b'In the second apparition, Our Lady again asked The October apparition was preceded by muchthat the children pray the Rosary every day, and she criticism and opposition from the secular press andtold Lucia to learn to read. Lucia asked if the Blessed the anti-Catholic government. The most painfulMother would take them to heaven. She answered: opposition came from Lucias own family: What ifYes, I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you the miracle didnt happen?are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make On October 13, Our Lady did appear. Her messageuse of you to make me known and loved. He wants to was essentially this: Achapel is to be built here in myestablishintheworlddevotiontomyImmaculateHeart. honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue alwaysIn the third apparition, July 13, about 4,000 people to pray the Rosary every day.attended. Our Lady again insisted on the daily Rosary As the Blessed Mother took leave, the clouds dissi-to obtain world peace. Lucia asked the Blessed Mother, pated and the sun appeared to dance and was visiblebecause of the skepticism of her family and the ridicule as a ball of fire. The miracle of the sun was witnessedshe was receiving, if the Virgin Mary would tell them by about 55,000 people gathered in the Cova da Iria Above:Our Lady of Fatima,who she was and to work a miracle so that everyone and another 20,000 as far as 25 miles away. Many print reproduction of statue ofwould believe the childrens reports about the appari- believed, some converted, and some reinforced their Mary from AssociazioneMadonna di Fatima in Padova,tions. Our Lady told them that in October, she would stance of disbelief. Italy.Courtesy of the Marianreveal her identity and would perform a miracle. Francisco and Jacinta died not long after the appari- Library, University of Dayton.In this apparition, the children also were shown a tionsofMary:FranciscoonApril4,1919,andJacintaonTop:Crowd at Fatima, circaterrifying vision of hell. Why? So that the children and February 20, 1920. Lucia lived to be 97, dying in 2005. 1958,Marian Library Photo-everyone would take the concept of hell seriously as Saint Pope John Paul II, who had a great devotion graph Collection, circa 1958.motivation for prayer, sacrifice, and conversion. to the Rosary, was shot in Vatican Square on May 13, Courtesy of the Marian Library,In the fourth apparition, Our Lady did not speak. 1981the 67th anniversary of the first apparition of University of Dayton.Rather, the children saw a series of symbolic images ourBlessedMother.Hisrecoverywasbeyondthehopesof events in World War I and of the future Cold War, of his doctors, but he attributed his recovery to Ourwhich were meant as an invitation to penance for Lady of Fatima. The Pope forgave his attemptedpeace and to prevent wars in the future. assassin, and on May 13, 1982, he traveled to FatimaAbout 25,000 people were present for the fifth to give thanks. \x01apparition in which she asked them to continuepraying the Rosary for peace. The stage was set Father Quentin Hakenewerth, SM, lives at the Marianistfor October and the promised miracle. Residence in San Antonio.marianist.com/donate5'