Fatima, Portugal

A Marian Shrine, and an important place of pilgrimage for Christians

Where is Fatima?

Fatima City

Why is it a place of pilgrimage?

• On the 13th day of May 1917, 3 children had a vision of Our Lady

• Our Lady appeared 6 times, on the 13th day of each month following

‘The little shepherds’

• Lúcia Santos

• Jacinta Marto

• Francisco Marto

1917

‘The Miracle of the Sun’

The children were told that on her

final appearance on October 13th 1917, Our Lady would show a

miracle so that all would believe

Over 70,000 people came to see

What did they see?

• The sun rotating like a wheel and an array of changing colours

• People claimed that they could stare at the sun without hurting their eyes

• The children, at this stage were 10, 9 & 7

The 3 ‘Secrets’ of Fatima

• According to Sr. Lucia, the last of the 3 visionaries to die (2005) Our Lady revealed 3 ‘secrets’ to the children

Sr Lucia with Pope John Paul II

The 3 Secrets

1. A vision of hell

2. Our Lady appealing for the conversion of

people to Christianity

3. A vision of the death of a ‘bishop in white’

What became of the 3 children?

• Jacinta and Francisco died in 1919 and 1920 from influenza

• Sr. Lucia lived until old age, having spent her life as a Carmelite nun, and died in 2005

• In 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified Jacinta and Francisco

Pilgrimage

• On the feast days of May 13 and October 13 crowds of pilgrims (as many as 75,000) throng the small town of Fatima

• Approximately 4 million people visit Fatima each year

Pilgrimage

• On the days of the anniversaries, pilgrims gather and wave white hankerchiefs during a procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima through the central square

• In the evenings, pilgrims light candles at the Shrine of Fatima

• Many pilgrims approach the shrine on their knees

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

• The Chapel of Apparitions - The exact spot is marked by a marble pillar on which the Statue of Our Lady is placed.

• The Basilica- its 15 altars are dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the Rosary.

• The Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus