Resources
The Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima
In 1917, during the tumultuous days of World War I, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, bringing a message of prayer, penance, and peace for a world in crisis. These apparitions, now recognized by the Catholic Church as worthy of belief, have become one of the most significant Marian apparitions in history.
The message of Fatima, with its call to conversion, prayer (especially the Rosary), and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, continues to resonate with millions of faithful around the world. This page explores the events, messages, and enduring significance of the Fatima apparitions.
The Three Shepherd Children
The visionaries of Fatima were three young cousins from a small farming village:
Lucia dos Santos (1907-2005)
The oldest of the three children at age 10, Lucia was the primary recipient of Mary's messages and the only one who would speak directly with the Blessed Virgin. After the apparitions, she became a Carmelite nun and lived to the age of 97, recording her memories and continuing to spread the message of Fatima. Her cause for beatification is underway.
Francisco Marto (1908-1919)
Nine years old during the apparitions, Francisco could see the Blessed Virgin but not hear her words. He was known for his contemplative spirit and desire to console Jesus. He died during the influenza pandemic in 1919 and was canonized along with his sister by Pope Francis in 2017.
Jacinta Marto (1910-1920)
The youngest at age 7, Jacinta was deeply moved by the vision of hell and devoted herself to prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Like her brother, she died young from the influenza pandemic, suffering greatly but offering it all for sinners. She was the youngest non-martyred child to be canonized in the Church's history.
Timeline of the Apparitions
Spring 1916: Angelic Apparitions
Before Mary's appearances, an angel identifying himself as "the Angel of Peace" and "the Angel of Portugal" appeared three times to the children, teaching them prayers and preparing them for the Blessed Virgin's visits.
May 13, 1917: First Marian Apparition
While tending sheep in the Cova da Iria, the children saw "a lady more brilliant than the sun" standing over a small holm oak tree. She requested that they return on the 13th of each month for six months and asked them to pray the Rosary daily for world peace.
June 13, 1917: Second Apparition
Mary revealed that Francisco and Jacinta would die soon and go to heaven, while Lucia would remain to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Lady showed them her Immaculate Heart surrounded by thorns.
July 13, 1917: Third Apparition and the Three Secrets
This crucial apparition included the revelation of the "Three Secrets of Fatima." The children were shown a vision of hell, warned about a second world war, and given a third secret (later revealed as the vision of the "bishop dressed in white"). The Blessed Virgin also taught them the Fatima Prayer to be added to the Rosary.
August 19, 1917: Fourth Apparition
The children were imprisoned by the anti-religious local administrator on the 13th, so Mary appeared to them on the 19th instead, at a place called Valinhos. She repeated her requests for prayer and sacrifices for sinners.
September 13, 1917: Fifth Apparition
Mary promised a miracle in October and said that Saint Joseph would appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world. About 30,000 people gathered for this apparition, many witnessing unusual atmospheric phenomena.
October 13, 1917: Sixth Apparition and the Miracle of the Sun
Despite heavy rain, approximately 70,000 people gathered at the Cova da Iria. Mary identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary" and requested that a chapel be built there. After her appearance, the "Miracle of the Sun" occurred, where witnesses reported the sun dancing, spinning, and plunging toward earth before returning to normal. The ground and people's rain-soaked clothes were suddenly dry.
The Three Secrets of Fatima
During the July 13 apparition, Our Lady entrusted the children with three secrets:
The First Secret: Vision of Hell
The children were shown a terrifying vision of hell, where, as Lucia later wrote, they saw "a sea of fire" with demons and souls in human form. Mary explained that souls go to hell because of unrepented grave sins and that God wished to establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart to save souls.
The Second Secret: World War, Russia, and the Immaculate Heart
Mary warned that World War I would end but a worse one would begin during the pontificate of Pius XI if people continued to offend God. To prevent this, she asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. Otherwise, Russia would "spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church."
The Third Secret: The Bishop in White
This secret was written down by Sister Lucia in 1944 and sent to the Vatican, where it remained unrevealed until 2000. It describes a vision of a "bishop dressed in white" (interpreted as the Pope) who, along with other bishops, priests, and religious, is killed by soldiers after climbing a mountain topped by a cross. Many have connected this vision to the assassination attempt on Pope St. John Paul II on May 13, 1981 (the anniversary of the first apparition), though the Vatican has suggested it may symbolize the persecutions of Christians in the 20th century more broadly.
The Core Message of Fatima
While the apparitions contain many elements, several key themes form the core of Our Lady's message:
Prayer and Sacrifice
Mary repeatedly asked for daily prayer, especially the Rosary, and for sacrifices offered for the conversion of sinners. The children took this message to heart, embracing significant penances despite their young age.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Central to Fatima is devotion to Mary's Immaculate Heart. Our Lady showed her heart surrounded by thorns, symbolizing the sins that wound it, and requested specific devotional practices to make reparation.
Reparation for Sin
The message emphasizes the gravity of sin and its consequences in this world and the next. Our Lady asked for prayers and sacrifices in reparation for sins that offend God and for the conversion of sinners.
