Marian apparitions by the Blessed Virgin Mary are reported as a supernatural phenomenon. They are often named after the place where they have taken place. In the majority of Marian apparitions it is known that only one person has witnessed it, yet there are exceptions like that of Zeitoun (a district of Cairo), Fatima in Portugal and Assiut in Egypt, where thousands claimed to have seen Virgin Mary over a period of time.
Some Marian apparitions and their respective global icons have received a canonical coronation from the Popes. Most notable are that of Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of the Pillar, and Our Lady of Fatima. In Fatima, central Portugal, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on May 13, in 1917 to three shepherd children – Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto and on each subsequent month until October 13.On October 13, a crowd estimated of about 70,000 came to witness the solar phenomenon and the apparition of a solar goddess, coming out from the sun in a snow white dress.
Plates with images of Francisco and Jacinta Marto are displayed for sale in a shop window in Fatima last week. Pope Francis will visit Fatima today and tomorrow to canonize Francisco and Jacinta, two Portuguese shepherd children who a century ago said they saw visions of the Virgin Mary. – AP
