Day for Dreams & Miracles

On this beautiful Friday, we awoke very early to head out on a day of travel from Lisbon to Porto.

We arranged a private car with three stops in three different cities. We chose Santarem, Fatima, and Aveiro - each for different reasons and experiences. We had originally wanted to go to Nazare, known for its hugh waves, but our driver said we missed the high season. Our driver Nayem from Bangledesh was very encouraging of us going to our first two spiritual destinations.

We arrived in Santarem in an hour to a small-sized church called the Church of the Holy Miracle or originally, St. Stephen. There was a Mass being held for a group of Filipino pilgrims. We were able to participate and afterwards were directed to go off to the side of the altar up some stairs that took us to an amazing sight…a consecrated host of bread which had started to bleed and turn into flesh back in the 12th century. For those who are skeptical, this host has been scientifically tested and confirmed to contain human flesh and blood. Inconceivable, yet, truly amazing!

After we came back to the car, our driver started asking questions about our experience. He was not Catholic, but was intrigued. He asked if we would pray for him and his wife who had been trying to conceive a child for 11 years. We assured him we would.

Our next stop was Fatima. John and I had visited the site several years ago. However, Becky had never been and had always wanted to go. We had decided early on that if we were both physically able to go on this Camino trip that we would make a stop and thank the Blessed Mother for her guidance and protection.

With prayer intentions in hand, we headed to the original church built in Fatima to commemorate Mary’s miraculous appearance in 1917.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is reported to have appeared in Fátima, Portugal, specifically in a field called Cova da Iria, near Fátima. The apparitions occurred between May and October 1917.

A crowd, estimated at about 70,000, gathered at Fátima, Portugal, on October 13, 1917 and witnessed what has been described as a miraculous solar phenomenon, in which the Sun appeared to fall toward Earth—sometimes called the Miracle of the Sun—immediately after her final appearance to the children.

We had a beautiful sacramental afternoon praying at multiple places Mary had appeared and seeing the homes and tombs of the 3 children. It was very special to share this with Becky and see one of her dreams come true.

Next stop was Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal. Very picturesque.

We arrived in Porto about 5:30 and were exhausted! We totally needed to rest and regroup. We are staying in the heart of town. Live music just below us. Love the vibrancy of this city.

After a long and well-needed rest, we resurrected and I got to show Becky an amazing place to watch the sunset - The Yeatman.

Looking forward to drinking Port, exploring the city more, and seeing our good friend Alex…whose last name is Portugal!Read more