The Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima
On May 13th, 1917, a young ten-year-old named Lucia dos Santos and her two cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto (who are now both canonized saints) saw a vision of a woman surrounded by light who told the children she was the Lady of the Rosary. After that first sighting, the children reported seeing the Lady five other times. During this time the apparition urged the children to pray for the rosary to bring peace to their community and the world. She also told them that on October 13th she would perform a miracle so that the rest of their community would believe.
On that day nearly 70,000 people gathered at Fatima and saw what appeared to be the Sun falling towards the Earth, which has now earned the name Miracle of the Sun. This was the lady’s final appearance for the children.
After an investigation of the children’s visions, the local bishop deemed their stories to be true and so be worthy of public devotion. Later, these visions were also endorsed by the Vatican. Fatima is now visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.
While many are familiar with the National Shrine of Maximillian Kolbe at Marytown, most people may not realize the Marytown friary has the Lady of Fatima as its patron. They recognize the mystical power of this unique apparition and her mission for peace during difficult times.
With all the hostility and war we see today, we ask for Our Lady of Fatima’s intercession that peace may reign in our hearts and in the world.