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The Miraculous Springs of Fatima
Jul 23, 2025 / Written by: America Needs Fatima
Adapted from the book Novos esplendores de Fátima (New Splendors of Fatima), by Father Valentim Armas, CMF, published by Editora Ave Maria, São Paulo, 1944, pp. 209-212, for English readers.
Action of Divine Providence
At the time of the Fatima apparitions, no water sprung from the ground, as it did in Lourdes, France.
Nevertheless, the lack of water in and around Fatima was a very real problem and a difficult one to solve. That difficulty was exacerbated by the nature of the limestone and porous terrain in that area and its surroundings, unable to conserve moisture.
In order to have water in their homes, the inhabitants of Fatima and neighboring villages were obliged to gather the rain water that drips from the eaves of their houses in reservoirs.
And then the Fatima apparitions began to take place. How and when could pilgrimages made by hundreds of thousands of people to a place deprived of water such as Cova da Iria take place? Humanly speaking, it seemed utterly impossible. Here once again, the action of Divine Providence made itself seen; where human action had failed, Divine help surely came. It began on November 13, 1921.
Soon after the first open-air Mass was celebrated in the Memorial Chapel of the Apparitions, it became obvious that water in large quantities was needed for the planned buildings. The Bishop of Leiria had the good inspiration to search for water and commanded that a well be dug at the bottom of Cova da Iria, precisely in the place the shepherd children occupied at the time of the first appearance.
In obedience to the zealous prelate, workers opened a small ditch and were surprised to watch a spring with clear and abundant water sprout a few steps from the sacred oak tree.
Some peasants had laughed at the bishop’s idea, claiming it was a waste of money. After all, he was just an outsider and did not know the ground.
“I don’t know how explain this,” one of the surprised bystanders said. “There’s simply nothing here, there’s no way any spring could come up. It must have been a miracle from heaven ... or from the bishop.”
The episode took place around 9:00 p.m. on November 13, 1921. Shortly afterward, as the water was not sufficient for all the pilgrimages, the bishop ordered another two wells to be dug a few meters from the first, and water sprouted again just like the first time.
From then on there was never a shortage of the precious liquid, either to supply buildings or pilgrims, who haul large quantities of the water to their homes.
Even today, water from various sources is collected in a large reservoir built in reinforced concrete which forms the base of the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Miraculous Lourdes-Like Spring
The miraculous spring forms a circle roughly 2 yards high by 10 yards in diameter, in the shape of an emptied gasholder as can be commonly seen in major Portuguese cities. Its circular shape facilitates supplying the large amounts of water required during great pilgrimages. Fifteen taps-- as many as the mysteries of the Rosary—are placed all around the wall.
On top of the fountain platform and together with the taps are posted a number of young people in charge of distributing all the water the pilgrims may need.
A notice over the fountain says the water is free and it is expressly forbidden to give or receive tips for providing it. On both sides of the fountain are gaps formed by the landfill or wall of the central avenue.
In the days of great pilgrimage, just after the first open-air Mass, a huge crowd buzzes from early morning and parks at the site of the miraculous source, eager to fill up containers with the beneficial and healthy water.
The slight impatience of those in a hurry is easily contained by volunteers who prudently but firmly control access to the taps. People line up from early morning to late afternoon in order to get their supply of the precious liquid.
Pilgrims fill containers of all sizes and shapes and take them to their homes in distant lands in the hope of healing a friend or relative with that water, or at least alleviate their sufferings.
First-Hand Reports
From the journal Voz da Fátima, we transcribe below some descriptions of the miraculous springs. A quick look shows that in almost all cases the supernatural intervention takes place by applying or using the miraculous water.
Here are a few, summarized examples:
My condition was extremely serious, and having received the last rites I was close to death. Then with the liveliest faith I drank the wonderful water of Our Lady of Fatima that a pious lady gave me. I felt a great relief at the first spoonful that I ingested. A novena to Our Lady of Fatima followed. When it ended I had entirely recovered. My gratitude to Our Lady will be eternal. — Arminda dos Anjos
For 12 years I had been suffering severe pain in my stomach and intestines. With the greatest possible devotion I said a novena to Our Lady of Fatima, drank her miraculous water for three days and soon found a quick recovery; the pains never came back. I thank Our Lady of Fatima with all my heart for such a great grace. — Fernanda Franco
I was suffering terribly...consulted some specialists...to no avail...until I remembered to make a novena to Our Lady of Fatima and applied a few drops of her miraculous water every day of the novena. When it ended I was entirely cured... Infinite thanks to the Blessed Mother of God. — Evandra C. Ferreira
Adelino Pinto, aged 22, had gone mad... A pious person advised his poor mother to make a novena and gave her a medal to hang on her son's neck, a few drops of Fatima water, and a little holy card of Our Lady of Fatima which he kissed in his madness. After a month he recovered his reason and is totally fine to this day.
Angelina Cabral Rosa thanks Our Lady of Fatima for the healing of five wounds, a result obtained after applying Fatima water to them.
Your Immaculate Heart, O Lady,
is the source of life, for from it was
born for us Jesus Christ, the One
who is our way, truth and life.
Prayer of the Miraculous Springs of Fatima
O beloved Queen and exalted Lady of the Rosary of Fatima!
This miraculous source that you one day made spring forth next to the sacred oak tree is an expressive symbol of your Maternal Heart manifested in Fatima as a sure pledge of peace and salvation for humanity.
Your Immaculate Heart, O Lady, is source of life, for from it was born for us Jesus Christ, the One who is our way, truth and life.
You, most blessed Virgin, are an open fountain from which flow rivers of graces and bounties; a fountain always open for the just through the radiance of your charity; and for repentant sinners through the waters of your mercy and compassion.
You are that fountain mentioned in Genesis (2:6); for just as an abyss of many waters gave rise to other springs, so are you a fountain of many graces for all those who invoke you.
You also are, o benign Virgin, the sealed spring chanted in the Song of Songs (4:12) where the most holy humanity of the Son of God was hidden for nine months.
You are that source of Siloam whose waters run silently and intermittently like your favors, according to your will.
Hail Mary, source of grace, compassion and mercy; inexhaustible source of sweetness and clemency!
Make us hear those sweet words that your Son said one day: Come unto me, all ye that thirst; I am the source of living water welling up to eternal life.
Drive us away from the muddy waters of sin that plunge into the abyss and guide us to the waters that slake and soothe, heal and resurrect.
And pour the pure and crystalline waters of your grace on the dry and barren soil of our hearts; cleanse the stains of our souls that we may be made worthy to continue this our pilgrimage and possess your beloved Son, the living and unfailing source of all good, for all eternity.
Allow us to proclaim, with your beloved servant Saint Methodius: Fons Propiciationis Filii Erga Genus Humanum (Source of Jesus Christ’s atonement for mankind, pray for us).
As seen in Crusade Magazine: Nov/Dec 2016
Header image: The Sanctuary in its current form: the springs have disappeared, leaving only some faucets at the base of the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - © Frenta Dreamstime.com
