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The great esplanade is a key place in Fatima. This is where the evening processions take place. They start at the Chapel of the Apparitions, continue on the esplanade and end again at the Chapel of the Apparitions.

 

The rosary interspersed with songs is prayed from 9:30 p.m. It is guided by priests and teams of lay people of different nationalities. The pilgrims like to make procession with candles. This is how we see hundreds or even, on busy days, thousands of candles lighting up the night. This torchlight procession is famous all over the world. It is particularly followed on the evening of the 12th, the eve of each 13th of the month, but during the period of pilgrimages, it takes place every evening.

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