Miracle of the Sun
Listen to Catholic Corps Member Renee Scheu read the story about this apparition:
As October 13 came closer, excitement about the promised miracle grew. Some people, like Francisco and Jacinta’s father, truly believed a miracle would happen. Others made fun of the children. Lucia’s mother, who thought her daughter was lying, was afraid that the children might be beaten to death if the miracle did not happen.
It rained and rained the night before the apparition. And it was still raining when the children got to the Cova da Iria on the morning of October 13. After the crowd prayed the Rosary, Lucia told them to close their umbrellas. It was still raining.
With a flash of light, Our Lady appeared on the holm oak.
“What do you want of me?” asked Lucia.
“I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honor,” the Lady replied. IThe war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.”
“I have many things to ask you,” Lucia told her, “the cure of some sick persons, the conversion of sinners, and other things...”
“Some yes, but not others,” the Lady of the Rosary said sadly. “They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins. Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended.”
Then Our Lady of the Rosary opened her hands. The light that came from them reflected on the sun.
“Look at the sun!” Lucia called out. The sun had burst through the clouds and was spinning. Its silver color meant that everyone could look at it without hurting their eyes. Then, the sun danced around in the sky, coming closer until the people thought it would fall on them.
“Forgive me, Lord! Forgive my sins!” some people called out, terrified.
But the sun returned to its normal place in the sky. Everything had been wet and muddy a few minutes before. But now the crowd noticed that their clothes and the ground were totally dry!
While this miracle was happening, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta saw something very different—the vision Our Lady had promised them in September.
First, the Holy Family appeared. St. Joseph was holding the Child Jesus, and they were raising their hands to bless the world with the Sign of the Cross. Mary was there too, wearing white with a blue veil. Next, the children saw Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lord made the Sign of the Cross just like St. Joseph had done. Finally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared.
The Miracle of the Sun, as it came to be called, was seen by more than 70,000 people up to 25 miles away from Fatima. The greatness of the miracle and the visions that went with it show that this message from Heaven cannot be ignored.
Key Point from the October 13 Apparition
The Holy Family is the perfect model for family life. One of the best ways to grow in holiness and deepen our union with God is to entrust ourselves to the Holy Family. Instead of trying to figure out on our own how to best live for God, we rely on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to inspire and guide us.
Holy Family of Fatima Prayer Site
The October 13 Fatima apparition corresponds to the sixteen-foot Holy Family of Fatima Statue at the Holy Family of Fatima Prayer Site. Learn about the prayer site.