More than twelve thousand Catholic faithful are expected this Saturday at the shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in the district of Namaacha in Maputo province.

The faithful come from all over the country, as well as from neighboring countries, to celebrate the 106th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

The Director of the Pastoral Coordination Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Maputo said that for this year, support points have been set up for pilgrims who are currently traveling on foot from the cities of Maputo, Matola and the town of Boane to the town of Namaacha.

Francisco Fumo explained that there are medical teams there to provide first aid and volunteers to help pilgrims in case of need.

The Mass will be celebrated on the grounds of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima by the Archbishop of Maputo, Dom João Carlos.

Every year on May 13th, Catholics remember the first apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd children - Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia - which took place in the city of Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.

This year's May 13th celebrations are being held under the slogan, Mary, Model of the Proclamation and Witness to the Word of God Today. (RM)