Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima refers to a series of Marian apparitions reported by three young shepherd children in Cova da Iria, Ftima, Portugal, from May 13 to October 13, 1917. The visionaries were Lcia Santos, aged 10, and her cousins Jacinta Marto, aged 7, and Francisco Marto, aged 9. During this period, the children reported six appearances of a lady who eventually identified herself as 'Our Lady of the Rosary.'

On May 13, 1917, Lcia Santos and her cousins reported seeing a lady 'brighter than the sun' who appeared to them at Cova da Iria. The lady reportedly appeared to them monthly, delivering messages and showing them visions. These included a vision of hell and prophetic messages concerning the future. The final encounter occurred on October 13, 1917, when the lady revealed her identity as 'Our Lady of The Rosary.' On the day of the final apparition, witnesses described what became known as the Miracle of the Sun, which was observed by tens of thousands of people.

The messages conveyed by the lady emphasized prayer, specifically The Rosary, and penance. She also requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and the establishment of the Five First Saturdays devotion. The children were entrusted with three secrets: a vision of Hell, a prophecy regarding World War II and the spread of Russia's errors, and a vision of a 'bishop in white' being shot, later associated with the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981. The Third Secret remained undisclosed until 2000, fueling much speculation over the years.

The Church's investigation into the Fatima apparitions was led by Bishop Jos Alves Correia da Silva of Leiria. The process involved a detailed examination of the children's testimonies, the reported miracles, and the content of the messages. After a rigorous evaluation, the Church officially approved the apparitions on October 13, 1930, declaring them worthy of belief. This approval means that while Catholics are not required to accept the apparitions as part of their faith, they are considered credible and consistent with Catholic doctrine.

The Miracle of the Sun is the most documented extraordinary phenomenon related to the Fatima apparitions. Approximately 70,000 people, including skeptics and secular journalists, reported witnessing the sun moving erratically, changing colors, and appearing to 'dance' in the sky. Although no scientific explanation has been widely accepted, the event's consistent testimonies lend it credibility. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima attracts around 6 million pilgrims annually.