Our Lady of Fatima in Chinese Communities

Chinese Marian Devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima has had a significant spread in Chinese Catholic communities, both in mainland China and in the diaspora. Fatima's messages about conversion, penance and rosary resonated deeply in the experience of persecuted Chinese Catholics.

The arrival of devotion to China

The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima came to China in the first half of the 20th century, shortly after the apparitions in Portugal in 1917. The Portuguese missionaries in Macao were the first to spread devotion, which quickly spread to the Catholic communities of Guangdong and Hong Kong.

Fatima's message about Russia's conversion had a particular echo in China, where communist persecution made the faithful identify with the call to penance and prayer.

Fatima during persecution

During the Cultural Revolution (19 Chinese communities 66- 1976), devotion to Our Lady of Fatima remained alive in the clandestine. Chinese Catholics prayed the Fatima rosary, calling for the conversion of China and the end of persecution.

The three secrets of Fatima, especially the third on the martyrdom of the Church, were interpreted by Chinese Catholics as a prophecy of their own experience of persecution.

Fatima in the Chinese diaspora

In Chinese communities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao and South-East Asia, devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is very popular. The Chinese parishes organize processions of Fatima on May 13 and October 13, and the faithful pray the Fatima rosary regularly.

Fatima in contemporary China

Today, devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is still alive in China. The parishes celebrate the Feast of Fatima on May 13, and the faithful go in mass to venerate the image of the Virgin of Fatima. The message of conversion and penance remains relevant to Chinese Catholics.