“A little piece of Portugal in Venezuela”. The last preparations to consecrate the Sanctuary of Fatima in Carrizal – News
The consecration will be presided over by Cardinal Baltazar Porras and, in addition to the local religious authorities, the participation of several Venezuelan politicians is expected, as well as the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Paulo Cafôfo, and the President of the Government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque
“It’s been 14 years since we started building the church and now we’re putting the finishing touches to the consecration on October 13th. The works to be approved are still in the surrounding area, but still for the Church that people can attend and that there are as many common people to do as possible”, the secretary of administration of the Associação de Fátima Amigos de Fátima.
Agostinho Gonçalves explained that the construction of time is a tribute to Our Lady of Fátima, because “the Virgin Mary, the Virgin of Fátima, manifested herself here”.
“She wanted this church to be built, I say this because of the way we have been building it because the land and all the material was donated. People who approach us donated everything. We started the works without a budget, all with donations”, she stressed.
Agostinho Golves explained that the construction of the sanctuary was an idea of Father José António da Conceição, to whom the Virgin appeared in 2006, when he was celebrating Fátima.
“He asked Our Lady that he wanted to build a church in her honor, in Los Altos Mirandinos (Carrizal). In 2007 he spoke with the then mayor of the area, José Luís Rodríguez, who is of Portuguese descent and who asked for help to get land,” he said.
Gonçalves explained that there was already an authorized project for the construction of a shopping center, but the owners chose to carry the land to build the sanctuary.
“That’s why I say that there is a manifestation of the Virgin Mary here”, he underlined.
The idea, he said, was to promote the Catholic religion locally, also creating “a little piece of Portugal in Venezuela with traditions, where traditions, gastronomy, the teaching of the Portuguese language and folklore prevail”.
According to Agostinho Gonçalves, the construction of the sanctuary was an initiative of the local Portuguese community, which was joined by immigrants from other nationalities, namely Lebanese, Italians and Venezuelans.
“The architect’s project was donated by a Lebanese businessman. The 1,400 meters of marble on the floor were also donated by a Lebanese man, as were the 114 square meters of stained glass in the back, which cost US$17,500.” [valor semelhante em euros]description.
The highlight goes also to the Italian community that has donated food to the camps that raise funds,
Regarding the work, he stated that there are 22,000 square meters of construction and that up to now, 19.5 million dollars have been invested. However, there are still three million dollars to complete the works, to enable the halls for all Portuguese classes, for multiple use and a spiritual retreat house.
The catechetical halls and the lighting of the four parking floors are still to be completed.