The Miracles of Fatima
In 1917, in Fatima, Portugal, there occurred . Three children aged 10 to 7, shepherds in this region, saw the Virgin Mary six times, on the 13th of each month from May to October 1917. These apparitions, recognized by the Catholic Church, were accompanied by extraordinary and inexplicable events culminating in the miracle of the dance of the sun, announced in advance and witnessed on October 13, 1917 before a crowd of witnesses. Discover the that accompanied the Fatima apparitions.
The Miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917
A Miracle "That All Will See to Believe"
This is the great miracle of Fatima, visible to all present (70,000 witnesses) and announced in advance by the three little shepherds. Starting on July 13, 1917, the three children, , , announced that the Virgin would grant a miracle so that the world might believe. It would occur on the following October 13, at noon, at the Cova da Iria (the usual location of the apparitions). On September 13, 1917, the Virgin repeated to Lucia, who insisted: [“] Yes, in October, I will perform the miracle so that all may believe.” As announced, on October 13, 1917, the crowd gathered at the Cova da Iria numbered about 70,000 people, and all looked towards the three visionaries who were in ecstasy. It was then that young Lucia cried out, "Look at the sun!" Everyone then turned in the opposite direction and saw the sun become like a silvery disk that did not dazzle. The celestial body then began to spin on itself like a wheel of fire. Next, the sun emitted rays of color that tinted everything present. Suddenly, the sun zigzagged towards the Earth, creating widespread panic. Finally, the sun returned to its place in the sky, and the entire crowd, dumbfounded, noticed that all their clothes were perfectly dry even though rain had fallen continuously on the pilgrims gathered there since dawn. This grandiose cosmic miracle is a historical event unprecedented in human history. It occurred exactly according to the Virgin's prophecy and constitutes striking proof of the veracity of the apparitions and the sincerity of the three children.
Testimonies of the Miracle of the Sun
“I could see the sun, like a clear-cut disk, with a sharp edge, shining without hurting the eyes... It could not be confused with the sun seen through fog—there was none at the time anyway—because it was neither veiled nor dim. At Fatima, it retained its light and heat, and stood out clearly in the sky, with its sharp edge like a gaming table... The most astonishing thing was being able to fix the solar disk for so long in all its brilliance of light and heat, without eye pain or retinal dazzle.” Professor Almeida Garrett
“The sun took on all the colors of the rainbow. Everything took on the same colors: our faces, our clothes, the very earth.”
“Suddenly, a clamor was heard, like a cry of anguish from the entire crowd. Indeed, the sun, while maintaining its rapid rotational movement, seemed to detach itself from the firmament and, blood-red, advance towards the earth, threatening to crush us with its fiery mass. These were a few terrifying seconds.” Professor Almeida Garrett.
“I saw the sun spinning and it seemed to descend. It was like a bicycle wheel.” John, son of Maria Carreira.
“I stared fixedly at the sun, and it seemed to me to have paled, such that it did not dazzle the eyes. It appeared like a globe of snow spinning on itself. Then, suddenly, it seemed to descend zigzagging as if it were going to fall on the earth. Terrified, I ran to place myself in the midst of the crowd. Everyone was crying, expecting the end of the world at any moment. Near us was an unbeliever, a man without religion, who had spent all morning mocking the naive people making such a journey to see a little girl at Fatima. I looked at him. He was as if paralyzed, frozen, eyes fixed on the sun. Then I saw him tremble from head to foot, raise his hands to heaven, and fall to his knees in the mud, crying: 'Our Lady! Our Lady!...'.” Father Lourenço, who observed the miracle from the village of Alburitel, about 18 km away.
“This immense crowd was completely soaked, as the rain had not stopped since dawn. But, however incredible this may seem, after the miracle, everyone felt comfortable and had their clothes completely dry, which was the subject of general amazement...” Marques da Cruz, academician.
What are the Other Miracles of Fatima?
The Inexplicable Signs Accompanying the Apparitions
The branches of the holm oak bend under the Virgin's feet. Several witnesses present at the apparitions observed the branches of the holm oak tree, on which the Virgin usually stood, bending under her weight.
