The rector of the sanctuary of Fatima announced to the press, in a release, “that the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary will be reopened” on February 2nd, the Day of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple. Father Carlos Cabecinhas added that “substantial benefit will be achieved” in terms of the devotees’ access to and stay at the graves of the Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto: “So far the trail that led to the graves of the little shepherds was fairly tricky; from now on, those funeral chapels will be easier for people to walk along, and to stay praying there as well”. The bishop of Leiria-Fatima, mgr. António Marto, will officiate a Mass, during which “a completely new altar” designed by sculptor Bruno Marques will be consecrated, and, after the reopening, “three Masses a day will take place again until Easter”, the rector explained. Started in 1928, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was consecrated on 7th October 1953, designed by Dutch architect Gerard Van Kriechen and built by Portuguese architect João Antunes: it is 70.5 metres long and 37 metres wide. As the first Basilica of the “Cova de Iria”, it was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary by Pope Pius XII through the brief “Luce Superna”, granted on 11th November 1954.