Marian apparitions

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico

“It is moving to read the accounts of Guadalupe, sensitively written and steeped in tenderness. In them the Virgin Mary, the handmaid "who glorified the Lord" (Lk 1:46), reveals herself to Juan Diego as the Mother of the true God. As a sign, she gives him precious roses, and as he shows them to the Bishop, he discovers the blessed image of Our Lady imprinted on his tilma.”

Witnesses

Juan Diego, according to the accounts the Pope cites

Church ruling

John Paul II canonized Juan Diego at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on 31 July 2002

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico

“The appearance of Mary to the native Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in 1531 had a decisive effect on evangelization. Its influence greatly overflows the boundaries of Mexico, spreading to the whole Continent.”

Witnesses

Juan Diego, on the hill of Tepeyac, in 1531

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Laus, France

“From the next day, a "beautiful lady" appears to her daily for four months at the Vallon des Fours, near Saint-Etienne. … On 29 August the beautiful lady reveals her identity: "I am Lady Mary, the Mother of my very dear Son." At the end of September, after a month's absence, Mary shows herself again, but on the other side of the valley, at Pindreau: "Go to Laus, you will find there a chapel from which sweet odours will come, and there you will speak to me very often."”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“À partir du lendemain, une « belle dame » lui apparaît quotidiennement pendant quatre mois au Vallon des fours, à proximité de Saint-Etienne. … Le 29 août, la belle dame révèle son identité : « Je suis Dame Marie, la Mère de mon très cher Fils. » Fin septembre, après un mois d’absence, Marie se manifeste à nouveau, mais de l’autre côté de la vallée, à Pindreau : « Allez au Laus, vous y trouverez une chapelle d’où s’exhaleront de bonnes odeurs, et là très souvent vous me parlerez ».”

Witnesses

Benoîte Rencurel, a shepherdess born in 1647, who died on 28 December 1718

Read it in the source: sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com

Our Lady of Laus, France

“On 15 January 2007 the summary of their report is sent to Bishop di Falco Léandri, who submits his judgment to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. After the Congregation's assent, the Bishop of Gap and Embrun promulgates the decree of recognition on 4 May 2008, during a Mass celebrated at the sanctuary in the presence of the apostolic nuncio to France (Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli), several cardinals and many bishops.”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Le 15 janvier 2007, la synthèse de leur rapport est envoyée à Mgr di Falco Léandri, qui soumet son jugement à la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi. Après l'assentiment de cette dernière, l'évêque de Gap et d'Embrun promulgue le décret de reconnaissance le 4 mai 2008, au cours d'une messe célébrée au sanctuaire en présence du nonce apostolique en France (Mgr Fortunato Baldelli), de plusieurs cardinaux et de nombreux évêques.”

Investigation

Three commissions, theological, historical and scientific, set up after a reply from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dated 22 November 2005

Church ruling

The Archbishop of Embrun authorized the pilgrimage in September 1665. Decree of recognition promulgated by the Bishop of Gap and Embrun, Jean-Michel di Falco Léandri, on 4 May 2008, after the assent of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Read it in the source: sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com

The Miraculous Medal, rue du Bac, Paris

“On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Catherine again in the chapel. … Then an oval formed around the apparition, and Catherine saw in a semi-circle this invocation: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you,” emblazoned in gold letters. She then heard a voice saying, “Have a medal made according to this model. For those who wear it with confidence, there will be abundant graces.””

Witnesses

Sister Catherine Labouré, a novice of the Daughters of Charity, between July and December 1830

Read it in the source: chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com

The Miraculous Medal, rue du Bac, Paris

“To mention but a single instance, everyone is familiar today with the "miraculous medal." This medal, with its image of "Mary conceived without sin," was revealed to a humble daughter of Saint Vincent de Paul whom We had the joy of inscribing in the catalogue of Saints, and it has spread its spiritual and material wonders everywhere.”

