MARIAN APPARITION AT FATIMA


Marian apparition at Fatima
Marian apparition at Fatima

By Edward Matulanya

Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917)

Seers

Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto (Vatican News, 2020).

Location

Cova da Iria, near Fatima, Portugal.

History of the Fatima Apparitions

The apparitions occurred in 1917, during a time of great political and social turmoil in Europe, including World War I and political unrest in Portugal (Vatican News, 2020).

The seers were three shepherd children: Lúcia dos Santos (10 years old), Francisco Marto (9 years old), and Jacinta Marto (7 years old), living in the village of Aljustrel, near Fatima, Portugal.

Sequence of Apparitions

1. First Apparition – May 13, 1917:

The children were tending sheep at Cova da Iria when Mary appeared, dressed in white with a rosary in her hands.

She instructed them to pray the Rosary daily for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world (Anderson, 1997).

2. Monthly Apparitions – June to September 1917:

Mary appeared each month, delivering messages emphasizing:

Prayer, especially the Rosary

Repentance and conversion

Devotion to her Immaculate Heart

Warning of the consequences of sin, including visions of hell (Poole, 2004).

3. Miracle of the Sun – October 13, 1917:

Tens of thousands of people witnessed the “Miracle of the Sun” in Fatima, where the sun appeared to dance and change colors, confirming the authenticity of the apparitions (Vatican News, 2020).

Mary reinforced the importance of prayer and devotion, showing that her messages were for both believers and skeptics.

Messages of Our Lady of Fatima

The Marian apparitions at Fatima conveyed profound spiritual guidance, emphasizing prayer, penance, and devotion to God:

1. Call to Prayer and Devotion

Mary instructed the children to pray the Rosary daily to obtain peace for the world and the conversion of sinners (Vatican News, 2020).

She emphasized devotion to her Immaculate Heart, which symbolizes her maternal love and intercession for humanity (Anderson, 1997).

2. Repentance and Conversion

The apparitions highlighted the need for personal and communal repentance, turning away from sin to align with God’s will (Poole, 2004).

Mary warned that sins, if unrepented, could lead to suffering and calamities, urging humans to amend their lives (Anderson, 1997).

3. Consecration and Peace

Mary requested the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, promising that this act would prevent future wars and bring peace to the world (Vatican News, 2020).

This message links spiritual devotion with global reconciliation and divine protection.

4. Vision of Hell and Suffering

Mary showed the children a vision of hell, emphasizing the eternal consequences of sin and the urgency of prayer and penance (Poole, 2004).

5. Endurance in Faith

She encouraged perseverance in faith and devotion even amid skepticism or hardship, showing that steadfastness leads to divine blessings and protection (Anderson, 1997).

Additional Revelations

Mary also shared three secrets, which included:

1. A vision of hell.

2. Predictions regarding World War II and the need for the consecration of Russia.

3. The suffering of the Church and the persecution of the faithful in the 20th century (Anderson, 1997).

Significance

Religious: Strengthened devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the practice of the Rosary.

Cultural

Fatima became a major pilgrimage site, drawing millions worldwide.

Theological: Reinforced the role of Mary as intercessor and mediator of God’s mercy.

Church Approval

The apparitions are officially approved by the Catholic Church.

Feast day

Liturgical Celebration of Marian apparition is on May 13

Pilgrimage site

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Fatima, Portugal.

References

Anderson, R. (1997). Guadalupe, Fatima, and other Marian apparitions: Mother of the Americas. London, UK: Continuum.

Poole, S. (2004). Our Lady of Fatima: Faith, culture, and politics in Portugal. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Vatican News. (2020, May 13). Pope encourages devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-encourages-devotion-to-our-lady-of-fatima.html


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