Fatima

We visited the religious town of Fatima. 

It became famous in 1917 when 3 children tending the family sheep saw a series of visions of the Virgin Mary. 

An entire industry, both religious and commercial, has grown up around this sequence of events. 

All of this was built on the site of the apparitions.

Every evening, they have a series of ceremonies.

Other than the regular services in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, there are candle vigils that take place in the grounds.

One involves the people gathering around with candles while an open air service occurs.

The other is next door, where there is a large furnace. With this one, people light candles for a loved one, and throw them into the furnace, which seems to be going 24-7.

Oddly, they do not stop at candles. Near our hotel are a series of shops that sell assorted religious trinkets, as well as candles and rosary beads of all designs and materials.

Also, there are wax effigies, also to burn. There are babies, hands, legs, boobs, internal organs. Truly bazaar.

Is somebody praying for a boob job? Probably not.

Then we started seeing these pairs of candles, probably 2-metres tall. Taller than me.

Clearly, at least here, size does matter.

One thing Fatima is famous for is what’s called a call to penance. 

In this, they make their way on a 600m journey across the courtyard. On their knees. This can happen at any time, including during a service.