LEWISTON, NY- Most people see Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the start of the holiday season. But there's a place in Western New York you must visit to remember the reason for the season.
The Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston is this week's Unique Place.
"What really started the Festival of Lights is what they might say the reaction against the commercialism of Christmas," said the Rev. Julio Ciavaglia, the Director of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine.
Father Ciavaglia says thousands of people of all faiths flock there year round, but at Christmas time most come to try to remember what it's all about.
"The reason for the Christmas season is to have the joy of a child that comes into the world that's going to develop as a model of peace," he said.
And peace, serenity, and tranquility is exactly what visitors feel when they walk the 15 acres.
They stroll down the Avenue of the Saints and gaze at more than 100 life-size marble statues of saints of every race and walk of life.
They see the heart-shaped pool, and the lights surrounding the pool are actually a rosary, believed to be one of the biggest outdoor rosaries in the world.
Visitors can go inside the Dome Basilica to sit and reflect or pray.
And they climb two flights of stairs - 63 steps- to stand beside the 13 foot granite statue of Our Lady of Fatima and take in what they call the Angel's View.
"Wow," is what Father Ciavaglia hears visitors saying. "They didn't realize how huge it was and how beautiful it is. And they always have to add onto it how peaceful it is."
And why is it so peaceful?
"I tell them it's because the thousands of pilgrims that come, pray here. They leave their prayers here. And those that come after them soak it up," he said.
Whether you're coming out of faith or just of curiosity, it's a trip worth taking this holiday season.
You can see Our Lady of Fatima Shrine's Festival of Lights every night from 5 to 9 pm through January 6th and it's absolutely free. Get more details by clicking here.
