The square could hold 250,000 people at its capacity, has been constructed has an apron twice the size of St. Peters square in Rome to provide sufficient space for the gathering of pilgrims. The ceremony of mid-night mass that took place yearly on these two days was immensely moving. The night was filled with thousands of twinkling candles, silent people breaking into chant at chosen moments, and the electric atmosphere created by the respectful reference of the multitude.

The Square looked like 1.5M in length. One end was the hills, once was the small land property of Sr Lucias parents, where the Basilica now stood. The other end, under final construction stage, will be the underground church of the Most Holy Trinity of 9,000 seating, to be inaugurated in late Oct 2007. Similar to Lourde, the underground church would house the pilgrims when the weather became an adverse element, to house daily event such as the nightly candlelight procession. Within its closed fenced courtyard, were the 100ft cross high above the square skyline, and the beloved statue of Pope John Paul II leaning on the cross windswept across.

The basilica was extended by 2 colossal semi-colonnades on both sides, similar but smaller scale to Rome�s. Fourteen stations of the cross in huge mosaic panels, P1020137, ran along its corridors on both sides of the colonnades. On its roof top were the statues of Marian Saints, who dedicated their life to the Lady, and more angels stood in prostrate at some corner top. In the middle, high above the main basilica was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a dedication from the US Catholics.

Towards the basilica was the Chapel of Apparitions, the exact location where Lady Fatima appeared. The Olive tree where Lady Fatima appeared was no longer existed; many pilgrims came and went away with a piece from this heavenly tree. Behind Her was a small chapel, not sure about its function; the entire sanctum was raised as an altar. Behind the altar was a monument of fresh flower bouquets from world-wide pilgrims. On the side of the chapel was an open top housing for candle light burning, praying offering and distribution for nightly procession.

In the middle of the square is the gold Rising Christ in blessing posture on high facing outward to the square to the future the Most Holy Trinity church. Fatima holy water with its miraculous healing power in the last 100 years could be availbale at the foot circle of the Rising Christ.

Across the square of the Chapel of Apparitions, was the small Chapel of Miracle of the Sun, where the Corpus Christi was adored by incoming worldwide pilgrims. The Chapel was full, about 100 people in complete silence and praying, no recording media was allowed. Next to the chapel was the Ethnological Museum, where the assassin bullet of Pope John Paul II was kept on the Crown of Fatima as the Pope dedicated his life to the Lady Fatima, 3rd Revelation, in 1981 attempt. The place was closed however to visitors on Sunday. We were out of luck.

In the afternoon of my visit on the second day of our free time in the afternoon, Corpus Christi and adoration was in procession, IMG_9817- P1020145, in the main square with smaller groups. The prayers of adoration could be heard around the square of 1M in even acoustics, anywhere through the elaborated sound systems of the square.



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