There are three important sites in Fatima: the Chapel of the
Apparitions, the tombs of the little shepherds in Cova da Iria and the
village of Aljustrel, where the three children of Fatima lived.
Aljustrel is reached from the southern roundabout of Fatima by a path that has been transformed into a Way of the Cross.
Along
the way are Valinhos (apparition of 19 August 1917) and Loca do Cabeço
(first and third apparitions of the Angel of Portugal).
Until a
few days ago, pilgrims were guided by stone tablets scattered along the
way, inscribed with many of the most important dialogues between Our
Lady and the little shepherds. The writings were chosen from Sister
Lucia's memoirs.
But recently they disappeared overnight, writes IlNuovoArengario.it (4 April).
The Sanctuary's rectory explained that they had been removed because their maintenance had been "very expensive" (sic).
Only
the stone plaques at the feet of the statues in the places of the
apparitions of the Angel and the Madonna remain. The sanctuary is
controlled by a heterodox clergy.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of
the Fatima shrine announced last week that it is not considering
removing or altering the giant mosaic installations by alleged abuser
Father Marko Rupnik.
Picture: Fatima © Fr Lawrence Lew OP CC BY-NC-ND, #newsNxnmbqzoba