Meet the Witnesses of the Miracle of the Sun

by John M. Haffert, Canon Galamba de Oliveira (Foreword), Raymond E. Drake (Foreword)

John Haffert interviewed living eyewitnesses to the event which occurred on October 13, 1917. This reprint contains additional pictures, updates, information, and insights to this world-changing event.

What witness would not believe in the Miracle?
Skeptical reporters were there, in force, to expose what they were sure was a fraud. Their unbiased reports amply demonstrate that they also this was not mass hypnotism or religious hysteria. The Miracle was not reserved solely for the faithful-it was "...so that ALL might believe."

What did the Church say about it?
What effect did it have on those who saw it?
What effect did it have on the nation where it happened?
What effect did it have on our future?
The answers are all in this vitally important book-a book important not just because of the authority with which it was written, but because it deals with an event of untold significance in the lives of all of us living at this time in history.

Originally published in Europe and America simultaneously, MEET THE WITNESSES is more than an exciting book. It brings to life what Paul Claudel described as "an explosion of the supernatural," and what the Jesuit scientist, Pio Sciatizzi, called "the most obvious and colossal miracle in history." As a direct result of the Miracle, the character and government of an entire nation changed. Several key communists renounced Communism. Another direct result of the Miracle was a movement of prayer for the conversion of the atheistic leaders of Communism. Known as the Blue Army, it has grown to embrace over 22,000,000 people in 110 countries around the world. The great Shrine of Fatima, which has risen on the site of the Miracle, memorializes the astounding events of 1917, and has become the focal point for this movement of prayer and penance that is literally "the hope of the world."

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, History

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1988

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The same day—October 23, 2017—I expressed frustration with another author’s disinformation about Fátima, I received this book in the mail. Coincidence? It is a reprint of a 1961 book which compiles the testimony of many actual witnesses to the October 13, 1917 ‘Miracle of the Sun’ which took place in Fátima, Portugal. It also gives a brief history of the apparition, how it was handled by Bishop José da Silva, the first Bishop assigned to Fátima in 40 years. The investigation began in 1922 and was concluded in 1930, when it was declared that the visions of the children were ‘worthy of belief’ and religious devotions officially sanctioned at the place where the Miracle of the Sun occurred.

Mr. Haffert’s book is one of many written on Fátima. However, it has the advantage of original eye-witness testimony, including photos of many of the witnesses. These witnesses came from all walks of life, age groups, countries, and religious backgrounds including those with no belief at all. Yet the consistency of their individual testimony, though redundant in some cases, lends credibility to their witness and strengthens the case for this miracle, if it needed any further proof.

Recommended for believers and skeptics alike.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most comprehensive books that I have read on the subject of the Miracle of the Sun which took place in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. As a Catholic, I will find it hard to give an unbiased opinion of the facts as they are laid out but it seems to me that it would have been, to start with, impossible for the uneducated little children who were simple shepherds and very young to have predicted the spectacular display that took place in the sky above Fatima on that October day. The author has included all the evidence that he was able to acquire and both believers and anti-religious, people give the same account. The phenomenon was visible for many miles and was witnessed by a vast number of people. As far as I can tell the children had nothing to gain from lying and so many adults that were there on the day were so shocked and overcome by what they saw that it had to have been something quite spectacular. The vision is described as the sun appearing to come really low over the ground above the peoples' heads, it then was observed to rotate and the earth shone with different colours of the rainbow. People and the ground that had been soaked through and thick with mud were suddenly quite dry and people were either terrified or in a state of euphoria at what they saw. Statements from so many witnesses still living, who were interviewed for the book are most convincing and as I put the book down I felt the need to make changes to my own life having read it.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright.

I got kind of bored with the repetitive testimonies front the witnesses, because they are all saying the same thing.

I would have wanted more background (the apparitions before) and more analyzing and evaluation the message of Fatima and its effects worldwide.

There are one of these books that are a one time read. You know what it is now, and you move on.

It wasn’t bad. It just didn’t hit the spot for me.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not all that familiar with the details of the miracle of Fatima and I won't say this book provides a lot of theological insight, but as noted by other reviewers, it does deepen the believeability of the event by reporting many individuals' eyewitness accounts. Several of these witnesses were not Christians and were armed to NOT believe, but what they saw was so shocking that they converted on the spot. But this was almost 100 years ago. What's the point of Fatima today? The book does provide a little bit in that area, an encouragement to join the Blue Army, to do 4 simple things:
1 To wear a religious sign of some sort, a positive act of dedication to God.
2 To pray for a specific amount of time every day, contemplating a mystery aimed at bettering one's life
3 To offer each day one's thoughts and actions in reparation for sin and the conversion of sinners
4 To take time once a month on a certain day and for 5 consecutive months to renew one's purpose, to make a Communion of reparation, and to spend at least 15 minutes in meditation upon an essential mystery of the faith.
Who would find that to be too burdensome?

[Kelly Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I went into this book not knowing much at all about the Fatima miracle. But this miracle intrigues me immensely. I am surprised (and I must say, also disappointed) that it is not more talked about, not just among Catholics, but one wonders how the world can ignore such a phenomenon. This book however focuses more on the testimonies of the witnesses rather than the actual miracle or its message. While I enjoyed reading it, the accounts did become a bit repetitious; though I know this must be the case in the event of a true miracle with thousands upon thousands of bystanders all witnessing the same event. Even so, the world is indebted to Mr. Haffert who has taken the time to record unmistakable evidence in the countless testimonies of those who witnessed "the day the sun danced in the sky."

