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How to Celebrate Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun (October 13)
Celebrating Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun with Kids
On October 13, we celebrate the Miracle of the Sun, a significant event associated with the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, which started to take place on May 13. This feast is a wonderful occasion to honor Mary and reflect on her messages to the Portuguese shepherd children of Fatima. The Miracle of the Sun occurred on October 13, 1917, and serves as a powerful reminder of faith and divine intervention. Celebrating this day with kids can be both fun and educational! Here are some engaging activities, tasty snacks, and meaningful prayers to make this day special.
1. Coloring Page and Miracle of the Sun Craft
Start by having the children color a picture of Our Lady of Fatima. Next, they can make a Miracle of the Sun craft that includes a circle to represent the sun, a small illustration of Our Lady of Fatima, and bright strips of orange and yellow paper to symbolize sunrays. All you’ll need are scissors and glue. Enjoy putting together this lovely craft and displaying it!
2. Snack Time: Portuguese or Sun-themed Treats
Food is always a highlight of any celebration! Here are some snack ideas that tie into the theme:
- Malasadas: These delicious, sugar-coated Portuguese doughnuts are a perfect sweet treat for kids and adults alike.
- Pão de Queijo: These delicious Brazilian cheese bread rolls are a popular treat and can be a nod to the Portuguese heritage connected to Fatima. They’re cheesy, fluffy, and perfect for little hands! You can find them in the freezer section at Costco sometimes!
- Portuguese Sweet Bread – A soft, sweet bread that is perfect for this occasion. If you’re short on time, you can use Hawaiian rolls as a quick and easy alternative since they are inspired by Portuguese sweet bread.
- Sunshine Fruit Skewers: Use bright fruits like pineapple, melon, and strawberries to create fruit skewers that resemble rays of sunshine.
- Sun Cookies: Make or purchase sugar cookies and decorate them with yellow icing and sprinkles to create sun designs.
- Luminous Lemonade: Serve a refreshing lemonade or lemon-flavored drink to symbolize the brightness of the sun during the miracle.
- Fatima Fruit Salad: Create a colorful fruit salad using fruits that remind you of the sun’s brightness, such as oranges, peaches, and bananas.
3. Soak up the Sun
If the weather permits, take the celebration outside and encourage the kids to soak up the sun. Set up a picnic in your yard or a local park where you can enjoy the warm weather. Bring along some of your favorite snacks and drinks, and while you’re outside, remind the children to take a moment to feel the sun on their faces. You can talk about how the sun represents God’s love and warmth, just as Mary brings us closer to her Son. Dance like the sun did that day in Fatima!
4. Say the Fatima Prayer
As a family, take a moment to reflect and pray together. Teach the children the Fatima Prayer, which is a beautiful way to honor Mary’s request for prayer and penance. You can say the prayer together as part of your celebration:
The Fatima Prayer:
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
Celebrating Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun with kids can be a joyful experience filled with creativity, delicious treats, and meaningful prayers. Through snacks, soaking up the sun, and prayer, you can help instill a love for Mary and an understanding of her messages, ensuring the legacy of Fatima is passed on to the next generation. Enjoy this special feast day together!