Our Lady of Fatima
Virgin Mary's apparitions to shepherds in Portugal calling for peace.
Patronage
Portugal, the World, peace, families, the conversion of sinners, Carmelites
Virtues & Traits
Biography
Our Lady of Fatima refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared to three shepherd children—Lúcia Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto—in Fatima, Portugal, beginning on May 13, 1917. Over six consecutive months, the Virgin Mary appeared to the children with messages of prayer, penance, and consecration, emphasizing the rosary as a weapon against evil and promoting world peace. The children reported receiving visions and messages concerning the conversion of Russia and world peace. The final apparition on October 13, 1917, was witnessed by approximately 70,000 people who reported seeing the sun spin dramatically in the sky. The Church officially recognized these apparitions in 1930, and Fatima became one of the world's most important Marian pilgrimage sites. Pope John Paul II attributed his survival of an assassination attempt to Our Lady of Fatima's intercession.
Prayer
Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima
O Most Holy Virgin Mary, who didst reveal thyself at Fatima, and didst ask for the consecration of Russia to thy Immaculate Heart, we beseech thee to obtain for us the grace of true conversion and sincere repentance. Help us to amend our lives, to do penance for our sins, and to live in accordance with the message thou didst entrust to the three children. Protect us from the dangers that threaten our faith, and lead us ever closer to thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ. We place our trust in thy maternal intercession and in the promises thou didst make at Fatima. Amen.
Traditional prayer from Catholic tradition