It sounds like a science fiction movie. Three shepherd children claim to speak to a "Lady from Heaven." The local government arrests them and threatens to boil them in oil. Then, on October 13, 1917, over 70,000 people (including atheists, journalists, and scientists) gather in a muddy field in Portugal. They look up, and the sun starts to spin, change colors, and hurdle toward the earth.
This isn't a movie. It is history. The events at Fatima (1917) are the most prophetic and apocalyptic apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in history. She predicted World War II. She predicted the rise of Communism. She showed the children Hell. And she gave the solution.
Here is the complete, definitive guide to what happened—and why it still matters today.
1. The Prequel: The Angel of Peace (1916)
Before Mary came, an Angel prepared the way. In 1916, three cousins—Lucia dos Santos (10), Francisco Marto (9), and Jacinta Marto (7)—were tending sheep near Aljustrel, Portugal. A "transparent young man" appeared to them. He identified himself as the Angel of Peace (or Angel of Portugal).
He taught them a prayer that sets the tone for Fatima: Reparation.
"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You."
He also gave them Holy Communion (the Host dripped blood into a chalice). It was a crash course in holiness.
2. The Apparitions (May - October 1917)
On May 13, 1917, the children saw "a Lady dressed all in white, more brilliant than the sun." She asked them to come back to the Cova da Iria on the 13th of each month for six months. She had a simple message: "Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world."
Vital Context: Why 1917?
- World War I was raging. Europe was destroying itself.
- Communism was about to be born (the Russian Revolution began in October 1917). Mary was stepping in right at the moment history was about to go off a cliff.
The "Secret" (July 13, 1917)
The most intense apparition was in July. Mary showed the children three things (The Three Secrets). The children were terrified. Lucia screamed. This wasn't a "fluffy" visit. It was a warning.
3. The Three Secrets Revealed
For decades, these secrets were kept hidden. The Vatican released the third one in 2000. Here they are:
Part 1: The Vision of Hell
Mary opened her hands, and rays of light penetrated the earth. The children saw:
"A sea of fire... demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers... floating about in the conflagration... amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair."
Mary's Comment: "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart."
Part 2: War and Russia
She predicted the end of WWI. But she warned:
"If people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI." (World War II).
She specifically named Russia:
"Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church... The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated."
The Solution:
- Consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.
- The Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays.
Part 3: The Bishop in White
This was the most controversial.
"We saw an Angel with a flaming sword... And we saw a Bishop dressed in White... he was half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow... he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him."
The Meaning: Pope John Paul II believed this referred to his assassination attempt on May 13, 1981 (Feast of Fatima!). The bullet missed his aorta by millimeters. He credited Our Lady of Fatima for guiding the bullet. He later put the bullet in the crown of the statue at Fatima. It fit perfectly.
4. The Miracle of the Sun (October 13, 1917)
Mary promised a miracle "so that all may believe." Word got out. On October 13, the field was packed with 70,000 people. It had been raining for days. Everyone was soaked. Mud was everywhere. At noon, the rain stopped. The clouds parted. The sun appeared as a spinning silver disc. It could be looked at without hurting the eyes. It began to "dance"—spinning, changing colors (red, blue, yellow), and casting light over the crowd.
Then, it fell. The sun detached from the sky and zigzagged toward the earth. The crowd screamed. Thousands fell to their knees in the mud, confessing their sins aloud, thinking it was the end of the world. Just before hitting the ground, it reversed and returned to the sky. The Aftermath: The people's clothes (which had been soaked) were instantly dry. The mud was dry.
Witnesses: It wasn't mass hysteria. It was seen by people miles away. It was reported in secular newspapers (O Seculo) by atheist reporters who had gone to mock the event. Science cannot explain it.
5. What Does It Mean for Us? (The Call to Action)
Fatima is not over. Pope Benedict XVI said: "We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete." The "errors of Russia" (atheism, materialism, attack on the family) have spread everywhere. We are living in the times Mary warned about.
But she gave us a plan. She didn't say "panic." She said "pray."
The Fatima Plan:
- Pray the Rosary Daily: Not just sometimes. Daily.
- The Fatima Prayer: Add this after each decade: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy."
- The First Saturdays: Go to Mass, Confession, and meditate on the Rosary for 15 minutes on the first Saturday of 5 consecutive months.
- Penance: Offer up your daily sufferings for the conversion of sinners.
6. The Fate of the Children
- Francisco (1908-1919): Died of Spanish Flu. He spent his last days praying to "console Jesus."
- Jacinta (1910-1920): Also died of flu. She suffered greatly but offered it all for "poor sinners." She had wisdom beyond her years.
- Lucia (1907-2005): Became a nun. She lived to be 97, serving as the messenger of Fatima to Popes for nearly a century.
Francisco and Jacinta were canonized in 2017 (the 100th anniversary). They are the youngest non-martyr saints in history.
Conclusion: "My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph"
The story of Fatima is scary (Hell, War, Annihilation). But it ends with the greatest promise of the 20th century:
"In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."
Evil has an expiration date. Mary has already won. She is just waiting for us to join her army. Pick up your beads. The battle is on.
Join the First Saturday devotion and track your Rosary streak on the MyPrayerTower app.