Church ruling

Pius XII says in this encyclical that the medal was revealed to the seer, and that he himself canonized her

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of La Salette, France

“On 19 September 1846, two children say they met a "Beautiful Lady" in the mountain pastures where they were grazing their cows, above the village of La Salette. Maximin Giraud is 11 and Mélanie Calvat is 14. At first seated and in tears, the "Beautiful Lady" stands and speaks to them at length, in French and in the local dialect, about "her Son", giving examples drawn from their own daily life. She leaves them a Message and charges them to "make it known to all her people".”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Le 19 septembre 1846, deux enfants disent avoir rencontré une « Belle Dame » dans les alpages où ils faisaient paître leurs vaches, au dessus du village de La Salette. Maximin Giraud a 11 ans et Mélanie Calvat 14 ans. D’abord assise et toute en larmes, la « Belle Dame » se lève et leur parle longuement, en français et en patois, de « son Fils » tout en citant des exemples tirés du concret de leur vie. Elle leur laisse un Message en les chargeant de le « faire bien passer à tout son peuple ».”

Witnesses

Two shepherd children, Maximin Giraud, aged 11, and Mélanie Calvat, aged 14

Read it in the source: lasalette.cef.fr

Our Lady of La Salette, France

“On 19 September 1851, after a long and rigorous inquiry, Bishop Philibert de Bruillard of Grenoble declared in a decree: "The apparition of the Blessed Virgin to two shepherds on the mountain of La Salette […] bears in itself all the marks of truth, and the faithful have grounds to believe it beyond doubt and certain."”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Le 19 septembre 1851, après une enquête longue et rigoureuse, Mgr Philibert de Bruillard, l’évêque de Grenoble, déclarera dans un mandement : « L’apparition de la Sainte Vierge à deux bergers sur la montagne de La Salette […] porte en elle-même tous les caractères de la vérité et que les fidèles sont fondés à la croire indubitable et certaine ».”

Investigation

An inquiry of five years under the Bishop of Grenoble

Church ruling

Bishop Philibert de Bruillard of Grenoble, decree of 19 September 1851: the apparition bears all the marks of truth and the faithful have grounds to believe it. In 1855 his successor, Bishop Ginoulhiac, confirmed the decision after a new inquiry

Read it in the source: lasalette.cef.fr

Our Lady of Lourdes, France

“The vision finally revealed her name, but the wild rose bush, on which she stood during the Apparitions, did not bloom. Bernadette recounted : “She extended her arms towards the ground, then joined them as though in prayer and said Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou (I am the Immaculate Conception)”. The young visionary left and, running all the way, repeated continuously the words that she did not understand.”

Witnesses

Bernadette Soubirous saw the lady. The page counts the crowds who watched her: about one hundred people on 21 February and about eight thousand on 4 March

Investigation

The page records that the police commissioner questioned Bernadette on 21 February and that the parish priest, Fr. Peyramale, demanded the lady's name

Read it in the source: lourdes-france.com

Our Lady of Lourdes, France

“At the time he signed his Decree of 18 January 1862 with the decision concerning the Lourdes Apparitions, Mgr Bertrand-Sévère Laurence, Bishop of Tarbes, used three criteria to establish that the Immaculate Conception had actually appeared to Bernadette Soubirous: reliability of the seer, spiritual fruits, cures of the body. On that same day (18 January 1862), he declared by Decree that seven cures, among the hundreds examined by Prof Henri Vergez, were “miraculous”.”

Medical finding

Seven cures, out of hundreds examined by Prof. Henri Vergez, were declared miraculous in the same decree

Scientific study

The Bureau des Constatations Médicales was established at the shrine in 1883 by Dr. Georges-Fernand Dunot de Saint-Maclou

Church ruling

Bishop Bertrand-Sévère Laurence of Tarbes, decree of 18 January 1862

Read it in the source: lourdes-france.com

Our Lady of Lourdes, France

“You know, Beloved Sons and Venerable Brethren, the astonishing circumstances under which the voice of that child, the messenger of the Immaculate, compelled the world's recognition despite ridicule, doubt, and opposition. You know the steadfastness and purity of her testimony, wisely put to the test by episcopal authority and approved as early as 1862.”

