On the Third Part of the Secret of Fatima

For several decades, there has been much discussion on the famous third part of the secret of Fátima. Originally communicated to the three seers of Fátima in July, 1917, it was not written down until January, 1944. It was then kept under lock and key first in Portugal, then in the Vatican until its eventual release in June, 2000. The long years of its remaining unpublished was accompanied by a desire by various Church officials not to discuss the matter. These two facts and others led to much speculation on the content of the third part of the secret as well as to accusations of a cover-up on the part of the Church hierarchy. The seemingly endless speculations and accusations have been more prominent since the release of the text in the year 2000. To date, there has been no comprehensive refutation of specific arguments in response to the speculations and accusations. That fact has now changed. Kevin J. Symonds of Menominee, Michigan has performed some groundbreaking research on the matter in his latest book On the Third Part of the Secret of Fátima. Utilizing material in six foreign languages, including information from the archives of the Sanctuary of Fátima itself, Kevin weighs many of the arguments in support of conspiracy theories on the third part of the secret. He takes the arguments head-on, explores the sources and critiques the conspiracies. Symonds' findings produce some truly astonishing results that are sure to cause many to re-think their understanding of the message of Our Lady of Fátima. In this centennial year of Fátima, many of the faithful are renewing their interest in or discovering for the first time the message of Our Lady of Fátima. On the Third Part of the Secret of Fátima is not an introductory book, but will be an excellent source for people already familiar with the topic.

Review :
This book by Kevin J. Symonds provides a well-researched and fascinating study of the many questions and controversies concerning the third part of the secret of Fatima. This study includes many new insights gathered from the 2013 biography of Sister Lucia written by the Carmelite Sisters of Coimbra, Portugal. Symonds treats the critics of the Holy See's account of the Fatima secret...with respect and fairness, even though he does not hesitate to expose the flaws of their scholarship. Symonds' book also contains some valuable texts in the appendix.... For those wishing an in depth examination of the third part of the Fatima secret--and one not based on suspicion and conspiracy theories--this is the book to read. -- Robert L. Fastiggi, Ph.D. Professor of Systematic Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit Michigan, former President of the Mariological Society of America In his latest work, On the Third Part of the Secret of Fatima, Kevin J. Symonds offers a valuable contribution to the literature about this aspect of the message given by Our Lady to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta one hundred years ago. With so much interest in the Third Part of the Secret (or "The Third Secret," as some writers employ), our author presents a useful summary and analysis as well as pertinent documents that are not often seen in English. This reviewer is grateful for those sources, the recommendation concerning the Biography of Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart penned by the Carmelites of Coimbra entitled, A Pathway Under the Gaze of Mary and Mr. Symonds' plausible contention and exhortation: "We are entering into a new period of the history of Fatima and we ought to be celebrating this fact, not engaging in seemingly endless controversies." - Monsignor Charles M. Mangan, Office of the Marian Apostolate, Diocese of Sioux Falls Symonds has done a very thorough job in getting to the bottom-insofar as it is possible-of the various confusions and conspiracy theories on the subject of the Third Secret, making a compelling case that what the Vatican published in 2000 was the whole text of it as written by Sr Lucia. No doubt the debate will continue, but the clarity and intellectual honesty of Symonds' work, with copious reference to the relevant sources in their original languages, will be of enormous assistance for scholars in the future who wish to understand this tangled affair. -Dr. Joseph Shaw, England