As our pilgrimage nears its end, we headed from Segovia, Spain to our final destination of Fatima, Portugal. Though we clocked more than seven hours in the bus, today was also a day packed full of holy sites and holy saints. We began with a two hour ride to Alba de Tormes, the resting place of The founder of the discalced Carmelite order as well as a great mystic, Saint Theresa of Avila. At the Carmelite convent, Fr. Ray celebrated mass before the relics of the great saint. Afterwards, we explored the museum at the convent, dedicated to Saint Theresa's life and work, both her written work and her work in reforming the Carmelite order. We also had the chance to venerate her relics, including her incorruptible arm and heart. This was a very special visit for some of our pilgrims who have great friendships with Theresa. For the rest, it was a chance to learn about an amazing woman whose heart was on fire with love for Christ even before a flaming arrow of his own love pierced it. The time we spent with her was not long enough. Before we knew it, we were back on the bus. We took a break for lunch in the golden city of Salamanca, Spain, and then spent another three hours in the bus, headed to our next destination. Before we reached it, we reached another exciting milestone in our trip. We crossed the Spanish border into Portugal! Greeted by the beauty of a mountainous new country and a new language, our spirits lifted. We followed the winding Mondego River all the way to the city of Coimbra. This city, once the capitol of Portugal, is watched over by its patroness, Saint Isabel of Portugal. She was queen of the small but proud country in her time, and we had the privilege of paying her relics a visit. Though the queen is incorruptible, we were not able to see her body as it is not displayed for the public but housed in a silver coffin above the altar in an incredibly ornate church built in the sixteen hundreds. We learned about her great heart for service to the poor and then prayed in the church dedicated to her. After leaving her, we continued to our final destination, Fatima! We started our two night stay in the city of this beloved Marian apparition with a beautiful, candle-lit rosary, prayed in several of the worlds languages, followed by a procession of the blessed sacrament. Some of our own young men had the privilege of carrying candles and the ceremonial canopy under which the Eucharist was held. Hundreds of people processed behind the body of our Lord, singing and praying holding candles. After this procession, we headed back to the hotel for a good night's rest before properly exploring Fatima tomorrow. Until then, Viva Maria! - Isabelle Pryor
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