On this date in history, May 13, 1917, three shepherd children from Fatima, Portugal have their first vision of Mother Mary, beginning the Miracle of Fatima.
On this date in history, May 13, 1917, three shepherd children from Fatima, Portugal have their first vision of Mother Mary, beginning the Miracle of Fatima.…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Edward
Only the children saw the Lady hovering above and standing on top of the tree. People in the vicinity saw the tree moving and some haze around it. The Lady was flying like a bird but had no wings. She did not look at all like the religious pictures of the Holy Virgin Mary, but rather as a pagan Goddess like Freya, wearing the remarkable golden necklace. Her very short skirt also points in a "pagan" direction.
On the contrary, the children did not see the sun miracle in the same way as the public reported. There was an estimated number of 70.000 persons present but at least some thousand confirmed to have seen the miracle. The description is mainly due to reports from educated people like journalists and scientists. The Catholic church also investigated the matter in a quite professional way (these reports can be found on the Internet).
We are dealing here with exceptional perceptions, not strictly material phenomena. Apart from this there is the content of the prophecies: even the best informed of that time could not have predicted these events.
At that time the illiteracy in Portugal was very high. In rural areas almost 100 %. Moreover, there was great political instability: the main players were either freemasons or clericals. Thus, the apparition was not suitable for the political ambitions of either side.
Two predictions were - in retrospect - indeed correct but publicly misinterpretated to suit the Catholic Church of Rome and to meet political pressure from the Western allies. For the prophecies concern the history of 20th century Russia. The so-called third secret is the most revealing and was also the most guarded: it became true exactly one year later (and confirms the Orthodox Catholic version of the massacre). The Lady then also said that the war was over, which was practically true for Russia, but not for the West (July 1917).
Anyway, it seems that the demands of the Lady were finally met in 2000 (Consecration of Russia during Pres. Putin's inauguration), sothat the "world will be saved". Although, as yet, it is hardly conceivable how.
27 - Bruno
If there is always the possibility that what we see is a delusion, I do not know how a critic would ever be convinced of a miracle even if one were to occur. (Don't most events happen before our eyes? Is this tuna sandwich before me really real?) That the Catholic Church regognized this one says a lot becasue they generally shy away from this stuff (it is not necessary for Catholics to put faith in it). The accounts I read taken at Fatima are all pretty amazing, and in answer to an earlier commnet, I do believe the miracle was seen from far away as well. I would like to NOT believe in Fatima, but it's just kind of mindboggling.
28 - Edward
On ontology: it has been an "extremist" standpoint in philosophy that reality does not exist without the observer. This view leads to unsurmountable difficulties if more, independent, observers are involved. However, I experienced non-material visions myself. A striking example:
Together with my son I was walking in the dunes when a pretty lady, wearing a short brown cape, and accompanied by a dog, passed us. Being divorced, I at once decided to follow her at close distance... After a steep climb along a path in the sand she reached the top of a dune and disappeared from sight. When we reached the top she was nowhere to see. There was no place to hide. My son suggested let's follow her trace...
I looked to the sand and felt frozen. My son was also amazed and said: "must have been a dune-nymph". All along the path, neither she, nor her dog, had left any traces in the sand, while ours were plainly visible. Beyond the top of the dune the sand was undisturbed everywhere.
As a stubborn scientist, I nevertheless searched the area, but in vain. On our way back, we met an older couple that also confirmed to have seen her when we first spotted her and their description of the lady was quite the same.
Needless to say, I have no explanation. But she appeared to be pretty real.
29 - Mary
I am the Fatima Prophecy writing to you now. I was born speaking at birth. I answered that my name is Mary. While still in diapers, I told my mother that God had sent me back on a mission. I am the only one who has miraculous photos of my own collection as well as giving many out to others to prove this. I am the one born on the 13th as was foretold. I prayed for the Drew St. Miracle and the face in the sandwich that sold on Ebay is my own and I grilled the sandwich and was crying and where the tears fell, my face appeated.
