ISBN 978-0-9569768-9-5 Trade Paperback
ISBN 978-0-9955615-0-2 ePub
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In 1917, in Fátima, Portugal, three shepherd children received apparitions of the Virgin Mary, the Child Jesus, and Saint Joseph. Since then, Fátima has been the destination of many millions of pilgrim visitors. The apparitions occurred at a time of great turmoil in the history of mankind. The Great War was in its third year, and Russia was in the throes of revolution that would lead to Communism taking hold. The so-called ‘’Third Secret’’ of Fátima foretold the assassination attempt on the Pope, Saint John Paul II in 1981. Essential to the message, therefore, are the errors of mankind that create death and destruction. These events may have passed, but the message of Fátima is eternal: prayer and penance form the path to salvation.
This book first tells the Fátima story and provides insights into the lives of the seers, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta. It then gives the locations of the places of worship and interest in the Sanctuary and nearby villages. There is information on the Programmes, Sanctuary information, and practical essentials when visiting Portugal. There is finally a small book of Devotions featuring the Rosary, the Mass, and prayers and songs associated with Fátima.
Several trips to the surrounding area are suggested. Abbeys, castles, The Eucharistc Miracle at Santarém, and the shrine in the fishing town of Nazaré. The Convent of Carmel in the historic city of Coimbra, home to Sister Lúcia for many years, is visited. Lisbon – a full guide with city plan – the Estoril coast and the palaces of Sintra and Mafra are all included. In Lisbon and Coimbra there are important sites associated with St Anthony of Padua, and these are described along with a brief Life of the Saint.
We have illustrated this book in full colour with more than a hundred photographs, and six maps and plans. This is an essential tool to enable you to make the most of what will be a deeply spiritual, personal experience.
I want to walk to Fatima from Porto (Portugal)
I need a guide with route maps, and places to stay.
Please advise if this book has that information
Hello! Thank you for getting in touch. The book only has a small information panel describing how people might walk to Fatima and the facilities that are there when they arrive (eg. a free Albergue with basic mattresses and soup). It does not provide a walking route (or choice of route) with stage mapping, directions and accommodation. You won’t find one in English and only limited coverage in other languages (although try Portuguese). From personally walking one of the routes in 2022, I can say it is difficult for walking pilgrims who are not vastly experienced and walking alone, but by no means impossible, and very beautiful. There are many organised Portuguese local groups who have their baggage taken care of, and I met some very large ones coming the other way! The paths are essentially designed for them, although some Portuguese lone walkers choose to walk alongside the national roads – I’m not recommending that. I chose to depart the Caminho de Santiago in Santarem and then to arrive in Tomar after leaving Fatima, which is a fantastic way to arrive after the difficult path. This can be done in reverse, departing Tomar which is how the groups often do it. The Sanctuary advises pilgrims leaving Fatima to rejoin the Caminho de Santiago at Ansao, thus missing Tomar. The Italian Terre di Mezzo guidebook has this one route to Fatima and then on to Tomar. It is published in Italian only. Also, search Caminhos Fatima and Rota Carmelita. Once there, our guide should contain everything you need, and is ideal for preparation and as an introduction to the Fatima story.
One day, there will be a Caminho guide in English with at least one Fatima detour as a detailed walking guide. Wish me luck. Bom Caminho!
Andrew Houseley
I am extremely interested in travelling to Portugal in the near future.
I would like to visit the places in Portugal/Spain associated with Venerable Lucia Dos Santos, simply known as Sister Lucia.
Please give me the exact address of the convent in Tui, Spain, where Sister Lucia became a novice.
THANK YOU!
Yours sincerely,
Nigel D’Cruz.
Thank you for your comment!
I had not previously researched the convent at Tui, however, initial research shows that it appears to be run in part as a school.
This is the address: Religiosas Santa Dorotea, Rúa Martínez Padín, 10, 36700 Tui, Pontevedra, Spain. Tel. +34 986 601 225
The chapel where Sister Lucia received the apparition of the Holy Trinity survives, though it may have been altered since 1929.
It may be possible to visit outside of the daily Mass (on the link below given as 6.45PM summer only), either by writing/phoning in advance (especially if you are with a group) or showing up on spec. This is as much as I know, currently, although things may change here with more and more interest in Sister Lucia as her cause for canonization continues, as they already have at the Carmelo in Coimbra (my book has a short guide to the convent there, and is marked on the city map, in the Coimbra chapter).
I have been to the city of Tui, but I was walking and researching the Camino Portugues at the time, so was concentrated on that. I will be returning there with much more scheduled time sometime in the next year.
Again this is a link the accuracy of the information I can’t vouch for. The convent is next to the post office, in the centre of the city but at least 10 minutes up from the river and five minutes from the cathedral.
https://santamisa.es/iglesia/religiosas-doroteas-tui/