Sorrowful Mysteries: The Shepherd Children of Fatima and the Fate of the Twentieth Century

by Stephen Harrigan

Part memoir, part mystery: a powerful exploration of the three secrets of Fatima and a man’s journey grappling with his own faith

In 1917, in Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared before them and spoke the words, “Do not be afraid.”

Stephen Harrigan first heard the story of Our Lady of Fatima when he was a young boy attending a Catholic school in Texas in the 1950s, struggling to come to grips with a religion that simultaneously soothed and terrified him. The question of what actually happened in Fatima in the early part of the twentieth century, one of the most important, and most mysterious, events in the church’s history, captured his young imagination and has stayed with him ever since.

Sorrowful Mysteries is a detailed and extraordinarily compassionate examination of the phenomenon of Our Lady of Fatima, an attempt to unravel and put into perspective the lives of the three children, how this life-altering event changed them and the world they knew, and how it intersected with so many of the signal moments of the twentieth century—pandemics, revolutions, world wars, assassinations, and even skyjackings. It is a sweeping story, but also at its heart a very personal one, about Harrigan’s own relationship with Catholicism and his lifelong struggle to break free from a religion that in so many paradoxical ways shaped and defined him.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Catholic, Portugal, Biography Memoir, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Stephen Harrigan was born in Oklahoma City in 1948 and has lived in Texas since the age of five, growing up in Abilene and Corpus Christi.
He is a longtime writer for Texas Monthly, and his articles and essays have appeared in a wide range of other publications as well, including The Atlantic, Outside, The New York Times Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Audubon, Travel Holiday, Life, American History, National Geographic and Slate. His film column for Texas Monthly was a finalist for the 2015 National Magazine Awards.
Harrigan is the author of nine books of fiction and non-fiction, including The Gates of the Alamo, which became a New York Times bestseller and Notable Book, and received a number of awards, including the TCU Texas Book Award, the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Spur Award for Best Novel of the West.Remember Ben Clayton was published by Knopf in 2011 and praised by Booklist as a "stunning work of art" and by The Wall Street Journal as a "a poignantly human monument to our history." Remember Ben Clayton also won a Spur Award, as well as the Jesse H. Jones Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and the James Fenimore Cooper Prize, given by the Society of American Historians for the best work of historical fiction. In the Spring of 2013, the University of Texas Press published a career-spanning volume of his essays, The Eye of the Mammoth, which reviewers called “masterful” (from a starred review in Publishers Weekly), “enchanting and irresistible” (the Dallas Morning News) and written with “acuity and matchless prose.”(Booklist). His latest novel is A Friend of Mr. Lincoln.
Among the many movies Harrigan has written for television are HBO’s award-winning The Last of His Tribe, starring Jon Voight and Graham Greene, and King of Texas, a western retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear for TNT, which starred Patrick Stewart, Marcia Gay Harden, and Roy Scheider. His most recent television production was The Colt, an adaptation of a short story by the Nobel-prize winning author Mikhail Sholokhov, which aired on The Hallmark Channel. For his screenplay of The Colt, Harrigan was nominated for a Writers Guild Award and the Humanitas Prize. Young Caesar, a feature adaptation of Conn Iggulden’s Emperor novels, which he co-wrote with William Broyles, Jr., is currently in development with Exclusive Media.
A 1971 graduate of the University of Texas, Harrigan lives in Austin, where he is a faculty fellow at UT’s James A. Michener Center for Writers and a writer-at-large for Texas Monthly. He is also a founding member of CAST (Capital Area Statues, Inc.) an organization in Austin that commissions monumental works of art as gifts to the city. He is the recipient of the Texas Book Festival’s Texas Writers Award, the Lon Tinkle Award for lifetime achievement from the Texas Institute of Letters, and was recently inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. Stephen Harrigan and his wife Sue Ellen have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the cover of this book states, “In 1917, in Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared before them and spoke the words ‘Do not be afraid’.” She appeared to the children several more times, and during the last visit she gave them a prediction for the future which was delivered to the Vatican by one of the children with the admonition that it should not be divulged until 1960 .

