The Story of Fátima
A Message of Hope in a World at War
What is the Story of Fátima?
In 1917, in the small village of Fátima, Portugal, three young shepherd children reported a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Over six months, they received messages of prayer, repentance, and peace for a world ravaged by war. The story includes prophecies about major world events, a three-part “secret,” and culminates in a stunning public miracle witnessed by tens of thousands.
A World in Crisis
The events at Fátima in 1917 did not occur in a vacuum. They unfolded against the backdrop of global conflict and intense domestic turmoil, a setting that gave the heavenly messages a profound and urgent relevance. Understanding this context is key to grasping the full weight of the story.
The Great War
Europe was consumed by World War I, a brutal conflict of unprecedented scale. Portugal had entered the war in 1916, and by 1917, the nation was suffering immense casualties and economic hardship. The message of Fátima, with its central plea to “recite the Rosary every day to obtain peace in the world and the end of the war,” was a direct spiritual response to this global carnage.
An Anti-Clerical Portugal
In 1910, a revolution had overthrown the monarchy and established the First Portuguese Republic. The new government was fiercely anti-clerical, launching a campaign to suppress the Catholic Church. It seized property, banned religious orders, and restricted public worship. The apparitions, very public and miraculous in nature, served as a powerful counter-narrative to a state actively trying to erase faith from public life.
The Three Shepherd Children
The message from Heaven was entrusted not to the powerful or the learned, but to three young, illiterate shepherd children from the humble village of Aljustrel. Their simple faith and profound courage would soon be tested before the world.
Lúcia dos Santos
Age 10
The eldest of the cousins and the primary visionary. Described as serious and responsible, she became the main spokesperson for the group and the guardian of the Fátima message for the rest of her long life.
Francisco Marto
Age 9
Lúcia’s quiet and contemplative cousin. He could see the apparitions but could not hear the words. His spiritual focus became consoling the sad heart of Jesus for the sins of the world.
Jacinta Marto
Age 7
Francisco’s younger sister, she was lively and affectionate. Deeply moved by the vision of Hell, she dedicated her short life to making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners.
A Dialogue with Heaven
Over six months, a series of apparitions unfolded, each building upon the last. Below are the key events and messages delivered by the Lady from Heaven at the Cova da Iria.
Prelude: The Angel of Peace
Spring-Autumn 1916
A year before the Lady appeared, the children were visited three times by an angel who identified himself as the ‘Angel of Peace.’ He taught them prayers of adoration and reparation and gave them Holy Communion, preparing them spiritually for the events to come.
May 13, 1917: The First Encounter
First Apparition
A ‘Lady all in white, more brilliant than the sun’ appeared. Her core message was delivered: ‘Recite the Rosary every day to obtain peace in the world and the end of the war.’ She promised to return each month.
June 13, 1917: The Immaculate Heart
Devotion Revealed
The Lady revealed that Lúcia would remain to spread devotion to her Immaculate Heart, showing them a vision of her heart encircled by thorns, representing the sins of humanity.
July 13, 1917: The Great Secret
Prophecies Given
The Lady promised a miracle in October ‘so that all may believe.’ She then entrusted the children with the three-part ‘Secret’ containing a vision of Hell, prophecies about future wars, and a vision of a suffering Pope.
August 19, 1917: Persecution and Courage
Imprisonment
The children were kidnapped and imprisoned by the anti-clerical local administrator. After their release, the Lady appeared to them on August 19, stressing the importance of prayer and sacrifice for sinners.
September 13, 1917: Promise of the Miracle
Growing Crowds
Before a crowd of about 30,000, the Lady reassured the children that the promised miracle would happen in October and that St. Joseph and the Child Jesus would come to bless the world.
October 13, 1917: The Lady of the Rosary
The Miracle
Before 70,000 people, the Lady identified herself: ‘I am the Lady of the Rosary.’ As she ascended, she opened her hands, and their light projected onto the sun, initiating the great Miracle of the Sun.
The Miracle of the Sun
On October 13, 1917, Our Lady fulfilled her promise to perform a great miracle so that all might believe. An estimated 70,000 people, including believers, skeptics, and journalists, stood in a torrential downpour to witness an event that would defy scientific explanation.
The Sun Danced
As Lúcia cried “Look at the sun!”, the rain stopped and the clouds parted. The sun appeared as a spinning silver disc that could be looked at without harm. It began to “dance” in the sky, whirling madly and casting brilliant, multicolored beams of light across the landscape and the crowd.
The most terrifying moment came when the sun seemed to break loose from the sky and plummet towards the earth in a zigzag pattern. People fell to their knees in the mud, crying out for mercy. Just as suddenly, the sun returned to its place. Witnesses reported that their soaking wet clothes and the ground were now completely dry.
Explosion of Public Interest
This chart visualizes the dramatic increase in crowd size at the Cova da Iria from June to October, demonstrating the rapidly growing public fascination with the events.
The Three Secrets of Fátima
On July 13, Our Lady confided a three-part “Secret” to the children. This prophetic message, revealed over many decades, addresses the spiritual state of the world and foretells key events of the 20th century. Use the tabs below to explore each part of the Secret.
A Vision of Hell
The first part was a terrifying vision of Hell, shown to the children to impress upon them the reality of sin and the urgent need for prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners. Lúcia described a “great sea of fire” where souls and demons plunged in agony. The Lady explained, “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go.” This vision had a profound impact, especially on Jacinta, who became consumed with a desire to save souls from this fate.
The Enduring Legacy
The events of 1917 have echoed through the decades, transforming a remote pasture into one of the world’s most vital spiritual centers.
Saints Francisco and Jacinta
As foretold, Francisco and Jacinta died young in the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920, offering their immense sufferings for sinners. Their path to sainthood was unprecedented. Pope Francis canonized them on May 13, 2017, the 100th anniversary of the first apparition, making them the youngest non-martyr saints in Church history. Lúcia lived until 2005, becoming a Carmelite nun and the faithful guardian of the Fátima message.
The “Fátima Pope”
No pontiff was more connected to Fátima than Pope St. John Paul II. He credited Our Lady of Fátima with saving his life during the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. He believed the “mother’s hand” diverted the bullet. As a sign of his gratitude, he had one of the bullets that struck him placed in the crown of the statue of Our Lady at the Fátima shrine.
The Message for Today
Beyond the grand prophecies and miracles, the heart of the Fátima message is a simple, direct, and urgent call to personal conversion. It’s a spiritual toolkit for navigating the challenges of any era. So, what can we take from this story and apply to our own lives?
Pray the Rosary Daily
This was Our Lady’s most consistent request. She presented the Rosary as a powerful weapon for peace in the world and in our hearts. It is a simple, meditative prayer that allows us to walk with Jesus and Mary through the key moments of the Gospels.
Make Sacrifices for Sinners
The children were deeply moved by the idea that their small sacrifices could help save souls. We are called to do the same: to offer up our daily struggles, inconveniences, and even small voluntary penances (like giving up a coffee or a snack) for the conversion of those who are far from God.
Repent and Amend Your Life
The final words of the Lady in October were a grave plea: “Let them offend Our Lord God no more, for He is already much offended.” This is a call to take sin seriously, to frequent the Sacrament of Confession, and to make a sincere effort to turn away from our faults and live more fully for God.