Third Secret

 

The three shepherds of Fatima - Lucia do Santos, her cousin Francisco Marto and his sister Jacinta - were born and raised in the small village of Aljustrel in central Portugal.

In the spring and summer of 1917 the children, aged 9, 8 and 6 years respectively witnessed three visions, close to their home. The first vision, claimed to have place on 13th May 1917 was of a lady who said she would tell inform them later of her identity.

The children, led by Lucia, an enthusiastic storyteller held in high regard by her cousins, agreed agreed to follow the 'lady's' wishes and follow God. The children were then informed she would visit, each month on the 13th day for the next six months.

The children and their families were ridiculed up until the sixth and final vision. Lucia in particular suffered beatings and berating from those closest to her including her mother for the supposed talks with an angelic being.

Even one month after the first vision, 13th June 1917, St Anthony's day, the patron saint of Portugal few still believed the children's claims. Despite this the children, their family and 50 others gathered at the Cova da Iria (Irene's Caves) to wait the celestial messenger.

In the second vision the heavenly apparition spoke to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Her message was met with foreboding and worry. Francisco and Jacinta were to be taken away and it was Lucia who would be left to spread the word of Jesus.

The children suffered further condemnation by the time of the third apparition in August. The mayor of Ourem, wishing to put an end to the speculation of the children's claims took them into custody on 13th, questioned them all and threats were made if they did not recant their claims. None of the children would do so.

A few days later after being released the children were once again tending their family's flock and were drawn back to the Cova da Iria, when once more the vision appeared. This time she promised to provide a miracle to prove the children's claims. Though she promised it would occur on their October meet, not their next.

By the time September and the fifth apparition over 25,000 people had flocked to the small town. Pressure on the children was at it's height with politicians, newspapers and others baying for blood with death threats issued if the children did not tell the truth they'd lied. However none would do so.

Even Lucia's mother on the eve of the sixth apparition asked for her to visit confession as they would die if the miracle did not occur. Lucia stood fast and the younger children concurred.

Unbelievably over 70,000 people crowded around the small grotto where the children waited for the apparition to appear. At midday Lucia motioned for the crowd to be quiet for the coming of the apparition. Then according to witnesses the sun 'began to dance'. Once journalist who said the sun became a dull silver disc, back lit, thought it was an eclipse but was drowned out with cries of a miracle.

Francisco Marto died on 10th April 1919 of influenza aged only 10 years and his sister Jacinta passed away the following year on 20th February, also of pulmonary and respiratory problems.

 

Matthew 18: 2-3

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.