The Shrine of Fatima in Portugal is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. More than 6 million visitors come every year. Yet, back in the XX century, it was nothing more than a rural village. How did this hamlet become one of the most worshipped and beloved places by Christians around the world? In 1917, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three young shepherds, telling them a secret in three parts. She would then have performed a miracle, referred to as “Miracle of the Sun”. Contrarily to the very enthusiastic reaction of the people, the Catholic Church has always remained very cautious regarding this event, and revealed the secret, written down by Lucia dos Santos, only progressively. It’s in 2000 that the third and last part of the secret is finally disclosed to the public, 83 years after the apparitions!
