When Our Lady first appeared to the three children of Fatima on May 13th, 1917, she told them she would return to the same spot on that day for the next six months.
She did indeed come on the 13th of every month—but one day, the children were unable to keep their appointment with the Blessed Mother.
Here’s why.
It was August 13th, 1917. By now, enough people had heard of the apparitions at Fatima that the children were famous, and many people went to the site with them.
The governor, a staunch anti-Catholic, was very displeased and concerned about the crowds these children were drawing. So, he got in his carriage, and drove toward the apparition site.
On the way there, he encountered the children, and offered them a ride to the site in his carriage. Once they got in, however, he drove them to his house and locked them up.
The next day he subjected them to relentless interrogation, threw them in jail, and even threatened their lives—but all to no avail. The next day he finally released them, having gained nothing.
On August 19th, nearly a week after the arranged date, Our Lady appeared to the children in a different spot. After that, the apparitions continued as originally planned.
Today, Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most famous apparitions of the Blessed Mother. “We would be mistaken,” said Pope Benedict XVI, “to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.” Do you know the truth about this miraculous apparition? Why is there so much “hype” around it? Do you want the facts about what really went on at Fatima and why, and what it has to do with your life? Get the answers with Fatima: The True Story. Sign up today at Good Catholic!
