We departed on July 25th for Lisbon, Portugal to take part in Days in the Diocese. We stayed in a gym in Freixianda with people from the USA, Korea, and Sweden. We were well taken care of by the wonderful host families who planned events, meals, and introduced us to their culture.
We made a pilgrimage to Fatima, where we hiked 6 miles to the beautiful city, and attended mass with people from all over the world. Our priests who were in our group were able to co-celebrate the mass with 180 other priests and 6 bishops! Then we had time to explore the Fatima Sanctuary, but then we ventured to all the apparition sights where Mary and appeared to the shepherd children and an angel. We saw where the three kids grew up. And, of course, ended the day with Gelato :)
(About Fatima) For those who do not know the significance of Fatima, it is a Marian apparition site. This means that Mary appeared to these three shepherd children 6 times in the village of Fatima in 1917. Their names were Lucita along with her cousins Jacinta and Francisco. Mary told the children to pray the rosary for the world. As more people heard about this miracle, more came on the 13th of each month when Mary appeared. On the last appearance, 70,000 came and also experienced what is known as the Miracle of the Sun. Where the sun "danced" in the sky.
We traveled to Leiria with all the other people doing DID in the Leiria-Fátima Diocese. We had a mass said in 7 languages and then had time to explore the city. We went to a castle, adoration, watched a Spanish concert while we ate gelato, and came back together with the 7000 other Pilgrimages to watch cultural dances and songs.
On Sunday we all attended different chapels in surrounding towns where we celebrated mass and attended their Parish Festivals afterwards. We played games, ate food, and met the locals.
We had an amazing Procession we did through the town of Frexiandia. The locals came and joined us all at the gym with candles and we walked around the town carrying the Mary Statue and praying the rosary in 4 languages- Portuguese, English, Swedish, and Korean. It was a very beautiful experience. People came out of their homes to watch, some even joined in the procession!
I will never forget the amazing people we met here in Portugal and the hospitality that was shared. We may not speak the same language, but we love the same God, and that love was shown through everyone this week while we were here. It was not a perfect week. A lot of waiting around, sleeping on the floor, interesting meals, not knowing a schedule, long walks, and hot days, but I hardly heard anyone complaining. There was a joy that was spread to everyone.
It was all on God’s timing.
Meet our Youth Minister Abby Jones. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University. She grew up in Westphalia and now lives here in Mount Pleasant with her husband, Trevor, and daughter. She enjoys traveling, being active, doing crafts, and reading. She is here to bring her passion for faith to life, working with the students and families for some fun and faith-filled events.
