OUR LADY OF FATIMA
On a typical spring morning in 1916, whilst tending their sheep, three of Fatima's children (Lucia dos Santos, age 10, and her cousins: Francisco, eight and Jacinta, seven) experienced a special apparition. A very bright light appeared before them, and from this light a came a young man, who was whiter than snow, and had he a great beauty. He re-assured the children, telling them not to be afraid..
The angel teaches the children how to pray
Bowing to the ground the angel told the children 'Pray this three times;"My God, I believe, I adore you and love you. i ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not hope and do not love you.' The angel then disappeared. The angel was to appear again during the summer, but when winter came, the Angel of Peace did not return..
The children meet the beautiful lady
On May 13th 1917, the three shepherd children were leading their sheep through the same area where they had previously encountered the angel. (Cova da Iria). Suddenly, they witnessed a flash of light, then a small cloud appeared on the branch of tree. In this cloud the children saw a beautiful Lady dressed in sparkling white. She had in her hand a Rosary which looked like pearls. Flashes of light were beamed all around her.
Although the children were frightened, Lucia asked the beautiful Lady, 'Where are you from?'
'i have come from Heaven,' replied the Lady. The Lucia asked, 'why have you come?'
'I want you to come here on the thirteenth of each month for the next six months. I will then tell you who I am and what I want you to do.' The Lady then disappeared.
The children were in awe of what they had seen, and Lucia wondered if they should tell anyone. Francisco said, 'no one would believe us anyway.' But the little Jacinta told her mother. The story was to spread throughout the village.
Our Lady requested that that children return on the thirteenth of June. When the time came, a large crowd followed the children to Cova de Iria. At exactly noon, Our Lady appeared with flashes of light coming from her outstretched hands.
One of the children, Lucia asked the Lady, 'will I go to heaven?' The Lady answered, 'Francisco and Jacinta will soon be in heaven. But you must stay here to carry out devotion to my immaculate heart.'
(The children were given a vision of the immaculate heart) Then the Lady added, ' Continue to come here on the thirteenth of each month, and say the Rosary daily. Pray for peace and an end of war.' Following a clap of thunder Our Lady disappeared.
On the thirteenth day of each month, the three children returned to this place called the Cova. Each time a large crowd came with them. This increased the story of the vision which spread rapidly.
The Apparition - the crowd of 70,000
October the 13th was to be the Lady's last visit, with 70,000 people gathering to witness the appearance with the children.
A great flash split the sky. Then the Lady spoke . She said, 'I am the Lady of the Rosary. People must recite the Rosary every day. The must ask for God's forgiveness and not offend him anymore.'
She added, I want a Church built in this place to honour me.'
The crowd fell to the ground in terror. The sun took on many colours and whirled above their heads - Dancing up and down. It then appeared to fall from the sky.. Many thought at this point that it was the end of the world.
The sun eventually returned to its normal place in the sky, and thousands of pilgrims who were wet found that their clothes were now dry. Also, many who were lame could now walk and blind people could see. The miracle of Fatima with the movement of the sun eventually spread all over the world.
In 1918 the 1st World War ended, and peace was restored across the world.
About a year later due to an endemic sweeping across Europe , Jacinta and Francisco died of the flu, and Lucia was to enter a convent., and was asked to write about everything that had happened. in Fatima.
On May 13th 2000, Francisco and Jacinta were declared Blesses by Pope John Paul 11, and later canonised by Pope Francis on May 13th 2017.
Lucia de Santos became a Carmelite nun and spent her life making people aware of the Virgin Mary, and bringing her honour . She also spent her life making known the revelations of Our Lady of Fatima.