I came to pray & write, but instead
I am praying & learning

Greetings from Fatima!

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I believe all of you have familiarity with the apparitions of Fatima and the many graces that flow from the many prayers offered to Our Lord and Lady on these sacred grounds.

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I came for that very purpose.  To pray, meditate, study, and adore our Lord - and if He will allow me- to write.  Every day, I pray for the petitions entrusted to me and for everyone's spiritual and temporal needs.  

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I am staying on the grounds of the Monastery of the Perpetual Rosary, with cloistered nuns.  Mother Maria Lucia cheerfully met me at the front door as the taxi driver grumbled about my one piece of heavy luggage.  It is not customary to tip in Portugal, but he was very happy to provide me with his calling card, as I happily did tip, because I am from America and I didn't know better.  Actually, he deserved it after wheeling my heavy suitcase on cobblestones.

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After some brief joyful introductions, Mother and I walked about 30 yards to where I would stay in the "casita",  a tiny house located on the grounds of the Dominican monastery.   I learned that Mother Maria Lucia was from Washington, D.C. and has been here for about 45 years.

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It's a wonderful, blessed little house with a blue door that has "Ave Maria" identifying it.  It is immaculately clean, has two twin beds, a modest-sized kitchen, and, of course, a small bathroom.  There are two other small rooms, but I am not using them because there is no heat, except for a small heater in the kitchen and bedroom.  The temperature has been tolerable, ranging from 39° to 58°.  Mass and Adoration are held in a beautiful chapel about 60 yards from my door.​  As you know, Tevis was a football coach, so I know all about measurement in yards!

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My days have consisted of 8 am Mass, Adoration, Rosary, breakfast, writing, and visiting the Shrine for a second Mass and Rosary, study, and dinner that I cook for myself because I have a 30-day budget... No TV, no shopping (until later for religious items).  I am in silence all day except for Mass.  It has helped me quiet my overstimulated mind and open myself to the Holy Spirit.  

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There have been no hiccups, except that the electricity goes out whenever I try to cook breakfast or dinner.  I alert Sr. Jacinta, a cheery nun from the Philippines, and within a couple of minutes, everything is back on!

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Poor Sr. Jacinta - I can see her dashing through the convent to flip the breakers!  The monastery is not that small.

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I ask you to pray 1 Hail Mary for me that this sacrifice my family has made to have me here will not go without its grace on others and them.  

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I have prayed for each one of you, and will continue to do so throughout my self-imposed retreat.

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Perhaps, if you don't mind, I will continue to share some of whatever our Lord puts in my heart to share with you.

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May our Lord's blessings be poured into your hearts on this Solemnity of Our Lord JESUS Our King!​​​​​​​​

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