Church ruling

Pius XII states that Bernadette's testimony was tested by episcopal authority and approved in 1862

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Lourdes, France

“Of the more than 7,000 cases of healing reported at Lourdes since the apparitions, 72 have so far been recognised as miraculous by the Church.”

Medical finding

More than 7,000 healings reported; 72 recognised as miraculous by the Church. The page lists each one with its date of recognition, the first seven on 18 January 1862

Read it in the source: lourdes-france.com

Our Lady of Lourdes, France

““Go and tell the priests that people should come here in procession, and that a chapel should be built here.” This is the message Bernadette received from the “beautiful lady” in the apparition of 2 March 1858. For 150 years, pilgrims have never ceased to come to the grotto of Massabielle to hear the message of conversion and hope which is addressed to them.”

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Champion, Wisconsin

“Incessant prayer has gone up in this place based upon the word of a young Belgian immigrant woman, Adele Brise, who in October 1859 said that the Blessed Mother, a Lady clothed in dazzling white, had appeared to her on this site. The Lady was elevated slightly in a bright light and gave words of solace and comfort and a bold and challenging mission for the young immigrant woman. The Lady gave her a two-fold mission of prayer for the conversion of sinners and catechesis.”

Witnesses

Adele Brise, a young Belgian immigrant, in October 1859

Medical finding

The decree says many physical healings are attributed to prayer at the shrine, and that none has been officially declared a miracle by the Church

Read it in the source: championshrine.org

Our Lady of Champion, Wisconsin

“Three Marian experts have studied the history of this alleged apparition and all of the extant documents, letters, and written testimonies in order to determine whether or not there are inherent contradictions or objections to the veracity of the testimony given by Adele Brise with regard to the events of 1859 … The accounts of the apparitions and locutions are judged to be free from doctrinal error and consistent with the Catholic faith. There is nothing in the person and character of Adele Brise that would question the veracity of the substance of her account.”

Investigation

Three Marian experts studied the history and all the surviving documents, letters and written testimonies

Scientific study

The decree says documents from the early history of the shrine are not abundant, because Green Bay was frontier country at the time

Read it in the source: championshrine.org

Our Lady of Champion, Wisconsin

“The constant testimony of the Christian faithful since Our Lady’s appearance to Adele, along with numerous divine favors granted, led the bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, after a formal investigation, to declare the apparition at Champion as ‘worthy of belief’ on December 8th, 2010.”

Investigation

Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay opened a formal Church investigation in 2009

Church ruling

Declared worthy of belief by the Bishop of Green Bay on 8 December 2010

Read it in the source: championshrine.org

Our Lady of Pontmain, France

“For three hours, Eugène and Joseph Barbedette, Françoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebossé gaze at the "Beautiful Lady", dressed in a blue robe strewn with stars, with a black veil on her head and a golden crown with a red band, and on her feet blue slippers with a golden buckle. She holds her hands out and smiles at the children. She appears within a triangle formed by three large golden stars in the open sky.”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Pendant 3 heures, Eugène et Joseph Barbedette, Françoise Richer et Jeanne-Marie Lebossé vont contempler la « Belle Dame » vêtue d’une robe bleue parsemée d’étoiles, avec un voile noir sur la tête et une couronne d’or avec un liseré rouge, aux pieds des chaussons bleus avec une boucle d’or. Elle tend les mains en avant et sourit aux enfants. Elle apparaît dans un triangle formé par trois grosses étoiles d’or en plein ciel.”

Witnesses

Four children: Eugène and Joseph Barbedette, Françoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebossé. The villagers and the parish priest, Fr. Michel Guérin, gathered and prayed with them

Read it in the source: sanctuaire-pontmain.fr

Our Lady of Pontmain, France

“For three hours, Mary lights up the sky of Pontmain before a few children surrounded by the parish community and its priest, Fr. Guérin … The apparition is officially recognized by Bishop Wicart of Laval.”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Pendant 3 heures, Marie illumine le ciel de Pontmain devant quelques enfants entourés de la communauté paroissiale et de son curé l’Abbé Guérin … L’apparition est reconnue officiellement par Monseigneur Wicart, évêque de Laval.”

