Saint of the Day: Our Lady of Fatima

The story of the apparitions

+ On May 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin appeared to three children near the village of Fatima, Portugal.

+ In the six apparitions that took place between May and October, Mary called herself “Our Lady of the Rosary” and urged Christians to practice penance, to pray the rosary daily, and to have devotion to her Immaculate Heart for the conversion of sinners.

+ The apparitions at Fatima were officially approved by the Bishop of Leira-Fatima in 1930.

+ On May 13, 2017, Pope Francis canonized two of the visionaries: Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco Marto. The cause for the beatification of the third visionary, Sister Lucia Santos, is being actively promoted and she was declared “Venerable” in 2023.

For prayer and reflection

“You, O Virgin, are like a clear and shining sky, in which God has set his tent. From you he comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber. Like a giant running his course, he will run the course of his life which will bring salvation for all who will ever live, and extending from the highest heavens to the end of them, it will fill all things with divine warmth and with life-giving brightness.”—Saint Sophronius

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also honors the memory of Blessed Gemma of Solmona, an anchoress in the church of St. John the Baptist in Solmona, Italy. After her death in 1439, miracles were reported at her tomb and devotion to Blessed Gemma was approved by the Holy See in 1890.

Prayer

O God, who chose the Mother of your Son to be our Mother also,
grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer
for the salvation of the world,
we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.