Francisco, aged 11, and Jacinta, 10, are the youngest non-martyrs ever canonized in the Church's history. The siblings, along with their cousin Lucia Santo, who cared for their families' sheep in the meadows of Fatima, Portugal, encountered the visions of Mary, widely recognized today as Our Lady of Fatima.

In the initial apparition on May 13, 1917, Our Lady instructed the three children to pray the Rosary and offer sacrifices to convert sinners. The children did, praying frequently, offering their meals to the needy, and going hungry themselves. They presented their daily burdens and abstained from water on warm days.

In October 1918, Francisco and Jacinta fell gravely ill due to the Spanish flu. Our Lady revealed herself to them and announced that she would soon take them to heaven.

Confined to bed, Francisco asked for his first Communion. The next day, Francisco passed away on April 14, 1919. Jacinta experienced a prolonged illness too. She was ultimately moved to a Lisbon hospital and underwent surgery for a chest abscess, but her condition did not get better. She passed away on February 20, 1920.

Pope John Paul II canonized Francisco and Jacinta on May 13, 2000, marking the 83rd anniversary of the initial apparition of Our Lady at Fatima.

On May 13, 2017, Pope Francis formally canonized Francisco and Jacinta Marto as saints of the Catholic Church in the presence of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Fatima, Portugal – demonstrating that even young children can achieve sanctity.

Other Saints of the Day
St. Amata
St. Bolcan
St. Valerius
St. Leo of Catania
St. Eleutherius of Tournai