Who were the three shepherd children of Fatima?
The three shepherd children of Fatima were Lucia dos Santos and her two cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto. At the time of the apparitions, Lucia was ten years old, while Jacinta and Francisco were just seven and nine, respectively. These ordinary children, who lived humble lives in a small village, were chosen by the Virgin Mary to be the recipients of her heavenly messages and witnesses to the miracles that would unfold.
What were the names of the shepherd children revealed to be?
The names of the three shepherd children of Fatima were unveiled during the apparitions themselves. When the Virgin Mary first appeared to the children on May 13, 1917, Lucia asked, “Where do you come from?” The Lady responded, “I come from Heaven.” Lucia then asked, “And what is your name?” The Lady replied, “I am called Our Lady of the Rosary.” From this moment, the children knew her as Our Lady of the Rosary.
As for the children’s names, Our Lady of the Rosary addressed Lucia by her name, confirming her identity. However, she did not reveal the names of Jacinta and Francisco until some time later. It was during the July 13, 1917 apparition that the children finally discovered their names. According to Lucia’s memoirs, Our Lady said, “I am Our Lady of the Rosary, I have come to fulfill askings of our lady, come back to the same place six months in succession on the same day. Then I will tell you who I am and what I want, and afterwards I will perform a miracle for all to believe.” It was only during subsequent apparitions that the Lady revealed the names of Jacinta and Francisco, completing the trio of shepherd children in Fatima.
What happened to the shepherd children of Fatima?
The lives of the shepherd children were deeply impacted by their encounters with the Virgin Mary. After the apparitions, their lives were marked by suffering and sacrifice, as they fulfilled the mission entrusted to them by the Lady. Jacinta and Francisco, in particular, faced numerous challenges and made great sacrifices for the conversion of sinners and the peace of the world. Tragically, both Jacinta and Francisco fell victim to the deadly flu pandemic, which claimed their lives at young ages. They were canonized as saints by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017, during the centenary celebration of the Fatima apparitions.
Lucia, the sole-surviving shepherd child, became a Catholic nun and lived a life of prayer and devotion until her death in 2005. Throughout her life, she shared the messages of Fatima and worked tirelessly to promote the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, ensuring that the story of the shepherd children and their profound experiences would continue to inspire generations to come.
The three shepherd children of Fatima — Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto — were chosen by Our Lady of the Rosary to witness her miraculous apparitions and to bring her messages of hope and faith to the world. Their names were revealed during the apparitions, with Lucia’s name being confirmed at the initial encounter and the names of Jacinta and Francisco being disclosed later on. These extraordinary children endured great suffering and made significant sacrifices for their faith. Their lives continue to inspire millions, reminding us of the power of prayer, repentance, and devotion.
- Lucia dos Santos – The primary visionary, who became a nun.
- Jacinta Marto – Canonized as a saint, died at a young age.
- Francisco Marto – Canonized as a saint, died at a young age.