Our Lady of Fatima
A story of prophesy and miracles
and a little bit of local magic ...
A story of prophesy and miracles
and a little bit of local magic ...
On 13 May we celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima.
Here is some background information on Her:
HISTORY:
In the spring and summer of 1916, nine year old Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were herding sheep at the Cova da Iria near their home village of Fátima, Portugal. They claimed to have experienced the visitation of an angel on 3 occasions prior to seeing the apparitions. The angel taught them prayers to pray, to make sacrifices, and to spend time in adoration of the Lord. In 1917, on the 13th day of 6 consecutive months, beginning 13 May, apparitions appeared to the three shepherd children at Fátima, Portugal. Lúcia described seeing a lady "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal goblet filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun". While they had never spoken to anyone about the angel, Jacinta divulged her sightings to her family despite Lucia's admonition to keep this experience private. Her disbelieving mother told neighbors as a joke, and within a day the whole village knew. Thousands of people started to flocking to Fátima in the following months, drawn by reports of visions and miracles.
MIRACLE OF THE SUN:
The Virgin Mary promised a miracle for the last of her apparitions on 13 October, so that all would believe. What happened then became known as the "Miracle of the Sun". A huge crowd, estimated up to 100,000 people, gathered at the Cova da Iria. The rain had ceased and there was a thin layer of cloud. Lúcia, seeing light rising from the lady's hands and the sun appearing as a silver disk, called out "look at the sun". Witnesses later spoke of the sun appearing to change colors and rotate like a wheel and "dance in the sky". The solar phenomenon was visible up to forty kilometers away. Some onlookers reported other phenomena, including luminous mist and showers of flower petals. Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta saw images of the Holy Family, Our Lady of Sorrows with Jesus Christ, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They said they saw Saint Joseph and Jesus bless the people. The events at Fátima gained fame due to secrets revealed, prophecy and eschatology, particularly with regard to World War II and possible future world wars. The apparitions at Fátima were officially declared "worthy of belief" by the Catholic Church.
Here is some background information on Her:
HISTORY:
In the spring and summer of 1916, nine year old Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were herding sheep at the Cova da Iria near their home village of Fátima, Portugal. They claimed to have experienced the visitation of an angel on 3 occasions prior to seeing the apparitions. The angel taught them prayers to pray, to make sacrifices, and to spend time in adoration of the Lord. In 1917, on the 13th day of 6 consecutive months, beginning 13 May, apparitions appeared to the three shepherd children at Fátima, Portugal. Lúcia described seeing a lady "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal goblet filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun". While they had never spoken to anyone about the angel, Jacinta divulged her sightings to her family despite Lucia's admonition to keep this experience private. Her disbelieving mother told neighbors as a joke, and within a day the whole village knew. Thousands of people started to flocking to Fátima in the following months, drawn by reports of visions and miracles.
MIRACLE OF THE SUN:
The Virgin Mary promised a miracle for the last of her apparitions on 13 October, so that all would believe. What happened then became known as the "Miracle of the Sun". A huge crowd, estimated up to 100,000 people, gathered at the Cova da Iria. The rain had ceased and there was a thin layer of cloud. Lúcia, seeing light rising from the lady's hands and the sun appearing as a silver disk, called out "look at the sun". Witnesses later spoke of the sun appearing to change colors and rotate like a wheel and "dance in the sky". The solar phenomenon was visible up to forty kilometers away. Some onlookers reported other phenomena, including luminous mist and showers of flower petals. Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta saw images of the Holy Family, Our Lady of Sorrows with Jesus Christ, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They said they saw Saint Joseph and Jesus bless the people. The events at Fátima gained fame due to secrets revealed, prophecy and eschatology, particularly with regard to World War II and possible future world wars. The apparitions at Fátima were officially declared "worthy of belief" by the Catholic Church.
 A shower of white rose petals scattered on the steps  Gift of rosary from Swellendam Sisters | A MINI-MIRACLE? I went to sleep feeling very moved and inspired. The morning after watching the movie, I woke up and went downstairs to make my morning cup of tea. The staircase was covered with white rose petals! I thought i was dreaming! How could this be? Was it a sign that Our Lady was present? My mind went blank seeing pretty white rose petals forming a trail down the steps. Where did they come from? There had to be a rational explanation. Then i remembered that i had put a small vase of white roses that someone had given me at the top of the steps. There was a rational explanation. But the amazing thing is that i put the roses in front of a statue of Mary! She is standing on a ledge at the top of the staircase. Did she cause one of the roses to fall and scatter its white petals ... Fr Johan said this was a message from Mary for me to pray the rosary every day. A few days later, Fr Steven gave me a lovely green rosary, which was a gift from the Sisters at Capuchin Convent in Swellendam! So i am told to pray the rosary, and shortly thereafter i am given a rosary! Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. |
| | FATIMA: The 13th Day: A Story of Hope Watch the true story of how Mary appeared to 3 young children and be inspired by their faith and courage ... |
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