THE FIHM OPERA IN FATIMA IS GROWING

Let’s Build Hope Together

Dear Friends,

On October 13, 2024, we will celebrate thirty years of the presence of the Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (FCIM) in Portugal.

Our mission in Fatima—a privileged place where our entire Movement can encounter the spirituality of Fatima and draw from the wellsprings of our Charism—has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. Many families and young people from across Portugal, drawn to the Charism of the “Family,” have begun a journey of consecration, giving fresh momentum to the activities and initiatives of the Opera itself.

The internal and external spaces of the house, initially intended to host the pilgrimage groups that FCIM organizes each year from our communities in Italy, have now become too small to accommodate the increasing number of local initiatives focused on the human and spiritual formation of youth and families.

In particular, we refer to:

Summer and winter camps for boys and girls;

Youth formation through congresses, retreats, and catechesis;

Accompaniment of families, who are now participating in growing numbers in the monthly FCIM retreats;

And all the charitable and social activities carried out in collaboration with the Diocese and other local parishes.

To respond to these growing needs, we plan to build a new church, with seating for approximately 200 people—a significant upgrade from our current small chapel.

Next to the church, we also plan to construct a three-story building to better host youth and formation activities. The structure will include:

A refectory with an industrial kitchen, to welcome groups during retreats and school camps;

On the upper floor, a multipurpose hall for meetings and conferences, complete with a stage for theatrical performances;

And on the top floor, several bedrooms to provide accommodation for groups during retreats or camps.

Finally, next to the hall, we will build a multi-purpose sports field to support various recreational and play activities.

This project aims to create new spaces to support families in the area in raising and educating their children, while also introducing them to the reality of the Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Movement.

The facility will also be available to parishes and associations throughout the year that wish to use it for formative or recreational events within the Opera.

It is indeed an ambitious project, but we trust in Divine Providence, and we are already deeply grateful to all who will help us make it a reality. Please know that you are remembered in our prayers and in the Holy Mass.