Our Lady of Fátima
On this day in 1917, the Blessed Virgin began appearing to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal. She appeared on the thirteenth day of six consecutive months, culminating in the great Miracle of the Sun.
Regardless of miracles, Catholics are not obliged to believe these “private revelations”. Indeed, the Church is very careful to investigate these sorts of claims with an eye toward debunking them, if possible.
Fátima has stood the test of time, and in 2017 Pope Francis canonized two of those children. Saints Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto are the two youngest non-martyrs to be raised to the altars in this way.
The relics of the young shepherd children, encased in two thin golden crosses, were placed in front of the famed statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the “lady dressed in white” as the siblings and their cousin described her.
The Marian apparitions began May 13, 1917, when 9-year-old Francisco and 7-year-old Jacinta, along with their 10-year-old cousin Lucia dos Santos, reported seeing the Virgin Mary. The apparitions continued once a month until Oct. 13, 1917, and later were declared worthy of belief by the Catholic Church.
After contracting influenza, Francisco died April 4, 1919, at the age of 10, while Jacinta succumbed to her illness Feb. 20, 1920, at the age of 9.
What was Mary’s message to these children?
In a word: Pray.
Pray the Rosary. Pray for peace and an end to war. Pray for the conversion of sinners. Consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart.
Even if you don’t believe, I will make the same plea that the Blessed Virgin made to the shepherd children at Fátima: pray for the conversion of sinners.
Today, I ask especially that you pray for me.
O God, who chose the Mother of your Son
to be our Mother also,
grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer
for the salvation of the world,
we may further more effectively each day
the reign of Christ.Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.Amen.
(Collect prayer for the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima)