THE FIRST APPARITION OF THE ANGEL

Towards the end of spring, 1916, the three future seers of Fatima were tending their sheep one day on the slopes of the hill of Cabecco called Casa Velha.  Towards midday, drizzle began to fall.  Seeking shelter, the three little children, climbed the slope, followed by their sheep.  They entered for the first time the cave that was to become so sacred.  The rain stopped but they spent the day in the cave.  They had their lunch and after the Rosary, started to play jacks.  A short while, a violent gust of wind shook the trees, which made them, raise their heads to see what was happening for the day was serene.  There above the trees towards the East, they saw coming towards them a light whiter than snow.  It was the form of a young man, transparent, more brilliant than a crystal pierced by the rays of the sun.  As he approached they were able to distinguish his features:  A young man of fourteen to sixteen years of age, and of a supper human beauty.  The children were so surprised and half absorbed that they could not utter one word.  He got to them and said: “Fear not! I am the Angel of Peace.  Pray with me!  Then kneeling and placing his forehead on the ground he said three times: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you, I beg pardon, for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you” He repeated this pray three times.  He arose and said: “Pray thus.  The Holy hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications”

The Angel disappeared and the awareness of the supernatural was so intense that for a long space of time they remained there in the same position in which he left them, unaware of their very existence, repeating that same prayer over and over again. “ We felt the presence of God so intensely, so intimately, that we dared not speak even to each other.  The next day we felt ourselves still enveloped by that atmosphere.  His words remained so deeply imprinted on us.  From this day onward we often remained prostrate for long hours in the Angels attitude repeating this prayer until sometimes we feel exhausted” Said Lucia.

Children being children, the spell did wear off and it was not long before they went back to their daily round of playing singing and dancing.  One notable effect remained however, which seemed to fit in with the events that followed.  The three little cousins were content to spend all their time together.