Many Catholics keep October 13 as the commemoration known as the Feast of the Miracle of the Sun. The date marks the last of six apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Moreover, the day recalls a sign that many thousands saw in the sky. Therefore, the memory still draws pilgrims and prayer each year. In addition, it points us to the message of the Rosary and conversion.
Portugal faced turmoil in 1917. Anti-Christian groups had banned public religious festivals and the ringing of church bells. According to a theologian of the Fatima shrine, they killed nearly 2,000 priests, monks and nuns between 1911 and 1916. Meanwhile, war raged across Europe. Against this dark background, three shepherd children received a message of hope.
The children were Lúcia dos Santos, aged 10, and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, aged 9 and 7. They were tending sheep near Fatima. In 1916, they had reported visions of an angel. Then, on May 13, 1917, they saw a Lady brighter than the sun. From May to October, she appeared six times. She asked them to pray the Rosary and to offer sacrifices for sinners.
On September 13, the Lady announced a miracle for October. Meanwhile, she asked people to keep praying the Rosary. According to one source, she identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary. As a result, news of the promise spread quickly. Thousands of pilgrims planned to attend the last apparition. Some came with faith, and others came with doubt.
Rain soaked the huge crowd on October 13, and about seventy thousand people watched the sky. Then the rain stopped. Witnesses said the sun seemed to dance. They described it shining with bright colours and rushing towards the earth. Reports say the event lasted about ten minutes. Afterwards, people found their wet clothes and the muddy ground almost dry.
Newspapers covered the event widely. As a result, the story reached far beyond Fatima. Meanwhile, officials and others questioned the children many times. However, the children kept their account. The Church began investigating soon afterwards to learn whether the claims matched Church teaching.
The Church moved with care. After a thirteen-year inquiry, Bishop José Alves Correia da Silva of Leiria declared the apparitions worthy of belief. He did so on October 13, 1930. This approval allowed public devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. Later, Pope Pius XII issued a decree of coronation in 1946.
Francisco and Jacinta died young in the flu epidemic after the First World War. Pope Francis canonised them in 2017. Lúcia lived until 2005, and the Church is considering her for beatification. Today, the Sanctuary of Fatima welcomes pilgrims from around the world. Nearby, in Aljustrel, visitors can see the homes of the children’s families.
The Miracle of the Sun points beyond itself. First, it calls us to pray the Rosary daily. Next, it invites us to offer small sacrifices for others. Furthermore, it encourages conversion and trust in God’s mercy. In short, the sign serves the message. The Church teaches that private revelations never add to the Gospel. Rather, they help us live it more fully.
You can mark this day in simple ways. First, pray the Rosary, ideally with your family. Next, read the story of Fatima to your children. Then offer one sacrifice for peace. In addition, pray for all who suffer. Our posts, Why Is October the Month of the Holy Rosary and Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, can guide your prayer. For more reading, see Portugal.com, Locus Mariologicus and EWTN News.
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