I was brutally attacked by Satanists and nearly killed for my faith. I barely survived. I kept praying in secret for miracles and I wrote the poem Footprints which Mary Stevenson stole from me. I had prayed to God that someone find it on Broadway Ave. in Dunedin, Florida for the glory of God. I have prayed for many photos to prove what I said about everything. A Tampa Baptist Preacher recalls me coming to him and telling him,
I am Mary and God sent me back. I asked to come back. Jesus had suffered enough. Many thought I came back for revenge. I never said that but my heart does ache for justice yes. I am now 48 years old. I made many people rich with my songs, artwork, business savvy, and even was seen talking to UFOs in the rapture of the seventies.
No, believers, it is not hallucinations and you know the prophecy that a cult tried to portray on the movie, The Fatima Prophecy. I am not the cause of chaos and I asked the Video Rental to stop renting the video or I would ask God to curse them. I have prayed for many amazing things right before people and I am not trying to be someone I am not. I am a strong believer of God
still even after all that has happened to me.
I ask you to refrain from selling miracles that we are to show the world that God exists. Please, God does not sell them to you.
30 - Aaman
Can I sell this comment on eBay?
31 - Silas Kain
Fatima is one of dozens of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin. Along with Michael J. West, I am a former Roman Catholic, now Unitarian Universalist. Whatever happened in Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe and in that remote monastery in Poland belongs to those who were there. The experience they shared was very real. How it manifested itself isn't as important to me as the ultimate message of peace, healing and reconciliation.
32 - Nancy
What monastery in Poland is this? Haven't heard of that one yet.
33 - EZ
Maybe miracles like these are Faith Vitamins for whoever needs them at the time, mostly poor folk. Why doesn't Mary appear in the middle of New York, DC, or Hollywood with film crews at hand? Maybe the occurence of miracles (and UFOs?) are just perks for the poor and the remote; the wealthy are too busy and just aren't paying attention.
34 - Nancy
That's a thought: it does say in the NT that a camel passes thru the eye of a needle more easily than a rich person gets to heaven.
I sure wouldn't mind some sort of religious apparition appearing to the powerful, wealthy, & arrogant & scaring the bejesus out of them all with visions of hellfire & damnation, tho.
35 - Edward
Silas Kain is quite right in his comment.
Moreover, the apparitions of the Lady are not as rare as usually supposed and also not restricted to Catholics: I know of a great number of cases that have not become public because the people involved insisted on secrecy. They are usually convinced the Lady appeared to them for a very specific, personal, reason.
Seeking publicity may be a bad sign, for why should a Divinity - anything metaphysical if you wish - need unreliable human beings to propagate an important message to mankind ?
Why chosen three illiterate and powerless children in Fatima to convey such geopolitical issues ? Probably it was the best option and foreseen to be effective. Who else could have been trusted - certainly not the various authorities, politicians and clerics ! Not to mention the millions set on and murdering each other on the battlefields of the worldwar, incited by carefully programmed hatred in order to make big profits from the destruction of three imperial countries. And hatred kept propagating itself over the entire world. Who was not affected; still is ?
Mankind as a whole is undoubtedly the most evil of all species on earth and we should be glad that at least this Lady is anxious about our fate, for free.
36 - Edward
Dear EZ, it was Karl Marx who said "religion is opium of the poor" (not: for the poor). Namely, religion as an institution. The apparitions do not belong to this class, are actually not at all appreciated by the religious institutions.
New York, Washington or Hollywood may appear to be the most important places for you. But be honest, would it make any difference ? Should the Lady humiliate herself, begging for recognition by the U.S. authorities or the U.N. ?
People might even think it's a cheap American propaganda trick.
37 - Al Barger
MARY! [re: comment 29] Welcome to Blogcritics. Me casa es su casa.
Glad you could drop by. Being the mother of our Lord and Savior has to be a full time job, so I appreciate you taking time out to visit.
Come back anytime- and bring the Boy with you.
