Bryan J
Walsh
Source: http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/APPARIT.HTM
Private revelations require patience and discernment before
a complete assessment of them can occur. For example, after
the Blessed Virgin's appearance at Lourdes, there were over
150 alleged Marian apparitions in the next five years in Europe
alone! None of these were ever authorized after subsequent
investigation and discernment. No one is bound to accept anything
contained in a private revelation.
Private revelations generally fall into four groupings:
- Questionable ...every purported event starts in this category.
The Church assumes that nothing unusual is occurring until
a thorough evaluation takes place.
- False—after evaluation, almost all questionable
apparitions are determined to be "false alarms"
even though the individuals involved are determined to be
mentally-healthy and sincere in their statements.
- Fraudulent—a few alleged apparitions have been
faked for monetary reasons or by individuals seeking attention.
On other occasions, there has been an element of satanic
involvement uncovered. The most famous case of this is Magdelaine
of the Cross. She could levitate while "praying",
foretell the future and heal the sick. Despite these phenomena,
it turns out that on her death bed Magdelaine confessed
that she had given herself to Satan while still a young
girl in exchange for this period of "glory" on
earth.
- Authentic—a select few private revelations are
determined to be authentic in that they appear to involve
supernatural intervention and act to strengthen the faith
of those who follow them.
Authentic apparitions and locutions (interior insights) usually
evolve in four distinct phases:
- After thorough evaluation by the local bishop, the bishop
issues a statement of support for the event by stating that
it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals, that it
appears to be supernaturally inspired and that it is worthy
of devotion by the faithful.
- Once approved, a lengthy period of devotion by the faithful
that results in a deepening of their faith and a return
to a life of self-denial and prayer is then permitted to
develop. If it develops, then the next stage becomes possible.
- Papal acknowledgement. The Pope states publicly that
he is favorably disposed to the events and contents of the
apparition.
- Liturgical recognition by recognizing the apparition
officially on the Church liturgical calendar.
In the Twentieth Century, only the apparitions at Fatima,
Portugal; Beauraing, Belgium and Banneux, Belgium have made
it through all four stages of authentication.
However, a growing list of apparitions that have made it
through the first two stages of authentication also have occurred.
Among these are:
Akita, Japan Kibeho, Rwanda San Nicolas, Argentina Betania,
Venezuela
The apparitions at Zeitun, Egypt were approved by the local
Patriarch of the Coptic Church in 1968. However, the apparitions
at both Garabandal, Spain and Medjugorje, Bosnia are both
considered controversial, have not received local approval
and are still being evaluated by local Church authorities.
There have been over 500 reports of appearances of the Blessed
Virgin in addition to those I just mentioned since 1980!!
There has never been a period in which so many (7?) apparently
valid apparitions have occurred in such a short time period
in the history of the Church.
The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin at Fatima in 1917 are
the most remarkable of these events in terms of extraordinary
phenomena witnessed by tens of thousands. The local press
of the time, which had a markedly anti-Catholic and anti-clerical
bias, reported a spinning, multi-colored sun followed by the
sun appearing to fall from the sky in a display that must
have terrified the pilgrims at the site and, finally, completely
dried clothing and grounds despite the fact that it had been
raining heavily for several days right up to the time of the
apparition (Scientists have estimated that it would take the
energy equivalent to a two megaton nuclear explosion to completely
vaporize the water accumulated at Fatima). Investigators discovered
that the spinning sun had been seen by individuals up to 30
miles from the Cova at Fatima thus negating the "mass
psychosis/hypnosis" explanation for these inexplicable
events. The Church finally approved the apparitions in 1930.
Further, one of the visionaries, Sister Lucia recorded in
the 1930's and early '40's her recollections of the events
of Fatima. It was at this time that the world became aware
of the three "secrets" of Fatima, the third of which
has never been disclosed. The first two "secrets"
involved the reality of Hell and Satan and a series of events
which must occur if humanity didn't change its behavior. Most
of these events have since come to pass as the Blessed Virgin
foretold. The most informed speculation about the third "Secret"
is that it appears to involve a crisis in faith that will
come to humanity because of our continuing failure to turn
to Jesus and practice His teachings.
The "chastisement theme" becomes more evident in
the apparitions at Akita where the visionary, Sister Sasagowa
reported that the Blessed Virgin stated the following: "...if
men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict
a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment
greater than the deluge...Fire will fall from the sky and
wipe out a great part of humanity..."
In addition to messages, a statue of the Blessed Virgin was
observed "crying" and "bleeding" 101 times
and one such occurrence was broadcast on Japanese TV. The
"blood" observed was collected and a sample sent
to a local biochemistry lab for analysis...the analysis reported
the samples were samples of human blood. The other authenticated
apparitions have remarkable events attendant to them also,
including a consecrated host that began to bleed during a
Mass (Betania).
For those interested and willing to investigate, these are
indeed interesting times. If anyone wants a good overview
of these apparitions and the issues involved in them, "Meetings
with Mary" by Janice T. Connell (Ballantine Books) is
probably the best on the market. The book has a foreword by
Robert Faricy, S.J.—Chair, Mystical Theology of the
Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In terms of worrying
about an impending chastisement, it appears the Blessed Virgin's
advice today is the same as it was when she went to a wedding
at Cana with her Son nearly two thousand years ago: "Do
whatever He asks you". The time to do what He asks is
now...just as it has always been!!
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