Marking Sacred Days
Throughout the liturgical year, the Church celebrates special feast days connected to Our Lady of Fatima and the message she brought. These days offer unique opportunities to deepen our devotion and renew our commitment to living the Fatima message.
May 13 - Our Lady of Fatima
The most important Fatima feast day, commemorating the first apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd children in 1917. This is the official liturgical feast of Our Lady of Fatima in the Roman Catholic Church.
How to Celebrate:
- •Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion
- •Pray the Rosary, especially with family or community
- •Renew your consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- •Make a special sacrifice or act of penance for sinners
- •Read about the Fatima apparitions and share the message with others
October 13 - Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun
The final apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, when she performed the promised miracle witnessed by 70,000 people. The sun appeared to dance in the sky and plunge toward earth, drying the rain-soaked ground instantly and confirming the authenticity of the apparitions.
How to Celebrate:
- •Pray all 15 decades of the Rosary (or all 20 mysteries)
- •Attend Mass and offer it for world peace
- •Reflect on the miracle and share the story with skeptics
- •Wear or display the Brown Scapular
- •Make a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine if possible
The 13th of Each Month
Our Lady appeared on the 13th day of six consecutive months (May through October 1917). Many Fatima devotees observe the 13th of every month with special prayers and devotions, especially attending Mass if possible.
Monthly Observance Ideas:
- •Attend daily Mass if your schedule permits
- •Pray the Rosary with intention for a specific need
- •Fast or abstain from meat in honor of Our Lady
- •Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration
- •Perform an act of charity or mercy
Our Lady's Special Request
On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia in Pontevedra, Spain, and made a specific request for a devotion of reparation to her Immaculate Heart. This devotion is to be practiced on the first Saturday of five consecutive months.
"I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."
The Four Requirements:
1Confession
Go to Confession on the First Saturday or within 8 days before or after (with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary).
2Holy Communion
Receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday in a state of grace, with the intention of making reparation.
3Pray Five Decades of the Rosary
Pray at least five decades of the Rosary with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart.
4Meditate for 15 Minutes
Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on one or more mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation.
The Five Blasphemies
Our Lady explained that this devotion makes reparation for five types of offenses against her Immaculate Heart:
- 1.Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception
- 2.Blasphemies against her Perpetual Virginity
- 3.Blasphemies against her Divine Maternity and refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind
- 4.Instilling indifference, contempt, or even hatred toward Mary in the hearts of children
- 5.Insults directed at her sacred images
February 20 - Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto
The joint feast day of the two youngest Fatima visionaries, Blessed Francisco and Blessed Jacinta Marto. This date commemorates the death of Jacinta on February 20, 1920.
Ways to Honor Them:
- •Read about their lives and share their stories with children
- •Make small sacrifices throughout the day for sinners
- •Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration (as Francisco loved to do)
- •Pray for sick children and offer your suffering for them (as Jacinta did)
- •Ask for their intercession for the conversion of sinners
February 13 - Death of Sister Lucia (Memorial)
Sister Lucia dos Santos died on February 13, 2005. While not yet beatified, many Fatima devotees remember her on this day and pray for the advancement of her cause for sainthood. She is currently titled "Servant of God."
Ways to Remember Her:
- •Read her memoirs of the Fatima apparitions
- •Pray the Rosary for her beatification
- •Commit to spreading the Fatima message as she did
- •Practice the First Saturday devotion she promoted
These major Marian feast days complement the Fatima message and offer additional opportunities to honor Our Lady:
December 8 - Immaculate Conception (Solemnity)
The patronal feast of the United States and a holy day of obligation. Celebrates Mary's conception without original sin—the foundation of devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
August 22 - Queenship of Mary (Memorial)
Celebrates Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. At Fatima, she identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary," emphasizing her role as Queen and her desire to reign in our hearts.
August 15 - Assumption of Mary (Solemnity)
Holy day of obligation celebrating Mary's assumption body and soul into Heaven—a reminder of the heavenly glory that awaits those who follow her Son.
September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial)
Honors Mary's suffering at the foot of the Cross. The Fatima message calls us to console her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart through prayer and sacrifice.
October 7 - Our Lady of the Rosary (Memorial)
Commemorates the victory at the Battle of Lepanto through the Rosary. At Fatima, Our Lady revealed herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary," emphasizing the Rosary's power for peace.
July 16 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)
Associated with the Brown Scapular devotion. At Fatima, Our Lady appeared holding the Brown Scapular, showing its importance for salvation.
Integrate these special days into your spiritual life throughout the year:
Monthly Observances:
- •First Saturday: Complete the Five First Saturdays devotion
- •The 13th: Special prayers and devotions in honor of Our Lady of Fatima
- •First Friday: Devotion to the Sacred Heart (companion to Immaculate Heart devotion)
Annual Highlights:
- •February 13 - Remember Sister Lucia
- •February 20 - Feast of Blessed Francisco and Jacinta
- •May 13 - Our Lady of Fatima (Principal Feast)
- •June 13 - Second Apparition Anniversary
- •July 13 - Third Apparition Anniversary (Secret Revealed)
- •August 15 - Assumption of Mary
- •August 19 - Fourth Apparition Anniversary
- •September 13 - Fifth Apparition Anniversary
- •October 7 - Our Lady of the Rosary
- •October 13 - Miracle of the Sun Anniversary
- •December 8 - Immaculate Conception