Fasting has long been a powerful spiritual practice in the Catholic tradition, not only encouraged by Jesus but also by His Blessed Mother. Throughout history, Our Lady has appeared to the faithful with urgent messages, calling for prayer, penance, and fasting as a means of drawing closer to God and bringing about conversion.
In times of crisis, sin, and impending chastisement, the Virgin Mary has repeatedly emphasized that fasting is not just an individual act of devotion but a vital intercession for the world. Here are three significant Marian apparitions where Our Lady requested fasting—and why her call remains relevant today.
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1. Our Lady of Fatima: Fasting for the Conversion of Sinners
The apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima in 1917 are among the most well-known in Church history. Appearing to three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—Mary delivered a profound message about prayer, penance, and sacrifice. She specifically asked for fasting and acts of reparation for the conversion of sinners and world peace.
During one of her apparitions, she told the children:
“Make sacrifices for sinners, and say often, especially while making a sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
The children took this message to heart, practicing rigorous fasting and offering their small daily sufferings for the salvation of souls. Our Lady’s request at Fatima was not merely about personal sanctification—it was about participating in Christ’s redemptive mission through sacrifice. Today, her call remains urgent as moral decay, war, and suffering continue in the world. Fasting remains a key way to unite with Christ and bring spiritual renewal.
2. Our Lady of La Salette: Fasting as a Call to Repentance
In 1846, two young shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, witnessed an apparition of the Blessed Virgin in La Salette, France. The message she gave them was sorrowful—she wept over the sins of humanity, warning of suffering and chastisement if people did not turn back to God.
Mary lamented the way people had abandoned prayer and disregarded the Lord’s commandments, especially failing to keep the Sabbath holy and showing irreverence toward His name. She urgently called for prayer, penance, and fasting as a means of repentance.
Her message was clear: sin leads to suffering, but through fasting and conversion, people could return to God’s mercy. The events of La Salette remind us that fasting is not just about self-discipline—it is an act of love and reparation that can help restore the spiritual health of the world.
3. Our Lady of Akita: Fasting to Avert Chastisement
One of the most striking Marian apparitions of the 20th century occurred in Akita, Japan, in 1973. Sister Agnes Sasagawa, a religious sister, received messages from Our Lady warning of grave consequences if humanity did not repent. Mary spoke of a coming purification, emphasizing that prayer, penance, and fasting were necessary to seek God’s mercy.
She told Sister Agnes:
“Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father.”
The message of Akita was particularly dire, as Our Lady warned of a great chastisement that could fall upon the world due to widespread sin and corruption. But as always, she offered hope—through fasting, prayer, and sacrifice, humanity could obtain mercy and avert disaster.
This call to fasting remains especially significant today. As modern society drifts further from God, embracing materialism and immorality, the need for spiritual purification grows greater. Just as in Akita, fasting serves as both a personal and communal plea for divine intervention.
Why Our Lady’s Call to Fasting Still Matters Today
Across different times and cultures, Our Lady has consistently requested fasting, not just for personal holiness but for the salvation of the world. Her messages at Fatima, La Salette, and Akita show that fasting:
- Leads to conversion – Sacrificing for others helps bring lost souls back to God.
- Atones for sin – Just as Christ suffered for humanity, we can unite our fasting with His sacrifice.
- Averts chastisement – Throughout history, fasting has been a way to seek God’s mercy in times of impending judgment.
In an era dominated by comfort and excess, Our Lady’s plea for fasting is more relevant than ever. Whether fasting from food, entertainment, or other worldly distractions, we answer her call by offering our sacrifices for the greater good.
The question is: Will we heed her message?
Fasting is not merely an old tradition—it is a timeless spiritual weapon. Our Lady has given us the blueprint for restoring faith in the world. Now, it is up to us to respond.
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