Author Stephen Harrigan has written an in depth account of this occurrence and its impact on the Catholic Church and the lives of the three children, while at the same time detailing his lifelong struggle to break away from Catholicism (and for that matter any organized religion) whose relationship and impact had shaped and defined his life.

Thank you to Goodreads giveaways, Penguin Random House publishing company, and author Stephen Harrigan for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.

[Jo Burl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been thinking about this book since I started reading it, and even now, some days after I finished it.

I was raised a Catholic and when I was 20 became Protestant for reasons I won't go into here. When I was a young Catholic girl, I was devoted/fascinated/enamored/intrigued by Mary. All of the statues of her were beautiful, and I loved beauty. I was told she was more compassionate than God and I should go to her with my prayers because she would more readily listen to me than God would. That made sense to me at the time. I also thought I could identify with her more easily than Jesus, because, after all, she was a woman, and my sins put Jesus on the cross. How embarrassing and uncomfortable!!

Once I became a Protestant, I more or less put her on the shelf, but I did wonder from time to time about the many appearances she had made since we came into the years counted by AD. What was that about and did it really happen?

When I was a young Catholic I had read the various accounts of her appearances, but of course from a devout Catholic point of view. I even made a trip to her shrine in Mexico at Guadalupe. As a Protestant I wondered if I had the whole story. That's one of the things I liked about this book, it gave us the actual words that Lucia set down.

After many years of reading the Bible and having it percolate in my mind reading these accounts strike differently. This is why:
1. God has said many times in the Bible He will not share His glory with another.
2. In the Bible, when people fall down to worship either angels or any of the apostles, they are always told to worship God only. I'm sure the real Mary would say the same.
3. In the Bible, Mary speaks 3 times, and in two of those times, she is either saying let God's will be done to her or she is directing people to do as Jesus tells them to. She never in anyway tries to take any glory to herself, but always assigns it to God.
4. We are told Satan can pass himself off as an angel of light and he is the great deceiver.
5. The Bible states over and over again that we are unable to do enough good things to offset the great debt we have occurred by our sins to God. (This book many times speaks of the Catholic church or Lucia offering up their sacrifices to God in order to merit salvation.)
6. Because we are unable to satisfy this debt, God in the person of Jesus, came to pay this debt for us and to live perfectly for us. Both are credited to our account so that the debt is more than wiped way but HIS merits are counted to us. Neither Mary or saints have credit to give to us, only Jesus can do that. Any good things they did wouldn't even be enough to satisfy their own debts.
7. Mary says in the Bible that she needs a Savior, so even she sinned. Despite what the Catholic church says, this come from her own mouth in the Magnificat in Luke.
8. God says that words of prophecy must come true in order to consider them truly from Him. In Lucia's third secret about the pope and all that she saw, that was nearly 99 % wrong.
9. God over and over again tells us in the Bible to come to Him, and it tells us how tenderly He loves us. Jesus came to show us that on top of paying for the sins of His people.

Now I admit I can't explain what happened on the last visitation with the sun and the clothes and ground drying so quickly. That doesn't take away all of the cautions that I enumerated above. I'm with the author in wondering what it is Lucia and her cousins saw. Was it anything or was it something they made up and convinced themselves of? Was it the evil one taking advantage of children who didn't know God's word in the Bible? I do know that anything that is worshipped instead of God is an idol and God condemns that.

I do empathize with the author's childhood experiences and his post-Catholic journey. I see many similarities between what he experienced and what I grew up with, though not all. I'm very grateful that I have not abandoned faith, but that God took the small amount I had and used it to lead me to Him. I hope that the same will happen to the author.

I don't mean to offend any Catholic who reads this. I fear I have, but if so, I urge you to read the Bible and see what it says about worshipping/venerating another other than God. Don't let what a person says convince you. Go to the One who is truth itself.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book; part-memoir of a lapsed Catholic, and part historical investigation into the three shepherd children who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. There is humor in book too; several times I chuckled out loud.

