Our Lady of Fatima Novena — 9-Day Prayer for Peace, Healing, and Conversion
In 1917, in the middle of a world war, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in a small village in Portugal — and changed history. She came with a message of hope, a request for prayer, and a promise: her Immaculate Heart would be their refuge. This novena to Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most powerful ways to respond to her call — and to bring your deepest intentions before her.
Many Catholics continue to pray this novena today, trusting in her promise, especially during the month of May.
The novena is traditionally prayed from May 4 to May 12, leading up to the feast on May 13.
Historical Context — The Apparitions of Fatima
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in 1917 to three children in the village of Fatima, Portugal — Lucia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. Between May 13th and October 13th, she appeared six times, delivering messages of prayer, penance, and conversion for the salvation of souls and peace in the world.
On that first day, May 13th, she appeared standing over a small holm oak tree, dressed in white more brilliant than the sun, and told the children: “I am from Heaven. I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour.”
She told the children to say the Rosary every day to bring peace to the world and the end of war — which is why Our Lady of Fatima is also called Our Lady of the Rosary. She also requested that the Fatima Prayer be added at the end of each decade of the Rosary: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.”
This Marian apparition was approved by the Holy See in 1930. Today, around four million pilgrims visit the Basilica at Fatima every year.
A Documented Miracle — The Miracle of the Sun, October 13, 1917
Our Lady had promised the children that on October 13th she would perform a miracle so that all would believe. Tens of thousands of people traveled to Fatima that day — skeptics, journalists, even declared unbelievers — standing in the rain, waiting.
The Miracle of the Sun occurred on October 13th, 1917, witnessed by a crowd of over 70,000 people. Our Lady of Fatima had told the children the date and place it would occur in advance.
All could look directly at the sun without any injury to their eyes. The sun grew in size, shrank, rotated and spun, looking as if it were dancing. Even non-Catholics and unbelievers witnessed the miracle, and many were immediately converted to God and asked for forgiveness for their sins.
The secular newspaper O Século ran a front-page story on “How the sun danced at midday in Fátima.” Among the thousands present, people noticed something else: their clothes, soaked through after hours in the rain, were suddenly completely dry.
This was not a private vision. It was a public, documented, witnessed event — reported by believers and skeptics alike. The Church, after rigorous investigation, declared the apparitions worthy of belief in October of 1930.
Pope Francis canonized Jacinta and Francisco on May 13th, 2017, in Fatima, on the 100th anniversary of the apparitions. Francisco had died in 1919 and Jacinta in 1920 — both children, just as Our Lady had foretold.
Why Pray This Novena?
This novena is prayed for:
- Peace — in the world, in your family, in your heart
- Conversion — of loved ones who have left the faith
- Healing — physical, emotional, or spiritual
- Urgent intentions — situations that feel impossible
- Reparation — offering prayer and sacrifice for sinners
- Deeper devotion — to Mary’s Immaculate Heart and the Rosary
How to Pray This Novena
The novena is traditionally prayed from May 4th to May 12th, concluding on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13th. It can also be prayed at any time of year.
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross
- Pray the Opening Prayer (below) each day
- Add the daily intention for each of the nine days
- Conclude with 3x Our Father, 3x Hail Mary, 3x Glory Be
- Add the Fatima Prayer: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…”
You may pray kneeling or standing, alone or with your family. Many Catholics add this novena to their Rosary during May.
Novena Prayers — Day by Day
Opening Prayer (to be prayed each day)
Most Holy Virgin, who deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three little shepherds the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary, inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion, so that by meditating on the mysteries of our redemption that are recalled in it, we may gather the fruits and obtain the conversion of sinners, the conversion of Russia, and this favor which I so earnestly seek (mention your intention here), which I ask of you in this novena, for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of all people. Amen.
