May 13, 1917
Our Lady chooses to reveal herself to three children tending sheep in the Cova da Iria. Tenderly, she tells them to not be afraid and yet she asks them to sacrifice for the conversion of the world. They are mere children, the oldest one is ten years old, but they agree to offer up their sufferings and sacrifices for love of Jesus and for the conversion of others.
That may seem abstract to many of us. However, they are quick to concretize this request. Whenever poor children ask for food, the three children give them their lunch. As they tend to the sheep, they see how long they can go without water and offer this thirst to Jesus. Little Jacinta finds out that she will die alone in a hospital in Lisbon and, although she is scared, she chooses to offer this trial up to Our Lady for the sake of others.
We can take as our examples Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, whom the Virgin Mary introduced into the immense ocean of God’s light and taught to adore him. That was the source of their strength in overcoming opposition and suffering. God’s presence became constant in their lives, as is evident from their insistent prayers for sinners and their desire to remain ever near “the hidden Jesus” in the tabernacle.
Canonization Mass Homily of Pope Francis, 5/13/2017
These sacrifices, though small in the course of human history, are monumental. Children are shown to be capable of leading the way to holiness. Their tangible witness is felt in particular in the place one would expect it: Fatima, Portugal.
It has been a tremendous gift of mine that I have been to Fatima three times. The picture above is from the most recent trip. The man in the picture happens to be the nephew of St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto. His father was their older brother, John. Proud of his close relation, he showed us the page in Lucia’s book where she speaks about his father.
Each time I am in Fatima, I experience a great peace that comes from resting in a place that is so dear to my Heavenly Mother. My birthday aligns with the anniversary of her first appearance in Fatima and so I have a filial devotion to this particular feast. As I have read more about the children and how they fervently responded to her words, I have grown an even deeper love for Our Lady of Fatima and her little children.
May 13, 2017
In so many ways, their lives were insignificant. Francisco and Jacinta were two children who fell victim to the influenza epidemic in 1919-1920. Their lives were spent in poor circumstances in a town in Portugal for which few people cared. While generally good children, they were not known to be perfect. Yet on May 13, 2017, they were declared canonized saints in the Catholic Church.
Indeed, God created us to be a source of hope for others, a true and attainable hope, in accordance with each person’s state of life.
Pope Francis 5/13/2017
They wrote no books. They didn’t travel much. They weren’t highly educated. Our Lady even had to instruct ten-year old Lucia that she must learn to read. Such simple, little lives they had and yet Our Lady chose them to be her vessel for an important message. She told them to beg others pray the rosary daily and to offer sacrifices.
Perhaps it is more striking to hear that mere children were zealous to undertake a life of sacrifice. Their lives were short, to be sure, but they made up for the brevity with great passion. Reading their story, I cannot help but question why I do not live with such fervor. Why do I let my heart stay hardened and untouched by such a message? Why am I not living a more penitential life as Our Lady asked?
With Mary’s protection, may we be for our world sentinels of the dawn, contemplating the true face of Jesus the Saviour, resplendent at Easter. Thus may we rediscover the young and beautiful face of the Church, which shines forth when she is missionary, welcoming, free, faithful, poor in means and rich in love.
Pope Francis 5/13/2017
The world needs the simple, youthful witness of St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto. It reminds us that holiness does not have an age restriction. It beautifully demonstrates that small sacrifices can have eternal value. It highlights the Gospel insistence that now is the time for conversion because Our Lord will return soon.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
St. Francisco Marto and St. Jacinta Marto, pray for us.
Patrons of captives, people ridiculed for their piety, prisoners, and the sick
Seeking After His Heart 