The Miracle of Fátima refers to a series of Marian apparitions reported by three young shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. The events culminated on October 13, 1917, with what’s known as the “Miracle of the Sun,” witnessed by tens of thousands of people. The children, Lúcia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, reported that the Virgin Mary, whom they described as “Our Lady of Fátima,” appeared to them six times between May and October 1917.
The Apparitions
According to the children’s accounts, the Virgin Mary appeared to them on the 13th of each month, beginning in May 1917, and asked them to pray the Rosary for world peace, the end of World War I, and for the conversion of sinners. She also shared with them three secrets, known as the Three Secrets of Fátima, which included visions of hell, predictions about future wars, and a prophecy about the spread of communism and persecution of Christians.
The Miracle of the Sun
The most famous event occurred on October 13, 1917, when tens of thousands of people gathered in Fátima to witness the final apparition. According to witnesses, after a period of rain, the clouds parted, and the sun appeared as a spinning, multi-colored disc that seemed to approach the earth, then returned to its normal position. Some witnesses reported that their previously soaked clothes had dried suddenly, and many people, including skeptics, claimed to have seen the event, which has since been widely regarded as a miracle by the Catholic Church.
The Church’s Recognition and Legacy
In 1930, the Catholic Church officially recognized the events at Fátima as “worthy of belief.” Since then, Fátima has become a significant pilgrimage site, with millions visiting each year. The message of Fátima, centered on prayer, penance, and conversion, continues to hold deep spiritual significance for many Catholics and is celebrated each year on May 13 and October 13 in remembrance of the apparitions. The Fátima Sanctuary in Portugal stands as a major site of devotion and reflection.