Mary, Mother of God, appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal on the 13th of each month, May 1917 to October 1917. During Our Lady's final apparition on October 13, 1917, the Miracle of the Sun was witnessed by over 70,000 people. We are entrusted to Our Lady of Fatima as patroness of our parish. Our Lady had a lot to say during her six Fatima appearances in 1917 and her three appearances to Sr. Lucia in 1925-1929. Her urgent message is as relevant today as it was then. We invite you to learn about the events that occurred in Fatima, Portugal and the prophetic words spoken by Our Lady.

On October 23, 2016, Archbishop Aquila opened the Fatima Pilgrimage Year and consecrated the Holy Door at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lakewood, making it a dedicated pilgrimage site. Look closely at the Holy Door carvings created by Joseph Sikora, now found on the wall of the main vestibule, and deepen your understanding of their symbolism and iconography. Venerate the holy relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the Fatima shepherd children canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017. Following the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady's apparitions, the Pilgrimage Year ended and the Holy Door was closed on October 29, 2017.

Over the years, we have collected many beautiful stories from our parishioners. It was a joy to record memories from our parish pioneers about past events, former clergy, and ministry histories. Our Pilgrimage Year inspired stories about our celebration of Our Lady's 1917 appearance in Fatima, Portugal. Our archive is also filled with narratives on our parish art and relics, and stories of our Blessed Mother leading us to Jesus. We hope you enjoy the stories and photos!

Our Lady of Fatima Parish has come a long way since its humble beginning in 1958, when we used a converted carport for the rectory. Archbishop Urban J. Vehr established the parish, selecting Father Robert Syrianey as founding Pastor. The parish consisted of approximately 250 families, most of whom came from Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Bernadette, St. Mary Magdalene, or St. Joseph parishes. Daily Masses, weddings, and baptisms were conducted in the carport chapel, and Sunday Masses were held in the Lakewood High School auditorium until the new facility was dedicated in 1960.
The original rectory was converted into a convent for Benet Hill Benedictine Sisters, who began holding classes for grades 1-4. By 1964, the parish had grown to approximately 1,200 families. The school quickly expanded to include grades 1-8. Although the school has been staffed and guided by lay men and women since the Benedictine Sisters left in 1984, Catholic values and high educational standards are still emphasized.

In 1978, Our Lady of Fatima was overflowing and a new church was needed. On the parish's 20th anniversary, Archbishop James V. Casey dedicated a new church for Our Lady of Fatima, which is considered one of the finest pieces of modern church architecture in the Archdiocese of Denver. The new church features a band of beautiful stained glass windows over 3 feet tall and 92 feet long. With more than 1,400 pieces of hand-faceted Dalle glass, these clerestory windows portray the "Miracle of the Dancing Sun" as witnessed on October 13, 1917, by over 70,000 people in Fatima, Portugal.