I went to a place called Fatima today. Fatima is famous from the Lady of the Rosary apparations and considered one of the most important shrines to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith. In 1917, 3 children saw the Virgin Mary and she spoke to them. Mary showed herself to the children 6 time. When the children told the town there were of course skeptics. Mary told them to tell the town to witness a miracle on a certain day. That day the entire town gathered outside waiting for the miracle. The town say they saw the sun dance. It was a cloudy day, but the sun was visible through the clouds. They could look directly at the sun without it hurting their eyes and suddenly the sun started dancing.

When Mary showed herself to the children she spoke to them and gave them what is refered to as "The three secrets of Fatima." She showed herself to them during World War I and told the children they must do penance for the sinners of the world. She also prophesied that Russia would be God's chosen "instrument of chastisement" for their errors in faith. This is also when "the Five First Saturdays" were started.

The 3 secrets given to the children were tried to be forced out of them but they refused. The first 2 secrets eventually came out and the 3rd was written down in the 40's by the oldest child (13) but with instructions not to open until the 60's. Some believe it predicted the assasination of Pope John Paul 11.

Now that is the history, here is what goes on today. Fatima welcomes pilgrims every day, but on May 13th the day that the first vision of Mary was seen by the children is when the most people come. People come to pay penance for their sins by crawling a distance on their knees, rosary in hand, and praying. Some wear padding, but there are equally as many who do not.

I read on the news a few days ago that the Pope plans on visiting Fatima nex May 13th.