To Peregrinate with Faith         

“I come to Fátima with the Rosary in my hands, the Name of Mary on my lips, the Canticle of the Mercy of God in my Heart.”   (John Paul II - Fátima, May 12,1982)

To peregrinate is:

-A call from God
-An expression of Faith
-An act of Praise and Intercession
-A moment of conversion (reconciliation with God and brethren)
-A reply to a request from Our Lady: “You need to change your ways; you need to ask God for forgiveness of your sins; you need to stop offending God, for He is already much offended.” (Sixth Apparition-Oct.13,1917).
-Manifestation of joy: “I rejoiced because they said to me: ‘We will go up to the house of the Lord.’” (Ps.122,1).

Tips for a good Pilgrimage:

1) Before leaving home: prepare yourself both spiritually and physically in collaboration with your pastor.
2) During the trip:
-Do always keep up the pilgrim’s spirit.
-Play the Cyrenean by helping your companions in the pilgrimage.
-Respect and dialogue with whoever is in charge of the group.
-Pray the Rosary; if possible, the whole Rosary.
-Even as you go, do the Stations of the Cross, once or more times.
-When passing by some church, please enter it and take a little time to adore the Blessed Sacrament or at least visit Him in spirit as you go.
-Using charity, please admonish whoever did or said something wrong.
-Do not take part in improper talk or attitudes.
-Do not harm anyone.

The Shrine is like an antenna that links us with Heaven

-Attend some of the ceremonies scheduled daily.
-Keep quiet and dress properly.
-Do not eat inside the Prayer Area.
-Fulfill your promise in simplicity and faith.
-Try to reconcile yourself with God and brethren by going to Confession.
-On the 12th of the month take part in the 12h00 Rosary in the Little Chapel of Apparitions; in the 15h00 meeting, next to the First-Aid Station; and in the 18h30 Mass, in the Basilica.
-If possible, do the pedestrian Way of the Cross of Valinhos on the 12th, which takes off from the Little Chapel at 8h30.
-Before leaving the Shrine, promise to Our Lady that you are going to improve your life, according to what your conscience dictates.