Immaculate Heart of Mary and Fatima apparition coincides June 13

Echo article reported in Aleteia by Kathleen N. Hattrup

Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.

This year, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary falls on the 13th of the month, meaning it coincides with the anniversary of one of Our Lady's apparitions at Fatima.

In fact, June 13 was the second apparition, and it was when Our Lady first spoke to the shepherd children about her heart.

The Fatima Shrine provides a translation of what Mary said that day, as recounted by Sister Lucia in her memoir:

- What do you want of me? I (Lucia) asked.
- I wish you to come here on the 13th of next month, to pray the Rosary every day, and to learn to read. Later, I will tell you what I want.
- I asked for the cure of a sick person.
- If he is converted; he will be cured during the year.
- I would like to ask you to take us to Heaven.
- Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer. Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” [l promise salvation to those who embrace it, and those souls will be loved by God like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne.].
- Am I to stay here alone? I asked, sadly.
- No, my daughter. Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.

As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands and for the second time, she communicated to us the rays of that same immense light. We saw ourselves in this light, as it were, immersed in God. Jacinta and Francisco seemed to be in that part of the light which rose towards Heaven, and I in that which was poured out on the earth. In front of the palm of Our Lady’s right hand was a heart encircled by thorns which pierced it. We understood that this was the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outraged by the sins of humanity, and seeking reparation.»

Later, in 1925, Mary appeared to Sister Lucia again, and spoke of her heart:
(the part in brackets is something Sr. Lucia added later in a letter)

Look, My daughter, at My Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce Me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude.  See more about that apparition here: