Fatima has now become synonymous with salvation

On May 5, 1917, Pope Benedict XV, because of the ongoing First World War (which had broken out in 1914) and the growing spiritual degradation of humanity, proclaimed a crusade of prayer. After countless attempts by the pontiff to stop “the useless massacre,” all hopes were placed in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Nine days later — just the time of a novena — for the first time in the twentieth century, Our Lady appeared to three poor shepherd children in a hidden village called Fatima, in Portugal.

It was Sunday, May 13, when the lives of the three cousins — Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta, and Francisco Marto — changed forever. As good Catholics, they had attended Holy Mass at their parish church and were preparing to graze their sheep in order to help their large and certainly not wealthy families.

It was a splendid spring day, and amid the fragrance of lush nature they wished to enjoy a beautiful setting. The Cova da Iria, with its natural amphitheater and vast green open space, seemed the perfect place to spend those hours. They were children and, as is natural, they knew how to balance play with duty.

Suddenly, however, the sky emitted a dazzling light, similar to lightning. What was it? Was it about to rain? Better not to take risks — spring weather is unpredictable. They gathered the sheep and began descending the slope when another flash burst forth. Near a holm oak stood a beautiful Lady dressed in white with golden trim; golden was the cord that served as a belt, and white were the beads of the rosary she held in her hand.

The apparitions of Fatima possess an extraordinary significance, reminding us how attentive Heaven is to the affairs of humanity — a humanity lost in worldly ways, blinded by foolish lights that can lead souls into infernal abysses. Then, suddenly, it becomes vividly clear to us that the Mother of the Savior has been sent by God to straighten the paths of her children.

To whom does Our Lady of the Rosary appear? To three children, three humble shepherds from a village then unknown. What did she ask of them? She desired that her children, through penance and prayer — especially the Holy Rosary — amend their lives and avoid condemning themselves to Hell.

That place of eternal suffering was shown to the three children, who likely would have died of fear had the Blessed Virgin not assured them of the eternal joy of Heaven. How can one fail to criticize the sad omission of many priests who refuse to speak of Hell so as not to disturb or frighten the faithful, while the Mother of God, Seat of Wisdom, revealed it — complete with the damned and the devils within it — to children?

Fatima has now become synonymous with salvation. Every apparition and every message speaks of the true purpose of our lives and of the necessity of prayer and penance in order to escape Hell and attain eternal happiness, without forgetting the Earth, where it is still possible to live in peace.

The prayer, “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy”, entrusted by Our Lady to each one of us through the three little shepherds, is like a ruby to be set within every decade of the Holy Rosary. In only a few words, it masterfully teaches us that God is indeed merciful; yet if we do not pray and take responsibility for souls — our own and those of others — the consequences may be tremendous and eternal.

O Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us!