17 august, 2026
Fátima and Nazaré bring together marian shrines from around the world for an international congressThe event will take place November 12–14 and will feature the participation of Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Evangelization.
The Shrines of Fatima and Nazaré will host the International Congress of Marian Shrines from November 12–14. The event will bring together leaders from some of the world’s most important Marian pilgrimage centers to reflect on the identity, mission, and challenges of these places within the Church and society of the 21st century. The gathering will include representatives from the shrines of Guadalupe in Mexico; Nazaré and Aparecida in Brazil; Lourdes in France; and Fatima and Nazaré in Portugal. The congress will provide an opportunity to share pastoral experiences and evangelization projects, as well as to deepen the historical and theological understanding of Marian devotion. One of the central moments of the congress will be an address by Archbishop Salvatore Rino Fisichella of the Dicastery for Evangelization. He will open the proceedings on November 12 with a reflection on “Marian Shrines in the Context of the 21st-Century Church.” Archbishop Fisichella's significant engagement in the New Evangelization presents a valuable opportunity to emphasize the important role that shrines play in the Church’s mission of evangelization from the very beginning.
Over the course of the three-day event, the program will include panels featuring representatives of international Marian shrines, presentations on the history and devotion to the Holy Mary in Portugal, liturgical celebrations, and visits to the principal pilgrimage sites in Fatima and Nazaré. The congress is intended for shrine leaders and staff, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the role of these places in the life of the Church and in promoting Marian devotion. Registration is open and costs €30. |