Church ruling

Officially recognized by Bishop Wicart of Laval on 2 February 1872

Read it in the source: sanctuaire-pontmain.fr

Our Lady of Mercy, Pellevoisin, France

“During a serious and incurable illness, Estelle Faguette experienced at Pellevoisin the presence of the Virgin Mary, who spoke to her on several occasions about the love of Jesus Christ. Estelle’s healing, which surpassed all natural explanations, was confirmed to be miraculous by the Archbishop of Bourges on 8 September 1983, with the consent of the Holy See.”

Witnesses

Estelle Faguette

Medical finding

Her healing was confirmed to be miraculous by the Archbishop of Bourges on 8 September 1983, with the consent of the Holy See

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Mercy, Pellevoisin, France

“not only can I say that there are no doctrinal, moral, or other objections to this spiritual event and that the faithful “are authorized to give to it their adherence in a prudent manner” (Norms, Art. 22 § 1),but, in this case, the devotion—which is already thriving—is also recommended especially for those who freely wish to adhere to it. … Therefore, it is now possible to issue the relevant decree of nihil obstat that you have proposed.”

Church ruling

Nihil obstat: the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, by letter of 22 August 2024 signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and marked with an audience with Pope Francis the same day, allowed the Archbishop of Bourges to issue the decree

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, Poland

“Gietrzwałd became famous through the apparitions of the Mother of God, which took place nineteen years after the apparitions at Lourdes and lasted from 27 June to 16 September 1877. The chief visionaries were thirteen-year-old Justyna Szafryńska and twelve-year-old Barbara Samulowska. … To the girls' question, "Who are you?", she answered: "I am the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Immaculately Conceived!" To the question, "What do you ask, Mother of God?", the answer came: "I wish you to pray the rosary every day!"”

Our translation. The words as written, in Polish:

“Gietrzwałd stał się sławny dzięki Objawieniom Matki Bożej, które miały miejsce dziewiętnaście lat po Objawieniach w Lourdes i trwały od 27 czerwca do 16 września 1877 roku. Głównymi wizjonerkami były: trzynastoletnia Justyna Szafryńska i dwunastoletnia Barbara Samulowska. … Na zapytanie dziewczynek: Kto Ty Jesteś? Odpowiedziała: "Jestem Najświętsza Panna Maryja Niepokalanie Poczęta!" Na pytanie: Czego żądasz Matko Boża? Padła odpowiedź: "Życzę sobie, abyście codziennie odmawiali różaniec!".”

Witnesses

Justyna Szafryńska, aged thirteen, and Barbara Samulowska, aged twelve

Read it in the source: sanktuariummaryjne.pl

Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, Poland

“The then Bishop of Warmia, Filip Krementz, took an interest in the events at Gietrzwałd. First he required a detailed report from the parish priest, and then he sent canons of the Cathedral Chapter to Gietrzwałd to take part in the rosary devotions, to observe the state and conduct of the visionaries during the apparitions, to draw up records of their testimony and to gather the observations of pilgrims and clergy. The reports of the bishop's delegates confirmed that there could be no question of fraud or lying in the apparitions, and that the girls behaved normally.”

Our translation. The words as written, in Polish:

“Wydarzeniami gietrzwałdzkimi interesował się ówczesny biskup warmiński Filip Krementz. Najpierw zażądał szczegółowego sprawozdania proboszcza, a potem wydelegował do Gietrzwałdu kanoników Kapituły Katedralnej, aby uczestniczyli w nabożeństwach różańcowych, obserwowali stan i zachowanie wizjonerek w trakcie objawień i sporządzili protokoły ich zeznań oraz zgromadzili obserwacje pielgrzymów i duchownych. Doniesienia delegatów biskupich potwierdziły, że w objawieniach nie może być mowy o oszustwie i kłamstwie, a dziewczęta zachowują się normalnie.”

