Lighting of Candles @ Our Lady of Fatima

June 18, 2018 2:45 pm

Today’s tour was primarily to visit the holy pilgrimage site of the Our Lady of Fatima.   This was not included in the FPG Insurance official itinerary which was surprising because  I thought when one goes to Portugal,  a visit to the Fatima is a given  at least for Filipino Catholics like us. We paid US$150 per person for our tour today which included the delicious lunch in Mar Bravo.

It was not comfortable in the van because it was smaller and we were seated too close to each other. Edmund was my seatmate and during our courtship days we were like kutsinta, too sticky, always nakapulupot with each other. But after 35 years, we need space. We are no longer like kutsinta, we are now like cakes. Hindi pwedeng magdikit at masisira ang design. Hindi pwedeng sobrang dikit at malagkit. The air conditioning was no match to the heat outside aggravated by the body heat.

The van’s skylight also contributed to the humidity and heat inside. Paul Chuatico and Francis became creative out of necessity by using an umbrella to block the sunlight. Did it help? Konti, katitik.

The town of Fatima was not what I expected. It’s modern. I thought the place was medyo probinsya-looking like Obidos.

Aleluia Hotel

It was a long walk from the street to the Holy Fatima grounds. Even short distances are made longer because of the burning heat. A short walk seemed like a kilometer.

We went to the toilets first and oh boy ang lamig ng tubig sa gripo, gusto ko na talagang maglublob. I wet my shoulders, my neck, arms, legs, nape. As soon as I went out, wala na agad, ang bilis matuyo, sobra kasing matindi ang sikat ng araw.

We started our walk under the sunlight , I wished moonlight. First stop was the area where to buy candles…

Hindi namin kagrupo yung mama na exposed ang bumbunan.

Ramon and Susan Dimacali, Paul Chautico, Yen

Susmaryosep ang init. The sun’s heat plus the heat from the burning candles, whooaaaa kung plastic ang pustiso mo, tunaw!

My kids grew up seeing me light candles in churches, chapels, and even at home, at our mini altar. For me lighting candles is a form of prayer or to express my prayer intentions. There are many things in my heart that I want to tell God but sometimes my problems are overwhelming and the flicker from the light kinda give me a sense that God could hear my prayers. It was like calling the attention of God the Almighty. Here’s this girl, asking for your help.

When I light candles for my son, for my daughter, for Edmund, for our business, for my sister, my brothers, for my deceased parents, for my brother, for relatives, friends, strangers and the world, it’s my way of wishing them good. I light candles too for my own personal intentions and as a way of thanking God too for the blessings, kindness, compassion, he has given to me and my family.

I wish all of you good. Pero kung salbahe kayo, ayaw ko sa inyo.
And please #choosetobegood.