1910 AD
Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd childrenβLucia Santos (age 10) and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto (ages 9 and 7)βin the Cova da Iria near Fatima, Portugal. The apparitions occurred on the 13th of each month, and thousands of witnesses gathered to see the 'Lady dressed in white,' whom the children identified as the Blessed Virgin Mary, who also appeared as Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of the Rosary.
The Virgin Mary delivered three secrets to the children: (1) a vision of Hell and a call to prayer and reparation, (2) a prediction of World War II and the possibility of peace through the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, and (3) a vision of the Bishop of Blood (the Pope) being martyred, which many interpret as a prophecy of the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981. On October 13, 1917, the 'Miracle of the Sun' occurredβthousands of witnesses reported the sun dancing, changing colors, and spinning in the sky, an event verified by secular newspapers.
The Catholic Church officially approved the apparitions of Fatima in 1930, and the site has become one of the most important Marian shrines in the world. Key Scripture: Luke 1:28-38; John 2:1-11; Revelation 12:1; CCC 963-968