The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima is a fulfilment of the request made by Our Lady of the Rosary on 13 August 1917 and expressly indicated in the apparition of 13 October the same year to Lúcia de Jesus, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto: “I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary" (First Memoir of Sister Lúcia). The little chapel was built in 1919 at the site of the apparitions in 1917 in the Cova da Iria. Since then, more building has been done in the Shrine area in response to the significant number of pilgrims visiting.

Fátima Shrine is a place of pilgrimage, recalling the event behind it, the apparitions of Our Lady to the three little shepherds. Pastoral care of the pilgrims is a fundamental part of its mission.

Fátima Shrine is the keeper of the message of what happened in Fátima. Its mission is to study and spread this message, using it as a means to evangelise Portugal and the world.

Fátima Shrine is a National Shrine, by express wish of the Apostolic See.