In The Secret of Fatima, author Peter J. Tanous takes readers on an exciting journey through the mystery of the Fatima apparitions, one of the most famous Catholic miracles of all time. With impeccable research and sharp analysis, Tanous unravels the mysteries of the mysterious predictions made by the three shepherd children at the Cova de Iria in the summer of 1917 and their alleged heavenly visions of the Virgin Mary.
The story begins with a brief overview of the lives of the three children; Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. They were living in a poor farming village in Portugal when they first saw a beautiful woman “bathed in light” while they were tending their sheep. She asked the three to “pray the rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary” and made a set of “extraordinary prophecies” over the course of six visits. The secret of the prophecies remains unknown and debated to this day, though it was reportedly revealed to Lucia alone in 1925.
Using both traditional sources and exclusive interviews, Tanous delves into the true message behind the secret prophecies and the intense impact of it on the Church and the world. He follows the various interpretations over the course of the twentieth century, including the controversial Catholic view, the apocalyptic interpretations, the denial of the existence of the secret, and finally, the open-ended spiritual interpretation provided by the Vatican.
Tanous also documents the attempts of the Church to discredit the apparitions, the removal of Lucia from her convent and her subsequent struggle to survive the Great Depression. He reveals new information about the complex politics of the Catholic Church leading up to World War II and the invasion of Portugal by the allies, including America.
Building upon his comprehensive examination of the Church's handling of the case, Tanous also examines the relevance of the secret of Fatima in the modern world. He explores the potential impact of its prophetic calls for reform on not only the Catholic Church but also the global spiritual landscape.
The significance of Tanous' investigation is that it provides clarity to an often controversial and misunderstood event. He has produced a rigorous and insightful study of the Fatima saga that should stand alongside the works of scholarly researchers and writers who have attempted to unravel its secret over the past century.
In the end, The Secret of Fatima is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that brings a comprehensive understanding of the subject to a broad audience. Regardless of whether one believes the miraculous prophecies of the children or not, Tanous’ book is sure to leave readers with plenty of food for thought.
