There must be a human response to the Fatima gift. The children responded fully, opening their hearts by prayer and sacrifice to all the graces. However, those who lived in Fatima often took a human approach. Some accepted and others doubted. Some even harassed the children who suffered greatly. Finally, there was the government, the mayor who opposed the visions and put the children in jail so there would be no vision on August 13, 1917. (Ed note: Our Lady appeared to the children on August 19th, after they were released from jail.) The Fatima gift would have been greater if the government had not adversely intervened.

These three approaches exist even today. The Fatima gift comes from heaven. By faith, its blessings are great. If approached by human ideas, it is limited and fruitless. If openly rejected, then the hearts remain cold, untouched by its fires. There is still time. Fatima can bless the whole world. Imitate the children. Read their stories. By their actions they are the great preachers of Fatima.