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 Fátima is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the Roman Catholic faith community. Maria appeared for the first time to three little shepherd children on May 13th, 1917. They received the order to assemble the next months respectively, on the same day, at this place. Maria reappeared to the children and also to villagers who assembled to pray for peace. On October 13th, more than 50.000 believers assembled and experienced/discovered/ underwent the sun miracle. Lucia received the three secrets of Fátima from Maria. Two of the children, Jacinta and Francisco, died shortly after the appearance. Only the older girl, Lucia de Jesus Santos, has survived and lives today as nun in a convent in Coimbra.
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A new baroque basilica in Fatima was set up at the place of the appearances. This place has a superficie of 150.000 m ² and big enough for more tah 100.000 pilgrim. Maria shall have appeared at the place where the Capela of the Apariçoes stands today. As gratitude of the pilgrims, body and members of wax are burned behind the chapel .
