On 13 October 1917, exactly six months after the first reported apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal, thousands of people gathered to witness what would become known as the Miracle of the Sun. During this final apparition, Mary revealed herself as the Lady of the Rosary and renewed her call to prayer, conversion, and peace.
But how did these extraordinary events begin?
It all started in 1917, when the world was in turmoil because of the First World War and political unrest. In the small village of Fatima, three young shepherd children—Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto—reported seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary while tending their sheep.
On 13 May 1917, Mary appeared to them for the first time. Over the following months, she appeared on the 13th day of each month, delivering messages that called the faithful to pray the Rosary daily, offer sacrifices for sinners, and pray for peace in the world.
The final apparition on 13 October drew an immense crowd despite the heavy rain that had soaked the pilgrims and the grounds of the Cova da Iria. Some came out of faith, while others arrived out of curiosity or skepticism. Nevertheless, the children maintained that the Lady would appear as she had promised.
At noon, Mary appeared and asked that a chapel be built in her honor. She once again urged the people to continue praying the Rosary, assuring them that the war would soon end and the soldiers would return home. She then revealed her identity as the Lady of the Rosary and reminded the faithful to amend their lives and stop offending God through sin.
As Mary departed, the rain stopped, and the clouds parted. Thousands of witnesses reported seeing the sun appear to spin, change colors, and move dramatically across the sky. This extraordinary event became known as the Miracle of the Sun.
The apparitions of Fatima continue to inspire millions of Catholics around the world. At the heart of Mary’s message is a simple yet profound invitation: to pray, repent, seek peace, and draw closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Today, as we continue to venerate and honor Mary under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, may we continue to heed her request to pray the Rosary every day for peace. May Mary’s Immaculate Heart continue to triumph in our lives.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.