The current article is written with the inspiration of the book “Fatima for Today”: the urgent Marian message of hope written by Fr Andrew Apostoli. In addition to this, it is informed by my last pilgrimage to Fatima in August 2025.
In this article, my mission, is to explain from a young person’s point of view how relevant is the vision of Hell given by Our Lady is in today's world. In her First apparition, back in 1917, our Lady showed the little Shepherds a vision of Hell so that they remind humanity that is real.
This message is particularly relevant nowadays and I thank the opportunity the trustees of the World Apostolate of Fatima, England and Wales, have given me to express a personal reflection and some fruits of prayer.
When I first started reading the book last August, I felt discomfort. However, I was aiming to prepare myself for going to Fatima on a Pilgrimage. So, I had to continue to read. The preconceived worldly ideology of freedom was a discomfort. However, I decided to throw myself into it. As a result, I was given the grace of being touched by the message of our Lady. Particularly her words “many souls go to Hell because there is no one to pray and sacrifice for them”. This taught me that, beyond discomfort, there is hope.
We are constantly told that the world is broken beyond repair (e.g., climate collapse, endless wars, social divisions). Our Lady of Fatima acknowledged the suffering within the darkness. In her motherly way, she showed the little Shepherds how to continue to fight for the souls, for her children. She urged them to pray, offer sacrifices and to convert every day. She offered protection by the consecration to her immaculate heart.
Taking the words from Fr Apostoli, “Simply denying that there is a hell does not make it go away”.
In her apparition, our Lady of Fátima reminded us through the Little Shepherds, and their vision of hell, what it means to live without God´s love. Hell exists, after our death, and while alive. The called Deceiver, and Accuser by Fr Apostoli, will make a fake deal with you to then make you feel ashamed, accused and will convince you there is no chance for redemption, that you are beyond forgiveness.
Nowadays, as a young person living in our modern society, we exalt freedom. But what is freedom? And how do the messages from the apparitions in Fatima frame the concept of freedom?
Our Lady of Fatima’s gentle approach was to trust children to convey her message to the world that struggles to this day to accept her messages. True freedom isn’t doing whatever we want it is choosing what leads to life, even when it is difficult. It is choosing true love offered from God and from Jesus instead of false love such as attachments and dependencies that the Devil, the Cheater, offers.
From this perspective, why would we continue to choose to sin, to choose imitations of real love, the source of life?
Because we are humans, we carry the aftermaths of original sin. So, what to do now?
First, remember our identity, our true being we are, all of us, beloved Children of God. It is time to remind some Bible passages such as Isaiah 43, where God promised he had called us and he will always remain with us. He impels us to not be afraid, to trust that we are loved for who we are. That there is nothing wrong with us. He exhorts us to reclaim this true identity and break free from the slavery suggested by the Devil.
Secondly, in the gospels of Luke (Lc 5, 27-32) & Mathew (Mt 9, 10-13) Jesus emphasises the importance of love and kindness and mercy and reminds us that yes, we are all sinners, but that is the reason, Jesus Christ came for all of us, to save us with his mercy and save us from the lies of the Devil that make us believe God wants to punish us.
God also exhorts us to become like little children when listening to him. Our Lady of Fatima confirmed this by choosing the little Shepherds who were kids with very little education, and still, they were chosen by our Lady. This should help us to take some perspective of our current situation. What is essential in our lives? Where are we putting our worth? Where is the Devil lying to us?
In addition, we can do as our Lady did: refuse to let darkness have the final word.
Mary’s message is simple but radical: evil is real, but it is not all-powerful.
Our Lady of Fatima’s message was never about fear but about love, and hope.
What moves me most about our Lady of Fatima is that Mary respects human freedom. She doesn’t force belief, repentance, or love. She warns, invites, and waits. Hell exists not because God is cruel, but because love cannot be forced.
Finally, I now know how to contribute to the Salvation of souls. To ease suffering in a heavenly way. A way that transcends human forces. It is a humbling experience of union with Christ. Through, Our Lady we can offer our sacrifices. It is a reality that we all suffer in our daily life, we sometimes choose to, other times we don’t. In those moments, our Lady of Fatima exhorts us to say the following prayer:
“Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say many times, especially when you make a sacrifice, ‘O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'”
This prayer was conveyed to Sr Lucia of Fatima on the 13th of July 1917.
In conclusion, we have been desensitised to the Devil, and consequently, to recognising Hell is real and how the small choices can tear us apart from the love of God and make us experience hell on earth.
Let’s follow Our Lady’s and the little Shepherd’s example. Let’s come back to the essentials, let’s turn our eyes to the real source of life and wonder.
The message of Our Lady of Fatima is still very relevant nowadays, pray and pray the Rosary, repent, repair, and don’t be afraid, evil is real, but it is not all-powerful, GOD IS.
