Today, October 13th, we celebrate the last apparition of Our Lady in Fátima, which took place in 1917. This is a profoundly significant day for all devotees of the message of Fátima, as it marks the end of a Marian cycle that began in May of that year.
For many, Fátima has been a place of encounter with the divine, a refuge of peace and prayer that accompanies all stages of life. The Message of Fátima echoes the Gospel, step by step, inviting us to conversion, prayer, and the living of faith.
One of the most touching requests of Our Lady was that a small chapel be built at the site of the apparitions. This simple request symbolizes Mary's desire for that place to become a shrine, a space dedicated to prayer and devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
The small chapel, known today as the "Chapel of the Apparitions," continues to be a symbol of living faith and the maternal presence of Mary among her people. The chapel, white and simple, evokes purity and peace. White, traditionally associated with light and divine presence, invites each person to enter a state of serenity and recollection, which is essential for deep prayer.
Surrounded by candles that shine every night of the year, the chapel gains even more spiritual significance. The candles are like visible prayers, symbols of the faith of thousands of pilgrims who, with their small gestures, illuminate the darkness with the flame of hope and love.
These lights, which continuously burn around the chapel, are a constant reminder that even in darkness, God's light never fades. Moreover, they reflect God's constant presence in our lives and teach us that faith is the foundation of all prayer.
This environment, filled with light and peace, teaches us something essential: without faith, prayer loses its meaning. Faith is what sustains our relationship with God; it is the foundation upon which all devotional practice is built. Without faith, we cannot truly pray, for it is faith that leads us to an intimate encounter with the divine.
The white chapel, surrounded by candles that shine night after night, reminds us that God is always present, ready to hear our prayers and guide us through difficulties.
Here, the figure of Maria Carreira, known as "Maria of the Chapel," comes into play. This humble woman was one of the first to answer Our Lady's request, caring for the chapel with dedication and zeal. Her role as the guardian of the chapel is a testimony to a faith deeply rooted in love for Our Lady and the message of Fátima.
Maria Carreira not only physically cared for the sacred space, but she also welcomed pilgrims, shared her experiences, and kept the flame of Marian devotion alive.
The simplicity and dedication of Maria Carreira lead us to reflect on the true meaning of being a guardian of the faith. It is not only about preserving a physical place but cultivating a spiritual space in the heart of each believer, keeping the message of Fátima alive in every gesture of love, every prayer, and every act of faith. Like Maria Carreira, we are called to care for the "chapels" in our lives — places of prayer and devotion — so that the message of Our Lady continues to guide and inspire generations.
And when many in the world desire to be stewards of the Gospel and companions of the message of Fátima, we learn from those who were the first to witness the mystery of the light. The light that shines in the candles around the chapel reflects this mission of being bearers of that light, like Maria Carreira, who with humility and devotion, helped preserve and transmit the faith to those who follow the path laid out by Our Lady.
