Fátima

We enjoyed a rest day in Fátima today. I was very thankful for a day off from walking since my knee has been bothering me and my leg is very swollen.

We started the day by doing our laundry and picking up a few grocery items on the way back to our room. It is always so nice to clean our few items of clothing. They get so dirty and dusty from the road and sweaty!

We then went to visit the churches. There is a tiny chapel built on the site of the miracle of the sun, then there is the basilica and a new giant monstrosity of a building (church in name).

We were very unimpressed and disappointed by all the modern construction and art work. I don’t think we are alone because there was barely a soul praying in the big monstrosity, everyone was gathered in the beautiful basilica. Our hearts are meant to seek after beauty and that which raises our hearts and minds to the Ultimate Beauty of God. Try as they may the modernist will never be able to change that.

We prayed our rosary and lit candles for all of intentions, the mission, friends and family. We did a bit of shopping to bring back tokens of our time here on this Holy site.

After supper we went to the main square for the candlelight procession.