The Diocese of Leiria-Fatima has more than 290 thousand inhabitants, spread over approximately 1700 km2. Created on the 22nd of May 1595, the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima has Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Augustine as its patron saints.

With 73 parishes with "open doors", the Diocese will welcome pilgrims from all over the world during the Days in the Diocese (DND), a meeting that precedes the week of the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023.

In the territory of the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima, we can find cultural and religious points of interest. Examples are the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, the Leiria Castle, the Batalha Monastery, the Maceira Waterfall and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Incarnation.

Especially known for the International Anniversary Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fátima, the Diocese of Leiria-Fátima is also a place of festivities such as the Feast in honour of the Divine Holy Spirit, where it is customary to distribute bread at the end of the celebration.

Besides its cultural traditions, it is in the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima that you can find the famous "Morcela de Arroz", and the typical "Brisas de lis".

Did you know that...?

1.          

The Diocese of Leiria-Fatima includes the biggest and the oldest Pine Forest in the national territory

2.          

The Leiria's Cathedral is one of the oldest constructions of the city, having been built in the 16th century

3.          

Legend says that Leiria's Cathedral had a bell tower but people living on the other side of the city couldn't hear the bells calling to prayer, so another bell tower was built separately from the Cathedral.

The Days in the Dioceses (DND) is an encounter of young people from all over the world that precedes World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 and will take place in 17 dioceses of mainland Portugal and the islands: Algarve; Angra; Aveiro; Beja; Braga; Bragança-Miranda; Coimbra; Évora; Funchal; Guarda; Lamego; Leiria-Fátima; Portalegre-Castelo Branco; Porto; Viana do Castelo; Vila Real and Viseu.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing more about each of these 17 dioceses.

More information about the DND and a map with the location of each diocese here.