[Therese Borden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written reflection on the story of Our Lady Fatima and the 3 young shepherd children who saw a vision of Madonna on a hillside. A strange story indeed that figured prominently in the upbringing of Catholics of a certain age. The message of the Virgin was rather oddly focused on the conversion of Russia and gloomy predictions of doom if not enough rosaries are said. And yet it cannot be denied that whole affair has a mystical appeal. A weird train of events that may seem like a mass hallucination from a strictly logical perspective. And yet, it is a demonstration of the power of faith, even faith based on hallucinations.

Highly recommended. even if you think you know all about the strange occurances at Fatima in 1917. You will come away with some new thoughts

[Nancy Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has a clear anti-catholic bias stemming from his own upbringing and attendance in Catholic Schools.

I had the same upbringing and education and was not disposed to the flights of fancy or terrors that seemed to plague him. And if I were, I certainly hope I could separate my own personal "baggage" from my research.

Therefore, it is not possible to see this book as a fair, unbiased, scientific evaluation of the Fatima children. I did, however, like the historic research in terms of the depictions of the village and other family members, subjects not generally known, so that is why I gave it two stars instead of one.

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

The former Texas Monthly writer’s book is a tangled mess of autobiography and history of the miracle of Fatima. Early in the book (chapter 3) he states, “Even now, many decades after making my escape from the Church. . .”

I should have just closed the book right there and saved myself the bother of continuing. Instead, I took copious notes of the skepticism and outright declaration of “freedom” from his upbringing. I owed it to my wife who purchased this for me.

Some things need to set straight. Harrigan states than “in its efforts to make the Mass more relevant, Vatican II declared that it be conducted in the vernacular.” I have the documents of that council right here, and I defy the writer to prove what he says, never mind what the US bishops have been pushing for the last fifty years.

To wit, “Because of the use of the mother tongue in the administration of the sacraments and sacramentals can often be of considerable help to the people, this use is to be extended according to the following norms: a) The vernacular language may be used in administering the sacraments and sacramentals, according to the norm of Art. 36.”

On top of the overt and hinted doubts, Harrigan also drags his own mother into the fray and ridicules her work in teaching couples how to use Natural Family Planning.

Just tell us you’re an atheist and save the paper and ink.

[LeastTorque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating history of the Fatima visions and the three children, relating it to the historical events surrounding it, up to the present day. I’ve read and appreciated several of the author’s novels and really enjoyed the memoir aspects of this book.

It gets a fifth star for the personal resonance, as I also was raised Catholic, saw the movie, and was greatly affected by it. In fact, I tracked it down and rewatched it as an adult, but saw it as propaganda, introducing politics I’d missed when seeing it as a very young child. Little did I know! But now I do, thanks to Mr. Harrigan. I’m also close to Mr. Harrigan in age (I’m just 6 years younger) and grew up in Texas near Austin. So, many memories and feelings revived here, about the church, Catholicism, and more.

I did not grow up in such an intensely Catholic home or attend Catholic school, but did have church and catechism and communion and confirmation before parting ways. Parents playing dominos and drinking whiskey and ginger ale with Father Joe on Sunday evenings while us kids roller skated in the garage with the cats and the june bugs.

Oh! I almost forgot. This book was a perfect accompaniment to God Human Animal Machine for a nice December mini-theme.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a new policy: every time a book claims to be a pop nonfiction piece and is actually a memoir, I’m docking an entire star from its rating. This is the book that pushed me over the edge. It’s an excellent memoir about leaving Catholicism, pretending to be a shallow pop history of the legacy of the Fátima visions. An exploration of how they shaped ‘the fate of the 20th century’ it is not. If it was a pop history of the golden age of Cold War Marian apparitions and off-kilter modern catholic mysticism, it’s missing the forest for the trees by focusing on Fátima alone and not the various copycats (like Bayside, with its loony clone popes and UFOlogy, Ezkioga and the political context thereof, Garabandal’s apocalyptic rhetoric, the complete insanity that is the Palmarians, the post-atomic Akita visions, and so forth). If it’s meant to be a memoir with links to Fátima, it damn well needed a better title.

