The town is called Fatima, which is an Arabic name coming from the name of Moorish princess and originally from the name of the daughter of Muhhamad, the prophet of Islam.
While arriving at the shrine and many times before I had heard about Fatima. So got more details from wikipedia which says, Our Lady of Fatima is the name for the Virgin Mary due to her appearance to the three little shepherds Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta in the local village of Fatima called Cova de Iria while they were herding sheep on 13th of May 1917.
The events at Fátima gained fame due to their elements of prophecy particularly with regard to possible world war and the conversion of Soviet Russia.
The entrance of the shrine opens up to a huge space. To the left end is the Sanctuary of the lady of Fatima and the right end is the Church of Satissma Trindade.
Fatima is huge pilgrimage for Catholics around the world. But being there and what I saw is more relevant than the extract of Wikipedia. I was completely taken aback for the devotion of the people. The scene was not very different from the Hindu temples. The religious shops outside the Sanctuary, there were numerous candles burning, the devotees with their palms together to focus on their faith, people making their wishes with closed eyes etc. To my shock I saw the devotees crawling on their knees all the way from the church to the Sanctuary like the Hindus who visit the temple on their knees. The moment was completely spiritual for me and walked on to the Church.
While arriving at the shrine and many times before I had heard about Fatima. So got more details from wikipedia which says, Our Lady of Fatima is the name for the Virgin Mary due to her appearance to the three little shepherds Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta in the local village of Fatima called Cova de Iria while they were herding sheep on 13th of May 1917.
The events at Fátima gained fame due to their elements of prophecy particularly with regard to possible world war and the conversion of Soviet Russia.
The entrance of the shrine opens up to a huge space. To the left end is the Sanctuary of the lady of Fatima and the right end is the Church of Satissma Trindade.
Fatima is huge pilgrimage for Catholics around the world. But being there and what I saw is more relevant than the extract of Wikipedia. I was completely taken aback for the devotion of the people. The scene was not very different from the Hindu temples. The religious shops outside the Sanctuary, there were numerous candles burning, the devotees with their palms together to focus on their faith, people making their wishes with closed eyes etc. To my shock I saw the devotees crawling on their knees all the way from the church to the Sanctuary like the Hindus who visit the temple on their knees. The moment was completely spiritual for me and walked on to the Church.
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