“Throughout history, there have been supernatural apparitions and signs that go to the heart of human events and, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of history” (Vatican).
If someone predicted future events and said, “I will perform miracles on a certain date to prove my words to be true,” and has 70,000 witnesses, would you believe it? That happened in Fatima, Portugal.
The details began in the village of Fatima, Portugal on May 13, 1917. The Blessed Virgin Mary, holding a Rosary, appeared to three young peasant children: Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia stating she is “Our Lady of the Rosary.” The children saw and Lucia spoke with her:
June 13, 1917 Our Lady said: “God wants to establish in the world devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” To the Rosary she added: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
July 13, 1917: The children were shown a horrific vision of hell. Our Lady prophesied a miracle for Oct. 13, 1917.
Aug. 1917: Our Lady reiterated an October miracle and said to pray and make sacrifices for sinners.
Sept. 13, 1917: Our Lady told the children that she would appear as Our Lady of Sorrows and as Our Lady of Carmel in October and “Our Lord will come ... Also, Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus in order to bless the world,” which they did as prophesied.
Oct. 13, 1917: Estimated 70,000 persons (with many unbelievers intending to discredit the apparitions) gathered at Fatima in torrential rain and muddy conditions and witnessed a miraculous solar phenomenon in which the sun appeared to fall toward Earth. The crowd was terrified, fearing the end of the world.
In O Seculo, a secular newspaper: “ ... the sun trembled, made sudden incredible movements outside all cosmic laws — the sun ‘danced’ according to the typical expression of the people.”
Another miracle occurred — the ground was dried and everyone’s clothing was cleansed from the mud in minutes.
“Our Lady indicated to us the specific root of all the troubles in the world, the one that causes world wars and such terrible suffering: sin. She then gave a solution first to individual people, then to the Church’s leaders. God asks each one of us to stop offending Him. We must pray, especially the Rosary. By this frequent prayer of the Rosary, we will get the graces we need to overcome sin. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more for He is already too much offended.”
Jesus allowed his Mother to visit Earth with guidance and miraculous signs. Common sense dictates we should pay attention and act accordingly.
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