The candlelight procession took place every night at 7PM to 9PM and could last beyond time in the basilica Square.

In our first night, the Square was filled with its large capacity, out of 250,000 as it could hold, especially on the 13th of the month, when the apparition took place. When entering the square at from the multiple side streets, there were candle lights sparkling everywhere like night crystal, most of all starting from the elevated steps of the basilica where one could have the best view of the entire place all the way to the end of the Square, it could be a mile in the other direction.

The start of the procession was the congregation around the Apparition Chapel where it opened outward around 180 from the overhead canopy. Our guide told us to buy the candle behind the Chapel, which was 0.40 euro a piece, the same price as on the streets, and even at the distant pilgrimage site of Lourdes. There were many people already here in line at the candle stands, we got the candles and hustled to get back to the group. Our group eventually broke up in the ocean of people in the big square.

On this night, there was an EU Bishop conference held at Fatima, there are many bishops and priests gathering on the altar preparing for the procession. Each country or language had the representation of the Rosary recitation preparing for their turn at the altar. Priests and lay people from many tongues were enlisted for their turn. As the adoration begun, the familiar sound could be heard.

-Ave Maria-- in the beginning.
And the song -Ave, Aveee---Maria._ _ _ _ Ave, Ave Maria followed by multiple languages all in tune at once, in the low tone of responsive singing when the candle lights were raised up high. The sweet sound of European accent -Ave Maria- was very distinct and resonating throughout the pilgrimage trip everywhere, all the way to Lourdes, to Medjugojre, a far distance on the other side of eastern Europe.
The church was very Catholic, very universal among the multitudes of nations.

Somewhere in the turn, an English version of Ave Maria was heard. And it was very homebound and familiar.
Fr Ninh, from Detroit, presented the VN delegation in 5 kinh Kinh Mung Maria... The whole Square of the multitudes responded in recital of their own language.

It was awesome! As we were here, standing in the Square at Fatima, in this night.

The next night Fr Toan, from Canada, represented VN in the recital in 5 kinh.

The procession departed from the Apparition Chapel, then turned at the Rising Christ and went toward the end of the Square, looped back to the basilica, and returned to the Chapel. The walk was about more than 1 mile. The cross in neon light powered by batteries led the procession first together with the wheelchairs, and flags of many worship groups. The Lady Fatima stand, decorated with roses and lights, was carried high and followed at a distance behind by all the pilgrimage and local priests together in 2 columns walking and reciting. Everyone else was in a huge column of procession, an ocean of people and candle lights trailing behind, singing and praying. The acoustic sounds were evenly resounding everywhere and in vast accord in great distance within the Square.

Ave, Ave..Maria ...
Ave, Ave..Maria ...

We got back to the hotel late after 10PM within a short distant walk of less than a mile from a square. Everyone was accounted for, after 2 or 3 persons in our group got lost in the night orientation when coming back to the hotel.


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