One day in 1917, three children-Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta-were out in the pasture watching their sheep when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to them. She promised to take them to Heaven, and she asked them to pray the Rosary for sinners and to accept the sufferings that God would send them. The children readily agreed. Our Lady came again several times. She showed the three children a terrifying vision of souls in Hell, and she told them that God wants people to have a great devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in order to save souls and obtain peace in the world. Soon huge crowds of people were coming to pray and be present at the apparitions. Then on October 13, Our Lady performed a great miracle: the sun spun around like a ball of fire in the sky, flashing rays of color and seeming to be about to rip itself from the sky. Now many more people believed in the apparitions. Soon after these apparitions, Francisco and Jacinta became very ill. They suffered much, but they were happy to offer this sacrifice to Our Lady for sinners. Lucia's task was to remain on earth to help people know and love the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After Francisco and Jacinta went to Heaven, Lucia became a Carmelite nun. She has done her best to carry out her wonderful mission of spreading devotion to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart-to obtain peace in the world, and so that many, many souls will be saved for all eternity.