Our Lady of Fatima
The Story - The Miracle
In 1917, an extraordinary series of events unfolded in the Portuguese village of Fatima. Three young shepherd children - Francisco (10), Jacinta (9), and Lucia (7) - reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary while tending their sheep. These encounters occurred monthly from May through October, always on the 13th day.
The children described a beautiful woman who shared what they understood to be divine messages about world peace and spiritual matters. While some villagers believed their account, others were skeptical and even mocked them. The situation culminated on October 13, 1917, when approximately 100,000 people gathered in Fatima despite heavy rainfall to witness what would become known as the "Miracle of the Sun."
Witnesses described an extraordinary celestial phenomenon where the sun appeared to dance, spin, and emit various colors. Many reported seeing the sun zigzag toward Earth before returning to its position. Remarkably, observers noted that their rain-soaked clothes had mysteriously dried after the event, which lasted about ten minutes.
The apparitions included three prophetic messages, known as the "Secrets of Fatima." The first involved a vision of hell and a call for prayer and devotion. The second predicted World War II and warned about Russia's embrace of communism. The third secret remained undisclosed until 2000 when it was revealed alongside the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta. This final message described a vision of religious persecution and what some interpret as a prediction of the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.