Investigation

Bishop Filip Krementz of Warmia required a report from the parish priest and sent canons of the Cathedral Chapter to observe the girls during the apparitions and record their testimony

Read it in the source: sanktuariummaryjne.pl

Our Lady of Gietrzwałd, Poland

“On 11 September 1977, preceded by the Fourth National Mariological Congress, the celebrations of the centenary of the apparitions of the Mother of God were held, presided over by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, Metropolitan of Kraków. On that day Bishop Józef Drzazga, Bishop of Warmia, solemnly approved the cult of the apparitions of the Mother of God at Gietrzwałd.”

Our translation. The words as written, in Polish:

“11 września 1977 odbyły się, poprzedzone IV Ogólnopolskim Kongresem Mariologicznym, uroczystości 100-lecia objawień Matki Bożej, którym przewodniczył Ks. Karol Kardynał Wojtyła, metropolita krakowski. W tym dniu Ks. Biskup Józef Drzazga, biskup warmiński, uroczyście zatwierdził kult objawień Matki Bożej w Gietrzwałdzie.”

Church ruling

Bishop Józef Drzazga of Warmia solemnly approved the cult of the apparitions on 11 September 1977, at centenary celebrations led by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła

Read it in the source: sanktuariummaryjne.pl

Our Lady of Knock, Ireland

“Ever since the apparition of 21 August 1879, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to some villagers in Knock together with Saint Joseph and Saint John the Apostle, the Irish people have expressed their devotion wherever they have been. … You know that in the apparition of Knock the Virgin does not say a word. But even her silence is a language; indeed, it is the most expressive language that is given to us.”

Witnesses

Some villagers of Knock, on 21 August 1879

Church ruling

The national Shrine of Our Lady of Knock was raised to an International Shrine of Special Eucharistic and Marian Devotion on 19 March 2021

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Knock, Ireland

“From that day of grace, 21 August 1879, until this very day, the sick and suffering, people handicapped in body or mind, troubled in their faith or their conscience, all have been healed, comforted and confirmed in their faith because they trusted that the Mother of God would lead them to her Son, Jesus.”

Church ruling

John Paul II came as a pilgrim for the shrine's centenary in 1979, gave its new church the title of basilica and presented a golden rose

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal

“I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes. … Then, opening her hands, she made them reflect on the sun, and as she ascended, the reflection of her own light continued to be projected on the sun itself.”

Witnesses

The three children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. The shrine gives the number of people present on 13 October 1917 as 50,000 to 70,000

Read it in the source: fatima.pt

Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal

“The last seer of Fatima responds, in Oporto, to the official interrogation of the Diocesan Canonical Commission, named by José Alves Correia da Silva, Bishop of Leiria, about the events of Fatima. This statement was enclosed with the Diocesan Canonical Process. Following this process, the Bishop of Leiria declared on October 13, 1930, in the Pastoral Letter on the cult of Our Lady of Fatima, «worthy of belief the visions of the children in the Cova da Iria, parish of Fatima, of this Diocese, on 13 May through October 1917».”

Investigation

A Diocesan Canonical Commission named by the Bishop of Leiria questioned Lucia officially on 8 July 1924; her statement was placed in the diocesan canonical process

Church ruling

Bishop José Alves Correia da Silva of Leiria, Pastoral Letter of 13 October 1930: the visions of the children are worthy of belief

Read it in the source: fatima.pt

Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal

““So beautiful a Lady”, as the seers of Fatima said to one another as they returned home on that blessed day of 13 May a hundred years ago. That evening, Jacinta could not restrain herself and told the secret to her mother: “Today I saw Our Lady”. They had seen the Mother of Heaven. Many others sought to share that vision, but… they did not see her. The Virgin Mother did not come here so that we could see her.”

