Haven of peace. Here at Oratório Nossa Senhora de Fátima in São Paulo you find solace. This Catholic title of Mary is based on Marian apparitions. These apparitions were reported in 1917 by three shepherd children in Fátima Portugal. The children were Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
Bishop José Alves Correia da Silva declared the events worthy of belief in 1930. Pope Pius XII granted a pontifical decree of canonical coronation in 1946. Cardinal Benedetto Aloisi Masella carried out the coronation. It is now enshrined at the Chapel of the Apparitions of Fátima. The same Pope raised the Sanctuary of Fátima to a minor basilica in 1954.
The story of Our Lady of Fátima involves secrets. Sister Lúcia’s memoirs revealed two secrets. She claimed these came from the Virgin Mary. The third secret was to be revealed by the Catholic Church in 1960. The events at Fátima gained fame. This was partly due to elements of the secrets. These secrets included prophecy and eschatological revelations. They related to the Second World War and possibly future wars. There was a request for the Consecration of Russia. This was to be to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Beginning in 1916 three shepherd children reported apparitions of an Angel in Valinhos. Then in 1917 six apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary were reported in Cova da Iria. The children described her as “a Lady more brilliant than the Sun”. They reported that prayer would end the Great War. On October 13 the Lady would reveal her identity. She would perform a miracle “so that all may believe”.
Newspapers reported these prophecies. Pilgrims began visiting the area. The children’s accounts were controversial. They drew criticism from local secular and religious authorities. A provincial administrator briefly took the children into custody. He believed the prophecies were politically motivated. This was in opposition to the secular First Portuguese Republic.
On May 13 the shepherd children reported seeing a woman brighter than the sun. She shed rays of light clearer than crystal. The woman wore a white mantle edged with gold. She held a rosary. She asked them to devote themselves to the Holy Trinity. She asked them to pray the Rosary every day. This would bring peace to the world and end the war.
Jacinta told her family about the woman. Lúcia had wanted to keep it private. Jacinta’s mother told neighbors as a joke. Soon the whole village knew of the children’s vision. The children said the woman told them to return to Cova da Iria on June 13. Lúcia’s mother sought counsel from Father Manuel Ferreira. He suggested she allow them to go. He asked to question Lúcia afterward.
During the June visit the lady revealed that Francisco and Jacinta would soon go to Heaven. Lúcia would live longer. She would spread her message and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The lady told them to say the Holy Rosary daily. This was in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. It would obtain peace and end the Great War. The lady also revealed a vision of hell. She entrusted a secret to them. It was described as “good for some and bad for others”.
Thousands flocked to Fátima. They were drawn by reports of visions and miracles. On August 13 the administrator Artur Santos intervened. He believed these events were politically disruptive. He jailed the children. He interrogated them to divulge the secrets. Lúcia’s mother hoped the officials could persuade the children to lie. Lúcia told Santos everything but the secrets.
Instead of the usual apparition at Cova da Iria on August 13 the children saw the Virgin Mary on August 19 at Valinhos. She asked them to pray the rosary daily. She spoke about the coming miracle in October. She asked them to pray for sinners. She said many souls perish in hell because nobody is praying for them.
The children claimed to have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary in six apparitions. This was between May 13 and October 13 1917. Lúcia also reported a seventh Marian apparition at Cova da Iria. 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the apparitions. Pope Francis visited the Sanctuary of Fátima.
Witness the story of faith and devotion. Oratório Nossa Senhora de Fátima stands as a reminder. It is a testament to the enduring power of belief.