Discover the maple wood sculpture of the shepherdess Saint Jacinta of Fatima, witness to the Marian apparitions in the Cova de Iria, near Fatima, 70 km from Lisbon. Between May and October, the Virgin Mary appeared six times to Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta, young shepherds devoted to praying the rosary. During these apparitions, Mary asked for daily prayer for the conversion of sinners and a special devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
The climax of the apparitions occurred in October, when Mary revealed herself as ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ and the sun miracle was witnessed by 70,000 people. After a thorough investigation, the bishop of Leiria officially recognised the apparitions. Among the visionaries, only Sister Lucia lived long enough to become a Carmelite nun.
First a chapel was built on the site of the apparitions, then a basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, enriched by a shrine for the faithful and a pavilion for the sick. This sacred place continues to be a beacon of faith and devotion.
The climax of the apparitions occurred in October, when Mary revealed herself as ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ and the sun miracle was witnessed by 70,000 people. After a thorough investigation, the bishop of Leiria officially recognised the apparitions. Among the visionaries, only Sister Lucia lived long enough to become a Carmelite nun.
First a chapel was built on the site of the apparitions, then a basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, enriched by a shrine for the faithful and a pavilion for the sick. This sacred place continues to be a beacon of faith and devotion.
