The body of visionary Jacinta Marto was indeed exhumed. This event took place in 1935, almost 16 years after Jacinta’s death, as part of the process of her beatification. The exhumation was carried out in order to move her remains to a more prominent location, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.
The decision to exhume Jacinta’s body was not taken lightly. It was a significant and delicate step in the process of recognizing her sanctity and honoring her role as one of the three children who witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. The Church wanted to ensure that her remains were preserved and venerated appropriately.
I can only imagine the reverence and solemnity that must have surrounded the exhumation process. The body of Jacinta, who had passed away at the young age of 9, was carefully excavated from its original burial site. This would have required meticulous attention to detail and respect for the deceased.
After the exhumation, Jacinta’s remains were prepared for reburial in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. This basilica is a significant pilgrimage site for Catholics from around the world and holds immense spiritual importance. It is only fitting that Jacinta, who played a pivotal role in the Fatima apparitions, would be laid to rest in such a revered place.
The decision to move Jacinta’s remains to the basilica was likely driven by the desire to make her more accessible to pilgrims and devotees who visit Fatima. By relocating her body to a central and easily accessible location, the Church hoped to facilitate veneration and prayer at her grave.
It is important to note that the exhumation and reburial of Jacinta’s body were not meant to diminish her significance or treat her as a mere relic. Instead, it was a way for the Church to honor her memory, recognize her holiness, and allow more people to connect with her spiritual legacy.
Jacinta Marto’s body was exhumed in 1935 as part of the process of her beatification. The exhumation was carried out with great reverence and care, and her remains were subsequently reburied in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. This decision was made to honor Jacinta’s role as a visionary and to make her more accessible to pilgrims and devotees who visit Fatima.