Witnesses: St. Jacinta Marto, St. Francisco Marto and Ven. Lucia dos Santos

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From May to October 1917, three shepherd children witnessed apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a small holm-oak tree. During these visions, the children received secrets, were instructed to pray the Rosary, and were called to offer penance for the conversion of sinners. In the September apparition, Our Lady said:

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“Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end of the war. In October St. Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus in order to bless the world. God is satisfied with your sacrifices...”

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On September 27, the eldest visionary, Lucia, was interviewed by Dr. Manuel Formigao. In one of her responses, she briefly mentioned St. Joseph:

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Dr. Formigao: On the 13th of October will Our Lady return?

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Lucia: Yes, this time with St. Joseph and the Holy Child, and a little time afterwards the world will have peace.

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Dr. Formigao: Did Our Lady reveal anything more?

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Lucia: She said that on the 13th of October she would perform a miracle so that the people can believe that she appeared.

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On October 13, it is estimated that over 70,000 people gathered at the site of the apparitions. After Our Lady appeared to the three children, thousands of onlookers – including atheists who had come to mock them – witnessed what would become famously known as the Miracle of the Sun. During this extraordinary event, the three shepherd children beheld what the Virgin had promised them in September.

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Venerable Lucia dos Santos recounts in her memoirs the astonishing vision they experienced:

 

“Our Lady having disappeared in the immensity of the firmament, we saw, beside the sun St. Joseph with the Child Jesus, and Our Lady clothed in white with a blue mantle. St. Joseph appeared to bless the world, for he traced the Sign of the Cross with his hand.”

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Over the next few weeks, the children were again interviewed by Dr. Manuel Formigao. Lucia was the first to be interrogated. Related here are the combined responses specifically concerning St. Joseph.

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Dr. Formigao: Did St. Joseph and the Holy Child appear?

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Lucia: Yes, they were at the left of the sun.

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Dr. Formigao: Did they appear on the oak tree?

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Lucia: No, they appeared near the sun, after the Lady had disappeared from the tree.

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Dr. Formigao: And what colour were the robes of St. Joseph and the Holy Child?

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Lucia: St. Joseph's was red, and I think the Child wore red too.

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After the questioning of Lucia, Dr. Formigao went on to interview Jacinta:

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Dr. Formigao: Apart from Our Lady, whom did you see today when you were in the Cova da Iria?

 

Jacinta: I saw St. Joseph and the Holy Child.

 

Dr. Formigao: Where did you see them?

 

Jacinta: I saw them near the sun.

 

Dr. Formigao: How tall was the Child? Did his head come up to St. Joseph's chest?

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Jacinta: He didn’t reach St. Joseph's waist.

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And finally, Francisco was interviewed:

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Dr. Formigao: Did you see St. Joseph and the Holy Child?

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Francisco: Yes.

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Dr. Formigao: Where did you see them?

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Francisco: By the sun on its left side. The Child was on the right side of St. Joseph.

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To learn the whole story of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, please visit www.Fatima.org