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FAITH: The Apparitions—Our Lady of Fatima
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May 6, 2025
The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 are among the most extraordinary and well-documented Marian apparitions in the history of the Church. With a message of prayer, penance, and hope, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto—in the small Portuguese village of Fatima. Her appearances carried a profound message of warning, love, and the promise of peace.
Let’s journey through the six apparitions and the miraculous events surrounding them, reflecting on what they mean for us today.
The First Apparition: May 13, 1917
On a sunny spring day at Cova da Iria, Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco were playing when they saw two flashes of light and a radiant Lady standing above a small oak tree. Identifying herself as being “from Heaven,” Our Lady reassured the frightened children and asked them to return on the 13th of each month for six months.
She urged them to pray the Rosary every day for world peace and the end of World War I, and she invited them to offer sacrifices for sinners. The children agreed, experiencing a divine light that filled their hearts with peace and grace.
Key Message: Prayer, especially the Rosary, is essential for peace and the salvation of souls.
The Second Apparition: June 13, 1917
At the second meeting, Our Lady emphasized devotion to her Immaculate Heart as a refuge for sinners and the path to God. She revealed that Francisco and Jacinta would soon go to Heaven, while Lucia would remain to spread devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
This time, the children saw Mary’s heart encircled by thorns, representing humanity’s sins and the need for reparation.
Key Message: Devotion to the Immaculate Heart is a source of grace and a call to repentance.
The Third Apparition: July 13, 1917
This apparition was marked by a terrifying vision of hell, where souls of the damned suffered in a sea of fire. Moved with compassion, Our Lady promised that devotion to her Immaculate Heart would save many souls from this fate.
She warned of war, famine, and persecution if her requests for prayer, penance, and the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart were ignored. Yet, she offered hope:
"In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."
She also gave the children the Fatima Prayer, to be said after each Rosary decade:
"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."
Key Message: Prayer and sacrifices have the power to save souls and bring about peace.
The Fourth Apparition: August 19, 1917
Delayed by the children’s detention by local authorities, this apparition occurred at Valinhos rather than Cova da Iria. Our Lady emphasized the need for continued sacrifices and the urgency of praying for sinners. She assured the children that a great miracle would occur in October as proof of her message.
Key Message: Sacrifice and prayer are powerful acts of intercession for a world in need.
The Fifth Apparition: September 13, 1917
A crowd of 20,000 gathered at Cova da Iria, and witnesses saw signs of the divine presence. Our Lady reiterated her call to pray the Rosary daily and prepare for the promised miracle in October. She also assured the children that she would come with Our Lord, Saint Joseph, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel to bless the world.
Key Message: Perseverance in prayer opens the door to divine blessings and miracles.
The Sixth Apparition: October 13, 1917 – The Miracle of the Sun
On a rainy day, a crowd of 70,000 witnessed the Miracle of the Sun—the sun danced, spun, and seemed to plummet toward the earth before returning to normal. This extraordinary event, visible up to 25 miles away, left no doubt about the authenticity of the apparitions.
During this final visit, Our Lady identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary and urged the construction of a chapel at the site. She promised that the war would end but warned against offending God any further.
In stunning visions, the children saw:
Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus blessing the world.
Our Lady of Sorrows with Christ on the Cross.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Key Message: God's mercy is boundless, but we must turn back to Him through prayer and repentance.
The Legacy of Fatima
The apparitions of Fatima hold an urgent and timeless message. The Rosary remains a powerful tool for peace, conversion, and reparation for sin. The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary invites us to entrust ourselves to her maternal care and join her in interceding for the world.
What Can We Do Today?
Pray the Rosary Daily: Our Lady repeatedly emphasized the Rosary as a weapon against sin and a path to peace.
Offer Sacrifices for Sinners: Small acts of love and sacrifice can have eternal significance.
Practice Reparation: Attend confession regularly, and make acts of penance for the conversion of sinners.
Spread the Message: Share the story of Fatima and encourage others to embrace devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
Listen to the Full Story on Tabella
Dive deeper into the story of Fatima by listening to the "Our Lady of Fatima Reflections" Playlist on the Tabella app. Each track walks you through the apparitions, their messages, and how they inspire us to live faithfully today.
Click here to access the playlist and pray with us.
Let us entrust ourselves to Our Lady of Fatima, knowing that, in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph!
