Bl. Jacinta and Francisco Marto

In 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal: siblings Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and their cousin, Lucia Santos.

• Jacinta was given the gift to see and hear "Our Lady of the Rosary"

• Jacinta continued to see "Our Lady of the Rosary" after Fatima and was told the day and time of her own impending death

• Francisco was not able to see or hear "Our Lady" until he prayed many rosaries; only then was he able to see her, though he never heard her

• Francisco and Jacinta both died of influenza, and both were beatified on May 13, 2000, by now-St. Pope John Paul II

The Fatima Apparitions

• The Fatima Apparitions occurred between May 13 and October 13, 1917

• The children were given three secrets of future world events and were told to say the rosary and pray for many souls

• The children asked for a sign for the people of Fatima so that they may believe

• On October 13, 1917, a sign was given, which is known as the "Miracle of the Sun"

• On a rain-drenched Saturday, thousands of people assembled in the muddy hills of Fatima to see if the "Miracle" would be granted

• At the exact time as told by the children, the sun began to dance in the sky, throw off brilliant rainbow colors, and then began to fall from the sky toward earth

• What began as awe quickly became panic, as many believed that the sun and earth were about to collide

• There were 70,000 people in the region of Fatima who witnessed the miracle

• Following the miracle, the rain stopped, and peoples' clothes and ground were bone-dry

• The event was reported in newspapers throughout the world

• What makes this apparition unique is the fact that a confirmation miracle was granted for all to see in the region

The Angel of Peace taught the children prostration (kneeling with their forehead to the ground) and asked them to recite the following prayer.

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I implore Your pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You..