We got to Fatima about 9:30 in the morning and while the mass being said in the little chapel outside the main church was packed, the vast square was pretty empty and the church itself not too crowded.

It had a nice, tranquil feel – lots of folk there were on religious tours so even tho’ later in the day it gets busy, it wasn’t a tourist circus yet.  The sculpture of the rosary beads is new – it was designed by a portugese  sculpture in honour of the centenary of the apparitions.  

Candles were available in multiple sizes – John’s were modest by comparison with some of the choices!