October 13 - Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Her apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, to three shepherd children took place some 107 years ago but the Feast of our Lady of Fatima continues to be among the most celebrated by believers throughout the world.

During her sixth apparition in Fatima on the 13th of October, 1917, Lucia asked her "what do you want of me?"

She responded, "I want to tell you to have them build a Chapel here in My honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Let them continue to say the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes."

While the children were with our Lady, a crowd of some 70,000 people who gathered for the October 13th apparition was reported to have “witnessed a dancing sun in the sky. Then it whirled rapidly, emitting flames of fire which reflected many different colors upon the earth. Finally, it appeared to be plummeting from the sky toward the crowd which frightened the people. Some thought it was the end of the world. Then the sun reversed its direction, returned to its normal position in the sky. As the people regained their senses they noticed still another miracle. Although it had been a very rainy day now the ground, even their clothes were dry.”

Films, numerous write-ups and reports about topics related to our Lady of Fatima and her apparitions to the three children, her predictions that came true (the end of the war, the prediction of another war (among others), her secret messages, the Vatican’s endorsement and confirmation of the apparitions are among the factors that have facilitated and sustained worldwide interest, belief, and the May 13th to October 13th celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

The following song captures the belief, the prayers and petitions that continue to be offered to Mama Mary:

“Our Lady of Fatima, we come on bended knee, to beg your Intercession, for peace and unity.

“Dear Mary, won’t You show us, the right and shining ways. We pledge our love and offer you, a rosary each day.

“You promised at Fatima, each time that you appear, to help us, if we pray to you, to banish war and fear.

“Dear Lady, on First Saturdays, we ask your guiding hands, for peace and guidance here on earth, and protection for our land.”

It is not only in Fatima that thousands flock to honor and offer prayers and petitions to our Lady who has appeared to many more all throughout the world through various dates.

Many celebrate these Vatican-confirmed apparitions of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, our Lady of Lourdes, and our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in France, among others.

There are also many who flock to reported sites of apparitions of our Lady of Akita in Japan, our Lady of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and more.

Here in the Philippines, thousands as well visit our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, our Lady of Lipa in Batangas, and more. There is now a statue of our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA most likely based on various accounts and testimonies of Mama Mary’s presence during the 1986 EDSA revolution.

Here in Cebu, thousands crowd and join the procession of the Virgen de la Regla in Lapu-Lapu as well as Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cebu City.

Why do millions worship our Lady? Certainly, they clearly recognize that she is herself not a god. Marian believers, however, know that Mama Mary has always pointed us to God, that she has faithfully followed and obeyed God’s will.

Blessed as the Mother of Jesus Christ, believers are assured that God listens and honors her prayers and intercession for all, for his people and the whole world.