Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto, Patron Saint of  bodily ills; captives; people ridiculed for their piety; prisoners; sick people; against sickness.

Saint Francisco Marto and Saint Jacinta Marto, along with their cousin Lucia Dos Santos live in Aljustrel, Portugal. As children, they were illiterate and had to rely on their rich oral tradition, and they would help their cousin tend to the flock of sheep.

They had seen multiple appearances of the Blessed Lady Mary, more commonly called Our Lady of Fatima, in 1917. On the first appearance, the Blessed Lady Mary requested the children to say the rosary and make offerings as sacrifices, giving them in hopes of converting unbelievers. They did as instructed; they prayed often, gave their lunch to the poor, and would often go hungry themselves. In October 1918, Francisco and Jacinta caught the Spanish Flu. The Blessed Mary would appear t them and inform them that she would soon take them to heaven.

Francisco asked for his first Communion while confined to a bed. On April 14, 1919, Francisco passed away. Jacinta also endured a protracted illness. After being eventually sent to a hospital in Lisbon, she underwent surgery to treat a chest abscess, but her condition did not get better. She passed away on February 20, 1920.

Pope Francis canonized Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto on the 13th of May, 2017

Source: catholicnewsagency