.- Hundreds of the faithful are heading to Fatima for the celebrations this Sunday of the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children on May 13, 1917.
The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima began on May 13, 1917, when Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria. Since then the site has been visited by over a million pilgrims each year.
The first secret foretold the early death of Jacinta and Francisco, and the second referred to the end of the World War I, the outbreak of World War II, the conversion of Russia and the end of Communism.
The third secret of Fatima referred to the attempt on the life of John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.
More than 73 facilities will be operating to accommodate the thousands of pilgrims expected for this weekend’s celebrations, with more than 1500 volunteers providing food and drink to those attending.
