More than a century ago, in the small Portuguese village of Fatima, three shepherd children; Lucia dos Santos with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto experienced events that would touch millions of lives. From May to October 1917, Our Lady appeared to them with a message that remains relevant even today. Pray, repent, make sacrifices for peace.
The story begins in 1916, when the children experienced apparitions of the Angel of Peace, preparing them for what was to come.
On 13 May 1917, Our Lady appeared to the children at Cova da Iria and asked them to return on the 13th of each month for six months. She urged them to pray the Rosary every day for peace.
On 13 June, She spoke to Lucia of Her Immaculate Heart as a refuge and assured her that God would not abandon her.
The apparition of 13 July brought a powerful call to conversion and prayer for sinners. The children received what later became known as the Secret of Fatima.
August was different. The children were detained and questioned by the authorities on 13 August, preventing them from reaching Cova da Iria. Despite intimidation, they remained steadfast. Our Lady appeared to them instead on 19 August at Valinhos.
By 13 September, thousands were gathering at Fatima. Our Lady promised that in October she would reveal who she was and perform a sign so that people might believe. Then came 13 October 1917. Despite heavy rain, an enormous crowd gathered at Cova da Iria. During this final apparition, Mary identified herself as “the Lady of the Rosary”, asked that a chapel be built there and once again called people to prayer. The crowd then witnessed the extraordinary solar phenomenon remembered as the Miracle of the Sun.
That message has a special resonance in Goa. For generations, the family Rosary has been a part of our life. Many will remember grandparents and parents gathering the family before the alter every evening. Our churches, chapels, grottos and saibin (home visitation of our Lady) continue this deep affection for our Saibin Mai.
October makes this connection even more meaningful. We celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary on 7 October, followed just six days later by the anniversary of the final Fatima apparition.
In today’s busy Goan homes, perhaps Our Lady’s invitation challenges us again. Amid work, classes, screens and endless distractions, can we still find a few minutes to pray together?
The world has changed greatly since 1917, but its need for peace has not. This 13 October, may we take up our rosaries once again and pray: Fatima Saibini, Tum gê amchi Rani, visronaka gê Maie, tujea bhurgeanchim magnnim.
-Louella Santimano Dias