The pilgrimage is part of the national pilgrimage of migrants and refugees, the most anticipated moment of the 52nd National Migration Week, which began on Sunday and ends on the 18th, this year under the theme “God walks with his people”.

This is the title of Pope Francis' message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrated on 29 September.

The director of the Portuguese Catholic Migration Works, Eugénia Quaresma, writes, regarding National Migration Week, that “the pilgrimage of 12 and 13 August, the heart of this week, is an opportunity to meet with emigrants who come on holiday or return home, with immigrants who have chosen Portugal to live, with all those who ask for protection and refuge, with those who have always lived in Portugal”.

The celebrations at the Sanctuary of Fátima begin at 9:30 pm, with the recitation of the rosary in the Chapel of the Apparitions, followed by the candlelight procession and the celebration of the word in the prayer area.

On Tuesday, the religious ceremonies begin with the Eucharistic procession in the area at 7:00 am and, two hours later, the rosary in the Chapel.

The mass, with the blessing of the sick and the farewell procession, concludes the pilgrimage, which is also known as the pilgrimage of emigrants, and which follows a tradition started 84 years ago by a group of young people from the Catholic Agrarian Youth from 17 parishes of the then diocese of Leiria, the offering of wheat.