Have you noticed the serene atmosphere surrounding Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima RC Church? This church echoes a global story. It all started with Marian apparitions in Fatima Portugal in 1917.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is a title given to Mary mother of Jesus. This title links directly to the reported apparitions witnessed by three shepherd children. These children were Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The Bishop of Leiria declared these events worthy of belief in 1930.
The story goes that beginning in the spring of 1916 the children had visions. They saw an Angel in Valinhos. Then on 13 May 1917 they reported seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cova da Iria. The children described her as a lady brighter than the sun. She prophesied that prayer would end the Great War. The lady promised to reveal her identity on 13 October and perform a miracle. This miracle would cause all to believe.
Newspapers spread the prophecies. Pilgrims began visiting the area. The children’s accounts became controversial. Local secular and religious authorities criticized them. A provincial administrator even took the children into custody. He thought the prophecies were politically motivated. He believed they opposed the secular First Portuguese Republic.
On 13 May 1917 the children saw a woman brighter than the sun. She wore a white mantle edged with gold. She held a rosary. She asked them to devote themselves to the Holy Trinity. She urged them to pray the Rosary daily. This would bring peace and end the war.
Initially the children kept the visions secret. Jacinta told her family about the brightly lit woman. Her mother told neighbors as a joke. Within a day the whole village knew.
The lady told the children to return to Cova da Iria on 13 June 1917. Lúcia’s mother sought advice from Father Manuel Ferreira. He suggested she allow them to go. The second apparition occurred on 13 June. On this occasion the lady revealed that Francisco and Jacinta would soon go to Heaven. Lúcia would live longer to spread her message. She would promote devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
During the June visit the children said the lady told them to say the Rosary daily. This should be done in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. This would obtain peace and end the Great War. The lady revealed a vision of hell. She entrusted a secret to them. It was described as good for some and bad for others. The lady told Lúcia to return on the thirteenth. She should learn to read.
Thousands flocked to Fatima. They also went to nearby Aljustrel. They were drawn by reports of visions and miracles. On 13 August 1917 the administrator Artur Santos intervened. He jailed the children. He wanted them to divulge the secrets. Lúcia told Santos everything except the secrets.
Instead of the usual apparition in Cova da Iria the children saw the Virgin Mary on 19 August at Valinhos. She asked them to pray the rosary daily. She spoke about the miracle in October. She asked them to pray for sinners.
The children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in six apparitions between 13 May and 13 October 1917. Lúcia reported a seventh apparition at Cova da Iria. The year 2017 marked the 100th anniversary. Pope Francis visited the Sanctuary of Fatima for the celebration.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima RC Church stands as a testament to faith. It reminds us of the enduring power of prayer. It calls us to seek peace and conversion in our world. It encourages us to remember the messages of Fatima.