Early Twentieth Century

Early to mid 1900s

The early part of the twentieth century was a time of terrible conflicts including two devastating world wars. Millions of lives were lost and many people lost everything they owned including their families. There was terrible destruction of cities and countries. Communism spread to several countries. It denied God and persecuted many. It became very strong in countries like Russia.

Do you recognise any of the images below?

Do you know what stories they may represent?

Do you know of anyone who fought in a war?

  • leaders of Communism
  • WW!
  • Hitler
  • Communism Spreads
  • WW2
  • WW1
  • Communism
  • Hitler

However, the Holy Spirit continued to guide the Church and many good people showed herioc virtue and prayed for an end of the evil.

Fatima

The Virgin Mary first appeared to three very poor Portuguese children in 1917. This was in the town of Fatima. Their names are Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia. Our Lady told the children there was much evil in the world and God was greatly offended by the many sins. She asked the children to pray the rosary daily and to make personnel sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. She also asked that Russia be consecrated to her immaculate heart. Our Lady also predicted the end of World War 1 and predicted that another war (WW2) would begin during the reign of Pope Pius XI.

The children did as Our Lady asked. They prayed fervently and news of the appearances and her requests spread. many people followed and sought to pray likewise.

After much prayer and suffering, Jacinta and Francisco died and Lucia went on to become a Discalced Carmelite nun. Fifteen years after her death, the body of Jacinta was found to be incorrupt. The ‘miracle of the sun’ defied all natural laws and was witnessed by 70,000 people. Devotion to the Rosary has grown immensely since then. Lucia died in 2005. Jacinta and Francisco were canonised saints on May 13, 2017, exactly 100 years after the first appearance of Our Lady. Today many pilgrims visit Fatima and pray at the place where Our Lady appeared.

More about this later!

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

John Paul II

John XXIII

Blessed Acutis