Our Lady of Fatima
Queen of the Holy Rosary, Mother of Mercy, and Messenger of Peace
📖 The Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima
Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos (age 10), and her cousins Francisco (age 9) and Jacinta Marto (age 7)—in the Cova da Iria near Fatima, Portugal. These apparitions occurred during World War I, a time of great turmoil and suffering in the world.
Our Lady appeared as a beautiful young woman dressed in white, more brilliant than the sun, holding a rosary. She identified herself as "the Lady of the Rosary" and came with an urgent message for humanity. The children described her as radiating light and speaking with a voice of incomparable sweetness.
During the first apparition on May 13, 1917, Our Lady asked the children if they were willing to offer themselves to God and bear all the sufferings He would send them as an act of reparation for sins and for the conversion of sinners. When they agreed, she promised: "Then you will have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort."
Our Lady taught the children to pray the Rosary daily for peace in the world and the end of the war. She revealed three secrets to them, which have become known as the Three Secrets of Fatima. She also performed the Miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917, witnessed by approximately 70,000 people, to confirm the authenticity of her apparitions.
The apparitions were officially approved by the Catholic Church in 1930, and Fatima has become one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, visited by millions of pilgrims annually.
🌟 The Message of Fatima
Prayer and Penance
Our Lady emphasized the importance of prayer, especially the Rosary, and penance for the conversion of sinners. She asked that the Rosary be prayed daily and that sacrifices be offered for sinners. She taught the children the Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy."
The Five First Saturdays
Our Lady requested that people practice the Five First Saturdays devotion in reparation for sins committed against her Immaculate Heart. This devotion involves going to Confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying five decades of the Rosary, and meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary for fifteen minutes on the first Saturday of five consecutive months.
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart
Our Lady asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, promising that if this request was fulfilled, Russia would be converted and there would be peace. She also asked that all individuals consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart. Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1942, and Pope John Paul II specifically consecrated Russia in 1984.
Warning and Promise
Our Lady warned that if people did not stop offending God, a worse war would break out during the pontificate of Pius XI (World War II). She also warned of the spread of errors from Russia and persecution of the Church. However, she promised: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world."
🔐 The Three Secrets of Fatima
First Secret: Vision of Hell
The children were shown a terrifying vision of hell, filled with demons and souls in torment. Our Lady explained: "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."
Second Secret: Prophecy and Request
Our Lady predicted the end of World War I but warned of a worse war if people did not stop offending God. She requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and the practice of First Saturday devotions as means of preventing war and converting Russia.
Third Secret: Vision of Persecution
The third secret, revealed by the Vatican in 2000, described a vision of a "Bishop dressed in White" (interpreted as the Pope) making his way through a city in ruins, passing through a crowd of martyrs, and being killed by soldiers. This was interpreted as referring to the 20th century's persecution of Christians and the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, which occurred on May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
📅 Feast Day
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
The feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated on May 13th, commemorating the date of the first apparition in 1917. This feast was extended to the universal Church by Pope John Paul II in 2002. The date holds special significance as it was also the day of the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, which he attributed to Our Lady of Fatima's protection.
On this day, Catholics around the world honor Our Lady of Fatima by praying the Rosary, making acts of reparation to her Immaculate Heart, and renewing their commitment to prayer and penance. Many pilgrims travel to Fatima, Portugal, where candlelight processions and special Masses are held at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
🙏 Prayers
Fatima Prayer
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen."
Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima
"Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Amen."