Church ruling

Pope Francis canonized Francisco and Jacinta Marto at Fatima on 13 May 2017, the hundredth anniversary of the first apparition

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Beauraing, Belgium

“It was in that year, in a plain country village, that the Virgin Mary chose to appear, thirty-three times, from 29 November 1932 to 3 January 1933, to five young children. They were brothers and sisters from two modest families: the Voisins, with Fernande (15), Gilberte (13) and Albert (11), and the Degeimbres, with Andrée (14) and Gilberte (9).”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“C’est cette année-là, dans un village de campagne sans relief, que la Vierge Marie choisit d’apparaître, à trente-trois reprises, du 29 novembre 1932 au 3 janvier 1933, à cinq jeunes enfants. Il s’agit de deux fratries issues de familles modestes : les Voisin, avec Fernande (15 ans), Gilberte (13 ans) et Albert (11 ans), et les Degeimbre, avec Andrée (14 ans) et Gilberte (9 ans).”

Witnesses

Five children of two families: Fernande, Gilberte and Albert Voisin, and Andrée and Gilberte Degeimbre. The page says no one else saw anything

Read it in the source: sanctuairedebeauraing.be

Our Lady of Beauraing, Belgium

“After thirty-three apparitions, and after so many studies by theologians and doctors, Bishop Thomas-Louis Heylen of Namur brought about the recognition of the devotion. On 16 May 1943 his successor, Bishop André-Marie Charue, obtained from Rome a decree authorizing the cult of Our Lady of Beauraing. Two healings were declared miraculous, and the authenticity of the events was recognized on 2 July 1949 by Bishop Charue.”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Après trente-trois apparitions, après tant d’études de théologiens et de médecins, Mgr Thomas-Louis Heylen, évêque de Namur, fait aboutir la reconnaissance du culte. Le 16 mai 1943, son successeur, Mgr André-Marie Charue, obtient de Rome un décret autorisant le culte de Notre-Dame de Beauraing. Deux guérisons sont déclarées miraculeuses et l’authenticité des faits est reconnue le 2 juillet 1949 par Mgr Charue.”

Investigation

Studies by theologians and doctors under the Bishops of Namur

Medical finding

Two healings were declared miraculous

Church ruling

A decree from Rome authorizing the cult of Our Lady of Beauraing, 16 May 1943; the authenticity of the events recognized by Bishop André-Marie Charue of Namur on 2 July 1949

Read it in the source: sanctuairedebeauraing.be

Our Lady of Banneux, Belgium

“On Thursday, 19 January 1933, the weather was very bad. Mariette was on her knees in the path. The lady appeared to her. Mariette asked her, “Who are you, beautiful lady?” Mary replied, “I am the Virgin of the Poor.” The Virgin led the child to the way to the spring.”

Witnesses

Mariette Beco, born 25 March 1921, the eldest of seven children; eight apparitions between 15 January and 2 March 1933

Read it in the source: banneux-nd.be

Our Lady of Banneux, Belgium

“We want to show that we truly believe that the Blessed Virgin appeared and spoke in Banneux. … Twice, first in 1942, then in 1947, we officially recognized, with some reservations, the reality of Banneux’s apparitions. Today, after two more years of prayer and observations, we believe in conscience that we can and must recognize this reality without reserve, namely, the reality of the eight apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to Mariette Beco, which took place on the 15th, January 18, 19 and 20, February 11, 15 and 20 and March 2, 1933.”

Church ruling

Bishop Louis-Joseph Kerkhofs of Liège recognized the apparitions with some reservations in 1942 and 1947, and without reserve in his pastoral letter of 22 August 1949. The page records that his successors, Bishops van Zuylen and Houssiau, confirmed this

Read it in the source: banneux-nd.be

The Holy See's rules for judging reported apparitions

“When Ecclesiastical Authority is informed of a presumed apparition or revelation, it will be its responsibility: a) first, to judge the fact according to positive and negative criteria (cf. infra, no. I); b) then, if this examination results in a favorable conclusion, to permit some public manifestation of cult or of devotion, overseeing this with great prudence (equivalent to the formula, “for now, nothing stands in the way”) (pro nunc nihil obstare). c) finally, in light of time passed and of experience, with special regard to the fecundity of spiritual fruit generated from this new devotion, to express a judgment regarding the authenticity and supernatural character if the case so merits.”