[Christine Savukinas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part well researched history lesson and part personal memoir. Having been raised Catholic I understood many of the author’s feelings and thoughts about Catholicism and the church. The author considers himself a former Catholic, and is no longer a believer.
I originally requested this book because I remember my mother telling me stories about the shepherd children who saw and heard from the Virgin Mary and I was curious to hear more information. I was satisfied, and believe many Catholics and former Catholics would be as well.
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Paul Lemcke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess it's 2.5 stars, but I'll post it as 3 stars because I respected the research and the actual writing, though as a lapsed Catholic turned atheist myself, I just can't get past thinking a 2-star "it was ok". The book was part historical research, part storytelling of people, places and events tangential to Fatima's three famous children, and part personal memoir of Harrigan's experience with the Catholic church. I think, depending on your relationship to the Church and the degree of brow-beating you may have received by nuns, after reading this you could be either more firmly believing in the great miracle, or you might shake your head and say it's all piffle.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the author writes this book from the perspective of a “lapsed Catholic”, and I am a practicing Catholic and believer, I did enjoy this book. His historical research is actually fascinating. There were also some references to his experiences as a Catholic growing up in the 1960’s that made me laugh out loud. All in all, it is a very interesting read for anyone who grew up in wonder of the secrets of Fatima.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am what one might refer to as a lapsed Catholic, but I am still interested in explorations of the religion so I was excited when Stephen Harrigan came to my independent book store with this. I have also been to Fatima and was transfixed by seeing so many pilgrims and believers. So glad I got to learn more about the story.

[Paul Delacruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in depth explanation of the story of Fatima and secrets of the Catholic Church shrouded in mystery hidden behind doctrinal walls to protect something that could unravel what we know. Very well written and informative where seems has sparked the telling of Stephen’s own personal memoirs of Catholicism.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book succeeds when it focuses on the subject of the title: the three young children of Fatima, Portugal who reported being visited by the Virgin Mary in 1917. Their stories influenced people and events through the 20th century and beyond. Unfortunately, the author decided to weave in his own memoir of growing up Catholic in Texas. It's not a good match and the overall book suffers for it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. As an adult convert to Catholicism and back again, I truly appreciate Stephen Harrigan's point of view on the miracles of the Virgin Mary. This is a great read and filled with history of the shephard children's experiences at Fatima. I especially love the way he ends this book. Totally relateable for me.

[Joe McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows that "overloading" a narrative, giving a detailed account, can be a plus. In his journey in Portugal, Stephen Harrigan enhances his presentation rather than burdening it. He does not believe in the Fatima events, but his detailed narrative enhances understanding. He does not scoff. Hundreds of thousands believe in Fatima. Harrigan does not, but in my estimation he comes close.

[Monica Goodell · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I enjoyed Harrigan's humorous approach to his mixed feelings about his Catholic upbringing. Many of his sentiments reflect my own, but at times he gets a bit too cocky. I don't follow his entire argument to a secular path, but this is an interesting look at Lucia's life and how it was changed after she and her cousins claimed to see the Virgin Mary in Fatima.

[Jill Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good account of the Fatima story later woven into an essay about the author’s journey from ardent childhood Catholic to an adult losing his religion during his college days. I guess I would have just rather had the Fatima.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as expected. It was more memoir than I thought it would be. I couldn’t tell if the author was more interested in telling the story of Fatima or explaining why he fell away from the Catholic Church.

[Diane Fielding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why would a non-believer write a book about something he doesn’t believe in. The author thinks that the children’s imaginations created the vision of Mary and it wasn’t real.

The book was tainted by the authors struggles with his religious beliefs.

[M DeGarmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book on the Fatima apparitions and the authors own spiritual journey. Great details, easy to read.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Laura Bray · Rating 2 out of 5]

one of my favorite authors, but this one wasn't my favorite

[James Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, well-written history!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting mix of memoir and religious history. The story of Our Lady of Fatima and the heart breaking fates of all three Pastorinhos de Aljustrel.

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting examination of a miracle in Portugal during WWII.