The idea of building the Monument to Cristo Rei arose in 1934, during a visit to Brazil by the then Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira. As he passed through Rio de Janeiro, he saw the imposing image of Christ the Redeemer of Corcovado and right in his heart the desire to build such a work in front of Lisbon was born.
In 1936, the idea of building the Monument to Cristo Rei was transmitted to the “Apostolate of Prayer”, which enthusiastically welcomed it. To be National, the Monument needed the approval and cooperation of all Portuguese Bishops. Such sensitization to Bishops is achieved, being officially proclaimed in the Collective Pastoral of Lent of 1937.
Prophecy of Our Lady of Fatima
“On July 13, 1917, in Fátima, Our Lady appeared to the Three Little Shepherds, in what was her third appearance in Cova de Iria. That day she revealed the” secret of Fatima “to Jacinta, Lúcia and Francisco. Requested by the Bishop , Lucia later unveiled the secret’s content in 1937. Our Lady stated that sacrifice for sinners was essential and among various prophecies, added that Russia would spread its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions to the Church, something that was being fulfilled, because in addition to the communist government of this eastern European country, Mexico was also governed by the same ideology. “