Pray 3x Our Father — 3x Hail Mary — 3x Glory Be
Day 1 — Penance and Reparation
Like the children of Fatima, we want to bring God’s word to others. Give us the strength, O Lord, to overcome our doubts so that we may be messengers of the Gospel. We know that Jesus lives in our hearts and we receive Him in the Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that You graciously hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 2 — Holiness of Life
Our Lady of Fatima, we pray that we may follow your example and seek holiness in our daily lives. We pray for all those who face oppression, that they will find peace.
Lord Jesus, the miracles, prophecies and prayers that Your Mother brought to us at Fatima amazed the whole world. We are certain of her closeness to You. We ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that You graciously hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 3 — Love for Prayer
Our Lady of Fatima, today we pray for an end to the suffering and injustice that plague so many parts of the world. Through the power of the Lord, you performed a miracle at Fatima and made the sun dance for thousands to see. Please intercede for those who are suffering.
Lord Jesus, we ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that You graciously hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 4 — Love for the Church
Our Lady of Fatima, let us pray today for humility to seek forgiveness for our sins and to make amends for our misdeeds.
Lord Jesus, we ask through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima that You graciously hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 5 — Devotion to the Rosary
Our Lady of Fatima, you asked the children to pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world. Help us embrace this devotion with faith and perseverance. May our Rosary be a weapon of peace and a chain of love that binds us to your Immaculate Heart.
Lord Jesus, we ask through your Mother’s intercession that You graciously hear our prayers, especially (mention your intention).
Amen.
Day 6 — Conversion of Sinners
Our Lady of Fatima, you came to ask for sacrifices and prayers for the conversion of poor sinners. Today we offer our prayers and difficulties for those who do not yet know your Son.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention).
Amen.
Day 7 — Peace in the World
Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace, you came to a world at war and offered the path to true peace — prayer, penance, and trust in God. Intercede for our families, our nations, and our world.
Lord Jesus, through your Mother’s intercession, hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 8 — Trust in the Immaculate Heart
Our Lady of Fatima, you promised that your Immaculate Heart would be a refuge for all who seek it. Today we consecrate our worries, our fears, and our intentions to your heart.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, hear and answer our prayers, especially (mention your intention). Amen.
Day 9 — Thanksgiving and Final Petition
Our Lady of Fatima, we come before you on this final day with gratitude for your maternal care. You have never abandoned those who call upon you. Confident in your intercession, we place our final petition before you: (mention your intention).
Lord Jesus, through your Mother’s intercession, hear and answer our prayers. May your will be done in our lives, as it was in the lives of Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. Amen.
Closing Prayer (after Day 9 or any day):
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.
About Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima is one of the most beloved titles of the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. Her feast day is celebrated on May 13th annually, though pilgrims travel to Fátima year-round. She is also known as Our Lady of the Rosary, reflecting her central message. Through Sister Lucia, she also requested the Five First Saturdays Devotion — attending Mass, going to Confession, praying the Rosary, and meditating on its mysteries for 15 minutes on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, in reparation to her Immaculate Heart.
Her message has never changed: pray the Rosary, do penance, trust in God, and consecrate yourself to her Immaculate Heart.
Related Devotions
- Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- How to Pray the Rosary
- Memorare Prayer
- Regina Caeli Prayer
- Powerful prayer to the Virgin Mary – for help and protection
Frequently Asked Questions
The traditional dates are May 4–12, finishing on the eve of her feast day on May 13th. But it can be prayed at any time of year for any intention.
Yes. The apparitions of Fatima were officially approved by the Church in 1930, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is fully encouraged by the Catholic Church.
Any intention — healing, conversion of a loved one, peace in your family, an impossible situation, or simply growing closer to Mary and her Son.
It is highly recommended, as the Rosary was Our Lady’s central request at Fatima. But the novena is valid and powerful on its own.
Absolutely. Many Catholics pray it every year in May as part of their Marian devotion for the Month of Mary.
Share this novena with someone who needs Our Lady’s intercession — or save it to pray in May.
