What Really Happened in Fatima: A scientist recounts Fatima’s Sun Miracle

MU/BAF | via Aleteia | A scientist recounts Fatima’s Sun Miracle | A throng witnessed a miracle in Fatima on October 13, 1917, which journalists, attorneys, and scientists recorded.

On October 13, 1917, thousands of people converged in the area surrounding Fatima, Portugal, in order to observe the subsequent apparition of Our Lady. The phenomenon that they witnessed was extensively reported at the time, and it was later dubbed the “Miracle of the Sun.”

Dr. Goncalo de Almeida Garrett, a professor of natural sciences at Coimbra University, is said to have been present and to have afterwards recounted the events that took place, according to a number of sources. (It is important to note that some people assert that the account was in fact provided by Dr. Garrett’s son, Dr. José Almeida Garrett.)

In his article, Dr. Garrett explains his side of what he saw:

I was looking at the place of the apparitions, in a serene, if cold, expectation of something happening, and with diminishing curiosity, because a long time had passed without anything to excite my attention. Then I heard a shout from thousands of voices and saw the multitude suddenly turn its back and shoulders away from the point toward which up to now it had directed its attention, and turn to look at the sky on the opposite side.

Miracle of the Sun

The events that followed defied all forms of scientific logic.

It must have been nearly two o’clock by the legal time, and about midday by the sun. The sun, a few moments before, had broken through the thick layer of clouds which hid it, and shone clearly and intensely. I veered to the magnet which seemed to be drawing all eyes, and saw it as a disc with a clean-cut rim, luminous and shining, but which did not hurt the eyes. I do not agree with the comparison which I have heard made in Fátima—that of a dull silver disc. It was a clearer, richer, brighter color, having something of the luster of a pearl. It did not in the least resemble the moon on a clear night because one saw it and felt it to be a living body. It was not spheric like the moon, nor did it have the same color, tone, or shading. It looked like a glazed wheel made of mother-of-pearl. It could not be confused, either, with the sun seen through fog (for there was no fog at the time), because it was not opaque, diffused or veiled. In Fátima it gave light and heat and appeared clear-cut with a well-defined rim.

Fabulous Colors

At first, the events that were taking place terrified him, and he made many attempts to flee.

During the solar phenomenon, which I have just described in detail, there were changes of color in the atmosphere. Looking at the sun, I noticed that everything around was becoming darkened. I looked first at the nearest objects and then extended my glance further afield as far as the horizon. I saw everything an amethyst color. Objects around me, the sky and the atmosphere, were of the same color. An oak tree nearby threw a shadow of this color on the ground.

Fearing that I was suffering from an affection of the retina, an improbable explanation because in that case one could not see things purple-colored, I turned away and shut my eyes, keeping my hands before them to intercept the light. With my back still turned, I opened my eyes and saw that the landscape was the same purple color as before.

At the conclusion of it, Dr. Garrett stated unequivocally that he was in his right mind and was not experiencing a hallucination of any kind.

And in fact everything, both near and far, had changed, taking on the color of old yellow damask. People looked as if they were suffering from jaundice, and I recall a sensation of amusement at seeing them look so ugly and unattractive. My own hand was the same color. All the phenomena which I have described were observed by me in a calm and serene state of mind, and without any emotional disturbance. It is for others to interpret and explain them.

The Miracle of the Sun ushered in a fresh surge of devotion to Our Lady that continues to this day. This devotion has been around ever since the miracle occurred.