Flora Cantábrica

Location: Cova da Iria

Date: June 13, 1917

People present: 50 to 60

«- What do you want of me? I asked.

– I wish you to come here on the 13th of next month, to pray the Rosary every day, and to learn to read. Later, I will tell you what I want.  I asked for the cure of a sick person.

– lf he is converted; he will be cured during the year.

– I would like to ask you to take us to Heaven.

– Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” [l promise salvation to those who embrace it, and those souls will be loved by God like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne.].
Am I to stay here alone? I

asked, sadly.

No, my daughter. Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.

As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands and for the second time, she communicated to us the rays of that same immense light. We saw ourselves in this light, as it were, immersed in God. Jacinta and Francisco seemed to be in that part of the light which rose towards Heaven, and I in that which was poured out on the earth. In front of the palm of Our Lady’s right hand was a heart encircled by thorns which pierced it. We understood that this was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, and seeking reparation.»

Fatima in Lucia’s own words, Fátima, p. 177 (IV Memoir); the section between square brackets includes the addition indicated by Sister Lucia in her December 17, 1927 letter from Tuy: cf. Fatima in Lucia’s own words, p. 177, note 13