TAGGED IN

Lourdes

    How many approved Marian apparitions are there?

    SL: How many approved Marian apparitions are there? PH: And how does the Church decide? It’s amazing to consider that Our Lady, the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, wants to visit us here on earth. Throughout history, Our Lady has appeared to all sorts of people, from farmers and peasants to rulers and religious. However, not all of these claims are accepted by the Catholic Church. The Church actually has a rigorous process for investigating and approving apparitions to ensure the messages align with Catholic teaching and there’s no deception involved. As of today, there are 16 Marian apparitions officially recognized by the Vatican. Here’s the full list: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531) Our Lady of Lezajsk (Poland, 1578) Our Lady of Silvua (Lithuania, 1608–1612) Our Lady of Laus (France, 1664–1718) Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Paris, France, 1830) Our Lady of Zion (Rome, 1842) Our Lady of La Salette (France, 1846) Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858) Our Lady of Pontmain (France, 1871) Our Lady of Gietrzwałd (Poland, 1877) Our Lady of Knock (Ireland, 1879) Our Lady Help of Christians (Czech Republic, 1885) Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917) Our Lady of the Golden Heart (Belgium, 1932) Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium, 1933) Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981–1989) So why only 16? Well, the Church is very cautious in these matters. Each case is investigated with great care to avoid misleading the faithful. The process can take years, even centuries, and involves examining the messages, the fruits of the apparition (like conversions and miracles), and the character of those who reported the apparitions. In short, the Church doesn’t rush to judgment. It’s more important to be thorough than to be quick, and the Church wants to ensure that any approved apparition truly leads people closer to Christ through Mary. Also, this does not mean that the Church belittles or doubts other reports of Marian apparitions. She simply doesn’t believe that public approval of that apparition is necessary or she hasn’t fully investigated the extent and message of the apparition. Many of Our Lady’s apparitions to saints, such as St. Alphonsus Liguori, are not officially approved by the Catholic Church, but they can still be believed by Catholics. There are actually several apparitions that have not been approved by the Vatican but have been approved by local bishops. Did you know that one of these locally-approved Marian apparitions actually took place in Wisconsin? Yes! Our Lady of Good Help appeared in Champion, Wisconsin in 1859 to Adele Brise. In this apparition, Our Lady asked Adele to evangelize the pioneer families of that region and revealed herself as Our Lady, Queen of Heaven. These apparitions took place the year after the Marian apparitions at Lourdes! Few of us will receive apparitions of Our Lady, but she still longs to be with us and guide us to her Son. This should be inspiring and comforting! This Titles of Our Lady Art Plaque is a fun way to remind yourself of all the ways Our Lady comes to us. Featuring 10 of Mary’s most loved and renowned devotions, this plaque is a great way to honor Our Lady and bring some Marian inspiration into your home. Available today at The Catholic Company! The post How many approved Marian apparitions are there? appeared first on Get Fed™.

    Our Lady of Lourdes: The Apparitions, Scientific Investigations, and the Immaculate Conception

    Our Lady of Lourdes: The Apparitions, Scientific Investigations, and the Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most beloved and venerated apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. The story of the apparitions, the subsequent scientific investigations, and the significance of the Immaculate Conception have captivated the hearts and minds of millions of faithful worldwide. In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of this remarkable event and its enduring impact on the Catholic faith. The Apparitions at Lourdes The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on February 11, 1858, when a 14-year-old peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous experienced a vision of a beautiful lady in a grotto near the town of Lourdes, France. Over the course of several months, Bernadette had a total of 18 apparitions, during which the lady revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception and conveyed several important messages. During the apparitions, the lady requested that a chapel be built at the site and that people come in procession. She also asked Bernadette to dig in the ground, where a spring of water miraculously appeared. This spring would later become known for its healing properties, attracting countless pilgrims seeking physical and spiritual healing. Scientific Investigations The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes garnered significant attention, both from the faithful and from skeptics. To ensure the authenticity of the events, the Catholic Church conducted thorough investigations. The local bishop of Tarbes, Bertrand-Sévère Laurence, established a canonical commission to investigate Bernadette's claims. After a rigorous examination, which included interviews with witnesses and a detailed study of Bernadette's character and health, the commission concluded that the apparitions were genuine. In addition to the ecclesiastical investigations, scientific studies were conducted on the spring water at Lourdes. Numerous analyses have been performed over the years, and while the water itself has been found to be chemically unremarkable, the numerous documented cases of healing have led many to attribute miraculous qualities to it. The Lourdes Medical Bureau, an official organization established to investigate claims of healing, has recognized dozens of cases as medically inexplicable, lending further credibility to the belief in the miraculous nature of the site. The Immaculate Conception One of the most significant aspects of the apparitions at Lourdes is the lady's revelation of herself as the Immaculate Conception. This title refers to the Catholic dogma that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. The dogma was formally defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854, just four years before the apparitions at Lourdes. The declaration of the Immaculate Conception by the lady at Lourdes served to confirm and reinforce the dogma within the Catholic Church. Bernadette, who was uneducated and unfamiliar with theological terms, relayed the lady's words to her local priest, who was astonished by the accuracy of her statement. This further convinced many of the authenticity of the apparitions and the divine nature of the messages conveyed. Pilgrimage and Devotion Since the time of the apparitions, Lourdes has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. Millions of pilgrims visit the grotto each year to pray, seek healing, and renew their faith. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which includes the grotto, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and several other chapels and facilities, serves as a spiritual haven for those seeking solace and divine intervention. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on February 11, the anniversary of the first apparition. This day is also recognized as World Day of the Sick, highlighting the connection between Lourdes and the healing of physical and spiritual ailments. Conclusion The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, the rigorous investigations that followed, and the profound significance of the Immaculate Conception have left an indelible mark on the Catholic faith. The story of Bernadette Soubirous and her encounters with the Virgin Mary continue to inspire and uplift millions of people around the world. As a place of pilgrimage and devotion, Lourdes stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the miraculous presence of Our Lady in the lives of the faithful.

Add a blog to Bloglovin’
Enter the full blog address (e.g. https://www.fashionsquad.com)
We're working on your request. This will take just a minute...