The secrets and Prophecies of Fátima were reportedly given to the three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto—during the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. Learn more about what they were.
The Secrets
The secrets were revealed to the children during the second apparition. This occurred during the apparitions in 1917.
Reportedly, the Virgin Mary gave the children the first two secrets during the second apparition. However, the secrets were not immediately disclosed to the public. Lucia, the eldest of the three children, was instructed by the Virgin Mary to keep the secrets to herself for the time being. Lucia later revealed them in her memoirs. The timing of the third secret’s revelation is unclear. Though Lucia disclosed the first two secrets in the 1940s, the third remained secret until the Vatican released it in 2000.
1st Secret
The first secret was a vision of Hell shown to the children, urging prayer and repentance for the salvation of souls.
“Um grande mar de fogo onde se encontravam demónios e almas entre gritos e gemidos de dor e desespero” (A great sea of fire where demons and souls met amid screams and groans of pain and despair)
2nd Secret
The second secret was a prediction of the end of World War I and a request for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to prevent further suffering and war.
3rd Secret
Initially kept secret, it was later revealed to be a vision of a bishop in white being killed by soldiers, interpreted as a reference to the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981 and the suffering of Christians in the 20th century.
Controversy Surrounding the Secrets
The controversies surrounding the Fátima secrets stir up debate within both religious and scholarly circles. One point of contention has been the interpretation of the secrets, with differing opinions on their meaning and significance. The request for the consecration of Russia, as outlined in the second secret, has been particularly contentious. Questions were raised about whether it has been adequately fulfilled by the Church.
Additionally, the third secret has been a source of speculation and debate, especially regarding its interpretation and the decision to keep it undisclosed for many years. Critics have challenged the official explanation provided by the Vatican, leading to alternative theories and conjectures.
Moreover, the political context of the Fátima secrets, especially during the Cold War era, has added another layer of complexity, with implications for geopolitics and international relations. These controversies reflect the enduring intrigue and significance of the Fátima secrets, influencing religious belief, interpretation, and historical discourse. What do you think?