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After the five previous apparitions, word had spread about Our Lady of Fatima and thousands flocked to join the three seers to witness the promised miracle.
This large crowd joined together outside on a rainy day in Portugal.
At the appointed time, the three children saw a bright light followed by Our Lady.
After reaffirming Her message, She opened Her hands and light came forth from them.
Soon after Lucia cried out, “Look at the sun!”
Three scenes then took place which symbolized the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of the Rosary.
First, the Holy Family appeared beside the sun.
Both St. Joseph and the Child Jesus made the Sign of the Cross three times and blessed the crowd.
Then, appeared Our Lady of Sorrows and the Lord Jesus who was overwhelmed with sorrow on His way to Calvary.
Finally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared as Queen of Heaven and Earth holding the Child Jesus close to Her heart.
During these three scenes, 70,000 spectators across 25 miles witnessed the incredible miracle of the sun!
The clouds parted and revealed the sun as a massive silver disc which was far brighter than normal but not blinding.
The sun then moved across the sky in inexplicable patterns that have been described as “dancing”.
The sun spun rapidly like a gigantic circle of fire.
Its rim became scarlet; whirling, it scattered red flames across the sky.
Their light was reflected on the ground, on the trees, on the bushes, and on the faces and clothing of the people, which took on brilliant hues and changing colors.
After performing this bizarre pattern three times, the globe of fire seemed to tremble, shake, and then plunge in a zigzag toward the terrified crowd!
Finally, the sun zigzagged back to its original place and once again became still and brilliant, shining with its normal brightness.
All this lasted about 10 minutes and despite it having poured rain all day which had soaked the ground and clothes of the people, everything was suddenly dry!
This astonishing miracle is evidence for us of God’s presence and power.
Miracles do still happen!
And because of this many nonbelievers were converted.
But it also causes us to wonder, “Why doesn’t the Lord perform marvelous miracles like this more often?”
God has revealed all that we need to know and believe in Him.
He calls each of us to faith and has supplied more than rational enough evidence to support our belief in Him.
Moreover, He also blesses us with daily signs, guides us through prayer, Scripture, and the Church, and has given us the Sacraments.
This is all far more than enough!
Nevertheless, at certain times God wants to restate a message that we need to hear loud and clear in order to call us to repentance and bolster our faith.
This is why we were blessed with the miracle of the sun, to help us to have faith in the promises and the message of Our Lady of Fatima.
All of this happened so that we might take Our Lady’s warning seriously, repent, do penance, pray the Rosary, and take refuge in her Immaculate Heart!
For as radiant and splendid as the sun appeared, even more wondrous is Her love for us.
Therefore, may we answer this incredible call today with renewed faith and devotion to Our Blessed Mother and her Immaculate Heart!
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
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