“What a beautiful light, over there, next to our window”

           What Francisco wanted most was to console Our Lord offended by the sins of men. For this reason, on the eve of his death, he said to Lucy:

           “Look! I am very sick; in a little while I will go to heaven.

           “Then, when you are there, make sure not to forget to pray for sinners, for the Holy Father, for me and Jacinta.

           “Yes, I will. But look, you had better ask Jacinta to do these things, because I fear I will forget when I see Our Lord! I want to console Him first.” ⁴³

           As a result, he was most likely rewarded with a heavenly vision before dying. Fr. Fernando Leite, S.J. relates: “On 4 April, 1919, Francisco exclaimed at a certain moment: ‘Oh my mother, what a beautiful light, over there, next to our window!’ And a while later in sweet perplexity: ‘I can see no longer’ (Parochial investigation on 28 September, 1923). A bit later, his face became illuminated with an angelic smile. Around 10 o’clock in the morning, without any agony, any contraction or groan, he sweetly expired.” ⁴⁴

           It is licit to suppose that God Himself, Who is infinitely beautiful light, thus manifested Himself to the Virgin’s confidant in his last moments.