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda

“Yes, the Virgin Mary appeared at Kibeho on 28 November 1981 and in the months that followed. There are more good reasons to believe it than to deny it. In this regard, only the first three visionaries deserve to be retained as authentic”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“Oui, la Vierge Marie est apparue à Kibeho dans la journée du 28 Novembre 1981 et au cours des mois qui ont suivi. Il y a plus de bonnes raisons d'y croire que de le nier. A cet égard, seules les trois voyantes du début méritent d'être retenues comme authentiques”

Witnesses

Three visionaries: Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka and Marie Claire Mukangango. The events began at the college of Kibeho. Later claimed visionaries were not accepted

Investigation

Two commissions, one of doctors and one of theologians, set up by the local bishop and at work from April 1982

Church ruling

Public devotion approved by the local bishop on 15 August 1988. Definitive judgment by Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, read at Mass in his cathedral on 29 June 2001: the Virgin Mary appeared at Kibeho

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda

“The recognition or denial of the authenticity of an apparition is in no way covered by infallibility; it rests more on proofs of probability than on demonstrative arguments … The recognition of these apparitions cannot be confused with an article of faith: for this reason every Christian remains free to adhere to it.”

Our translation. The words as written, in French:

“La reconnaissance ou la négation de l'authenticité d'une apparition n'est point couverte par l'infaillibilité; elle repose plus sur des preuves de probabilité que sur des arguments apodictiques … La reconnaissance de ces apparitions ne saurait être confondue avec un article de foi: pour cette raison chaque chrétien demeure libre d'y adhérer.”

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Medjugorje: permission for devotion, with no ruling that the events are supernatural

“Through the Nihil obstat about a spiritual event, the faithful “are authorized to give it their adherence in a prudent manner” (Norms, art. 22, §1; cf. Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, par. 14). While this does not imply a declaration of the supernatural character of the phenomenon in question (cf. Norms, art. 22, §2)—and recalling that the faithful are not obliged to believe in it—the Nihil obstat indicates that the faithful can receive a positive encouragement for their Christian life through this spiritual proposal, and it authorizes public acts of devotion.”

Church ruling

Nihil obstat from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, 19 September 2024. The Note says this does not declare the events supernatural and that the faithful are not obliged to believe in them

Read it in the source: vatican.va

Private revelations and the deposit of faith

“Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history.”

Read it in the source: vatican.va

How the Church weighs an approved apparition

“An assent of Catholic faith is not due to revelations approved in this way; it is not even possible. These revelations seek rather an assent of human faith in keeping with the requirements of prudence, which puts them before us as probable and credible to piety … Such a message can be a genuine help in understanding the Gospel and living it better at a particular moment in time; therefore it should not be disregarded. It is a help which is offered, but which one is not obliged to use.”

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What Church approval of a private revelation means

“Ecclesiastical approval of a private revelation essentially means that its message contains nothing contrary to faith and morals; it is licit to make it public and the faithful are authorized to give to it their prudent adhesion. A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. … It is a help which is proffered, but its use is not obligatory.”

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The norms of 2024

“As a rule, these potential conclusions do not include the possibility of declaring that the phenomenon under discernment is of supernatural origin—that is, affirming with moral certainty that it originates from a decision willed by God in a direct way. Instead, as Pope Benedict XVI explained, granting a Nihil obstat simply indicates that the faithful “are authorized to give [the phenomenon] their adhesion in a prudent manner.””

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The norms of 2024

“Whenever a Nihil obstat is granted by the Dicastery (cf. Par. 17, below), such phenomena do not become objects of faith, which means the faithful are not obliged to give an assent of faith to them.”

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