Happy Feast of St. Jacinta and Francisco Marto

Today the Church remembers St. Jacinta and St. Francisco Marto who are two of the three children who received apparitions in Fatima.  Before the apparitions of Fatima, these two siblings spent their days as shepherds in Portugal.  Today as we celebrate their Feast day, it is beautiful to reflect on some of the messages given to these little children who were just 7 and 9 when Our Lady began appearing to them.  One might also contemplate Our Lady's choice of these simple children to share her urgent call to pray the Rosary!
When Our Lady first appeared to the children on May 13th 1917.  She asked them a question, "Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners." 

Such a request underscores both the importance of suffering and our invitation to participate and assist in God's Plan. We are always invited to use our free will to choose God and to assist Him in His plans. The children respond, "Yes we are willing".
Our Lady goes on to share one of the main messages of Fatima, "Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war." This request to pray the Rosary for peace was the only request made in all six of the apparitions to the visionaries.