<p class="quote"><strong>&laquo;HIGH UP ON THE SLOPE IN THE COVA DA IRIA, I WAS PLAYING WITH JACINTA AND FRANCISCO AT BUILDING A LITTLE STONE WALL AROUND A CLUMP OF FURZE. SUDDENLY WE SAW WHAT SEEMED TO BE A FLASH OF LIGHTNING&raquo;.</strong><br />
Sister Lucia, description of 13th May 1917</p>

<p class="title_brown">Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima</p>

<p class="normal_text">The three little shepherds, before the apparition on 13th May 1917, were on that place building a &ldquo;small wall&rdquo;. Years later this Basilica would be built, besides the chapel built in the apparition site, responding to one of Our Lady of Fatima&rsquo;s requests: &laquo;I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour&raquo;.<br />
I recall before the altar, the Church, my parish community, my family and all who somehow helped me to be born by the Spirit. Next to the cross, the pilgrim image of the Virgin who has travelled through countries and people of all over the world, encourages me to gradually build this pilgrim-Church, acknowledging that it is Him who really builds it.&nbsp;<br />
In a thanksgiving attitude I am willing to be part of that construction and simultaneously to look after the inner home, of that heart-space where God wants to live in.&nbsp;<br />
Based on some expressions of Benedict XVI, on 13th May 2010, I ask Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto:</p>

<p class="quote">Francisco and Jacinta,&nbsp;<br />
who made a donation to God of your life&nbsp;<br />
and sharing it with others,&nbsp;<br />
help me to open my heart to love universality,&nbsp;<br />
thus, building a civilization of Love and Peace.<br />
Intercede for me so that the Mother may transplant &nbsp;<br />
in my heart the Love of God that burns in Hers<br />
and speed up the Triumph of Her Immaculate Heart.</p>

<p class="normal_text">Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory</p>