38 - EZ
Edward-
Why would appearing in a more populated, documentable place be humiliating? The faithful, presumably are everywhere. Humiliation is a human aspect.
39 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
A long time ago, a fellow named Benedict Spinoza penned a book about miracles - pointing out that G-d brings his message to those in a way that they will understand.
What's the problem here? I read from at least three former Catholics here. One of whom rejects the Fatima event out of hand - and the other two who accept it.
The visions were brought to a young peasant girl in a fashion that she would understand. The "miracle of the sun" was witnessed by 70,000 people. It wasn't a hat trick, nor a message for conversion - the vast majority of Portuguese are Catholic.
The point of the miracle of the sun was to emphasize to doubting souls that "yes, there IS a G-d." The purpose of the Torah Code is precisely the same thing. "Yes, there is a G-d. See and behold! This is his watermark!"
As to the messages and the prophecies, I cannot speak - I do not know.
For Dek, Alienboy and the like-minded.
If something doesn't purport with your version of reality, maybe your version of reality is distorted. Dismissing the Fatima event is refusing to admit reality because it doesn't purport with your version.
40 - Silas Kain
What monastery in Poland is this? Haven't heard of that one yet.
This is the story of Our Lady of Czestochowa or Our Lady of Jasna Gora. Most people will recognize her icon as "The Black Madonna". I won't get into the entire legend; but, I have provided a hyperlink to a great site that explains who She is.
Now, where do I fall on this one? I have to say that I strongly believe that the image of the Black Madonna had a profound impact on the Poles in Jasna Gora. The Polish people were people of strong faith. Like the Jews, their country has been robbed, pillaged, removed from maps, etc. My family were victims of the cruelties imposed by Russians and Germans. Our Lady of Czestochowa has been a very important part of the life of native Poles for centuries. The fact that her image serves as a source of strength for millions proves that miracles can happen. Metaphysical or not, She has been the glue that has held Poland together and for that I will always be grateful.
Again, can't you see that the strength and resolve provided by the numerous incarnations of the Blessed Virgin are, in and of themselves, a miracle?
41 - EZ
Personally, i wasn't dismissing it, just questioning it.
My "version of reality" is so undistorted, that i don't need miracles or proof to make me believe in God, i just do. Systems are for suckers...
42 - Christopher Rose
RUVY: "If something doesn't purport with your version of reality, maybe your version of reality is distorted. Dismissing the Fatima event is refusing to admit reality because it doesn't purport with your version."
Maybe, but not so. Reality is what it is, not what we want it to be. Any other approach is wrongheaded at best and deranged at worst.
If there is a god, and personally I hope there is or, preferably are; the more the merrier! My point is, HELLO? Where are you, god-dude? Your pets need feeding and cleaning. Get on down here! NOW!!
See, nothing.
Furthermore, if human knowledge and understanding are growing all the time (they are, 90% of everything we know is less than 100 years old), what's the big deal about some "how to" manuals written x, y, or z years ago?
43 - Edward
(on comment 38 by EZ)
Giving a "performance" in such densely populated cities would be nothing more than a publicity stunt and unveil an all too human nature. Thus,it would be humiliating for a Divinity of supposed supranatural powers to campaign for human support.
I do not need miracles either, but it may be helpful for some of the great majority to start thinking for themselves about more important issues than money making and sex exploitation.
44 - Silas Kain
I guess the megachurches are not putting Jesus first. CNN reports that pastors of several of these churches are cutting back the number of services on Christmas Day because it falls on a Sunday and Christmas is a "family day". Gee, where better for a religious family to go but to church? Among the churches curtailing access to worship or having no worship at all include:
- Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois
- Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky, near Lexington
- Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas, outside Dallas
- North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia
So much for keeping Christ in Christmas. So when these evangelicals start screaming for money or chastising politicians for their lack of Christianity, remember that they closed the churches. And don't give me that crap about it's the financially prudent thing to do. These money changers have sucked plenty of cash out of believers.45 - The Countess (Trish Wilson)
I don't believe in the apparitions myself, since the children described a white European woman as Mary (as someone else here already said), but I know something interesting that no one here has posted about yet.
