Nossa Senhora de Fátima: A Lady of the Rosary
Nossa Senhora de Fátima, or Our Lady of Fátima, is a Roman Catholic title of the Virgin Mary based on apparitions reported to have occurred in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. These apparitions were witnessed by three shepherd children: Lúcia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The events, which unfolded over several months, have become a pivotal moment in 20th-century Catholic history, marked by messages of peace, repentance, and faith.
The first apparition is said to have taken place on May 13, 1917, while the children were tending their sheep in a field called the Cova da Iria. A “lady brighter than the sun” appeared to them, asking them to pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world and the end of World War I. She promised to return on the 13th of each subsequent month.
Over the following months, the crowds witnessing the apparitions grew significantly, drawn by stories of prophecies and miracles. The lady consistently urged prayer, penance, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She also imparted three “secrets” to the children.
The first two secrets, revealed publicly in 1941, involved a vision of hell and a prophecy of the end of World War I, followed by the rise of another war during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI (which was interpreted as World War II) if people did not cease offending God. The second secret also spoke of Russia’s errors spreading throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions of the Church. The lady indicated that Russia would eventually be converted and a period of peace would be granted to the world if her requests were heeded.
The third secret was kept confidential until the year 2000, when Pope John Paul II, after having it examined by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ordered its release. It was interpreted as a prophecy of the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981. The Congregation clarified that the vision depicted the suffering endured by witnesses of the faith during the 20th century.
The culminating event of the Fátima apparitions occurred on October 13, 1917, when an estimated 70,000 people gathered at the Cova da Iria. After a period of rain, the clouds parted, and the sun appeared as a spinning disk in the sky, reportedly changing colors and performing unusual movements. This phenomenon, known as the “Miracle of the Sun,” was widely reported by secular newspapers as well as religious publications.
Nossa Senhora de Fátima remains a powerful symbol of faith and hope for Catholics worldwide. The message of Fátima continues to resonate, calling for prayer, penance, and conversion. The Sanctuary of Fátima, built on the site of the apparitions, is now one of the most popular Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year seeking solace, healing, and spiritual renewal. The feast day of Our Lady of Fátima is celebrated on May 13th.