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Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World
Fatima. Few place-names in the Christian world conjure up such powerful images and associations as that of this humble town in Portugal. For it was there that Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children beginning in 1917—apparitions that are intimately linked to pious Catholic practices such as devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the five first Saturdays, daily recitation of the Rosary with the Fatima prayer, as well as miracles attested to even by non-believers, such as the “day the sun danced.” The Virgin’s message, as it always is, was penance. But she also predicted world historical events such as the rise and fall of communism, the second world war, and the attempted assassination of Pope St. John Paul II. She promised refuge in her Immaculate Heart to all who approach her—a promise extended, and urgently needed, today.
This beautifully illustrated volume will be treasured by long-time devotees of our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, as well as those, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, who seek to learn more about the dramatic events related to the apparition that have unfolded over the course of the last century.
In Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World, noted Catholic author and Blue Army member Jean M. Heimann traces the history of the apparitions at Cova da Iria and, assisted by over fifty full-color illustrations, guides the reader through the hundred years since the Mother of God appeared to three little children in a small town in Portugal.
This beautifully illustrated volume will be treasured by long-time devotees of our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, as well as those, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, who seek to learn more about the dramatic events related to the apparition that have unfolded over the course of the last century.
In Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World, noted Catholic author and Blue Army member Jean M. Heimann traces the history of the apparitions at Cova da Iria and, assisted by over fifty full-color illustrations, guides the reader through the hundred years since the Mother of God appeared to three little children in a small town in Portugal.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published May 15, 2017
28 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Jean M. Heimann
6 books66 followersA Catholic freelance writer with an M.A. in Theology, a psychologist and educator, and an Oblate with the Community of St. John, Jean M. Heimann has had her work published in: National Catholic Register, Catholic Exchange, St. Anthony Messenger/America, and numerous other publications. She has also written short stories in several bestselling Catholic books.
She has been the author of the award-wining weblog, Catholic Fire, for fifeen years and a contributor to an additional five Catholic blogs.
She has served as a diocesan and parish presenter for 20+ years.
She has been the author of the award-wining weblog, Catholic Fire, for fifeen years and a contributor to an additional five Catholic blogs.
She has served as a diocesan and parish presenter for 20+ years.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 22, 2017
Not A Mere Remembrance
On October 13, 1917, more than seventy thousand individuals watched (many in absolute terror) as the sun danced in the sky before plummeting towards frightened onlookers. Many expected to die. Just as suddenly, the sun stopped its deathly spiral and returned to its normal perch, sitting passively in the sky – just a portion of the miracle Our Lady of Fatima had promised her three young seers, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco.
Although we recently marked the 100th anniversary of this supernatural event, relatively few people in the world even knew it had occurred and of those who did, not nearly enough of them have heeded our Blessed Mother’s call to prayer, repentance and penance. Tragically, our heavenly Mother’s appearances and pleas have been, for the most part, forgotten or ignored.
But not by Jean M. Heimann. This well-respected author wanted to not only memorialize this great miracle but to do something about the world’s amnesia, moral decay and near destruction. In her most recent book, Fatima -The Apparition That Changed the World, Heimann makes Fatima and our Lady’s messages come to life, not only with words but with breathtakingly beautiful photographs. The timeline and bibliography she included in this book are treasure troves of additional resources.
In this concise, easy to read, informative and well-organized volume, the reader will find all that is necessary to understand the meaning of Fatima and to respond to the battle to save souls. Heimann does not want us to forget that Mother Mary predicted World War II would occur if we did not heed her words. We didn’t and it did.
We now belatedly realize that the 21st century was the bloodiest in all of human history. It might have been different had we listened to our Mother. We must not forget that Our Lady also warned us that even further catastrophes await a world that refuses to listen and obey her Son. We should believe her. Just look around the world and see the destruction of families and sexual mores.
For Jean Heimann, the messages of Our Lady of Fatima are not merely historical artifacts to be kept on a shelf collecting dust. They are an on-going urgent plea to pray (especially the Rosary), to fast, and to repent. We owe a debt of gratitude to this author for writing this book at this time in our history.
Fatima – The Apparition That Changed the World is not a mere remembrance of a supernatural event. It is, as Father James M. Sullivan, O.P. recently wrote, a reminder of the “need for reparation for sin and for sacrifices to be made for the conversion of sinners.”
Fools indeed we would be if we continue to ignore our Mother’s directions.
I was blessed to receive a review copy of this outstanding book. So impressed have I been with it, that I ordered copies for my children.
Order a copy for yourself and those you love.
On October 13, 1917, more than seventy thousand individuals watched (many in absolute terror) as the sun danced in the sky before plummeting towards frightened onlookers. Many expected to die. Just as suddenly, the sun stopped its deathly spiral and returned to its normal perch, sitting passively in the sky – just a portion of the miracle Our Lady of Fatima had promised her three young seers, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco.
