10 Things to Know About the Miraculous Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most revered apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church.
The feast of Our Lady of Fatima marks the date she first appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. The messages delivered during these apparitions included a call to repentance, prayer, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Here are 10 things to know and share about Our Lady of Fatima:
1) In 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared six times before three peasant children near Fatima, Portugal.
2) Before Mary appeared to the children, they claimed the “The Angel of Peace” visited them three times. The angel said to pray, make sacrifices, and visit the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
3) The children described Our Blessed Mother as brighter than the sun, wearing a white mantle with gold trim, and holding a rosary.
4) During each visit, Our Lady repeatedly asked the children to pray the Rosary for world peace.
5) On May 13, 1917, Mother Mary introduced herself as the Lady of the Rosary.
6) During her second visit, Our Lady showed the children a vision of hell.
7) On Oct. 13, an estimated crowd of 70,000 gathered at Fatima to witness the sun dance–the Miracle of the Sun!
8) During her visits, Our Lady of Fatima revealed three secrets. These became a topic of heated discussion and curiosity.
9) After the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, he publicly credited Our Lady of Fatima for saving his life.
10) Located in Portugal, the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites.
Here is the Litany of Our Lady of Fatima for her intercession:
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for our dear country.
Our Lady of Fatima, sanctify our clergy.
Our Lady of Fatima, make our Catholics more fervent.
Our Lady of Fatima, guide and inspire those who govern us.
Our Lady of Fatima, cure the sick who confide in thee.
Our Lady of Fatima, console the sorrowful who trust in thee.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who invoke your aid.
Our Lady of Fatima, deliver us from all dangers.
Our Lady of Fatima, help us to resist temptation.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of thee.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who are dear to us.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring back to the right road our erring brothers.
Our Lady of Fatima, give us back our ancient fervor.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring all men to the feet of thy Divine Child.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain peace for the world.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Let Us Pray: O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary and our Lady of Fatima, and grant us by her powerful intercession all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.