I'm writing a novel, and some of my research is about the 1918 flu. Francisco and Jacinta died from influenza. I think part of the prophesy included their deaths, but I still thought it was interesting that two of the children had died during the influenza pandemic.
46 - Silas Kain
Many children related to apparitions of Mary died young, in 'glorious' circumstances. I've stopped questioning the apparitions and look beyond to see what good has come of them. If they are a source of comfort to those faithful who need it, nobody gets hurt. Unless, of course, the followers start imposing their beliefs upon others.
47 - Mary reborn literally
TO #37, The 666 man on Oprah Winfrey came to me as a teenager and said to me,"I am your son but you will deny me." There are many horrible things going on. I am suffering in the end times with you all. Yes, my own sister saw me fly across the room in her opinion once. I did it, she fell to the floor trying to do what I had done. Yes, people have been right in my presence to see things with their very own eyes, even professionals. I have prayed for the Drew Street miracle. I once lived in the Tampa Bay area folks.
The church did not pray for that. It was my answered prayer. I have a witness named Deanne Shere who attended kindergarten with me who heard me say that in my mid thirties, God would show the world signs and wonders. I was exactly 35 years old when I prayed for the Drew Street sign.
To make this more real for you,a Tampa Baptist preacher heard me at 3 years old, tell him I was Mary sent back. He said I could prove it by the color blue and I did that and more. I do not appreciate rude remarks and DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO either.
48 - Mary reborn literally
I suppose some of you are spoiled by me. I have given out many songs that made many rich. I gave away artwork all around the world. I have helped the poor, the needy, and even asked God for this emailing miracle of which Al Gore came to my house for and I GAVE it to the government. I have arts and science honors. I am not out of my mind.
Further more;it was already proven that I am the Fatima Prophecy long ago and held in secret. I prayed for the miraculous photos and I even have my own. The reason being so you could see them come to you and could not explain them so you can't say I am faking it. I am not a fake. I now have three living children as I promised my new birth mother that I would give her a life as her daughter but I told her that my birth was no accident and God would prove it later in my adult life. People, it is not what you believe, it is what it is. There is a God and the prophecy has been fulfilled.
49 - Mary reborn literally
I speak to God and I proved it. God is not a joke.
I am amazing. That is why they sing songs about me on the radio. "Her colors are blue and gray,
everyone laughs at her, doesn't anyone know how to pray?" Listen, not everyone laughs and all the ones exploiting me, you had better watch out. God will get you. The truth lies within my birth about the prophecy. I am the one who called down the fire from Heaven when angry too. I am the one who was tortured in this lifetime for my faith.
I have passed a lie detector test as well as tests the churches asked of me. I am trying to live a normal life, DO YOU MIND?
50 - EZ
MRL has changed my mind completely on this whole issue. Where do i sign up?
51 - Mary reborn literally
God sent apparitions? What do you think about a baby being born and proves herself over and over?
And furthermore; I know the sinful world is trying to stay one step ahead of me. They lie, play games, and gather together. They think in numbers they are safe. Well folks, you are not.
God can get you. All of you. At one time. God is still with me. I still get prayers answered and being me is not fun or easy either. I am in a show me world. You want to read poetry by me?
Go to poets.com it is a workshop for poets. Every time I try to do something, someone messes with me. I am sick of this world. Hear me? Sick of it.
And I almost left with five UFOS in the 70's because I did not want to stay here with the lots of you.
52 - Mary reborn literally
So cast your lots folks. For I am one of you now.
NO matter what. It does not explain why I am able to ask for miracles and healings and also prove that I am a seer. While you figure out why God used a southern girl to come back and show the world a thing or two, I will continue where God wants me to go and what he wants me to do. It does not change my birth one iota. This baby was born speaking answering that her name is Mary at birth. It is my life, I ought to know. I also told many about the miraculous photos before they came out. So people, don't mess with me. I am really sick of it.
