Philippines issues stamps to mark Fatima apparitions

80,000 copies go on sale to mark centenary of Virgin Mary’s appearance before three children in Portugal

Two of the four designs of the commemorative stamps issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation to mark the 100th anniversary of the reported apparition of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. (Photo supplied)

January 15, 2018

The Philippine Postal Corporation has released special commemorative stamps to mark the 100th anniversary of the reported apparition of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal.

Four stamps of the “Our Lady of Fatima” features four designs: the reported first apparition of the Virgin Mary; The image of the Our Lady of Fatima; the Miracle of the Sun; and children Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.

The postal service in Manila will sell 80,000 copies of the 12-peso denomination stamps until Dec. 13, 2018.The “Our Lady of Fatima” is the title given to the Virgin Mary based on six reported apparitions of her witnessed by the three shepherd children near the town of Fatima in Portugal.

The Blessed Mother emphasized the need to pray the Rosary every day, to wear the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel, and to perform acts of reparation and sacrifice in all her appearances in 1917.

In 1942, Pope Pius XII consecrated the whole world to Mary’s Immaculate Heart and carried out a similar consecration of Russia in 1952.

In 1984, a collegial consecration, in union with “moral totality” of the world’s bishops, was led by Saint Pope John Paul II.

The Marian apparitions at Fatima received further papal support when Saint Pope John Paul II declared Jacinta and Francisco “venerable,” the first stage in the process of their canonization, on May 13, 1979.

Saint Pope John Paul II beatified Jacinta and Francisco on May 13, 2000. On May 13, 2017, Pope Francis declared them saints.

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