Saint Francisco Marto

Lived his earthly pilgrimage from: 1908-1919

Patron saint of: bodily ills, captives, people ridiculed for their piety, and sick people.

Feast day: February 20

Francisco was usully a very good boy, as his older cousin Lucia describes, “He was quiet and submissive by nature.” Francisco loved to play cards, play the flute, and pray. 

One day he his sister and his cousin were tending sheep, when they saw a beautiful and radiant angel. A little while after, they saw their first apparition of Mary. 

Francisco could not see or hear Mary until Mary told Lucia to tell him to say the Rosary. When he started to pray the Rosary he could see her but still not hear her. 

The children saw many more apparitions of Our Lady in the following months. Once Francisco even saw the devil.

Francisco always loved to be alone and pray, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament. 

He suffered much persecution but was mostly patient and kind to his persecutors.  

Shortly Francisco fell ill. Once Lucia asked him if he was suffering a lot. He answered, “Quite a lot, but never mind!”

He was always suffering to console our Lord. 

Soon he died a holy death and our Blessed Mother escorted him right up to Heaven!

Good examples to remember from the life of Saint Francisco Marto: He loved to spend time with Jesus Christ at adoration and he loved to pray the Most Holy Rosary.