It was a rainy October morning in 1917 when tens of thousands of people gathered in the Cova da Iria fields near Fatima, Portugal. News had spread far and wide about the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. On this day, the Blessed Virgin Mary had promised the children a miracle so that all would believe.
Despite the downpour, the crowd, numbering over 70,000, stood soaked in the muddy fields, hoping for a sign. The sun, hidden by thick clouds, seemed indifferent to the anticipation that gripped the multitude. Some were skeptics, others were devout, but all waited in awe and expectation.
At noon, Lucia called out to the people, telling them to look to the sky. Suddenly, the rain stopped, and the clouds parted, revealing the sun. To the astonishment of the crowd, the sun began to whirl in the sky, spinning like a giant disc of fire. It cast vibrant colors across the landscape—yellow, blue, red—drenching the onlookers in a kaleidoscope of light. The sun danced and zigzagged across the sky, seemingly defying the laws of nature.
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Fear gripped many, as they believed the world was ending. Some fell to their knees in prayer, confessing their sins and crying for mercy. Others stared in disbelief. The phenomenon continued for about ten minutes, before the sun returned to its normal place in the sky. As if by another miracle, the once-drenched ground and the people’s soaked clothes were now completely dry.
The “Miracle of the Sun” at Fatima left an indelible mark on all present, believers and skeptics alike. For the faithful, it was a confirmation of the Virgin Mary’s message: a call for prayer, penance, and conversion.