Church of Santa Maria dell’Orto, in Rome, Italy.

Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco were unable to keep their August 13th appointment.  They had been kidnapped by a “civil administrator” who was “committed to wiping out the Church” (God-Sent, 110).  While kidnapped, the children were “threatened, in individual sessions, with death in a red-hot frying pan unless they admitted that the alleged experience was a mere deception or told him the secrets they had been given.” (God-Sent, 110).  But the trio did not give in and were released after three days.

Meanwhile, in the Cova da Iria, there were signs which displayed Heaven’s displeasure.

There was lightning and thunder, the sun turned pale, and there was a yellowish haze in the atmosphere.  A white cloud settled on the oak tree and rapidly changed colors, taking on all the colors of the rainbow. (God-Sent, 110-111).

On August 19th, the Lady of Fatima again appeared to the children saying, “I want you to continue going to the Cova da Iria on the 13th, and to continue praying the Rosary every day.  In the last month, I will perform a miracle that all may believe.” (God-Sent, 113).  Concerning the money left by visitors, Our Lady instructed, “Have two litters made.  One is to be carried by you and Jacinta and two other girls dressed in white: the other one is to be carried by Francisco and three other boys.  The money from the litters is for the ‘festa’ of Our Lady of the Rosary, and what is left over will help toward the construction of a chapel that is to be built here.” (God-Sent, 113).  Hearing Lucia’s request for cures, the Blessed Virgin replied, “I will cure some of them during the year.” (God-Sent, 114).  Finally, before Our Lady of Fatima left them, she told them, “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners: for many souls go to Hell because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them.” (God-Sent, 114).

 

Resources: God-Sent: A History of the Accredited Apparitions of Mary.  Roy Abraham Varghese. (Crossroad Publishing Company: New York), 2000.