PART 22: Antichrists revealed by Jesus Christ – False miracles of the Antichrists

Reported Marian Apparitions

Hundreds of Marian apparitions were reported in the 20th century, but only a small number in the history of the Church have ever been approved by a bishop. Of these, just 16 have been declared “worthy of belief” by the Vatican, which follows strict procedures for investigating such claims. Importantly, the Holy See never officially declares an apparition to be authentic.

Nature of the Apparitions

In many reported cases, witnesses say Mary gave them a message for humanity or performed a miracle before their eyes. In others, she was seen but did not speak or act. Most apparitions involve only Mary, though some include other figures such as Jesus or a saint. Some were single events, while others occurred repeatedly over days, months, or even years, usually in the same location.

Notable Apparitions

• Fátima, Portugal (1917): Three children—Jacinta Marto, Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos—said they saw Mary several times and received messages.

• Knock, Ireland (1879): At least 15 people reported seeing Mary with other holy figures.

• Zeitoun, Cairo (1968–1971): Crowds of thousands claimed to see Mary on a church rooftop.

• Zaragoza, Spain (40 CE): The earliest reported apparition, when the Apostle James the Greater is said to have seen Mary by the River Ebro.

• Mexico City (1531): Juan Diego said Mary asked him to request the construction of a church, now the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

• Kibeho, Rwanda (1981): Three teenage girls reported apparitions that included warnings later connected to the Rwandan genocide.

• Lourdes, France (1858): Bernadette Soubirous said Mary appeared to her several times at the Massabielle Grotto, now a major pilgrimage site.

Witnesses and Visionaries

Witnesses to these events, often called visionaries, have ranged from children to adults. Some, like Joan of Arc, Juan Diego, Bernadette Soubirous, and Padre Pio, were later canonized as saints. In earlier centuries, visions were often accepted on faith or approved locally by a parish priest, long before formal rules of investigation were established.

Belief and Devotion

Catholic tradition holds that Mary intercedes for humanity, praying for sinners and their redemption. Many Catholics see apparitions as another form of this role, especially when they involve messages for the world.

Apparition sites frequently become pilgrimage destinations. At Lourdes, for example, visitors drink water from a spring said to have healing powers. While bishops sometimes discourage devotion during investigations, popular veneration often continues regardless of the official outcome.

Church Investigations

The Council of Trent (1545–63) established that apparitions must be investigated and approved by the local bishop before public devotion is permitted. Later, the 1917 Code of Canon Law required bishops’ approval before spreading information about apparitions. In 1978, Pope Paul VI issued norms for investigating visions, but they were published only in Latin until 2012.

New Norms (2024)

In May 2024, the Vatican introduced new norms through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. These rules shifted more authority from bishops to the Vatican while still leaving local investigations in place.

When evaluating apparitions, investigators look for:

• Positive signs: credible witnesses, doctrinal soundness, unplanned nature of the event, and fruits such as increased prayer or vocations.

• Negative signs: doctrinal errors, division, pursuit of profit or fame, or psychological issues in the visionary.

Six Possible Conclusions

The Church no longer uses the word supernatural when judging apparitions. Instead, one of six conclusions may be issued:

1. Nihil obstat (“nothing hinders”): Many positive signs, no risks. Devotion is encouraged.

2. Prae oculis habeatur (“keep in mind”): Positive signs but some risks. Bishop should be cautious in encouraging devotion.

3. Curatur (“it is taken care of”): Significant problems, but strong popular devotion. Bishop should redirect devotion elsewhere.

4. Sub mandato (“under command”): Some positives but also misuse or exploitation (e.g., financial gain). Bishop should intervene.

5. Prohibetur et obstruatur (“forbidden and obstructed”): Some positives but critical risks. Bishop should forbid devotion and explain why.

6. Declaratio de non supernaturalitate (“not supernatural”): Apparition is false, often due to fraud or error.

The most serious of these is the declaration of non supernaturalitate, which may be based on evidence of fabrication or false intentions. Only the pope himself may declare an apparition truly supernatural.

The table below is a list of Marian apparitions that have been recognized by the Vatican.