More Than Candles Burning

A short stop and time at a place that always causes me to stop and think…

and to pray… Fatima.

Fatima is a very important place for many looking for spiritual renewal, strength and forgiveness.  In short, Fatima is a place that three children are to have seen the Virgin Mary appear to them and reveal various secrets.  See www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/tsfatima.htm and htttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Fatima

for a more detailed story of the event. 

Each time I have visited Fatima, I leave not really knowing what to think or feel.  Similar to my previous blog on Santiago de Compostela, people are coming to find something within themselves.  But unlike Santiago which was a place of celebration, Fatima has a solemn and serious nature as people of all ages come to pray to Mary for all aspects of life.  Many come laboring on their knees, taking the path to the chapel and back.  Others come for mass.  And many more come to offer prayers with candles.  The larger the candle, the more serious the prayer. Candles in the form of body parts can also be purchased to offer as prayers for a particular illness for someone.  The fires burn the candles with intense heat and the smoke is thick.  And still the people come close.

Fatima

Fatima - large square and paths 

Candles burning

Candles - various shapes

Thick smoke from burning candles

Chapel 

Place Mary is said to have appeared to the three children

Cathedral

Inside cathedral

Painting of Mary's appearance at the front of the cathedral

Around the corner are the electric candles.  Simply put a coin in the slot and a candle lights up…  but there is no heat or smoke.  They are not used much.  It seems all want to “feel and see” that their prayers are really being heard. 

Electronic candles

Every time I leave Fatima, I feel confused.  On the one hand, I have great personal difficulty with paying homage to Mary and anything that lessens Jesus our Savior.  On the other hand, I see people with great sincerity grappling with personal problems in the only spiritual way they know.  I want to be very careful to not criticize too quickly what I see in other countries.  I have learned to love and respect the Portuguese in many ways over the years and Fatima has a very deep and mysterious hold on the people of this tiny country.  They feel Fatima is something they can hold on to tightly as belonging to them, it is unlike anything I have seen or experienced in the US.  I am saddened to see the abundant commercialism that surrounds Fatima and takes advantage of so many visiting.  

Many many trinkets and images sold in numerous booths

Candles for purchase

It is a powerful and insightful place to visit, walk through and experience.  It allows me to be deeply grateful to God for the privilege of knowing Him and His Son, Jesus Christ personally.  I can pray, knowing my prayers are heard.  I am grateful that my relationship is much more than candles burning.