In his humble family, Francisco with his sister Jacinta learned to know and praise God and the Virgin Mary. An Angel and the Most Holy Virgin urged him to pray and to do penance for the remission of sins, to obtain the conversion of sinners and peace in the world. From then on he had only one concern: to fulfill the requests of the Angel and of Mary, thus advancing continually on the path of perfection.
The words of the Angel, “Console your God”, impressed Francisco very deeply and guided his whole life. He wanted to be the ‘Consoler of Jesus’ primarily by praying the Rosary and adoring the Hidden Jesus in the Tabernacle of the Parish Church.
In Fatima, on 13th May, in the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II inscribed his name among the Blessed
1908
11th June: Born in Aljustrel, Parish of Fatima, sixth child of Manuel Pedro Marto and Olympia of Jesus
20th June: Baptism
1916
At 8 years of age began to pastor the flock
Spring: 1st Apparition of the Angel at the Cabeço
Summer: 2nd Apparition of the Angel at the well of Arneiro
Autumn: 3rd Apparition of the Angel at the Cabeço
1917
13th May-June-July: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima
13th August: In the prison of Vila Nova de Ourém
15th August: Returns to Aljustrel
19th August: 4th Apparition in Valinhos
13th September and October: 5th and 6th Apparitions of Our Lady
1918
18th October: Becomes ill with the Spanish flu
1919
19th March: Becomes gravely ill
2nd April: Confession by Father Moreira
3rd April: Receives Viaticum – First Communion
4th April: Dies serenely at 10 o’clock in the evening
5th April: Buried in the Fatima cemetery
1952
17th February: Identification of mortal remains
13th March: Mortal remains translated to Basilica of Fátima |
