The Story of Fatima

This is a story about three shepherd children who lived near the town of Fatima, in Portugal. The events took place in 1917, at a time when the Catholic Church in Portugal was being persecuted. The little town of Fatima remained true to the faith. Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service Jacinta age 7 Francisco age 9 Lucia age 10

The Story of Fatima Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service One day, in 1916, when the children were looking after their sheep an angel appeared to them. The angel appeared to them three times. The Angel of Peace

The Story of Fatima Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service The angel taught the children some prayers. The children were being prepared to meet Our Lady. The Angel of Peace

The Story of Fatima In 1917, Our Lady appeared to the children six times. This took place between May and October, on the thirteenth day of each month. Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima At first, no one believed that the children had seen Our Lady. For a few days, the children were put in prison because it was thought they were telling lies. But the children were very brave; they told the truth about what they had seen. Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Our Lady wanted the children to know how important it is to pray. She gave a special message to the children for all the world: to pray for peace in the world to say the Rosary every day Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima to be sorry for our sins and to make acts of penance (as we do in Lent) to pray for souls to go to heaven Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

Miracle of the Sun Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service Lucia asked Our Lady to perform a miracle that everyone could see, so that they would be believed. On 13 th October 1917, there was a ‘miracle of the sun’ witnessed by 70,000 people.

The Story of Fatima After the Miracle of the Sun, many more people believed the children and they began to pray more often. Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Sadly, a few years later both Francisco and Jacinta died of an illness that spread through Europe. Francisco died on 4 April 1919 and Jacinta died on 20 February Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Lucia lived a long life. She became a Carmelite Nun, known as, Sr. Maria Lucia of the Immaculate Heart. Sr. Lucia wrote two books telling her story. She died on February 13, 2005, aged 97! Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Fatima is now a place of pilgrimage. People go there from all over the world to honour Our Lady and to pray the Rosary for peace. Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta Marto on May 13th 2000 in a celebration attended by more than 700,000 people. It is hoped that they will soon be canonized (made saints). Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

The Story of Fatima Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service How can we respond to the message of Fatima? Pray often Say the Rosary Work for peace Be sorry for the wrong things we do How can we respond to the message of Fatima? Pray often Say the Rosary Work for peace Be sorry for the wrong things we do

The Story of Fatima Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service Do you know the prayers of the Rosary? Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be Hail Holy Queen Learn these prayers Learn how to say the Rosary

Glory Be – a prayer to the Holy Trinity Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service Glory Be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Hail Holy Queen Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.