Before Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the three shepherd children, Jacinta, Francisco, and Luci
1916 The Apparitions of the Angel at Fatima
The first apparition of the Angel took place on the side of a hill called Lopa do
Cabeço in the spring of 1916. Although the children had previously seen a nebulous
figure of light, this was the first time they could definitely perceive the Angel and hear
him speak. The Angel then knelt, bowing low with his head touching the ground. The
three children, impelled by a supernatural impulse, did the same, and then repeated
after him: "My God, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee. I beg pardon for those
who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love Thee." Having
repeated this prayer three times, the Angel rose and said: "Pray thus. The Hearts of
Jesus and Mary are attentive to your supplications."
Lucia later told Canon Galamba
About this visit of the Angel
time, we were scarcely aware of our own existence, remaining in the same position
and repeating the same prayers. "So intimate and intense was the feeling of the
presence of God, that we did not even attempt to speak to one another. The next day
we could still feel the holy atmosphere. It began to disappear only very slowly. We
said nothing about this apparition... it seemed to impose silence on us. It was of
such an intimate nature that it was not easy to speak of it at all."
The next apparition of the Angel took place in the heat of midsummer, while the
children were playing by a well not far from Lucia's home.
Suddenly they saw the Angel descending towards them and heard him ask: "what are
you doing? Pray! Pray a great deal! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful
designs upon you. Offer prayers and sacrifices continually to the Most High." "How
are we to make sacrifices?" Lucia asked. The Angel replied: "Make everything you
do a sacrifice, and offer it as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended,
and as a petition for the conversion of poor sinners. Bring peace to our country in
this way. I am its Angel Guardian, the Angel of Portugal. Especially accept and bear
with submission the sufferings sent you by Our Lord."
VALUE OF SACRIFICE
light making us understand Who God is, how He loves us and desires to be loved, as
well as the value of sacrifice, how pleasing it is to Him, and how, on account of it, He
grants the grace of conversion to poor sinners."
For this reason, from that moment we began to offer such mortifications as daily
befell us... and to remain for hours with our forehead touching the ground, repeating
the prayer the Angel had taught us." The experience of this apparition overwhelmed
the children, and for days they remained silent and in a spirit of deep reflection.
Jacinta said: "I can't speak, nor play, nor sing; I have no strength for anything." "Nor
do I," replied Francisco, "But what does it matter? The Angel is more important than
anything! Let us think about him."
Is it not an overwhelming thought to consider that the Angel admonished these little
children, who were only nine, eight, and six years old for spending their time playing
when the need for continual prayer and sacrifice was so great?
Is that need any less today than it was then? How many parents coddle and pamper
their children, never teaching these little souls entrusted to them by God the
importance of prayer and sacrifice.
We greatly underestimate the capacity of children for prayer and sacrifice! When
children are taught by example they are generous in their response to the good. Very
often the children's unreserved "offering of self" far surpasses the half-hearted
offering of adults, who are overly imbued with self-love and attachment to material
wealth, prestige, security, and comfortable living.
Remember well how our Lord set a little child before the apostles who were arguing
over who would be most important in the Kingdom, solemnly assuring them, that
unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his
kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward
distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their
parents. Granted It is true that they soon begin to show other unfavorable
dispositions due to concupiscence from original sin but these are marks of
childhood, and render them proper emblems of true Christians. Surely we need to be
daily renewed in the spirit, that we may become simple and humble, as little children,
so that we may enter Gods Kingdom.
We will consider in the next post the last apparition of the Angel where the children
received more light on the their mission of prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of
poor sinners given to them by God. Here their mission was linked by the mediation
of the Angel directly to Eucharistic Reparation. Suggesting that the cause of the loss
of so many souls is directly in proportion to the scorn and contempt our Lord
receives by his own people in this Sacrament of His Love.
Bl. Jacinta and Francesco Marto and Sister Lucia little shepherds of Fatima, and
confidants of Our Lady and the Angels pray for us that we may become worthy of the
promises of Christ.