On May 12 and 13, 2024, faithful from all over the world will converge on the Marian sanctuary of Fatima to celebrate the apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary. Our advice for organizing your pilgrimage.
6 million people go there every year Fatima to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin, who appeared in 1917 to three shepherd children named Lucia, Giacinta and Francesco. For their pilgrimage, the faithful logically favor May 12th and 13th, the anniversary of the first apparition. It was on these dates that this city in the center of Portugal (120 km from Lisbon) brings together the largest number of believers, who come from all over the world to express their devotion to the Mother of God.
If you want to join these pious and massive processions or, on the contrary, escape the crowds, follow our instructions to walk in complete tranquility.
Is there an ideal date for a pilgrimage to Fatima? ?
There is no set date for a pilgrimage to Fatima, a personal approach if ever there was one. Masses are celebrated here every day and torchlight processions are organized every evening from April to October. However, the anniversaries of the apparitions (13 May, 13 June, 13 July, 19 August, 13 September and 13 October) bring together impressive crowds, in an atmosphere of indescribable contemplation.
For these occasions, the statue of the Virgin of the sanctuary is covered with her superb crown, composed of 313 pearls, 2679 precious stones and… a ball. That of the attack on John Paul II in 1981. The main ceremonies take place on 12 and 13 May and obviously occupy a special place in the hearts of the faithful. This year 2024 they will be presided over by Juan José Omella, cardinal and archbishop of Barcelona.
What is the pilgrimage program? Fatima ?
The program of anniversary celebrations is unchanged, from May to October. On the evening of the 12th, after reading the rosary, thousands of pilgrims gathered in the immense square for one of the key moments of these two days, a torchlight procession with a mystical atmosphere that is difficult to describe, before a procession in silence to close.
On the morning of the 13th, after another recitation of the rosary, an international mass was celebrated, with the blessing of the sick, followed by a farewell procession. In addition to this program, we strongly recommend you visit Lucia’s house and discover the bucolic Via Crucis of Fátima, site of the apparition on August 19th.
How to walk the Paths of Fatima?
Going to Fatima on foot is a tradition much loved by the Portuguese population. Every year hundreds of them travel the streets to the sanctuary, generally to honor a promise made to the Madonna. Dressed in reflective jackets, these pilgrims from all over the country walk the Paths of Fatima in single file, under the protective gaze of the gendarmerie units deployed for the occasion.
There are 4 official routes to Fatima, starting from Lisbon, Nazareth, Coimbra or Valença (via Port). But nothing prevents you from choosing a starting point much closer to the sanctuary and making do with a few symbolic kilometres, as the regional stage races often do.
What to expect there?
Ricardo Perna / Ricardo – stock.adobe.com
Attention: on the dates of the anniversary of the apparitions, in particular 12 and 13 May, uninterrupted flows of faithful invade Fátima, enormous traffic jams form at the motorway exits leading to Fatima and the gigantic car parks around the sanctuary are overrun as well as the nearest hotels.
Our advice to avoid nervous breakdowns: in this period book your accommodation well in advance, anticipate your arrival, delay your departure and take the opportunity to visit this superb region !
How to organize your pilgrimage to Fatima?
If the prospect of finding yourself among a multitude of faithful discourages you, the Sanctuary of Fatima offers you the possibility of developing your pilgrimage. Groups will thus be able to establish their own tailor-made programme, with or without a priest, or choose to integrate into the official celebrations.
The request must be sent by post to the Pilgrim Service (SEPE), indicating the number of participants, the parish and the diocese involved. Rooms can be made available. The sanctuary also organizes thematic pilgrimages, such as that of children (9 and 10 June) or the elderly (31 and 1 May).AND June).