The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima

On October 13, 1917, approximately 70,000 people gathered at Cova da Iria near Fatima, Portugal witnessed what became known as the “Miracle of the Sun.” This event was the culmination of a series of reported Marian apparitions to three shepherd children that had begun in May of that year.

The Children

The three seers:

• Lúcia dos Santos (10)
• Francisco Marto (9)
• Jacinta Marto (7)
• Shepherd children
• From local families

The Earlier Apparitions

From May to October:

• Monthly appearances
• Lady in white
• At Cova da Iria
• Messages delivered
• Crowds grew

The Prediction

The Lady promised:

• A miracle would occur
• On October 13th
• For all to see
• To prove the visions
• World would know

October 13, 1917

That day:

• 70,000 gathered
• Rainy morning
• Muddy fields
• Skeptics and believers
• Press present

The Miracle

After noon:

• Rain stopped suddenly
• Clouds parted
• Sun appeared
• Began strange movements
• Crowd witnessed

The Sun’s Behavior

Witnesses described:

• Spinning like a wheel
• Changing colors
• Dancing in sky
• Plunging toward earth
• Then returning to normal

The Crowd’s Reaction

People responded:

• Fell to knees
• Cried out
• Prayed
• Some terrified
• Many converted

The Drying

Remarkably:

• Wet clothes dried instantly
• Muddy ground dried
• No natural explanation
• Many testified to this
• Physical effect documented

Newspaper Coverage

Secular press:

• O Século reported
• Major newspaper
• Skeptical beforehand
• Confirmed event occurred
• Could not explain

Witness Testimonies

Observers included:

• Believers
• Atheists
• Journalists
• Scientists
• Government officials

The Messages

Lucia later revealed:

• Three secrets
• Prayers requested
• Warnings given
• Controversial content
• Church involvement

Alternative Theories

Some suggest:

• Mass hallucination
• Atmospheric phenomena
• Staring at sun effects
• UFO encounter
• Genuine miracle

Church Response

The Catholic Church:

• Investigated
• Approved as worthy of belief
• Canonized children
• Fatima became pilgrimage site
• Official recognition

Significance

The Fatima events are significant for:

• Mass witness miracle
• Secular documentation
• Predicted beforehand
• Physical effects
• Continuing mystery

Legacy

The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima remains one of the most witnessed and documented unexplained events in history. Whether interpreted as a religious miracle, mass psychological phenomenon, or something else entirely, it continues to defy easy explanation.