Although we recently marked the 100th anniversary of this supernatural event, relatively few people in the world even knew it had occurred and of those who did, not nearly enough of them have heeded our Blessed Mother’s call to prayer, repentance and penance. Tragically, our heavenly Mother’s appearances and pleas have been, for the most part, forgotten or ignored.
But not by Jean M. Heimann. This well-respected author wanted to not only memorialize this great miracle but to do something about the world’s amnesia, moral decay and near destruction. In her most recent book, Fatima -The Apparition That Changed the World, Heimann makes Fatima and our Lady’s messages come to life, not only with words but with breathtakingly beautiful photographs. The timeline and bibliography she included in this book are treasure troves of additional resources.
In this concise, easy to read, informative and well-organized volume, the reader will find all that is necessary to understand the meaning of Fatima and to respond to the battle to save souls. Heimann does not want us to forget that Mother Mary predicted World War II would occur if we did not heed her words. We didn’t and it did.
We now belatedly realize that the 21st century was the bloodiest in all of human history. It might have been different had we listened to our Mother. We must not forget that Our Lady also warned us that even further catastrophes await a world that refuses to listen and obey her Son. We should believe her. Just look around the world and see the destruction of families and sexual mores.
For Jean Heimann, the messages of Our Lady of Fatima are not merely historical artifacts to be kept on a shelf collecting dust. They are an on-going urgent plea to pray (especially the Rosary), to fast, and to repent. We owe a debt of gratitude to this author for writing this book at this time in our history.
Fatima – The Apparition That Changed the World is not a mere remembrance of a supernatural event. It is, as Father James M. Sullivan, O.P. recently wrote, a reminder of the “need for reparation for sin and for sacrifices to be made for the conversion of sinners.”
Fools indeed we would be if we continue to ignore our Mother’s directions.
I was blessed to receive a review copy of this outstanding book. So impressed have I been with it, that I ordered copies for my children.
Order a copy for yourself and those you love.
May 6, 2017
This is the second book by Jean M. Heimann that I have read and also the second book on Fatima that I have read on this the 100th Anniversary of the appearances. This book is visually stunning. The layout is phenomenal, the way the numerous pictures are interspersed make the book a joy to read. The images are a mix of pictures, photos and artwork about the visits of Our Lady of Fatima. And also other artwork from church history. Jean presents the history of the aspirations, the life of the three children and papal interactions.
The chapters in this book are:
Timeline
Forward
Prelude
The Visionaries of Fatima
The First Two Apparitions
The Third Apparition – July 13, 1917
The Next Three Apparitions
Illness and Death Come for Two Visionaries
Convents, Continuing Apparitions, and Contemplation
The Popes and Fatima
Conclusion: The Centennial and Beyond
Appendix: Three Fatima Miracles
Afterword
Bibliography
The book begins with a timeline that spans from 1916-2013. Jean writes in such an engaging manner that you will find once you pick up this book you will have a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed it so much that I have started reading it a second time with my oldest child. Like me, she has fallen in love with the story of three children with such devotion.
There is also an extensive bibliography at the end of the book for those who want to read further. And after reading Jean’s book I believe that many readers will want to study the aspirations and related events further.
This book is very well written. I loved this book and highly recommend it. If you already have a strong devotion to Mary this book will help deepen it. If not this book will open your eyes to the relationship Mary has with the world, and interceding for it. An incredible read, thank you Jean!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Jean.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
The chapters in this book are:
Timeline
Forward
Prelude
The Visionaries of Fatima
The First Two Apparitions
The Third Apparition – July 13, 1917
The Next Three Apparitions
Illness and Death Come for Two Visionaries
Convents, Continuing Apparitions, and Contemplation
The Popes and Fatima
Conclusion: The Centennial and Beyond
Appendix: Three Fatima Miracles
Afterword
Bibliography
The book begins with a timeline that spans from 1916-2013. Jean writes in such an engaging manner that you will find once you pick up this book you will have a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed it so much that I have started reading it a second time with my oldest child. Like me, she has fallen in love with the story of three children with such devotion.
There is also an extensive bibliography at the end of the book for those who want to read further. And after reading Jean’s book I believe that many readers will want to study the aspirations and related events further.
This book is very well written. I loved this book and highly recommend it. If you already have a strong devotion to Mary this book will help deepen it. If not this book will open your eyes to the relationship Mary has with the world, and interceding for it. An incredible read, thank you Jean!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Jean.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
June 17, 2017
This book was so much more than I expected. I appreciated learning the details of the Blessed Mother's appearances to the children Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta in rural Portugal a hundred years ago. Reading Lucia's own words provided a deeper understanding of her devotion to God and the Blessed Mother as well as her relationships with the other children, who were her younger cousins. The placement within historical context of events the children experienced appealed greatly to me as a student of history and lent more meaning to those events for me. Lucia lived to an advanced age, and the book includes the highlights of her life after childhood. It also contains information about the popes who occupied the Vatican during Lucia's lifetime and their particular devotion to the Blessed Mother and connections with Fatima.
