T H E O U R L A DY O F O
n a fateful day in May of 1917, three peasant children — Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia — were tending the sheep for their families when suddenly “a lady all in white, more brilliant than the sun” appeared before them. This lady asked the children to pray the Rosary daily for the conversion of sinners. These apparitions took place near Fatima, Portugal and from May through October, Our Lady appeared to the children on the 13th day of each month. Mary gave the children three “secrets” during these apparitions. The first was a vision of hell and a desperate plea to pray to save souls. The second was a prophecy of World War II and told of the immense dangers that Russia was to humanity, spreading Communism through the world. The third secret was revealed in 2000 and was of a “bishop clothed in white” as he struggled to the cross amid the martyrs. He too falls to the ground amid the hailstorm of gunfire. As the children received these visions, there were many believers as well as many critics of whether they were actually receiving these visits from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many people would gather on the 13th day of each month. When it was revealed that Our Lady would make her final appearance on Oct. 13, nearly 70,000 people came to the location of the apparitions, despite torrential downpours that had been happening for three days leading up to that day. At the end, the clouds parted and the sun danced in the sky, drying the land and the clothes of the thousands of witnesses of this miracle. Since this apparition was approved, many faithful have had a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. And amidst these devotions, many shrines have been built in honor of our Blessed Mother and her faithfulness to her children throughout the world. Fr. Henry Hubert was a priest at St. Wenceslaus who had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. He commissioned the building of the shrine in memory of his friend, Gene Shimon. The statues were carved by regional artist Robert Petscheider. For Deacon Andy Bures, this particular devotion feels fitting for a community such as the Antigo Area Catholic Churches.
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