The feast day of Our Lady of Fatima

We are the representatives of the Liturgical Team, Vox Gratia. The theme of this month is “Respect Differences, Treat Others with Tolerance.” Today, the 13th of October, marks a special and historical day for the Catholic Church. As today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, we are going to share the history behind this special day.

The story begins on 13th May 1917, when three shepherd children reported the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. It was said that after they had prayed the Rosary, two flashes of light appeared, like lightning. Following a third flash, a brilliant light appeared over a small holm oak tree. The Virgin Mary appeared and asked them to pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and an end to the war. She revealed the Three Secrets: a vision of Hell, a prophecy of World War II and the rise of Communism, and a final vision of a bishop in white being slain. It is known that Our Lady of Fatima appeared in visions on the 13th day of each month from May to October.

At the time, many young Portuguese men, including relatives of the three shepherd children, were enlisting to fight in World War I. When Our Lady of Fatima appeared to them, she revealed the Three Secrets and exhorted them to redeem sinners through penance and sacrifice. To this end, they practiced penance, such as tying tight ropes around their waists and abstaining from water in the heat. She also instructed them to recite the Rosary daily, reiterating many times that the Rosary was the key to heaven and to obtaining world peace.

In the following months, thousands of people flocked to Fátima and nearby Aljustrel. On 13th August 1917, the local mayor feared this would cause trouble, so he arrested the children and put them in jail before they arrived at the field. While in prison, the children gathered the other prisoners and led them in reciting the Rosary. Later, the mayor questioned the children, demanding to know the secrets revealed by the Lady, but the children refused to share them. He even heated a pot of oil to scare them. Lúcia said she would ask the Lady if they could reveal the secrets. Since the children were in jail on the 13th, they met the Lady instead on 19th August in Valinhos.

On 13th October 1917, the final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima occurred, famously marked by the “Miracle of the Sun.” Thousands gathered at the Cova da Iria, eagerly awaiting the promised vision. As rain fell, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds, appearing to spin and change colors in the sky. This extraordinary event was witnessed by both believers and skeptics, further emphasizing the messages of prayer and penance that Our Lady imparted. The significance of this day continues to inspire devotion among Catholics worldwide.

This historical day reminds us that our world is made up of diverse beliefs and experiences. True peace does not come from uniformity, but from choosing to respect these differences. By respecting differences and treating others with tolerance in our shared humanity, we can embody the call for peace at the heart of Fatima’s message.

Liturgical Team