| Feast day | February 20 |
| Patron | of bodily ills; captives; people ridiculed for their piety; prisoners; sick people; against sickness |
| Birth | 1910 |
| Death | 1920 |
| Beatified | May 13, 2000, Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fatima, Portugal, by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | May 13th 2017, Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fatima, Portugal by Pope Francis |
St. Jacinta Marto was one of the three children who witnessed the Our Lady of Fátima apparitions in 1917, along with her cousin Lúcia and her brother Francisco. Born on March 5, 1910, in Aljustrel, Portugal, Jacinta was known for her sweet and affectionate nature.
Key Events in Her Life
Apparitions: Jacinta, along with her brother and cousin, reported seeing the Virgin Mary on several occasions in Cova da Iria, Fátima. These apparitions emphasized the need for prayer, penance, and conversion1.
Suffering and Sacrifice: Jacinta was deeply affected by a vision of Hell shown to the children during the third apparition. This vision led her to practice stringent self-mortifications and to have a strong desire to save sinners through penance and sacrifice.
Illness and Death: Jacinta fell ill with the Spanish flu in 1918 and suffered greatly. She passed away on February 20, 1920, at the age of nine.
Canonization
Jacinta, along with her brother Francisco, was canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017, the centennial of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima. She is the youngest non-martyred saint in the Catholic Church1.
Legacy
Saint Jacinta’s life is a testament to her deep faith and commitment to the messages of Fátima. Her story continues to inspire many, especially children and young people, to live a life of prayer and sacrifice.
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