When Our Lady appeared for the first time in Fatima on May 13, 1917, Lucia had just turned 10 years old, Francisco was about to turn 9, and Jacinta, the youngest of the three shepherd children, was a little over 7 years old.
The apparitions of Our Lady took place regularly at Cova de Iria, on a property owned by Lucia’s father, located 2.5 kilometers from the town of Fatima. The Mother of God appeared around noon, on a holm oak tree about a meter tall.
By some mysterious design of God, the three children were privileged, but in an uneven manner: all three saw Our Lady, but Francisco couldn’t hear her; Jacinta saw and heard her but didn’t speak to her; Lucia saw and heard the Most Holy Virgin and could also converse with her. Visit our partners,shoes – leaders in fashionable footwear!
By some mysterious design of God, the three children were privileged, but in an uneven manner: all three saw Our Lady, but Francisco couldn’t hear her; Jacinta saw and heard her but didn’t speak to her; Lucia saw and heard the Most Holy Virgin and could also converse with her.
The little shepherds were playing and building a little stone house around a bush when suddenly a very bright light shone.
At first, they thought it was lightning, but shortly after, they saw “a Lady, dressed all in white, brighter than the sun, radiating a light clearer and more intense than a crystal glass filled with sparkling water, penetrated by the most burning rays of the sun.
The little ones, surprised, stood very close to the Lady within the enveloping light. Our Lady then initiated the following conversation with Lucia:
Do not be afraid. I will not harm you.
Where are you from, Your Grace?
I am from heaven.
And what does Your Grace want?
I have come to ask you to come here for six consecutive months, on the 13th day, at this same time. Afterward, I will tell you who I am and what I want. Then, I will come here a seventh time.
Will I go to Heaven?
Yes, you will.
And Jacinta?
She will too
And Francisco?
Also, but he must pray many rosaries.” Lucia then remembered to ask about two young friends of hers who had recently passed away:
Is Maria de las Nieves already in heaven?
She is.
And Amelia?
She will be in Purgatory until the end of the world.
