The Shrine of Fatima receives on September 12 and 13 the International Anniversary Pilgrimage, an event that commemorates the apparition of Our Lady to the three Little Shepherds at the Cova da Iria in 1917. The program begins on the evening of September 12 with the recitation of the rosary.
The pilgrimage is presided over by Mgr. José Manuel Imbamba, archbishop of Saurimo, in Angola. This is the Angolan diocese that is in charge of presiding over the celebration this year.
The event brings together faithful from various parts of the world at the Portuguese shrine, keeping alive the pilgrimage tradition that marks the religious calendar of Fatima. The choice of an Angolan archbishop to preside over the pilgrimage reinforces the ties between Portugal and Angola in the context of the Catholic faith.
