The Fatima Prayer, also called the Decade Prayer or "O My Jesus", is prayed after the Glory Be at the end of each decade of the Holy Rosary.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
Where It Comes From
This prayer comes from the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. During her appearance on July 13, 1917, Mary asked the three shepherd children (Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta) to add this prayer after each decade of the Holy Rosary.
The Fatima apparitions were approved by the Church in 1930. Francisco and Jacinta were canonized by Pope Francis in 2017.
What It Means
The Fatima Prayer asks four things of Jesus:
- Forgive us our sins: a prayer of repentance
- Save us from the fires of hell: a prayer for our own salvation
- Lead all souls to heaven: a prayer for everyone
- Especially those in most need of Thy mercy: a prayer for sinners who are farthest from God
It turns the Holy Rosary outward. After meditating on each mystery, we pray not only for ourselves but for the salvation of all souls.
Other Wordings
You may hear slightly different versions:
- "...especially those who have most need of Your mercy."
- "...especially those in most need of Your mercy."
All are faithful to the prayer. Use the version prayed in your parish or family.
In the Holy Rosary
After the Glory Be at the end of each decade, pray the Fatima Prayer. Then announce the next mystery and begin the next decade with the Our Father.
After the fifth decade, move on to the closing prayers.
Next prayer in the Holy Rosary (after the fifth decade): Hail Holy Queen