Nov 5, 2019
Journey to Portugal and nothern Spain
In October 2019, we travelled to Portugal and Santiago de Compostela with a group of 20 participants. It was an opportunity to experience the different energies of Portugal, which are connected to the left, feminine side of the Tree of Life, in contrast to the energies of Northern Spain, which are connected to the right, masculine side. At the beginning of the trip, each participant received a textbook with information about the energetics and historical context of the places we would visit. It was an unforgettable journey.
Fatima
After arriving in Lisbon, we travelled north and made our first stop in Fatima, the place where Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. Fatima is one of the most important Marian shrines in the world. The whole place is permeated by a strong presence of Our Lady, which is almost tangible in the Apparition Chapel with the crowned statue of the Virgin Mary and the other apparition sites, such as the nearby neighborhood of Ajustrel and Valinhos Sanctuary. The atmosphere can be described as ‘powerful gentleness’, the calming, gentle energy of total acceptance. Fatima is a place of prayer where heaven and earth meet. We stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria right next to the shrine, so we were able to spend a lot of time savoring the atmosphere and discovering the many secrets of Fatima. (siehe auch Alternativbild)
Our Lady of Fatima, Valinhos Sanctuary
Guimaraes
The next stop on our journey was Guimaraes, the old capital of Portugal, which is located around 2.5 hours north of Fatima in the district of Braga. Guimaraes was a thermal city in Roman times and is considered the cradle of the Portuguese nation. The historic center developed around a monastery located on the town hill. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. We stayed at the beautiful Santa Luzia Art Hotel within walking distance of the historic center. During our sightseeing programme, we visited the famous Larga da Oliveira (‘Olive Tree Square’) with its cozy, healing atmosphere, the old Church of Our Lady of the Olive and, right in front of its main portal, the columned roof with a Gothic stone cross (1342) - the energetic heart of Guimaraes. In one of the pretty family restaurants in the main square, the group enjoyed an excellent meal and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere.
View on Church of Our Lady of the Olives across the main square, Guimaraes
On the way to Compostela
On our way to Santiago de Compostela, we visited a convent in the small town of Pontevedra, where Sister Lúcia, one of the seers of Fatima, spent part of her life and had several more apparitions of the Holy Mother. The gentle, relaxed atmosphere in the north of Portugal quickly gave way to a fiery and dynamic energy as we crossed the border into Spain. Sensing the difference between the two countries allowed us to calibrate our perceptions precisely.
Santiago de Compostela
Alongside Jerusalem and Rome, Santiago de Compostela is one of the three most important pilgrimage destinations in the Catholic world.
Pilgrims from all parts of Europe have been travelling the Way of St. James since the 9th century. To this day, the famous question of self-realization ‘Who am I?’ still occupies many who set out on the path. Our sightseeing programme focused on the cathedral of Santiago, the pilgrims' destination. The cathedral of Santiago is imbued with a deep sense of calm. It offers spiritual nourishment - inner silence that stirs our souls. Accommodated in the beautiful historic Hostal dos Reis Católicos directly next to Santiago Cathedral, we spent two days in its atmosphere to reflect and recharge our spiritual batteries. Between visits to the cathedral, we enjoyed the taparias in the historic centre of Santiago to satisfy our physical needs and enjoy life.
Cloister garden in Hostal dos Reyes Catolicós, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Bom Jesus do Monte
After the intensive experience of self-inquiry in Santiago de Compostela, we took a short break from strong energies at the Bom Jesus do Monte ('Good Jesus of the Mountain'), a sanctuary on the outskirts of Braga, about two hours from Santiago. It is situated on a mountain that can be reached by a 116-meter-long monumental staircase and a cable car. Bom Jesus do Monte has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2019. The history of the place dates to the 14th century, when a wooden cross was erected there to honor a hermit who dwelled there. Bom Jesus do Monte is above all a place of relaxation and peace with a marvelous view over Braga.
Fatima revisited
On our way further south to Lisbon airport we returned to Fatima, where our journey had begun. This time we visited the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and some of the other apparition sites, such as the "Loco do Anjo", where the Archangel Michael had appeared. The foundation stone of the basilica (see wide image) was laid in 1928 on the exact spot where the three shepherd children - Lucia dos Santos, Francisco and Jacinta Marto - were playing on 13 May 1917 when they saw a bright flash of light announcing the first apparition of the Virgin Mary. The bodies of the ‘three little seers’ were later transferred to the neo-baroque church building. The peaceful, gentle atmosphere of Fatima allowed us to reflect on and consolidate our experiences during our journey - a perfect conclusion.
