Francisco and Jacinta Marto were the youngest two children of Manuel and Olimpia Marto, and they lived a typical Portuguese life. The siblings, along with their cousin Lucia, would spend their days watching sheep. Francisco was a quiet boy. He like music, but he enjoyed being alone to think and pray. Jacinta was a very affectionate little girl, and she loved to sing and dance.
One day, while the three children were watching their families’ sheep, an angel appeared to them and taught them several prayers. When Mary first appeared to the children on May 13, 1917, Francisco was 8 and Jacinta was 7.
Mary asked them to visit her at the same spot on the 13th of each month, for six months. The three shepherd children went each month, and Mary showed them many visions, and imparted to them three secrets. Mary’s visits to the children helped them to grow in holiness. She changed their lives for the better, and while their personalities stayed the same, but were now more faithful to God and to Mary.
After the last Marian apparition, the children offered sacrifices, participated in self-mortification and attended Eucharistic holy hours, all for the conversion of sinners. One of the visions that Mary showed the children was of hell. This vision greatly impacted Jacinta, and she spent the rest of her life praying for all sinners. Francisco would “console Jesus for the sins of the world” through private prayer.
Francisco and Jacinta knew that they wouldn’t live for very long, because Mary told them that she would be bringing them to heaven soon. When influenza spread through Europe during World War I, both Francisco and Jacinta became sick. Although they were urged to go to the hospital, both children were happy in their suffering, because they offered it for the sins of men. Francisco in particular refused to go to the hospital, and he passed away the next day with a smile on his face. Jacinta suffered more greatly, as she was moved from one hospital to the next, and went through many procedures to preserve her life. She tried to tell the doctors that there was no point in trying to save her, because she would be going to heaven soon. When Jacinta knew that she was going to pass away, she asked for a priest to come to hear her confession and to give her last Holy Communion. The priest refused, saying that he would come the next day to see her. Jacinta passed away that night.
Francisco and Jacinta are some of the youngest children to be beatified, and Jacinta is the youngest non-martyred child to be beatified. Pope Francis canonized the two siblings when he was visiting Portugal, on May 13th, 2017, 100 years after Mary’s first appearance to the children.
Activities to Try:
+ Pray for the conversion of all sinners.
+ Pray to Sts. Francisco and Jacinta
Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Our Lady of Fatima, you chose Francisco and Jacinta, two poor simple shepherd children to announce to the world the desires of your Immaculate Heart. Help us to welcome your message of conversation; so that free from sin, we might live a new life. Saints Francisco and Jacinta, you who were capable of such intense prayer, make the moments of our daily prayer become the heart of our day… Our Lady of Fatima, for the intercession of the Shepherd Children Francisco and Jacinta, keep vigil over all children of the world, especially those who are poorest and abandoned.
Sts. Jacinta and Francisco
Pray for Us
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