Crato Inaugurates 54-Meter Our Lady of Fátima Statue, Touted as New Pilgrimage Draw

Overview

• The statue was inaugurated on Thursday, November 13, with a special Mass and an inaugural blessing that drew thousands of worshippers.
• Musical performances by Irmã Raquel, Patrícia, and Father Fábio de Mello accompanied the religious ceremony.
• At 54 meters, the monument is reported to be taller than Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, and authorities say it is the largest statue dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima.
• Municipal officials plan organized romarias to the site to build a sustained culture of pilgrimage and bolster regional visitation.
• Local artist David Bertassi paid tribute by painting his body with the image of the saint in a work he said took about ten hours and spread on social media.