Obrigada

 Hello!

The day has just dawned in Fatima!

It is such a wonderful blessing to be able to start our pilgrimage in such a wonderful and holy place.
And even though it is cloudy today, this day is pretty well summed up in the Canticle of Zechariah:

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Everyone is having a great time and yet we all have our trials, filled with grace,  which we are all trying to embrace, so that we can grow! It is wonderful that we started the pilgrimage at the sight of a marian apparatiion because I see how clearly our Mother can lead us to Christ in the coming week as we continue toward our Pilgrimage destination: JMJ Madrid!!

Before I continue with a brief recap of the time so far, I'd like to explain the title of this posting.
it is the only word I know in Portugues. It's a little sad because it is so similar to Spanish ... but then, not! So, it makes it hard to communicate especially when I don't even know how to say please, thank you, or good morning.

I don't really know the conjugation of Obrigada (feminine verb) but I am so THANKFUL for this beautiful blessing and so I guess Obrigada is a good word to know, If I'm only to know one word in Portugues.

Now for a brief update on everyone!

Hannah, Emily, Gina, Tucker, and Jaci are having a great time mostly playing weird (fun) universal games like ninja with the other pilgrims. They all stayed up pretty late singing and playing with hundreds of other kids in the courtyard of the DOMINICAN(!!) hotel.

Jason, Tina, Karen Jenna, Bethany and I are also enjoying ourselves though we didn't partake in the ninja - ing(?).

Bethany and I had a nice walk after evening prayer with some other pilgrims including the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (I LOVE THEM) and before dinner. We are both in that transition stage of beginning and ending college... it's an interesting place to be but also filled with much GRACE!

Jason, Tina, Karen and Jenna are bearing the responsiblity of engaging, caring for, and guiding, the teens on the trip! It is a wonderful bonding experience for all of us!!


Yesterday afternoon we had mass in a small church in Portugal at the Church of the Holy Miracle (it was beautiful!!) and then were able to each see the Beautiful, Holy Eucharistic Miracle
(http://www.sacred-destinations.com/portugal/santarem-eucharistic-miracle)

Last night we were all so wonderfully blessed to be here on Saturday the 13th, which for those of you who are not Fatima groupies, is a super holy day here because the 13th is the culmination of the Fatima apparitions AND Saturday is Mary's Day!! There was a multilingual rosary and a candle vigil and procession of Mary ... we will have photos soon!

Today we are going to see more of Fatima and pray more for a Spirit to enter into this WYD (JMJ) and to accept this grace!

We are praying for you!! Please Pray for US!!

 Did I mention the beautiful Dominicans!? ; )

In Sweet Jesus, Jesus LOVE.

~ Katherine (on behalf of all the St. Joe Pilgrims)