Our Lady of Fatima School is named in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared multiple times to three young shepherd children- Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta- in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. These apparitions took place during a time of great hardship, as World War 1 was devastating Europe. Mary’s messages to the children was one of peace, prayer and hope, encouraging them to pray the Rosary daily and to trust in God’s love.

Over six months, the children faithfully returned to the sites of the apparitions, where Mary shared messages of faith and asked for a chapel to be built in her honour. On 13 October 1917, thousands gathered to witness what became known as the Miracle of the Sun- a powerful sign that confirmed the children’s experiences.

Following these significant events, sadly, Francisco and Jacinta passed away at a young age. Lucia became a nun and dedicated her life to sharing Mary’s message. She formed a close bond with Pope John Paul II, who faithfully believed that it was Our Lady of Fatima’s intercession that saved his life from an assassination attempt in 1981.

Today, the sites of the apparitions are a major pilgrimage destination with two beautiful shrines, and in 2017, Pope Francis declared Francisco and Jacinta as saints. Lucia lived until the age of 98 and in 2023, Pope Francis officially recognised Sister Lucia’s life of deep faith and declared her “venerable”. The Church now awaits a confirmed miracle through her intercession as the next step towards sainthood.

At Our Lady of Fatima School in Palmyra, we are proud to carry forward this legacy of faith, prayer and hope. Inspired by Our Lady’s message, we strive to nurture a community where every child is supported to grow in spirit, character and purpose.