Days 02 & 03 of 14.
Saturday, Sunday, Oct 7, 8, 2007


The majority of the images were taken before and after of our Mass, scheduled for 6AM in the morning. As we walked in the basilica, another mass of 5AM was just ended, and exited out. Seemed like the masses were held 24/7 nonstop in this magnificent basilica from many who came from around the world, everyday in their prescheduled window. As the 7AM clock turned over, the next mass begun. We had just one quick group shot taken with a few of us still scattering around, our time was up as the resident usher showed us out.

On the left side of the altar was the shrine of the beatified, last stage of canonized sainthood, Jacinta Marto, 1920 at 10 years old, and Sr Lucia (2005), on the left was the beatified Francisco Marto, 1919 at 11. Both were exhumed and moved from the family burial site to the basilica in the 50s. Jacinta body was incorruptible, in the first exam and final move several years later as the Rose fragrance came from the body was observed during the exhume. Francisco s was left with the incorruptible heart, for his desire of consecration to the Blessed Mary. Flowers and adoration were on the floor of each shrine, constant stream of people stopped and prayed in silence while the main Mass was on-going behind them.

On the 12th and 13th of May 2000, the year of the jubilee, Pope John Paul II has been the third time in Fatima. During Holy Mass on the 13th, the Holy Father beatified Francisco and Jacinta Marto. He began his homily with the following words: "I bless You, Father, since You have hidden these truths to the learned and intelligent and have revealed them to the humble ones". As to the significance of the beatification of the two little shepherds, he said: By this rite the Church wants to put upon the candelabra these two lights which God has lit to enlighten humanity in its hours of darkness and inquietude".

Up and high the above the altar, IMG_9706.jpg: Painting in the centre of the Apse, portraying the apparition of the Angel and of Our Lady to the three little shepherds, the bishop and the popes in the history of Fatima.
On the Left of the altar, was the Statue of Lady Fatima in white about 4ft, the revelation to the world events of the 1900s

+ + +