The moment came to place the great secret in their hearts. I experienced a joy, like the Father’s joy as he was about to send his only begotten Son into my womb. I foresaw all that would happen. The three children would be so united to me in my sufferings.

For Francisco and Jacinta those sufferings would be physical and would lead to their early death. For Lucy, the sufferings would be all of her long life. She was a vessel into which the greatest of lights was placed. She accepted the light of the great secrets and never rejected them. What suffering they caused her! So many times she was confused about what to do, pulled between her obedience to me and obedience to the Church.

She pleaded and spoke and wrote. At times, she was called to silence. The secrets burned in her heart every day of her life. She accepted this fire of suffering because she loved me, loved the Church and loved all mankind. For Lucy, the salvation of souls was uppermost in her thoughts.