In addition to its content, I admire the book's beauty. Though small, it has numerous photographs and full-color reproductions of religious paintings. The writing is easy to read and comprehend, and I recommend this book for young teens through adults.
I received a hardbound copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
In addition to its content, I admire the book's beauty. Though small, it has numerous photographs and full-color reproductions of religious paintings. The writing is easy to read and comprehend, and I recommend this book for young teens through adults.
I received a hardbound copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
May 1, 2017
I didn’t know how much my knowledge of the Fatima apparitions was lacking until I read Jean M. Heimann’s beautiful new book! As a cradle Catholic with at least average knowledge about my faith, I’ve long known about the Blessed Mother’s appearances to three young Portuguese children in the early 20th century. What this book, replete with beautiful photographs, did, is provide depth and context to my superficial knowledge.
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World works as a reference book, a coffee table book, a spiritual work, and a primer in history – both ecclesiastical and 20th century world history. One of the most helpful features in the book is a timeline, setting the visions in context with historical events. (It was also a reminder of how slowly the Catholic Church moves, often with good reason.) The timeline is also traced in greater detail through the 20th and 21st century papacies.
Just in time for the centennial of the first apparitions and the canonizations of two of the three visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, later this month, Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World not only educates and edifies, but brings to bear the continuing relevance of Our Lady’s message today.
As private revelation, the apparitions, while approved (meaning that they are supernatural and do not contradict good faith or morals) are not part of the deposit of faith. Even so, this detailed story of Fatima left me in awe of the majesty of God and the significant role Our Lady plays in salvation history.
(I received an advance copy from the author. Opinions are my own.)
Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World works as a reference book, a coffee table book, a spiritual work, and a primer in history – both ecclesiastical and 20th century world history. One of the most helpful features in the book is a timeline, setting the visions in context with historical events. (It was also a reminder of how slowly the Catholic Church moves, often with good reason.) The timeline is also traced in greater detail through the 20th and 21st century papacies.
Just in time for the centennial of the first apparitions and the canonizations of two of the three visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, later this month, Fatima: The Apparition That Changed the World not only educates and edifies, but brings to bear the continuing relevance of Our Lady’s message today.
As private revelation, the apparitions, while approved (meaning that they are supernatural and do not contradict good faith or morals) are not part of the deposit of faith. Even so, this detailed story of Fatima left me in awe of the majesty of God and the significant role Our Lady plays in salvation history.
(I received an advance copy from the author. Opinions are my own.)
September 16, 2017
I absolutely love this book and wish everyone could read it, especially since this is the year of the 100th Anniversary of Fatima. It begins with a timeline that sets the visions in context with other historical events. It contains over 50 beautiful illustrations, biographies of the visionaries and of the recent popes, and details about relevant devotions and heavenly promises. And, of course, it explains the messages of Fatima and shows its relevance today.
My skin was tingling, reading some of the messages and thoughts from popes! I am so motivated to pray the Rosary for all my intentions and for conversions. I highly recommend this book for yourself, your family, and as gifts for friends and loved ones.
My skin was tingling, reading some of the messages and thoughts from popes! I am so motivated to pray the Rosary for all my intentions and for conversions. I highly recommend this book for yourself, your family, and as gifts for friends and loved ones.
September 22, 2017
A pretty basic exploration of the events at Fatima (would have liked more in-depth), but the photography and artwork used were stunning. Also, the detailed historical connections made with each pope over the last 100 years, and with each world war, put the entire Fatima event in a sort of solid historical context that I found fascinating. For example, Mary spoke to the children in 1917 for a very practical reason: to help pray for an end to WWI. And she warned that if the world did not seek to counter the atheism of Russia, there would be a second world war in about 1938 (Germany invades Austria in 1938). I know the events seem hard to believe for many, but over 100,000 people saw her miracle of the "dancing sun," and their soaking clothes were instantly dried (while still outside in the rain). How are these things explained? Truly a thought-provoking event and book.
January 10, 2018
This book made an impression on my soul and compels you to live the message of Fatima. A very good introduction to the Fatima story, message, and importance. I’ve attended conferences on Fatima before and learned facts I didn’t know. Jean Heimann’s Book reminds us that Fatima is important, not just during last year’s special anniversary, but everyday of your life.
October 29, 2017
I read as much as possible about our Blessed Mother and this book was no disappointment
Very pleased with this book. My favorite yet. It is enough in one person 's life to truly understand our Mother. She loves every one even if we refuse to believe.
Very pleased with this book. My favorite yet. It is enough in one person 's life to truly understand our Mother. She loves every one even if we refuse to believe.
September 28, 2019
Beautiful!!!
Beautifully written and illustrated. This book is a wonderful step into understanding Our Lady of Fatima's messages to the world. Wonderfully enjoyable and quick to read! A must-have!
Beautifully written and illustrated. This book is a wonderful step into understanding Our Lady of Fatima's messages to the world. Wonderfully enjoyable and quick to read! A must-have!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews