Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Fatima (Agenzia Fides) - Fatima is one of the most visited Marian shrines in the world and is ready to welcome thousands of young people who will participate in World Youth Day from August 1 to 6, before the main appointment with the Pope in Lisbon. "We have received many requests from groups of young people from all over the world interested in visiting the Shrine of Fatima and we have organized ourselves to welcome them in the best possible way", said Sister Sandra Bartolomeu, from the Portuguese Congregation of the Servants of Our Lady of Fatima, in a conversation with Fides. "We have organized a kind of 'youth village' where there will be a covered area in order to accomodate all those who have no place to stay in Fatima and have a sleeping bag to spend the night. There will also be an area where they can set up tents", added Sister Sandra, one of the organizers in charge of welcoming young people at the Shrine. "The entire 'youth village' will have a refreshment area, toilets and showers. It is a large space, with capacity for 100 people, which is part of the Shrine. It is not necessary to book, whoever arrives first will stay", explained the nun. Among the planned pastoral activities, Sister Sandra highlighted six different routes to be carried out on foot.
"Each route has a theme along with a prayer proposal to accompany the journey. Each route starts from the different churches that surround the Shrine. They range from 12 to 5 kilometers". Everyone can choose their own route. "A 25-minute workshop has also been created in different languages for those who want to delve into the message of Fatima". "Not every day a Pope comes to visit us - says Sister Sandra. "Young people in Portugal have been preparing for this meeting for two or three years, they are very enthusiastic. My community and I are praying a lot for the young people who will come, as well as for those who are in their countries and have not been able to come". "It is worth preparing our hearts!", concluded the missionary of the Servants of Our Lady of Fatima. "God will come to this event in a very special way". The Virgin of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children: Lucía dos Santos, Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who claimed to have seen the Virgin on several occasions in Cova da Iria, Fátima, Portugal. The apparitions took place between May 13 and October 13, 1917, in which the Virgin left them three great messages. (PM/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 25/7/2023)