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book off a pile that had come to us after my mother in law's passing. It's an unusual religious book, that gives a factual account of the events at Fatima on Oct.13, 1917.Through eye witness accounts, from believers and atheists, we get a description of the sun spinning toward the earth that day, in what many thought was the end of the world. There is also a description of Mary's requests and predictions.

It is a book that inspires prayer and faith.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1961, this book relates eyewitness reports of the miracle of the sun which took place in Portugal on October 13, 1917 and was witnessed by 50-75,000 people. It has been updated with new info and I plan to buy the revised edition even though I own the older edition.

[Joseph Feiten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other reviews give a good summary of the book. I want to share that in my more than 10 years of teaching 14 to 16 two-hour Confirmation classes in an eight-month program to over 100 high school students in the 1990s through May of 2006, the students universally rated John Haffert’s "Meet the Witnesses" book as the best part of the program and the best of several “miracle” cases in the course material.

The students were so appreciative of the easy-to-read book’s interviews of numerous witnesses (and timely local newspaper reports) as to true and relatively recent miracles. Such a book gave them a compelling proof of God and of basic Catholic teachings, via a private revelation of the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children and the October 13, 2017 miracle of the dancing sun witnessed by more than 70, 000 people. The book’s last chapter tells of Douglas Hyde becoming a “former” atheist and communist newspaper editor due in part to his study of the Fatima miracles. He became a Catholic and wrote his 1952 autobiography and conversion story "I Believed", also found at goodreads.com.

For some years, I provided each student with free copies of both "Meet the Witnesses" (for homework early on) and (for later summer reading) Fr. John De Marchi’s book "FATIMA: The Full Story", which was an earlier and far more popular but lengthier book on Fatima (and now available on Kindle). Fr. De Marchi, an Italian priest fluent in various languages, including Portuguese, spent seven years in Fatima (1943-1950). Read the book’s “Author’s Preface” available on Amazon to appreciate his research and great qualifications for writing the book.

A few years ago, you could download a 139-page pdf of the "Meet the Witnesses" book at www.johnhaffert.org, but that website no longer exists.

[Deb Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read, but one that will remain with you long after. The author met with people who witnessed the Miracle at Fatima in October 1917. He shares their stories and gives background to what happened in and around Fatima at the time. Questions about why Mary chose to appear there, or about communist Russia are not answered, but there is no question this was an important message then, and now. As the author says, "the actions of a few evil men can affect all of us." This statement was true in 1961 when John Haffert first wrote it and is just as true today.

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was originally published in 1960 when the author was able to interview hundreds of the people who witnessed the October 1917 miracle of the sun in Portugal. The event was foretold by three young children over a series of months when they had visitations with Mary. Incredibly people of all different sociological levels reported seeing much the same thing and feeling fear and a deeper level of faith.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

It adds some new testimonies to the Fatima's Sun miracle. It's an attempt to describe it from rational point of view. Considering many theories. Although, it's not very elaborated. It's rather short report.

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good explanation of the miracle and the seers. The events surrounding the miracle are depicted very well. The rest of the book got tiresome, after a while. Witnesses are interviewed and they all say the same thing. I didn't believe, then I saw, I believe.

[T Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Nice addition to the story of Fatima. Story was written in 1960 and thankfully capture what it did but would have liked to see better formatting to the way in which their testimonies were presented.

[Ishmeet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just a collection of testimonies and a description of the political impact of the miracle pf the sun event. It was a quick read and manages to make you understand the view point of Catholics on the role this largely forgotten event had in shaping the course of 20th century Europe.

[Mary Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good. I find it absolutely stunning that although nearly 70,000 people saw the events in 2017 and they were widely reported on, almost no one in modern times knows the actual story. It really happened, and the predictions have all come true, with the final ones unfolding currently.

[Terry Tooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but hard to follow at times. Very well researched.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Inspiring. Unbelievable!!

[Jonathan M · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those unaware, this is the short of It: in 1917 an apparition calling herself the Immaculate Conception appeared to three ordinary peasant children in Fatima, Portugal on the way home from tending their flock of sheep. Mary, the Mother of God told the children that she would return in 6 months, on October 13th, 1917.

The children were not believed by all, and were even arrested by the Communist government. Yet word of their vision spread, and on October 13th, nearly 100,000 people made pilgrimage to the site where Mary told the children a miracle would occur, "so that all may believe."

A terrifying miracle did indeed occur, and was witnessed for 12 minutes by a variety of differing believers. There are at least 7 objective facts:

1. The time and place were predicted 6 months in advance
2. An immense light that could be seen for over 20 miles, like a "catherine wheel" of fireworks
3. It began to plummet towards the Earth, and many in the crowd believed it was the end of the world
4. The ball of light stopped before crashing into the Earth and moved back into the sky
5. Those who saw it believed it was the sun, because it came from the location of the sun, and then went back there
6. There were several hours of constant rain, and then everyone gathered were all suddenly dried
7. Thousands of witnesses extended around an area of six hundred square miles

This short book is full of redundant testimony from a wide variety of witnesses, believers and non-believers, all acknowledging and separately corroborating these facts. The author believes the reason for this miracle was to warn believers of the rise of global communism. However, "miracles in themselves do not cause conversion." Men can be stubborn. To see a miracle and to realize that it is a miracle are two separate things. Soften your heart. Jump over the chasm.

Depending on your faith this book can be hopeful/terrifying/boring. In any case the reasons to deny the miracle are weaker than the reasons to believe it.

My advice: don't wait to be frightened by God's glory to beg forgiveness...it may be too late to do good works!

[Kathy Lamecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading first hand accounts of what people saw and experienced during the Miracle of the Sun. I recommend it to anyone interested in the effects the miracle had on the people who witnessed it.