Catholic Pilgrims at Fatima: Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima

While in Fatima, we visited one of the most beautiful basilicas in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The basilica is built at the site of the Marian apparitions in Fatima, and the tombs of the three visionaries, Saints Francisco & Jacinta and Sister Lucia, are located inside.

Scenes of the Marian apparitions are depicted in the stained glass windows. The 15 church altars are dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the Rosary (no Luminous Mysteries when the basilica was built).

The high altar painting depicts the message of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children. Included in the painting are figures of the local bishop as well as Pope Pius XII (who consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1942), Pope John XXIII, and Pope Paul VI.

Outside, the basilica is flanked by monumental colonnades which overlook a large open plaza, the center of which is occupied by a monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This monument stands over a spring that was discovered there, and was, according to the shrine, "the instrument of many graces."

Statues of the four great apostles of the Rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are located at the four corners of the basilica's colonnade: Saint Anthony Mary Claret (Saint Anthony of Lisbon, as he is known), Saint Dominic, Saint John Eudes, and Saint Stephen, King of Hungary.

The basilica, colonnade with statues on top, and the open plaza remind me of St. Peter's Square in Rome! Very similar look!

A large statue of Our Lady of Fatima stands in the niche above the main entrance of the basilica and was sculpted by an American priest, Fr. Thomas McGlynn.