The Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima

Date: May 13, 1917 – October 13, 1917
Place: Fatima, Portugal
Important Person(s): Lucia Dos Santos, Saint Jacinta Marto, Saint Francisco Marto
Approved by the vatican

Pilgramage Site: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, Cova da Iria, Fátima, Portugal
Feast Day: May 13
Additional Resources: Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words; Calls from the Message of Fatima


In Fatima, Portugal, the Blessed Mother appeared to Lucia dos Santos, Saint Jacinta Marto, and Saint Francisco Marto six times between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917.

The Children of Fatima
Lucia, Saint Jacinta, and Saint Franciso were poor shepherd children from Aljustrel, near Fatima, Portugal. They were from a Catholic family and Lucia was Jacinta and Francisco’s cousin. At the time of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, Jacinta was 7 years old, Francisco was 9 years old, and Lucia was 10 years old.
Francisco died on April 4, 1919 and Jacinta died on February 20, 1920 during the Spanish influenza. In 1935, Jacinta’s body was found to be incorrupt. Lucia died on February 13, 2005, a Carmelite nun. On May 13, 2017, Jacinta and Francisco were canonized by Pope Francis. Lucia is in the process of being beatified.

Joshua Benoliel (1873–1932)

First Apparition of the Angel of Portugal
In spring 1916, the first apparition of the angel took place in the presence of the three children in Loca do Cabeço. They were climbing the hillside, looking for shelter when they spotted a white light in the form of a young man, who appeared transparent and illuminated. He said, “Do not be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.” They prayed together with their foreheads touching the ground.

“My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You!”
Having repeated these words three times, he rose and said: “Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications.”

The Angel of Portugal according to Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 170-171

After the apparition, the children continued to pray in the same posture. Afterwards, they remained quiet about what had happened.

Second Apparition of the Angel of Portugal
In the summer of 1916, the second apparition of the angel occurred while they were taking a break from their work. The angel encouraged the children to pray very much and to offer prayers and sacrifices constantly. The children began to offer to the Lord everything that mortified them from then on.

“Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. You will thus draw down peace upon your country. I am its Angel Guardian, the Angel of Portugal. Above all, accept and bear with submission, the suffering which the Lord will send you.”

The Angel of Portugal according to Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 171 – 172

Third Apparition of the Angel of Portugal
In September or October 1916, the Angel of Portugal appeared to the children on the slope of the hill on the side facing Aljustrel and Casa Velha. He had a chalice in his hands with a host above it. Blood was falling from the host into the chalice. The angel left the host and the chalice suspended in the air while he repeated a new prayer three times, prostrated on the ground. Afterwards, he gave Lucia the host and Jacinta and Francisco the blood. He instructed them to take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to repair the crimes of ungrateful men and console God. Then, he repeated the prayer three more times, prostrated, and disappeared. The children imitated the prayer, feeling the presence of God.

“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.”

The Angel of Portugal according to Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 172 – 173

First Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
May 13, 1917
Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the children for the first time on May 13, 1917 on the slope in the Cova da Iria. They saw a flash of lightning and began to flee home, thinking it was a thunderstorm. As they approached a large holmoak tree, another flash of lightning occurred and Our Lady of Fatima appeared, dressed in white “more brilliant than the sun, and radiated a light more clear and intense than a crystal glass filled with sparkling water, when the rays of the burning sun shine through it.” All three children could see Our Lady of Fatima, but Lucia could speak and hear, Jacinta could only hear, and Francisco could neither speak nor hear.
She asked the children to return to the spot for six consecutive months on the 13th day, at the same hour with the promise of finding out who she was and what she wanted. After, she would return a seventh time. She informed them that they would go to Heaven, but they would suffer much and asked them to pray the Rosary for the peace of the world and the end of the war.

“Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?”
“Yes, we are willing.”
“Then you are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort.”
As she pronounced these last words “…the grace of God will be your comfort”, Our Lady opened her hands for the first time, communicating to us a light so intense that, as it streamed from her hands, its rays penetrated our hearts and the innermost depths of our souls, making us see ourselves in God, Who was that light, more clearly than we see ourselves in the best of mirrors. Then, moved by an interior impulse that was also communicated to us, we fell on our knees, repeating in our hearts:
“O most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the most Blessed Sacrament!”
After a few moments, Our Lady spoke again:
“Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war.”
Then she began to rise serenely, going up towards the east, until she disappeared in the immensity of space. The light that surrounded her seemed to open up a path before her in the firmament, and for this reason we sometimes said that we saw heaven opening.