53 - Christopher Rose
MRL: this is some kind of post-modern comedy thing, right?
54 - Mary reborn literally
Do you pray? Or are you just one big time iffer?
55 - Mary reborn literally
I pray. I pray to prove that God speaks to me and hears me as well. I have prayed for healings, miracles, insight, UFOS to come for me, and many other things. It is not funny to me.
56 - Mary reborn literally
Ok world, God sent his only begotten son ONCE and once was enough. In his suffering, he proved there is a Heaven, and in my birth, I prove something else. God is awesome.
57 - Mary reborn literally
Oh yes, Jessica Simpson sings my love song I sang called You Take My Breath Away and many sing my song I Am Every Woman but you would have to ask Michael Turner about that.
58 - Christopher Rose
Tell you what, get this god person to pop round to explain it...
59 - Mary reborn literally
Lee Ann Womack stole my song I Hope You Dance that I sang to her cousins sitting on a beach blnaket at Dunedin Causeway. People are evil these days. They have little respect for anyone else except themselves. They lie like a rug and steal anything they can get their hands on and in my case, their ears on.
60 - Mary reborn literally
You don't tell me, I tell you.
61 - Mary reborn literally
When Pope John Paul lay dying, I prayed to God and him. Do you wonder why he put an M on his casket?
62 - Mary reborn literally
The fact is, I was born with black hair and at birth, the doctor asked my mother, what are you going to name your red haired daughter? I saw it under my head when it fell out. Pitch black folks.
She wanted a red haired daughter and God gave me red hair even if they both had black hair. Do you not know there is more to making babies than DNA
and two? God is in on it.
63 - Christopher Rose
go on...
64 - Mary reborn literally
My whole life proves there is a God. No more debates. IT is finished. Times are evil again and I am still praying. I will swear on my deathbed that I am Mary reborn and to God, all the miracles I pray for, to his name be the glory.
No, it is not joking. I am not mentally ill. I was born reincarnated, how would you like to be born like this? It is very hard. I can tell you
that. Oh and the part about God coming down?
You know, you might make me say something you don't like. I am a mother and I will not forgive again for what happened the first time.
65 - EZ
MRL is onto something here.
66 - Mary reborn literally
Who ever you are reading this, I was two years old knocking on doors in Tampa, Florida asking people, Do you know who Jesus was/is? He was the son of God and he loves us. Anyone from Tampa who remembers me, please answer.
67 - Mary reborn literally
I made the first cabbage patch doll for Alice Klett who heard my prayers to God for some decent clothing. I was called cabbage patch because I had a big round head. Thus, now you know why the cabbage patch dolls are called that.
68 - Mary reborn literally
I also qualify for my outstanding charity and business ideas GIVEN away for zero dollars folks.
Around the world people were made rich by me.
69 - Mary reborn literally
I have already asked for some of the most amazing signs the world shall ever see. Beleve it or not.
70 - Mary reborn literally
I guess you had to be there folks.
71 - Mary reborn literally
13 is the letter M in the English alphabet and also when God told me I must be born to Elaine Reynolds.
72 - EZ
i remember you from Tampa! You're that redheaded two year old telling me about Jesus. It really affected me. It must be quite difficult to be reborn as the Virgin Mary in this day and age. Your appearances around the world change a lot of peoples lives, you know. I'm glad you're doing some good.
73 - Mary reborn literally
Is this what you wanted folks? Why? Why do you want me here?
74 - Mary reborn literally
Where did we live? #52 if it is really you who knows about this red haired girl. The church I went to tell the people I was reincarnated was the color pink.
75 - Mary reborn literally
I am looking for the Tampa Baptist Preacher who recalls a woman taking a little girl in private to hear what she had to say again to the preacher of a pink Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. Yes, this is me. I walked there by myself, remember?