The Vatican has implemented new guidelines for evaluating purported supernatural events, such as visions of the Virgin Mary, in order to prevent hoaxes and address the impact of such news going viral. Approved apparitions in the past, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes in France, and Fatima in Portugal, have become major pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. These sites are believed to have been visited by the Virgin Mary and have been associated with miracles, healing waters, and prophecies.
One of the approved apparitions is Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, where an Indigenous man named Juan Diego reported multiple visions of the Virgin Mary in 1531. The image of the Virgin displayed in the basilica is considered a miracle as it appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak when he opened it after receiving one of the visions. Similarly, Lourdes in France is associated with visions of Mary by a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, along with the discovery of healing spring waters. In Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary six times in 1917 and were told three secrets, including apocalyptic visions and prophecies about World War I, World War II, and Soviet communism.
On the other hand, there are disputed Marian apparitions, such as in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where six children and teenagers claimed to see Mary in 1981. Some of the original “seers” continue to report receiving ongoing revelations. The Vatican has been investigating this phenomenon for years, and a decision is expected soon. In the case of Our Lady of All Nations in Amsterdam, there has been inconsistent determinations by Catholic authorities over the years regarding the supernatural nature of the alleged apparitions. The current bishop, with Vatican support, reaffirmed a negative judgment from 1974 about the supernaturality of the apparitions. Additionally, the Army of Mary in Quebec, Canada, faced excommunication in 2007 after its founder claimed to have Marian visions and declared herself as the reincarnation of the mother of Christ.
The Vatican’s new guidelines aim to ensure a thorough evaluation of purported supernatural events, particularly in light of the spread of news through social media and the internet. The criteria for assessing these events will take into account the potential for hoaxes, the impact of viral news, and the authenticity of alleged apparitions. Approved apparitions have a significant impact on believers, drawing millions of pilgrims to these sites each year and fostering a sense of devotion and spirituality. However, disputed apparitions can lead to confusion and controversy within the Catholic Church, as seen in cases like Medjugorje and the Army of Mary.
Overall, the Vatican’s revised approach to evaluating supernatural events involving the Virgin Mary reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity of the Church’s teachings and safeguarding against potential fraud or manipulation. The investigation and scrutiny of reported apparitions are important to ensure that believers are not led astray by false claims and that genuine miracles are properly recognized and authenticated. As the Catholic Church continues to navigate the complexities of modern communication and media, addressing the validity of purported supernatural events will remain a key focus for religious authorities.
