OCTOBER 13, 1917:  The Miracle of the Sun was proof of the Divine origin of the apparitions and reaffirmed the seriousness of God's message of salvation for the world.  This great supernatural event could not be mistaken for anything other than what it was.

After each of the three previous apparitions in July, August, and September, the children said that the Lady had promised to perform a miracle on October 13, 1917. As a result, the whole country was waiting eagerly for the anticipated miracle. Despite the torrential rains that were plaguing Fatima, tens of thousands of people were making the pilgrimage to the remote village in Portugal.

Lucia's mother, who did not believe in the apparitions, ordered her daughter to go to confession, "because if there is no miracle we will all be killed." Lucia replied, "I will go with you if you wish, but not because I am afraid.  The Lady will keep her word." By the morning of October 13, a vast multitude of believers and unbelievers gathered in the Cova da Iria. Despite the driving winds and pouring rain, the spirits of the pilgrims were undaunted as they waited with excitement for the promised miracle in the swamped and muddy pasture. The crowd, which was so great that little Jacinta began to cry, pressed in on the seers from every direction. Impassioned cries for the children's intercession followed them every step of the way. When they finally reached the holmoak tree, Lucia and Francisco placed Jacinta between them for her protection.

Lucia began to recite the Rosary and cried out suddenly, "Put down your umbrellas everyone." She said to Jacinta and Francisco, "Kneel down, Our Lady is coming. I have seen the flash." Lucia again inquired of the Queen of Heaven, "What do you want of me?" "I am the Lady of the Rosary. I would like a chapel built here in my honor. Continue to pray the Rosary everyday. The war will end soon and the soldiers will return to their homes." Then Lucia asked, "I have many petitions, will you grant them?" "Some yes, others no. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins." As Our Lady continued, her face became very grave, "Offend not Our Lord anymore, for He is already much offended." Lucia asked, "Do you want anything else from me?" Our Lady answered, "I desire nothing more." As she left the three children, Our Lady opened her hands, which radiated a bright light. Then, as she rose from their sight, she pointed towards the sun and the light beaming from her hands made the sun appear even brighter.

Lucia then cried out, "There she goes, there she goes! Look at the sun!" As Lucia cried out these words the most incredible miracle ever imagined took place.

The sun had taken on a pale appearance, similar to the moon, but in an extraordinary color. "We could look at the sun with ease, it did not bother at all. It seemed to be continually fading and glowing in one fashion, then another. It threw shafts of light one way and another, painting everything in different colors, the people, the trees, the earth, and even the air. But the greatest proof of the miracle was the fact that the sun did not bother the eyes," testified an eyewitness. "At a certain point, the sun stopped its play of light and then started dancing. It stopped once more and again started dancing until it seemed to loosen itself from the skies and fall upon the people. It was a moment of terrible suspense."

Another eyewitness said, "The sun cast different colors, yellow, blue and white. It trembled constantly. It looked like a revolving ball of fire falling upon the people." As the sun seemed ready to crash into the earth, the throng of people gathered cried out in terror, "We shall all be killed!  We shall all be killed!" Others cried out to Our Lady to save them and made Acts of Contrition. The Miracle had brought them to their knees, begging for God's forgiveness and mercy.

At last the sun ascended back into the sky and returned to its normal position. After the frightening experience, the crowd was filled with relief. Despite the heavy rains and the muddy conditions, everyone noticed that their clothing, and the entire Cova da Iria, was completely dry.

The children, however, were unaware of all that had taken place. During the spectacular phenomenon of the sun, the three shepherd children had experienced a vision of the Holy Family. They saw St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus, as they were blessing the whole world by making the Sign of the Cross. As this occurred, Our Lady appeared in the blue and white robes of Our Lady of the Rosary. Lucia alone was granted another vision, that of seeing Our Lord as the Divine Redeemer, dressed in red, blessing the world.  Our Lady was beside Him, now clothed in the purple robes of Our Lady of Sorrows. Finally, the Blessed Mother appeared again to Lucia wearing the brown robes of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, offering the Brown Scapular for the salvation of the world.

Afterward, the children were besieged by the mass of people who had witnessed the Miracle. Some had persistent questions, while others grabbed at their clothing in hopes of obtaining a relic.

The village of Fatima was located within the diocese of Leiria, Portugal. The Bishop of Leiria stated that those who witnessed the events of this great day were fortunate. "This phenomenon, which no astronomical observatory registered, was not natural. It was seen by people of all classes, members of the Church, and non-Catholics. It was seen by reporters of the principal newspapers and by people many miles away." This great supernatural event could not be mistaken for anything other than what it was. The Miracle of the Sun was proof of the Divine origin of the apparitions and reaffirmed the seriousness of God's message of salvation for the world.