Father Rafael Mosteyrín offers an article about Our Lady of Fatima, whose celebration takes place every May 13th to commemorate her first apparition at Cova da Iria, Portugal, in 1917.

On October 13, 1917, in a village in Portugal, thousands upon thousands of people gazed in amazement at a prodigy in the sky. It had been raining all morning, but suddenly the sun shone brightly. It immediately turned into a silver disc, surrounded by a crown. Then it trembled, spun around itself, like a wheel of fire, and projected lights of green, red, blue, and orange. The phenomenon was repeated three times. Finally, the sun zigzagged and seemed to be moving toward the Earth. When it was very close to the crowd, who, filled with fear, had fallen to their knees, it suddenly stopped. He moved away just as he had approached and returned to his place in Heaven.

All this was the miracle the Virgin Mary announced, so everyone would believe, six months earlier. How had it all begun?

In May 1917, Europe, the world was suffering through the First World War. 105 years later, the war broke out again. On the 13th, three shepherd children went with their parents to Mass. Afterward, they led their sheep to a meadow. There, a brilliant light dazzled them. They were startled to see a beautiful Lady. She was very young, about eighteen years old, beautiful, and smiling, although her face showed a hint of sadness. She told them she was from Heaven. She asked them to meet there again, every 13th, six consecutive times. She explained how to achieve world peace through prayer and good works in these apparitions. Specifically, she asks for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and the reparatory Communion on the first Saturdays. If her requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace. 105 years later, we find ourselves in a similar situation. If we pray and strive to be consistent with our faith, Our Lady of Fatima will achieve world peace.

The Virgin Mary has given us a very clear and important message. But why did she choose three illiterate shepherd children to spread it? Wouldn’t it have been better to entrust it directly to the Pope, or to someone famous, powerful, wise, or rich? Once again, we see the prominence expected of each of us. We are all called to do great things. God always gives his grace and trusts most in the humblest, in children, or in those who become like children. That is, those who are grateful and have great faith.