It was December 7 2012, the day before the feast of the Immaculate Conception and I was in Fatima. In the Sanctuary and walking around exploring the beautiful Basilica and Little Chapel and so on. It was a beautiful sunny Winter's day and to my surprise it was quiet there. No Crowds, No hastle, a beautiful way to just explore at leisure.
Around lunchtime I walked bye the large area of Candles that worshippers light and pray for their loved one's who have passed away. It is amazing the spirit these candles generate. I love lighting a Candle, and do so each day at home and each time I go to Mass. So I was not going to miss this opportunity. It was a Certainty that I would be at this place at some point of my visit, so I first selected my candles and paid for them and proceeded to the area to light them and say a prayer. Although it was quiet there were a number of people around the Candle area.
As I was lighting the candle's, I became aware of a noise behind me. It was a noise like Moaning, Crying, almost like someone wailing. I turned around and there was an old lady sitting on the floor. She was begging. Just sitting there making this moaning wailing noise. She looked very dirty and like a vagabond. I finished my prayers and walked over to her and bent down and gave her either a €10 or €5 (Euro) I can't remember which. I remember saying to her God Bless You. As I looked at her, She did look quite unclean and her teeth were black and uncared for. She didn't say anything to me just nodded her head and accepted the money. Infact as we made eye contact I distinctly remember She looked away. I really didn't think anything about it at the time and as I walked away I felt a bit emotional, but just carried on to my next place. My lunch.
Anyway, as I came back a little while later I saw the woman again, this time She was walking away from the Sanctuary. I thought to myself I hope She's going to buy something to eat. I didn't see her again after that.
In my time at Fatima, She was the one and only beggar I saw at there. I saw no one else begging or looking for charity anywhere. No one else seemed to pay any attention to her.
It was only at the end of January 2012 when I read Deacon Ken's account of his encounters again that I even remembered or thought back to the day I saw this lady begging in Fatima. It has really been making me think about my encounter. I'm not for one moment suggesting that I had an encounter with Our Blessed Mother, but I must admit it really makes me wonder. It was amazing as well that I met this old lady (infact she didn't seem like an old lady, more weighed down by the struggles of her life) right by the Candles area. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like to light a candle each night at home, and each night I light the candle in front of an image of Our Lady of Fatima. More than a coincidence? I wonder.
I won't ever forget this encounter now, it makes me smile and chuckle to myself, because I don't know the answer to the question I am asking, I wonder was it her? I guess this is part of our beautiful faith and mysteries. As the saying goes, "God works in mysterious way's" I think Our Blessed Mother does too.
ANT
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