Our Lady of Fatima
Fátima, Portugal • 1917
Our Lady appearing to the shepherd children at Cova da Iria
The Apparitions at Fatima
In 1917, during the height of World War I, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children in the small village of Fátima, Portugal. These apparitions, which culminated in the famous Miracle of the Sun witnessed by approximately 70,000 people, are among the most significant Marian apparitions in Church history.
Our Lady came with a message of prayer, penance, and conversion, warning of the consequences of sin and calling humanity to turn back to God through devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
The Three Shepherd Children
Lúcia dos Santos
The eldest visionary who later became a Carmelite nun. She lived to see the beatification of her cousins and recorded the secrets.
Francisco Marto
Lúcia's cousin who could see Our Lady but not hear her. He focused on consoling 'the Hidden Jesus' in the tabernacle. Canonized in 2017.
Jacinta Marto
The youngest visionary, deeply moved by visions of hell. She offered many sacrifices for sinners and the Holy Father. Canonized in 2017.
Timeline of Apparitions
First Apparition
Our Lady appears to the three children at Cova da Iria, asking them to return on the 13th of each month and to pray the Rosary daily for peace.
Second Apparition
Our Lady reveals that Francisco and Jacinta will be taken to Heaven soon, while Lúcia must remain to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
Third Apparition - The Secrets
Our Lady reveals the three secrets: a vision of hell, devotion to her Immaculate Heart, and the third secret later revealed in 2000.
Children Imprisoned
The local administrator kidnaps and interrogates the children, but they refuse to deny the apparitions. Our Lady appears to them on August 19 instead.
Fifth Apparition
Approximately 30,000 people gather. Our Lady promises a miracle so that all may believe.
Miracle of the Sun
Before 70,000 witnesses, the sun 'danced' in the sky, spinning and casting multicolored light. This miracle was reported even by secular newspapers.
The Three Secrets of Fatima
On July 13, 1917, Our Lady revealed three secrets to the children
The First Secret: Vision of Hell
Our Lady showed the children a terrifying vision of hell where the souls of poor sinners go. She said: 'You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.'
The Second Secret: Devotion to the Immaculate Heart
Our Lady prophesied that World War I would end, but if people did not cease offending God, a worse war would break out during the reign of Pius XI. She requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays to prevent the spread of Russia's errors throughout the world.
The Third Secret: Vision of Persecution
Revealed by the Vatican in 2000, this secret described a vision of a 'Bishop dressed in White' (interpreted as the Pope) being killed along with other bishops, priests, religious, and lay people. Many interpret this as referring to the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, who credited Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life.
The Miracle of the Sun
On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people gathered at Cova da Iria despite heavy rain
At midday, the rain suddenly stopped and the clouds parted. The sun appeared as a spinning disc of silver, casting rays of multicolored light across the landscape. It seemed to "dance" in the sky and plunge toward the earth, causing the terrified crowd to fall to their knees in prayer.
When the phenomenon ended after about ten minutes, the previously rain-soaked ground and clothing of the witnesses were completely dry. The miracle was witnessed by believers and skeptics alike, and was reported in secular newspapers throughout Portugal.
"The sun trembled, made sudden incredible movements outside all cosmic laws — the sun 'danced' according to the typical expression of the people." — O Século, a Lisbon newspaper
Church Approval
The apparitions of Fatima were officially approved by the Catholic Church in 1930 by the Bishop of Leiria. Pope John Paul II, who credited Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life during the 1981 assassination attempt, consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984. Francisco and Jacinta Marto were canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017, the 100th anniversary of the first apparition.
Fatima Prayer Taught by Our Lady
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Amen.
Angel's Prayer (Taught in 1916)
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee!
I ask pardon of Thee for those who do not believe,
do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious
Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ,
present in all the tabernacles of the world,
in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges,
and indifference by which He is offended.
And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.
Amen.