Fatima Story

Originally posted on January 2, 2011

All Catholics probably have their own individual impression of the Fatima story.  By that I mean that when we hear the word “Fatima” or reflect upon its mark in history where Our Lady is concerned, a certain thought, prayer, image, statue, movie, etc. most likely goes through our minds; we immediately associate the Fatima story with whatever it is that most impressed us about Our Lady of Fatima.

When I think of the Fatima story the first thing that comes to my mind is the three children: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.  My first exposure to the Fatima story was some time around the age of seven or eight.  I saw an old movie (probably the first of the Fatima movies) that was filmed in 1952.  Actually, I’m not sure there were any follow-ups, though I believe there is a new one soon to be released.  I think what most interested me at that young age was the fact that the visionaries were children in my own age group.

Fatima Story and the Seventh Apparition

It appears that there is some confusion as to what exactly the seventh apparition means and when it is supposed to occur.  During 1917, Our Lady  appeared to the three children six times at a place called Cova da Iria, from May 13th to October 13th.  And it was during her first visit that she announced that she would return to that place a seventh time.  Fatima specialists differ in their opinions regarding that seventh visit and there is much speculation as to when that visit will take place; some think it already has.  Although many faithful have always believed that seventh apparition to be one in which Our Lady would appear personally to Lucia, there was never any mention of it by Lucia.  So it leaves us to wonder if perhaps the seventh apparition has yet to occur.

In these stressful and chaotic times, the Fatima story’s seventh apparition provides the faithful Catholics with something glorious to hope for.  It ensures us that she not only has not abandoned us, but that she is also returning one day.  I, personally, find it interesting that the final apparition is the seventh one.  After all, isn’t it true that in numerous places in the Bible we see the number seven appear, and often connected with the purest and holiest of circumstances and events!  Holy Scripture is saturated with the number seven and even if all this provides is a glimmer of hope, in this crazy world that glimmer of hope is at times all we have.

Fatima Story, the Rosary and Purgatory

I think it was during that 1952 Fatima story movie that I first saw the Rosary being prayed on television.  I remember the three children standing in a dingy prison with a bunch of rough male prisoners, praying the Rosary.  Our Lady emphasized the importance of the Rosary when she told the children that it was a powerful means in saving one’s soul and the souls of many.  In a way, the Fatima story is one of the many Rosary stories.

Our Lady explained to the three children that the existence of Purgatory is real and that there was a certain soul of a teenage girl named Amelia, whom the children knew, who would be in Purgatory until the end of the world.  Apparently this person, Amelia, had died under circumstances that involved matters of chastity.  To us, especially given the loose morals and all too laid-back sexual culture of today, being sentenced to Purgatory until the end of the world is unfathomable!  But was Our Lady allowing this personal example of someone whom the children knew in order to demonstrate to them and to the world the very real presence of Purgatory and the absolute necessity in praying the Rosary and offering penance for sinners and souls who end up there?  I suppose we will never know.

Fatima Story in Our World Today

There is so much to say about the Fatima story and how it relates to our world today.  I suppose there are many hidden messages (and some not so hidden) that were given to the children by Our Lady in order to prepare the world for what was to come.  I have always been fascinated with reading about the Fatima story, but recently I have found myself sort of rediscovering its meaning and mysteries; I have a whole new appreciation and fondness for its purpose in our lives.

I’m going to dedicate the next few posts on the Fatima story because there is way too much to say in a few brief paragraphs.  In the meantime, HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR.

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