I saw the Basilica and its esplanades on each side of the edifice. As I turned around in the immense space, I saw the new Church of the Holy Trinity which is very modern and low to the ground. (I realize that pilgrimage sites need to expand to accommodate the growing crowds but it is beyond me that these new structures are always so cold and unattractive. A thing of beauty usually inspires. Lourdes, Knock, and Fatima have new churches that just don’t seen to blend in well). The square at Fatima usually has several hundred faithful daily but that changes on the 13th of the months from May until October. These are the days of the original apparitions.. The area is packed with thousands and thousands of pilgrims. The reverence is palpable. The silence is profound. As I stood there I felt so small in this grand square. Awe is the word that came to mind. I was truly awed by the size and the beauty and the entire Fatima story.
