The apparitions of Fatima and the faith of the little shepherds, hope for the worldImmaculate Heart of Mary. The message of Fatima is alive18 years after the death of the last seeress of Fatima, Lucia dos SantosThe Dicastery for the Causes of Saints published the decree recognizing her heroic virtues. As of June 22, 2023, Lucia is venerable, which is a further step on the road to her canonization.
The diocesan phase to beatify Lucia began only three years after her death. On February 14, 2008, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, announced that Benedict XVI had approved the opening of the beatification process.
Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart, known as Sister Lucia, was born simply Lucia dos Santos. Her childhood passed normally in the village of Aljustrel (Portugal), until she was ten years old.
While she was shepherding sheep with her cousins, Francisco Marto and Jacinta, she saw an angel. This "angel of peace" taught the children to pray for sinners and to adore God in the Eucharistic sacrament. The three little shepherds agreed in considering this angelic visit as a preparation for what would happen a year later.
Seer and consecrated
On May 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to the three cousins in Cova da Iria. Years later, Sister Lucia described her as a woman "brighter than the sun". Our Lady appeared several times throughout that year, communicating especially with Lucia. While she could see, hear and speak with Mary, Jacinta listened to her without speaking and Francisco could only see her, later learning what she said thanks to the girls.
At the age of fourteen, the bishop of Leiria, with the aim of protecting her, got her into the school of the Dorotheas Sisters, near Oporto, since the thousands of pilgrims who came to Fatima they wanted to talk to Lucia. In 1952, the young woman moved to Pontevedra (Spain) and professed as a Dorothean nun after her novitiate. While in the convent she continued to receive apparitions of the Child Jesus, the Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Entrance to Carmel
In 1945 he met St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the Opus Dei, for whom she obtained some documents so that she could take the prelature to Portugal. A year later she returned to Portugal and in 1949 professed as a Discalced Carmelite.
While in the convent of Coimbra, at the request of the bishop, she wrote her memoirs, which she expanded three times. In the texts he revealed details of the apparitions and deepened the character of his little cousins.
End of life
Lucia died on February 13 in Carmel, where it is thought that she was still receiving a visit from the Virgin Mary, although she never confirmed it. Those who shared the cloister with her say that she was full of joy and that, as she advanced in age, she progressed in spiritual childhood. It seemed that she was once again the little shepherdess who saw Our Lady at Fatima.
All the heroic virtues mentioned by those who knew her are now also demonstrated by the decree proclaiming her venerable.