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 174 – 176

They agreed to keep it a secret, but Jacinta could not keep herself from telling her mother. The public and their families did not believe them.

Second Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
June 13, 1917
The following month, on the Feast of St. Anthony of Lisbon, accompanied by about 50 people, Our Lady appeared and again asked the children to return on the 13th of the next month, to pray the Rosary every day, and to learn to read. She told them that Jacinta and Francisco would be going to Heaven soon, but Lucia had a mission that required her to remain in the world for longer. Then, she showed the children her Immaculate Heart, which was outraged by the sins of humanity.

“Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.”
“Am I to stay here alone?” I asked, sadly.
“No, my daughter. Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands and for the second time, she communicated to us the rays of that same immense light. We saw ourselves in this light, as it were, immersed in God. Jacinta and Francisco seemed to be in that part of the light which rose towards Heaven, and I in that which was poured out on the earth. In front of the palm of Our Lady’s right hand was a heart encircled by thorns which pierced it. We understood that this was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, and seeking reparation.

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 176 – 177

Following this apparition, in conjunction with the continued doubts of her family and the belief by the parish priest that the apparitions might be a deceit from the devil, Lucia had a nightmare of the devil laughing at having deceived her as he dragged her to hell. She struggled with the decision of whether to go back to Cova da Iria the next month and began to isolate herself.

Third Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
July 13, 1917
On the third month, Lucia was impelled by a strong urge to return to the holmoak tree, and the children returned as directed. Many people had gathered to pray the Rosary nearby, including Jacinta and Francisco’s father, but the children were the only ones that could see and/or hear her. Our Lady told the children that she would tell them who she was and what she wanted and perform a miracle for all to see and believe in October. She requested that they sacrifice themselves for sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Then she showed them visions of hell (excerpt included at the bottom of this post). She next requested a world devotion to her Immaculate Heart, the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, and Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. She warned them that if people did not change their ways, a worse war would break out. Finally, she gave them a prayer to say at the end of every decade of the Rosary.

“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially whenever you make some sacrifice: ’O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’”

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 177 – 179

Terrified and as if to plead for succour, we looked up at Our Lady, who said to us, so kindly and so sadly: “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end; but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.
“To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved; etc… Do not tell this to anybody. Francisco, yes, you may tell him.
“When you pray the Rosary, say after each mystery: O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need.”

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 177 – 179

This apparition was the revelations of the Fatima secret. It can be broken up into 3 parts:
1. The vision of hell (excerpt included at the end of the post) and the suffering of sinners
2. The role of the Immaculate Heart in the world, and especially in Russia, and the coming of World War II, and the spread of communism
3. Our Lady holding back the justice of Our Lord to give us a bit more time and the death of the Pope, religious, and lay people (excerpt included at the end of the post).

After the July apparition, a large number of foreigners began ti visit, causing the destruction of the crops that were cultivated in the area. This led to financial strain on many natives, including Lucia’s family who still did not believe her.

On August 11, led by the administrator, Arturo de Oliveira Santos, the founder and president of the Ourem Masonic Lodge, authorities summoned the children for an interrogation about the apparitions. Jacinta and Francisco’s father, Ti Marto, refused to let them go, but Lucia’s family did not. Lucia was pressured to reveal the secret and promise not to return to Cova da Iria, but she refused. Meanwhile, Lucia’s sister told Jacinta and Francisco that Lucia had been killed. When Lucia returned, they were shocked.

Two days later, on August 13th, authorities kidnapped the 3 children for two days, put them in prison, and tried to get them to reveal the secret. They separated them and threatened to boil them in oil and kill them until the public officials were forced the release them.

Fourth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
August 19, 1917
During this apparition, Our Lady asked the children to continue going to the Cova da Iria on the 13th, and to continue praying the Rosary every day. Again, she promised to perform a miracle during the last apparition so that all would believe. When asked what to do with the money that people were leaving there, she told them to put it towards the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and use the leftovers to build a chapel at the apparition location. Finally, she asked them to pray much for sinners.

Then, looking very sad, Our Lady said: “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them.”

