On October 13, 1917, in Fatima, Mary kept her promise (II)

In the days following the "Miracle of the Sun" of October 13, 1917, the diocese of Leira (Portugal) collected thousands of written, concordant testimonies. The country’s newspapers, Christian and secular alike, commented on this astonishing event, including the anticlerical press, since many journalists had witnessed the miracle.

Some photos and testimonies came from 25 miles away from the site of the apparitions. The secular daily O Seculo dedicated its front page to the Miracle of the Sun, with a report and photos that were completely in line with what everyone had seen. The miraculous events were soon recognized by the Church.

The Fatima apparitions brought a great sense of hope too, in this time when WWI was still raging. This one was to be the last of 6 monthly apparitions, and by Lucia’s account: "After our Lady had disappeared into the immense distance of the firmament, we beheld Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus and Our Lady robed in white with a blue mantle, beside the sun. Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus seemed to bless the world, for they traced the Sign of the Cross with their hands. When, a little later, this apparition disappeared, I saw Our Lord and Our Lady; it seemed to me to that it was Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lord appeared to bless the world in the same manner as Saint Joseph had done."

The Marie de Nazareth editorial team