October 13th is the anniversary of the "Miracle of the Sun," the 1917 final of seven appearances of Mary to three children--Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco--at Fatima, Portugal. This year's anniversary is a key point in marking the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima that began in May 1917.
Early in the apparitions the Virgin had promised a miraculous sign during her last appearance on October 13th. After the final message was given, Lucia shouted, "Look at the sun!" The immense crowd of seventy thousand looked up to see the rain clouds rolled back, revealing the sun. But it was now like a disk of white light that all could look at without blinking, and began to sway or "dance" in the sky. It then stopped and began to spin. As it whirled, bright rays of every color shot off form it and washed the earth in a kaleidoscope of color. Then the crowds saw the sun plunge in a zigzag manner toward the earth. People fell to their knees by the hundreds. Just as it seemed about to strike the earth, it stopped and was suddenly returned to its proper place and normal brightness. The people were astonished to see that all clothing, and the ground beneath, previously soaked with rain, was now completely dry. The Virgin's promise and been fulfilled in the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.
Check out the following links with information to share with your students, particularly during this week of commemoration:
Short Story on the Fatima Apparitions
Essential Information on the Fatima Apparitions
Short Film Clip on the Miracle of the Sun
St. John Paul II: The Third Part of the Fatima Secret
Assignments
- Locate and report on current news stories that report on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima and the approach of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions.
- Write a detailed report on the messages of Fatima.
- Write a prayer through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.
