A guest review of the film FATIMA by Colleen Brandes
I grew up catholic, going to church with my family at 8:30 am every Sunday morning. Pray and to do my rosary prayers was important to me. At Catholic school, said morning prayers, sang the national anthem, and took religion classes. We learned the importance of the Lord’s Prayer and praying to Mary (Hail Mary), learned about confessions. My first communion was in grade 2 and confirmation in grade 8.
By grade 7 or 8 we started looking at miracles and what it took to become a saint. I remember hearing a little bit about the miracle of Fátima (or the miracle of the sun), that happened in Portugal in 1917, but obviously not enough to remember any of it.
My Review of the film, FATIMA!
With all of this being said, I was excited to have the opportunity to watch FÁTIMA the movie prior to its release On Demand on August 28th, 2020.
With very little understanding of the movie I went into this with an open heart and wanting to understand more about the history of Fátima.
Right away you can tell that this movie is historical and gives the background needed to understand the times. Think about living in Portugal back in 1917! What it would have been like to have family members away fighting in WWI, and not knowing if they would return. There were three young shepherd children who reported seeing visions of Mary. Though many in their village thought they were lying, they chose to believe, and to tell the truth even though they were ridiculed because of it.
Since watching this movie, it has made me dig deeper into the miracle of the sun, to understand what happened during that time. Newspapers reported testimonies of miracles, and the sun dancing and zig-zagging in the sky on October 13th, 1917. I remember my mom saying on Easter Sundays, if you looked at the sun you could see it dancing. I had never really connected the two until watching this movie.
A little history on Sister Lúcia Santos
Sister Lucia was born March 28, 1907 and was often referred to as Lúcia of Fatima. She wrote 6 memoirs over the years and attended four papal pilgrimages in her lifetime. She became a Carmelite nun in 1949. Twelve years after she passed away, she was accorded the title “Servant of God.” It is the first major step towards canonization.
People are still flocking to the site every year, over 100 years later, to see where Mary visited those children. It has been an inspiration to millions over the years. I highly recommend you watch this movie and then do some of your own research too.
