John Paul II
Fatima Trip Gallery
1982, 1983, 1991, 2000

    The Pope made several trips to Portugal, including a visit to beatify the two Portuguese shepherd children, Jacinta and Francisco, who saw the Virgin Mary in 1917 nearby the present-day Basilica of Fatima.

    The Church has given witness to the heroic sanctity of the Fatima children whom Our Lady promised to take to Heaven. In May 1989, the Holy Father proclaimed them venerable. They were beatified by the same Pope on May 13, 2000, to the great joy of the faithful, who now pray earnestly for their canonization.  

    The Declaration of Jacinta and Francisco Marto as Blessed represents the next to last stage in the Church's official recognition of their holiness. It also provides a further confirmation of the authenticity and value of the Message of Fatima.

    Remarkably, the principal visionary is still alive, Lucia dos Santos (Sr. Maria Lucia, OCD), able to rejoice in the elevation of her companions to the honor of the altar. The whole Church must rejoice, as well, that ones so young were able to live lives of heroic virtue. Parents, especially, should be emboldened to encourage holiness in the young, confident that it is possible for anyone, of whatever age, who follows the spiritual advice of Our Lady of Fátima
 

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