Our Lady of Fátima, 20 B.C.–45 A.D.

May 13

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is known by many titles, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception, and the Queen of Heaven. Many of her titles come from places where she has appeared and given a message of hope and love.

From May to October 1917, three children from Fátima, Portugal saw the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto were watching their sheep when they saw what Lúcia described as a woman "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal ball filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun.”

Mary revealed three “secrets” to the children. The first was a vision of Hell. The second was ways to help save people from going to Hell, and the last, which was not revealed until 2000, talks about persecution of the Catholic Church and many martyrs dying for their faith. She encouraged the children to tell people to pray the Rosary. Sometimes Mary is called Our Lady of Fátima because of that.

Jacinta and Francisco died young and were beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II. Lúcia became a Carmelite nun and died on February 13, 2005, at the age of 97.

Discuss: How and when do you pray to Mary? How do you honor Mary?

Activity
The Rosary
Intrapersonal

Review with the children the prayers of the Rosary and pray the Rosary. Explain to the children that we honor Mary when we pray the Rosary.