As I head off to my Pilgrimage and Journeying ‘experiment’ starting in Ponte de Barca, I reflect on the whirlwind of activities that has happened that past couple of days. In particular, I reflect on my experiences of my pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima.
Fatima is a place that gathers people of all walks of life under the mantle of Mary – it is a place to express thanksgiving to God, as well as bring to Him all our concerns, worries, anxieties through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Reflecting on a source of consolation, many come to mind but one is that of the presence of the Vietnamese language that kept coming up throughout my time in Fatima, particularly in three instances. The first that of the doors of the New Basilica, in which there contained Bible verses of many languages of the world, and Vietnamese was included alongside the other languages. Second instance: while in the original Basilica, a Cistercian Vietnamese priest from France came up to me, speaking in Vietnamese and we shared in a great conversation. Third instance: While crossing the Shrine square, passing by the Chapel of the Apparitions, out of so many languages of Masses that could have been celebrated in, I passed by hearing Eucharistic Prayer in Vietnamese. Coincidences? Maybe, but I think with God there is no such thing as coincidences – it was a concrete reminder for me that I have a home not only within a local Church, but in the Church Universal. I cannot help but think about the fact that the Vietnamese Catholic population, though small, is never forgotten under God’s watchful gaze…. the same goes with other people of other races and culture. Perhaps a better expression of the Church Universal found outside of the Mass, is that of the Multilingual Rosary and the Candlelight Procession that took place Friday night, wherein people all over the world worshiped God and asked for the Virgin Mary’s intercession in prayer, song and devotion.
In short, Fatima was a beautiful place, not only in its art and architecture, but I think, more importantly, it is a clear and appropriate expression of a Universal Church, rooted in hope.
