The First World War had been raging in Europe, and other nations were being drawn into the bloody conflict. Leaders of atheistic communism had a firm hold on Russia, and were determined to spread their ideology around the world. In the midst of this devastation, the Lord sent his Mother to bring hope and reassurance. Our lady appeared at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 at the Covada Iria to three shepherd children: Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia. Standing on a cloud hovering over a small oak tree. Our Lady asked the three young seers to pray the Rosary daily and to encourage the spread of the devotion of the Immaculate Heart throughout the world. She promised that if enough people prayed the Rosary fervently each day, the war would soon end and eventually Russia would be converted. She appeared six times that year, on the thirteenth day of each month from May to October. Repeatedly Our Lady asked the seers to pray the Rosary and spread its devotion to others: Say the Rosary every day to earn peace for the world and to end the war... Say the Rosary, inserting between the mysteries the following ejaculation", O my Jesus, forgive us. Save us from the fires of Hell. Bring all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy... I come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and to make reparative Communion on the First Saturdays of the month". History has proven the truth of Mary's message and also her powerful intercession with God. Responding to our Lady's request for a crusade of prayer for the conversion of Russia, we have witnessed the power of prayer by a sudden and peaceful collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe. In October 1930, the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima was authorized under the title of "Our Lady of the Rosary".