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 179 – 180

Again, authorities visited the children and threatened them.

Around this time, Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia began tying a rough, thick rope thaat hurt to touch around their waists as a sacrifice to God. They also hit themselves with nettles and gave their lunch to other poor children.

Fifth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
September 13, 1917
During the fifth apparition, with thirty thousand people in attendance, Our Lady again asked the children to continue to pray the Rosary and promised to perform a miracle in October. She also instructed the children not to wear the ropes at night.

“Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war. In October Our Lord will come, as well as Our Lady of Dolours and Our Lady of Carmel. Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless the world. God is pleased with your sacrifices. He does not want you to sleep with the rope on, but only to wear it during the daytime.

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 180 – 182

Sixth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima
October 13, 1917
During the last of the six apparitions, the day started with torrential rains. 70,000 people had come to witness the last apparition and the promised miracle, kneeling in the mud and praying the Rosary. Our Lady told the children that people must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins. Then the Miracle of the Sun occurred for all present to see., in which the rain stopped, the sun turned different colors, and began to move and dance in the sky, the colored light falling on the people. Afterwards, ever person found themselves instantly dry, contradicitng the law of nature, which indicates that the amount of energy required would have incinerated everyone there.

“I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.”
“I have many things to ask you: the cure of some sick persons, the conversion of sinners, and other things…”
“Some yes, but not others. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins.”
Looking very sad, Our Lady said: “Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended.”
Then, opening her hands, she made them reflect on the sun, and as she ascended, the reflection of her own light continued to be projected on the sun itself.

After Our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. St. Joseph and the Child Jesus appeared to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When, a little later, this apparition disappeared, I saw Our Lord and Our Lady; it seemed to me that it was Our Lady of Dolours. Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as St. Joseph had done. This apparition also vanished, and I saw Our Lady once more, this time resembling Our Lady of Carmel.

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 182 – 184

Subsequent Apparitions of Jesus and Mary to Lucia
In June 1921, Our Lady appeared to Lucia for the seventh time to instruct her to allow the bishop to send her to a convent school in another city.
On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Lucia and requested the First Saturday devotion (confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and mediate on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary with Our Lady for 15 minutes) for five consecutive months with the intention of making reparation to her for the 5 blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary (blasphemies against the (1) Immaculate Conception, (2) Her Perpetual Virginity, (3) Her Divine Maternity, (4) the blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow indifference, scorn, and hatred of the Immaculate Mother, and (5) the offenses of those who outrage her in her holy images.)
On February 15 , 1926, Our Lord, Jesus, appeared to Lucia to ask her if she was spreading the First Saturdays devotion and allowed for flexibility in the timing of the confession and when the intention is made.
On June 13, 1929, Our Lady informed Lucia that the time had come for the consecration of Russia and to confirm the necessity of the First Saturdays devotion.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is a location of pilgrimage for many Catholics around the world. It contains the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, and many chapels, and other areas of prayer and devotion.

Vision of Hell During the Third Apparition

As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands once more, as she had done during the two previous months. The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke now falling back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. (It must have been this sight which caused me to cry out, as people say they heard me). The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frighfful and unknown animals, black and transparent like burning coals.

Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words page 178

The Third Secret as Revealed by Lucia to the Holy Father in 1994

After the two parts which I have already explained, at the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendour that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: ‘Penance, Penance, Penance!’. And we saw in an immense light that is God: ‘something similar to how people appear in a mirror when they pass in front of it’ a Bishop dressed in White ‘we had the impression that it was the Holy Father’. Other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious going up a steep mountain, at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks as of a cork-tree with the bark; before reaching there the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him, and in the same way there died one after another the other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, and various lay people of different ranks and positions. Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God. 

A letter from Lucia to Pope John Paul II in 1994 on the Vatican website

For more information on the apparitions, consider reading Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words.

Sources:
https://www.piercedhearts.org/hearts_jesus_mary/apparitions/fatima/MemoriasI_en.pdf
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_message-fatima_en.html
https://fatima.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Sister-Lucy-sm.pdf
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DKYmwiN6ehZo&ved=2ahUKEwjnzY_J_OKRAxWvmYkEHbS3BFQ4ChDPjQV6BAgTEA8&usg=AOvVaw0JoBOv8J5zEmibhDbxz6IH