THE SUN DANCED

     October 13, 2007  marks the 90th Anniversary of the Miracle of
the Sun. This occasion provides us with a special opportunity to refresh our
memory regarding the circuмstances and events connected with the fulfillment
of the promise made by Our Lady of Fatima to the three peasant children. She
promised that she would grant a great miracle on October 13, 1917, removing
any doubt about their appointed role as trustworthy messengers of her
apparitions and of her messages to the world.

    The three peasant children, Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia were constantly
badgered, challenged and accused of hallucinations or fraud, even threatened
by various civil authorities. The ecclesiastical authorities - the parish
priest and the bishop - were reserved and repeatedly pressed them with
questions and cautioned them about the gravity of their claims. It was a
painful sadness for them that their spiritual fathers withheld their
judgment and support. But the children remained undaunted and tenaciously
protested their humble obedience to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the truth of
the revelations they related regarding apparitions and messages of Our Lady.
Their confidence remained unshaken because of Our Lady's promise of the
special miracle on October 13th that she would perform to support them in
the sight of all. They repeatedly told the doubters, cynics, and accusers
that there would be a great miracle on October 13th at 12 noon. One that all
would be able to see. Of course, word spread throughout the country about
this prediction.

    Fatima had been inundated by heavy rains for several days, and right up
to October 13th. The ground at the Cova da Iria was a sea of mud. But at noon
the rain became a fine mist. Thousands of people had gathered out of hope
and expectation, out of anxious wonder, or curiosity, or to witness to the
mindless naivete of the masses. It is estimated that 70,000 people had
assembled. Many still holding their umbrellas. Suddenly, at 12 noon, Lucia
was heard to cry out, "Look the sun!" Her cry was relayed through the great
multitude. People looked up. There were great shouts and exclamations as the
people beheld a stupendous phenomenon. The sun burst through the clouds. It
immediately began to radiate a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors. It
trembled. It began spinning. Then zigzagging. People were falling to their
knees in the mud. Then a terrible cry went up, because the sun suddenly
began to plummet to the earth. There were cries for mercy. There were people
confessing their sins unabashedly, others were reciting an act of
contrition. They feared that they would be crushed to death. Then, the sun
stopped and slowly returned to its place in the sky. The whole experience
lasted about 8 minutes. The air was clear. The ground was dry. Even the
clothes of those who knelt in the mud were dry. As could be expected, this
momentous event was reported in the prominent newspapers of Portugal and
around the world. Even in the New York Times.

    Simultaneously, there were other events which were visible to the seers
alone. The children saw a series of special visions. First, St. Joseph with
the Holy Child and Our Lady - the Holy Family. Then, St. Joseph robed in
white, seeming to lean from the clouds, half hidden, holding the Holy Child
who was wholly visible and dressed in red. Then, Our Lady on the right of
the sun wearing a blue mantle which covered her head and fell loosely around
her. St. Joseph tracing the sign of the cross three times over the vast
kneeling crowd. Then this vision faded and vanished to give place to another
of Jesus Christ, vested in red and His Mother under the symbolism of Our
Lady of Dolours (without the sword piercing the heart). The Redeemer also
gives His blessing to the people. As this vision faded, it was succeeded by
still another seen by Lucia alone, a vision of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with
something falling from her hand. These special visions seen only by the
children ceased as the sun returned to its place in the sky.

    Our Lady made the sun dance, a stupendous wake-up call, to persuade us
of the truth and the urgency of her messages given through the seers. Her
messages include the need for prayer for world peace, for the conversion of
Russia, and in reparation for sin. She gives us a call to pray the Rosary
every day. To faithfully to go to Confession, to Mass, to receive Holy
Communion and to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, on five
consecutive first Saturdays. What more can we ask for to convince us of the
grave importance of the Messages of Our Lady of Fatima.