May 13th is 95th Anniversary of Apparitions in Fatima

May 13th marks the 95th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, "Our Lady of the Rosary." The first apparition occurred on Sunday May 13, 1917. This event marked the beginning of numerous visitations and the miraculous events that would occur over a 6 month period at Fatima, Portugal. The apparitions of Our Lady were witnessed by three special children: Lucia dos Santos, and her cousins, Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto. They were tending a small flock of sheep when they saw a great light in the sky. It radiated from a lady brighter than the Sun. She was holding a white rosary. She told the children she was "Our Lady of the Rosary." She implored them to pray the Rosary for peace and the end of war. She spoke to Lucia and warned of a threat from Russia. Three visions were given to Lucia. The first concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the second was a vision of hell and the third concerned a "bishop in white" shot by a gunman. A great sign was given before 70,000 people on October 13, 1917. The Sun danced in the sky, radiated different colors and seemed to fall toward the ground. Our Lady of the Rosary asked that a chapel be built on the site in her honor. Nearly 20 million people visit Fatima each year where many miracles occur. Pope Benedict XVI waived the five year waiting period opening the cause for beatification of Lucia dos Santos on February 13, 2008. This week pray the Rosary in Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary and for her message of peace. (Information from an email I received from Lewis and Company)