A delicious fragrance emanates from a holm oak branch where the Virgin rested her feet. Little Jacinta once picked a branch on which Our Lady stood and brought it to Maria Rosa, Lucia's mother, who did not believe in the apparitions. The latter began to have doubts upon smelling this unknown and delightful fragrance emanating from the twig.
Extraordinary visions by several witnesses of the apparitions. Some people present at the apparitions saw signs in the sky as reported by Father Quaresma: “Suddenly, cries of joy resound, arms are raised, pointing to something in the sky: 'Look! ... Don't you see?' 'Yes, I see!' Satisfaction shone in the eyes of those who saw. The sky was blue, without a single cloud. I too raised my eyes and began to scan the immensity of the firmament to see what other eyes, luckier than mine, had already beheld. To my great astonishment, I then saw, clearly and distinctly, a luminous globe, moving from east to west, gliding majestically through space... Suddenly, the globe, with its extraordinary light, disappeared from our sight. Near us was a little girl, [...] she continued to cry: 'I still see it... I still see it... Now, it's descending!'”
The Miraculous Healings
After the apparitions, many people came to meet the three little visionaries to ask them to pray for their healing. The three children constantly offered prayers, rosaries, and sacrifices for the pilgrims' intentions and for the conversion of sinners. Several healings were reported:
A young girl asked the children for the healing of her father, who had suffered from continuous hiccups for 3 years, preventing him even from sleeping; three days later he came with his daughter to thank them for the grace received.
A couple once asked Francisco for the healing of the man and that their son would not go to war. The little visionary encouraged them to pray with him. Later they came to the Cova Da Iria to thank them for the graces received.
One day, a woman rushed to Jacinta's feet, begging her to ask Our Lady for her healing. They prayed together, and Jacinta told her: "Be assured, Our Lady will heal you". Again, the woman later returned to the Cova Da Iria to thank them for her healing.
Another time, Jacinta met a mobilized soldier, forced to leave his sick wife and their three small children alone. The little girl assured him, "Don't cry, Our Lady is so good, she will certainly grant you the grace you ask of her". Shortly after, the soldier returned and explained he had been exempted from military service due to a high fever on the eve of departure. Moreover, his wife was healed of an illness.
Recent Healings at Fatima
Healing of Lucas Batista, Brazilian Child
In March 2013, Lucas, aged five, fell from a window and shattered his skull after a fall of over six meters.
He arrived at the hospital in a very serious coma and suffered two cardiac arrests before undergoing emergency surgery. According to doctors, he had virtually no chance of survival.
After contacting , the little boy's family, already "very devoted" to Our Lady of Fatima, began to invoke the little shepherds. Two days later, Lucas woke up, was well, and began to speak.
Twelve days after the accident, Lucas was able to leave the hospital. He had recovered completely, without any aftereffects. Doctors stated they were unable to scientifically explain this recovery. This miracle attributed to Jacinta and Francisco Marto led to their .
Healing of Jimena, Young Spanish Girl
On August 5, 2023, during the WYD (World Youth Day) in Fatima, 16-year-old Jimena was healed of a serious eye problem that doctors had deemed incurable. For two and a half years, her vision problem had worsened considerably to the point that the young girl had become practically blind. With her father, Jimena had decided to pray a novena to Our Lady of the Snows from July 28 (the date of her departure for the WYD) to August 5. A huge crowd of people joined this novena. On August 5, Jimena went to confession before receiving communion. Upon returning from communion, she felt something special and said to herself before opening her eyes: "If I am not healed, it is because I have no faith". When she opened them, she began to see everything. Calling her parents, she simply told them, crying, "I see, I see".
Pray with Our Lady of Fatima
Discover the through Hozana and entrust your intentions to her. Here are also the , not forgetting the , so strongly requested by the Virgin at Fatima.
Continue Your Prayer with the Virgin of Fatima through Hozana!
. Through this novena, ask Our Lady of Fatima and the 3 little shepherds to intercede for the conversion of France and sinners, as well as for peace in the world.
to respond to Our Lady's request and place yourself under her maternal protection.
