THE STORY OF FATIMA – HOW THE LEGEND BEGAN

Apparition of the Virgin Mary

The story of Fatima began on May 13, 1917, when three young children taking care of their sheep in the Portugese countryside witnessed an apparition.  The woman was dressed in white and revealed to the children that she had been sent from God with a message of prayer, repentance, and consecration.

For the next five months on the 13th day of each month, she returned to visit the children.  Her last appearance on October 13th was witnessed by 70,000 pilgrims as a manifestation of the sun moving in a strange pattern.

As part of the story of Fatima, Our Lady of Fatima, as she was designated, sent a message with three prophecies to the children.  Although the two younger children died a few years after the apparitions as the result of a severe flu epidemic, Lucia became a nun and in 1944 disclosed the first two secrets as part of the story of Fatima.

The Prophecies From Our Lady of Fatima

The first secret evoked a vision of Hell where sinful souls traveled without prayer.  The second secret foretold the beginning of World War II.  The third secret, however, was written down in 1944 and held by the Vatican with the stipulation that it was not to be revealed until 1960.

When Pope Paul John XXIII opened the prophecy in 1960 and read it, he refused to make it public.  It was not until May 13, 2000, when he was visiting Fatima, that Pope John Paul II revealed the third secret as the foretelling of the May 13, 1981 assassination attempt on his life.

Although the Catholic church does not consider the events of Fatima as part of their religious doctrine, Pope John Paul II made three pilgrimages to Fatima and believed there was a direct connection between the protection he received from the Virgin Mary, who had appeared in Fatima, and his survival from being shot in Rome by three bullets at close range.

The Story of Fatima Today | Major Pilgrimage Site

Over the years the mystique of the story of Fatima has increased and faithful worshippers have turned the town into a well known center for Christian pilgrimages.  Religious holidays, week-ends, and the 13th day of each month are likely to be the busiest times for visitors.  To avoid the crowds,  schedule a visit during the week.

To accommodate the large number of worshippers for week-end Mass, the new Church of the Most Holy Trinity, a huge contemporary building seating 9000 people, was built across the enormous square from the Basilica.  It was constructed within the last ten years and has generated a lot of controversy regarding the design, which lacks beauty and grace.  However, the Basilica, which only holds 900 people, could no longer meet the town’s needs.  Many people are unhappy with the design.

Fatima is a pleasant town with some nice hotels for anyone wanting a peaceful environment to overnight between Lisbon and Porto.  Otherwise, a visit of about three hours would probably be enough time to visit the Basilica, the new Church of the Most Holy Trinity, and explore the downtown area.

If you are interested in the story of Fatima, the pilgrimage site is definitely worth visiting.  Having seen the town about twenty years ago, I was amazed at how everything has grown and become more sophisticated.  However, on a day without crowds, the town is attractive and serene without the constant commercialism of Lourdes, France’s main pilgrimage shrine.

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