Our Lady of Fatima on my mind

Because the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is a relatively modern-day shrine—it is very relatable. It is a 20th-century phenomenon.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

On May 13 this year will be the 108th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Portugal. She reportedly appeared six times to Lucia, nine, and her cousins Francisco, eight, and his sister Jacinta, six, between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917. Among those who have met Lucia were the late former President Cory Aquino and the late Archbishop of Manila Jaime Cardinal Sin. One living witness to the meeting with Lucia is former Ambassador to the Vatican Mercy Tuason.

I visited Fatima last year, after a cruise of the Douro River on the Scenic Azure organized by CITTI Elite. After our cruise, we made it a point to visit the Shrine of Fatima before flying home to Manila the next day.

It was my second visit to the shrine (my husband Ed and I were fortunate to have visited the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal in 2004), but even the second visit struck me with awe and drew out the deepest reverence in me.

The Fatima pilgrimage site includes a cathedral, a small chapel, and a square that is even bigger than St. Peter's Square in Rome.

During my first visit, I don't know why, but I broke away from the tour group and my feet just led me to the small simple chapel, where I was simply overcome by the power of my faith that tears sprung unbidden from my eyes. I found myself kneeling in praise, sobbing and grateful.