✨ Sanctuary of Fátima
Portugal
About This Sacred Site
The Sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal is one of the most important Marian shrines in the Catholic world. In 1917, three young shepherd children reported six apparitions of the Virgin Mary, who shared three secrets and called for prayer and penance. The final apparition on October 13, 1917, was witnessed by an estimated 70,000 people who reported seeing the sun dance in the sky (the 'Miracle of the Sun'). The sanctuary draws millions annually, especially on the 13th of each month from May to October.
Key Facts
- •The 'Miracle of the Sun' on October 13, 1917, was witnessed by ~70,000 people
- •Two of the three shepherd children were canonized as saints in 2017
- •The Three Secrets of Fátima were revealed over several decades
- •Pope John Paul II credited Our Lady of Fátima with saving his life during the 1981 assassination attempt
- •The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary can hold 9,000 people
Location
Coordinates: 39.6318, -8.6726
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