Episode 161, Fatima Apparitions with Fr. Joe Roesch

Meet Father Joe Roesch, MIC

Father Joe Roesch, MIC, Superior General of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, joins the Mercy Unbound podcast from Rome. You may recognize him from EWTN, where he moderated the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. He is also author of the book, Fatima, A Pilgrimage With Mary, available on ShopMercy.org and Amazon. 

In this episode, we explore the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, which took place over a century ago, and reflect on their enduring relevance for our world today.

Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima

In 1916, an angel appeared to three young shepherd children - Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta - in Fatima. The angel taught them the importance of prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and sacrifice. At the time, the children were nine, eight, and six years of age, respectively. 

The first apparition of Our Lady occurred on May 13, 1917, and continued monthly for six months. At that time, the world was in turmoil. The Bolshevik Revolution was unfolding, World War I was still raging, and the influenza pandemic had claimed millions of lives. Our Lady’s message to the children emphasized the need for prayer and sacrifice, especially for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world.

Three Secrets

During these apparitions, Our Lady entrusted the children with three secrets. The first was a vision of hell, which deeply impacted them. The second foretold the end of World War I, the outbreak of another war, and a call for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. The third secret included a vision of a bishop dressed in white who was shot and killed, with angels gathering the blood of martyrs. Notably, on May 13, 1981, exactly 64 years after the first apparition, Pope St. John Paul II was shot and nearly killed in St. Peter’s Square. He credited Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life, reaffirming the power and significance of the Rosary.

Apparitions for Our Society

Today, Saints Jacinta and Francisco have been canonized, and the cause for Sister Lucia’s beatification is ongoing. While Jacinta and Francisco died as children, Sister Lucia lived to be 97 and continued to share the message of Fatima throughout her life.

The apparitions at Fatima remain profoundly relevant in our times. Many have fallen away from faith or grown indifferent to God. The world faces conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the escalating influence of nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Now, more than ever, Our Lady’s call for conversion, prayer, and the Rosary is a beacon of hope for a world in need of God’s mercy.