She spoke of the need for peace and an end to sin and asked the children to say the Rosary every day.

Each month from May to October, on the night of the 12th and the morning of the 13th, huge crowds gather in the Sanctuary in Fatima to celebrate the anniversary of the apparitions. These ceremonies are the highlight of our Fatima programe.

The Visionaries

The children to whom Our Lady appeared were brother and sister, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and their cousiin, Lucia dos Santos.

Our visit to their homes at Aljustrel and nearby Valinhos and Cabeco recalls their simple rustic way of life at the time of the apparitions and the faith and courage they showed as they obeyed Our Lady's requests.

Francisco and Jacinta died in childhood. In May 2000 Pope John Paul II beatified them and revealed the ‘Third Secret’ of Fatima.

Lucia became a Carmelite nun and wrote accounts of the apparitions as directed by Our Lady. It is chiefly through her writings that Our Lady’s message at Fatima has been made known to the world. She died in Coimbra on 13th February 2005.

The remains of all three visionaries are now buried in the Basilica at Fatima, just a few yards from the spot where Our Lady appeared to them 90 years ago.

Aerial view of the Sanctuary during major ceremonies

We will also see monuments to Portugal's glorious past - the majestic Jeronimos Manastery; the beautiful Praca do Comercio square besdie the River Tagus; the Monument to the Navigators - those intrepid explorers who set off in their ships to explore the world; and Belem Tower, which welcomed them home from their voyages of discovery.

The second excursion combines Obidos and Nazare.

The picturesque fortified town of Obidos is built on a hilltop, with commanding views of the coast and the surrounding countryside. The town is brimful of historic buildings, including an ancient castle (now an hotel) and Santa Maria Church, where we usually celebrate Mass.