June 18, 2018
We attended the 3 pm mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. This was the exact location where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917 to three shepherd children– Jacinta, Lucia, and Francisco.
We didn’t expect that the chapel would be a modern structure like this. We thought the exact spot where Mama Mary appeared would look similar to the one in Lourdes, France.
I couldn’t concentrate during the mass because it was too hot. Paypay ako ng paypay. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon the sun was at its peak.
Photos after the mass
The Sanctuary is the one of the most expansive Marian pilgrimage sites in the world.
Paul Chuatico and wife Dr. Carla Chuatico
Kahit super init, tiis lang para maka pag picture.
Sino kaya iyong nagtetext?
We’ve seen several devotees praying while walking on their knees, some even in the open field, under the blazing heat of the sun.
Siguro the baby is sick.
Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary
We chanced upon Father Rendell Torres the priest who celebrated the mass. He is Filipino born and raised in Los Angeles and is now based in the East Coast. He’s been to the Philippines twice according to him.
(left to right– Carla Chuatico, Susan Dimacali, Father Rendell Torres, Salve, Carla Papa, Joanne, Lina, Francis Papa (SAVP of FPG Insurance)
Here are some of the things I remembered from Father Torres’ homily,
1. Life is a bit of a battle.
2. Many times we feel we have empty lives.
3. God’s ways are higher and wider than our ways.
4. Let go of resentments.
5. Be compassionate.
Either I was jet lagged, tired, exhausted, dehydrated from the heat, I felt dizzy, my chest started pounding. I was palpitating. I couldn’t continue walking and I sat down under a shady tree. My husband stayed with me while the rest of the group continued walking to the other side of the sanctuary to see a modern building. Cynthia was kind enough to give me her water jug.
I took deep breaths. It took some 15 minutes before my heart beat normalized. Siguro napagod lang ako.
#pilgrimagetofatima
