OUR LADY OF FATIMA: A MESSAGE OF PEACE, PRAYER, AND CONVERSION

Our Lady of Fatima: A Message of Peace, Prayer, and Conversion

On May 13, 1917, in the small village of Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto—experienced a series of extraordinary events that would echo through the Catholic world and beyond. Appearing to them was a radiant lady "brighter than the sun," who would later identify herself as Our Lady of the Rosary, now venerated as Our Lady of Fatima. Over the course of six monthly apparitions, from May to October 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary delivered messages that remain as urgent and relevant today as they were over a century ago.

The Apparitions and the Visionaries

Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were simple, humble children who spent their days tending sheep. On that spring day in May, they saw a beautiful lady who asked them to return on the 13th of each month for six months. She promised to reveal her identity and her purpose in time.

As the apparitions continued, more and more pilgrims began gathering at the Cova da Iria, the site of the visions. On October 13, 1917, an estimated 70,000 people witnessed the Miracle of the Sun, where the sun appeared to dance in the sky, spinning and emitting multicolored light, then plunging toward the earth before returning to its place. This miracle, foretold by Our Lady in advance, remains one of the most well-documented and widely witnessed supernatural events of the 20th century.

The Core Message of Fatima

At the heart of Our Lady of Fatima’s message is a call to conversion, repentance, and peace. She emphasized five key themes:

1. Prayer, Especially the Rosary
   Our Lady repeatedly asked the children to pray the Rosary daily for peace in the world and the conversion of sinners. The Rosary, she said, was a powerful weapon against evil and a source of spiritual strength.

2. Penance and Sacrifice
   She urged the faithful to offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and to make reparation for offenses committed against God. The children, especially Francisco and Jacinta, embraced this call with heroic devotion.

3. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
   Our Lady revealed that God wants devotion to her Immaculate Heart to spread as a path to salvation. This includes acts of consecration and the First Saturdays devotion, which consists of Mass, Confession, the Rosary, and meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary on the first Saturday of five consecutive months.

4. Warning and Hope
   The messages contained prophetic warnings about future events, including the rise of Communism, World War II, and the persecution of the Church. But they were not messages of doom—Our Lady promised that, in the end, “My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

5. Peace
   Above all, Fatima is a message of peace. Mary offered a way to avert wars and bring healing to the world through prayer, repentance, and devotion to her Immaculate Heart.

The Legacy of Fatima Today

More than a century later, the message of Fatima remains powerfully relevant. In a world still troubled by war, division, and spiritual indifference, the call to prayer and conversion is as timely as ever. Popes, including St. John Paul II—who credited Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life during the 1981 assassination attempt—have promoted her message and consecrated the world to her Immaculate Heart.

The Shrine of Fatima in Portugal continues to draw millions of pilgrims each year, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima flourishes across the globe. Her message is not just for Catholics, but for all humanity, inviting us to rediscover God’s mercy, seek peace, and entrust ourselves to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin.

Final Reflection

Our Lady of Fatima’s message is simple, yet profound: a call to live our faith with sincerity, to pray with purpose, and to bring light into a world that often feels lost in darkness. She is a gentle mother, pointing the way to her Son, and inviting all people to find peace through love, sacrifice, and trust in God.

As we remember Fatima, may we respond with open hearts and renewed commitment to live the Gospel with courage and joy.

REASONS WHY WE AS CATHOLICS SHOULD WEAR A MIRACULOUS MEDAL

5 Reasons to Wear a Miraculous Medal

One of the most beloved medals in the Catholic Church is the Miraculous Medal, also known as the “Medal of the Immaculate Conception.” It is a devotional medal that was given by Our Blessed Virgin Mary herself to us through her apparitions to St. Catherine Laboure in Lourdes, France.

Here are 5 reasons why you should wear the Miraculous Medal now!

It’s a Medal Designed by the Blessed Virgin Herself!

The Miraculous Medal is a very special medal designed by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself! Unlike other medals, which are designed by human hands, the Miraculous Medal’s design is based on the exact specifications given by Our Lady herself to St. Catherine Laboure! In her apparitions to St. Catherine, she said: “Have a Medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.'”

Many Miracles Have Been Granted to Wear the Miraculous Medal

When the medal first came into being, it wasn’t called the Miraculous Medal yet. In fact, it was initially just called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. However, in less than ten years, it became known as the Miraculous Medal because of the many graces and wonders that quickly became associated with wearing it. Health was restored, sickness banished; bad habits broken, special graces given; dangers averted.

According to one source, between 1930 and 1950, more than 750,000 favors were granted and registered in just the city of Philadelphia alone.

Our Blessed Mother wants us to ask her for prayers. Our Lord wants us to go to Him and tell him what is on our minds and in our hearts. Having this medal around our necks at all times is a constant reminder to pray. And as Mary promised, those who wear it will receive great graces.

Great Saints Wore the Miraculous Medal

Some great saints throughout history wore the Miraculous Medal! St. Maximillian Kolbe and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta are just two of the many saints throughout history who wore the Miraculous Medal. St. Maximilian Kolbe called the Miraculous Medal a “silver bullet” against evil.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta called the Miraculous Medal a “medal of charity” and gave it out by the hand to many people. She said that the medal is a sign that God loves each and every individual at each and every moment of our lives

They Show Dedication to Mary and Jesus

The front of the Miraculous Medal shows Mary and bears the inscription “O Mary, Conceived without Sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee.” However, the reverse side shows an “M” the symbol for Mary, interwoven with a cross, a symbol for Jesus. This symbol is above the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary.

Just like all Catholic devotion to Mary, the significance of the Miraculous Medal comes from Mary’s connection to Jesus.

It’s a Reminder to Ask for Help

The images on the medal were designed by the Blessed Mother and spoken to St. Catherine Laboure. Our Blessed Mother said that the rays coming from some of her fingers demonstrate the graces God gives through her to those who ask and are open.

There are some fingers where no rays are shown. Mary said that is to demonstrate the graces that are not given because they were not requested of her. Just another reminder of Matthew 7:7; “Ask and it shall be given to you”.