On May 13, 1917 about midday, in a pasture near the village of Fatima, Portugal, three children were tending a flock of sheep. They were Jacinta and Francisco Marto, ages 7 and 8, and Lucia Santos, age 10. Suddenly a bright light flashed in the sky and the children began heading for home expecting a storm. Instead they experienced a Vision that stayed with them the rest of their lives. A beautiful Lady dressed in white appeared to them in the brightness and told them she was from heaven. They were filled with feelings of intense Joy and overcome with awe. The Lady asked them to return on the 13th day of the following five months. The Lady also asked that they pray the rosary every day for Peace in the world and asked if they would be willing to undergo sacrifices and sufferings for the sake of others.
The Lady later identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary. Each time the Lady appeared to the children she asked again that they pray the rosary. This is perhaps the chief message we can take away from this first Fatima apparition on May 13. That is to pray the rosary every day if we want to attain Peace in our World.
The rosary is indeed a powerful prayer. It has been associated with many blessings and miracles.
Please join us at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Lexington, Kentucky on May 13, 2017, (please check for details in the parish bulletin/website) to commemorate the centennial of this first apparition.
For more information on the history of the Fatima apparitions visit www.ewtn.com/fatima/