Peace in the World
Appearing during World War I and predicting World War II, Mary presented prayer, penance, and consecration to her Immaculate Heart as the path to peace for a troubled world.
Specific Devotional Requests
Our Lady of Fatima made several specific requests for devotional practices:
The Daily Rosary
In every apparition, Mary asked for the daily recitation of the Rosary for peace in the world. She identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary" in the final apparition.
The Fatima Prayer
During the July apparition, Mary taught the children this prayer to be recited after each decade of the Rosary: "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."
First Saturday Devotion
Mary requested the practice of the First Saturday Devotion—receiving Communion, going to Confession, reciting five decades of the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, all with the intention of making reparation to her Immaculate Heart.
Consecration of Russia
Our Lady asked for Russia to be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart by the Pope in union with the world's bishops. Various popes have performed consecrations over the years, with Pope Francis consecrating Russia and Ukraine specifically on March 25, 2022.
Wearing the Brown Scapular
Although not explicitly mentioned in the apparitions, Sister Lucia later stated that Our Lady had appeared holding a scapular during the final apparition, indicating her wish that we wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of consecration.
The Miracle of the Sun
On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people—believers and skeptics alike, including newspaper reporters and photographers—witnessed what became known as the "Miracle of the Sun." After a night and morning of heavy rain that left the crowd soaked, the clouds parted and the sun appeared as a spinning disk in the sky, casting multicolored lights across the landscape. To the astonishment of all, the sun appeared to detach from its normal position and plunge toward the earth before returning to its place. When it was over, the previously muddy ground and the people's drenched clothing were completely dry.
This extraordinary event was reported in secular newspapers, including the anti-religious O Século, whose editor-in-chief, Avelino de Almeida, wrote: "Before the astonished eyes of the crowd... the sun trembled, made sudden incredible movements outside all cosmic laws—the sun 'danced' according to the typical expression of the people."
The Miracle of the Sun was the public confirmation Mary had promised to convince people of the authenticity of the apparitions. It remains one of the most thoroughly documented miraculous events in modern history.
Church Recognition and Development
The path from the apparitions to official Church recognition and the global spread of Fatima devotion:
Initial Investigation (1919-1922)
The local bishop initiated an official inquiry into the events at Fatima, interviewing witnesses and studying the reported phenomena.
Official Approval (1930)
On October 13, 1930, Bishop José Alves Correia da Silva declared the apparitions "worthy of belief" in a pastoral letter, stating: "We judge it appropriate to declare that the visions of the children in the Cova da Iria, parish of Fatima, on this diocese, from the 13th May to 13th October 1917, had all the appearances of truth and that the faithful can believe in them with all security."
Basilica Construction (1928-1953)
Construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary began in 1928 and was completed and consecrated in 1953. It houses the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta, and eventually Lucia.
Papal Involvement
Multiple popes have visited Fatima and promoted its message:
- Pope Pius XII (1952) - Consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart
- Pope St. Paul VI (1967) - First pope to visit Fatima
- Pope St. John Paul II (1982, 1991, 2000) - Credited Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life during the 1981 assassination attempt
- Pope Benedict XVI (2010) - Declared that Fatima's message is not complete
- Pope Francis (2017) - Canonized Francisco and Jacinta during the centennial celebrations
Fatima Today
The sanctuary at Fatima has become one of the world's major Catholic pilgrimage sites, drawing millions of visitors annually. The large esplanade can accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, with the most significant celebrations occurring on the 13th of each month from May to October, especially on the anniversary dates in May (first apparition) and October (Miracle of the Sun).
Modern developments at the sanctuary include:
- The Basilica of the Holy Trinity, completed in 2007, which can seat 8,500 worshipers
- The Chapel of the Apparitions, built at the exact site of the holm oak tree where Mary appeared
- A segment of the Berlin Wall, installed to commemorate the role Fatima's message played in the peaceful end of communism in Eastern Europe
- Prayer centers, museums, and retreat facilities
Beyond Portugal, devotion to Our Lady of Fatima has spread worldwide, with countless parishes, schools, and organizations named in her honor. The World Apostolate of Fatima, officially recognized by the Vatican, promotes the message in over 100 countries.
Continuing Relevance of Fatima's Message
Many Church leaders have emphasized that Fatima's message remains urgently relevant for contemporary times:
- Call to Conversion - In an increasingly secular world, Fatima reminds us of the eternal consequences of our choices and the need for repentance.
- Prayer for Peace - With ongoing conflicts worldwide, Mary's call to pray the Rosary for peace remains as timely as ever.
- Reparation for Sin - The concept of making reparation for sins offers a spiritually meaningful response to the moral challenges of our age.
- The Immaculate Heart as Refuge - Mary offered her Immaculate Heart as a refuge in difficult times, a message of hope for those facing personal or societal crises.
- Witness of the Children - The three young visionaries model a faith that takes God seriously, even when it requires sacrifice. Their willingness to face ridicule and persecution for truth offers an example for Christians facing opposition today.
Quick Facts about Fatima
Respond to Our Lady's Call
The message of Fatima invites each of us to prayer, penance, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Begin today by taking one small step to incorporate these practices into your spiritual life.