Cova da Iria
Encyclopedia
Cova da Iria was a land belonging to Lúcia Santos
' family in Fatima, Portugal
. Lucia was one the three visionary children who, according to Roman Catholic Church
, received several visitations and messages by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. The Children used to frequently pasture their sheep on this land, and it was on May 13, 1917, around noon, that Our Lady of Fatima
appeared to the three of them. The story goes that suddenly there was lightning, and the children, Lúcia Santos
and Jacinta and Francisco Marto
, thinking that it was going to rain, began to run. Then, just above a oak tree, they saw a beautiful lady made of light, holding a rosary in her hand. Our Lady of Fatima
spoke to the children and told them not to be afraid. "I come from Heaven", she said.
At Cova da Iria, on a huge esplanade, a little chapel was built, in the place the apparitions took place. Since The Roman Catholic Holy See, has officially approved the Fatima apparitions and the messages given to the three shepherd children, the place has become an important center of pilgrimage where peoples from all over the world go on an spirit of faith and penance. The Chapel has been expanded and is now much bigger.
Lúcia Santos
Lúcia de Jesus dos Santos – Sister Mary Lucy of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart, better known as Sister Lúcia of Fátima – was a Roman Catholic Discalced Carmelite nun from Portugal...
' family in Fatima, Portugal
Fátima, Portugal
Fátima is a city in Portugal famous for the Marian apparitions, recognized by the Catholic Church, that took place there in 1917. The town itself has a population of 7,756 and is located in the municipality of Ourém, in the Centro Region and Médio Tejo Subregion...
. Lucia was one the three visionary children who, according to Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, received several visitations and messages by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. The Children used to frequently pasture their sheep on this land, and it was on May 13, 1917, around noon, that Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
appeared to the three of them. The story goes that suddenly there was lightning, and the children, Lúcia Santos
Lúcia Santos
Lúcia de Jesus dos Santos – Sister Mary Lucy of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart, better known as Sister Lúcia of Fátima – was a Roman Catholic Discalced Carmelite nun from Portugal...
and Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Francisco Marto and his sister Jacinta Marto , also known as Blessed Francisco Marto and Blessed Jacinta Marto, together with their cousin, Lúcia dos Santos were the children from Aljustrel near Fátima, Portugal, who said they witnessed three apparitions of an angel in 1916 and...
, thinking that it was going to rain, began to run. Then, just above a oak tree, they saw a beautiful lady made of light, holding a rosary in her hand. Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
spoke to the children and told them not to be afraid. "I come from Heaven", she said.
At Cova da Iria, on a huge esplanade, a little chapel was built, in the place the apparitions took place. Since The Roman Catholic Holy See, has officially approved the Fatima apparitions and the messages given to the three shepherd children, the place has become an important center of pilgrimage where peoples from all over the world go on an spirit of faith and penance. The Chapel has been expanded and is now much bigger.