Marian apparitions are supernatural appearances by the holy Mother of God to a specific person, or people, on earth. These individuals are usually visited over a period of time and receive visions and miracles.

The Church never takes a story and declares it a miracle first hand. It's the same with miracles that are connected to Saints; the Church always studies the receivers' accounts to declare if this was a legitimate appearance or a hoax. Most of the time it can take several years for apparitions and miracles to be deemed legitimate. 

There have been many Marian apparitions throughout the centuries and the world that has been found out to be true. One, in particular, I would like to mention is the Miracle of Fatima. 

 

In 1917, three children were shepherding their flocks in Fatima, Portugal, when they heard a lady speaking to them. According to the children, the woman was dressed in white and said she was from Heaven. The woman asked the children if they would be willing to sacrifice their lives for God. The children agreed and were asked to say the Rosary every day to end the war. At that time in Portugal, the Second World War was raging on, and there was persecution of the Church. Therefore, the family hearing the story of the appearance was outraged and feared what would happen if they were found out. When the religious leaders found out, they threatened the children to renounce their story and forced them to never speak of what they had seen again. However, with the Holy Spirit within, the children continued to meet every month on the 13th day for six months. 

 

Throughout these apparitions, Mary gave the children visions and secret messages on what would happen in the future. 

 

On a rainy day on October 13th, 1917, a large crowd gathered with the three children in the spot that Mary appeared each month. According to many spectators, the sun abruptly came out of the clouds and started to dance in the sky. Many of the witnesses recounted the sun doing supernatural things that day. When the sun returned to its usual place in the sky, observers say that their umbrellas, clothes and the ground were completely dry. This event is known as the "Miracle of the Sun".