A Message with Trials and Suffering

By John C. Preiss

In 1917, three young shepherd children from the small village of Fátima in Portugal became central figures in a series of events that would capture the attention of the world and deeply impact their lives. Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, reported experiencing apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which would later be known as the Marian apparitions of Fátima. While these events brought them spiritual significance, they also subjected the children to trials and suffering that tested their faith and the faith of their village.

The apparitions began on May 13, 1917, when the children were tending to their family's sheep in the Cova da Iria fields. According to their accounts, the Virgin Mary appeared to them, delivering messages of prayer, repentance, and the importance of devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These apparitions continued monthly until October of the same year, culminating in what is known as the Miracle of the Sun, witnessed by thousands.

However, the children's experiences were not without hardship. Initially, their claims were met with skepticism and disbelief, both from their families and the local community. The children faced ridicule and were accused of fabricating stories. The local authorities, particularly the secular government, were hostile, viewing the events as a challenge to their anti-religious stance. The children were even detained and interrogated by officials in an attempt to force them to recant their stories. Many of us today are faced with such challenges. This is when, like the three shepherds, we turn to Our Lord and Our Lady.

The pressure and stress of these events took a toll on the young visionaries. Francisco and Jacinta, in particular, suffered greatly. Francisco, a gentle and contemplative boy, was deeply affected by the disbelief and hostility they encountered. Jacinta, the youngest, was known for her intense piety and compassion, and she reportedly offered up her sufferings for the conversion of sinners, as instructed by the Virgin Mary. With this said, we can learn so much from these young children in how to give everything in our lives to God.

Francisco and Jacinta succumbed to the influenza pandemic that swept through Europe in 1918. Francisco died in 1919 at the age of 10, and Jacinta followed at the age of 9. Their short lives, marked by devotion and suffering, left a lasting mark on the faith of millions. They were canonized as saints in 2017, recognized for their faith and the impact of their experiences in the devotion to our Lady.

Lúcia dos Santos, the eldest, lived a long life as a Carmelite nun, dedicating herself to spreading the messages of Fátima. The trials faced by the children of Fatima highlight the profound challenges and sacrifices they endured, leaving an indelible mark on religious history and inspiring countless believers worldwide.

Such sufferings are needed because when it comes to the salvation of souls, all great works of God are done with the participation of men. In general, this is only accomplished with people willing to fight, suffer and pray for God’s work to be brought to its fruition.