Fatima
‘Our Lady was brighter than the sun shedding rays of light’
Fatima, a world famous Marian shrine located in Portugal, saw the
beginning of apparitions to Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia in 1917.
Our Lady’s appearance was preceded by an angel, who appeared
to the three children a number of times in 1916. The Blessed Virgin
appeared on the 13th day of every month between May and
October at Cova de Iria. She delivered messages from God, the
overriding message was for all mankind to return to God and
to make reparation for their sins. She also revealed three secrets to the children and
stressed the importance of praying the Rosary in each of her apparitions.
In her June appearance, Our Lady told Lucia that she would take Francisco and Jacinta to
Heaven soon but that Lucia was to stay on earth to make Our Lady better known and loved.
The people of Fatima, local authorities and even some of their families did not believe that
such apparitions were taking place.
On the 13
th
August, on their way to Cova de Iria, the children were captured by the local
authorities and held in jail. The local authorities demanded that they reveal the secrets.
However, even though they were interrogated and threatened with death, the children refused
to disclose any information. That month Our Lady appeared to the children at Valinhos on the
19
th
, after they returned from prison.
In October at the last apparition, Our Lady said she was “ the Lady of the Rosary” and a
chapel was to be built in her honour. As promised to the 3 children in July and September the
“miracle of the sun” took place. As Our Lady was about to leave, the sun began
whirling in the sky and seemed to plunge towards the ground.
Thousands of spectators, who were present during the apparition,
suddenly became terrified and fell to their knees in prayer. It was
reported that numerous healings took place during this time.
Today Fatima is a worldwide place of pilgrimage, thousands of
people flock here every year to pray to Our Lady and Our Lord.
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