Sanctuary

#SeekingMary

Marian Pilgrimage Day 3

Sanctuary. A memorial for one of the few apparitions officially recognized by the Catholic Church.  The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is a huge complex made up of basilicas and chapels situated on the very spot where Our Mother appeared to three shepherd children. We spent the rainy day in and around the Sanctuary getting to know about the message of Our Lady and the untold sufferings three very young children had to undergo to be bearers of the secret. Until our very informative guide Inez told us their story, I thought Francisco and Jacinta were only canonized because Mama Mary chose to appear to them. It was easier for me to understand why Lucia would be so beatified. But their prayerfulness, obedience to God’s Word through Mary and forbearance despite sufferings earned them that honor. If such young children can display these godly traits, why can’t the rest of us do the same? 

Sanctuary. That is what Our Lady of the Rosary (the name she revealed to the children on her last apparition) is to people going through life’s trials. She is our refuge, someone we can run to in times of trouble because she gives us peace by bringing us God’s word and she intercedes for our petitions to God.

Reflection: I thought sacrifice was only about suffering, doing things you don’t like, going through difficult situations. Through the visionaries of Fatima, I learned that sacrifice is “to make holy” the things that you do for others. 

Highlights:

• Chapel of Apparition - the heart of the Sanctuary where we heard mass and participated in praying the evening rosary using Tagalog for 1 decade
• Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary where the 3 children are buried 
• Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity whose tabernacle is not visible because not all visitors are Catholics (to prevent sacrileges by those who do not practice our faith). It had 8633 seats
• Houses of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta
• Museum - Exhibition of Fatima Light & Peace featuring the golden crown of Mary with the bullet that almost killed Pope John Paul incorporated in its center.
  

Finding the Lost

#SeekingMary

Marian Pilgrimage Day 2

I misplace things a lot. Keys, files, documents, from the trivial to the important, you name it, I’ve misplaced it. Heck, I sometimes can’t even remember where my reading glasses are even if they’re sitting on top of my head. My memory can get so bad, there was one time I forgot I was supposed to go back to the mall entrance so my staff can load pulled-out inventory from the store we used to have into the car. I had driven a couple of kilometers when she called to ask where I was. With my memory in that state, I call on my all time favorite saint, St. Anthony, a lot to find the lost - things, people, me. I love him so much I kidded my cousin Belle, whose memory is in the same state as mine, I will name my next husband after him 😆

What a thrill it was that our first place to visit when we landed in Lisbon was the Church of St. Anthony. The church was built on the site where he was born and houses a relic of my fave saint. We even got to see his old room. 

Other highlights:

Lunch at Jardim Mundial

Lisbon Cathedral

Suspension bridge

Belem Tower 

Jeronimos Monastery where Vasco da Gama’s remains lay

Reflection: Isn’t it great God does not have a memory like mine? He never loses things, especially the people He created. Even if, through our own foolishness, we get lost, He will always find us. He will look for His lost sheep. 

Marian Pilgrimage - The First Step

#SeekingMary
Marian Pilgrimage Day 1

In Dubai International Airport waiting for our flight to Lisbon.   I’m overwhelmed to be here at the start of this journey to get to know more about our Blessed Mother. Joining this pilgrimage is an answered prayer. When I first heard about this, I didn’t think it was possible. But see, God works miracles. I praise & thank you Lord for your blessings.