Today, February 20, the Church commemorates Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the three little shepherds who witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima in 1917. These siblings, along with their cousin Lucia dos Santos, received messages from Our Lady that have resonated deeply in Catholic spirituality.

The Message of Fatima

The apparitions of Fatima began on May 13, 1917, when the Virgin Mary manifested herself to the three children at Cova da Iria, Portugal. During these apparitions, Our Lady conveyed a message focused on conversion, penance, and prayer. One of the highlights was the vision of hell that she showed to the little shepherds, emphasizing the need to pray for the salvation of souls and peace in the world. In addition, Our Lady asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart and the practice of the devotion of the first Saturdays in reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart.

The Life of Jacinta and Francisco Marto

Francisco and Jacinta Marto, born in Aljustrel, Portugal, were children of profound faith and simplicity. After the apparitions, both dedicated themselves fervently to living the message of Our Lady. Francisco sought to console Jesus, spending long hours in prayer, while Jacinta, with a compassionate heart, offered sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Both suffered from the Spanish flu pandemic; Francisco died on April 4, 1919, and Jacinta on February 20, 1920. They were beatified on May 13, 2000 by Pope John Paul II and canonized on May 13, 2017 by Pope Francis.

Applying the Message of Fatima in Our Lives

The message of Fatima remains relevant and offers practical guidelines for our spiritual life:

1. Daily Prayer: Our Lady emphasized the importance of praying the Rosary daily. Sister Lucia dos Santos, the third visionary, stressed that the Rosary is a powerful tool to strengthen faith, combat evil, and obtain peace in the world.

2. Penance and Sacrifice: Offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sins committed against God and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This can manifest itself in small daily renunciations or in patient acceptance of difficulties.

3. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Practice the First Saturday devotion, which consists of confessing, receiving Communion, praying the Rosary, and meditating for fifteen minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary, all with the intention of making reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart.

4. Personal Consecration: Consecrate our lives to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, trusting in her intercession and protection, and striving to imitate her virtues.

5. Spread the Message: Share the message of Fatima with others, educating them about its meaning and relevance, and encouraging the practice of the associated devotions.

By incorporating these elements into our daily lives, we follow the example of Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, responding to the Virgin Mary’s call to live a life of faith, prayer, and conversion.