In a society fascinated by the supernatural, it is important to focus on authentic faith rather than being swayed by extraordinary signs and wonders. So says Joachim Bouflet, a historian and specialist in mystical phenomena. “The mystical search is not noisy; it plays out in the most intimate places. We do not need to accumulate Read more
The Vatican has updated its process for evaluating alleged visions of supernatural phenomena. As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, claims of weeping and bleeding statues, mystical visions and stigmata are officially just claims until proven otherwise. Furthermore – the faithful are never obliged to believe in these particular events, says head of the Read more
The Vatican and an archbishop in the Philippines are engaged in a tug-of-war over the validity of alleged Marian apparitions. A few months ago, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa announced that alleged apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a local nun in 1948 were supernatural. But last month, Archbishop Arguelles stated the Holy See Read more
An Italian sect that arose after alleged apparitions of the child Jesus has been found guilty of schism and has incurred an automatic excommunication. The Diocese of Sora-Cassino-Aquino-Pontecorvo made the announcement on June 5 concerning the self-styled Universal Christian Church of the New Testament. This followed an examination by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Read more
An official ruling on the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje in Bosnia is close, Pope Francis has said. Speaking to reporters on his flight back from a short visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia, Pope Francis was asked about the status of a Vatican investigation into the alleged apparitions. Pope Francis said a study from a Read more
The prefect of the Congregation for Saint’s Causes has dismissed claims that there is more to the secrets of Fatima than has been made public. Cardinal Angelo Amato told a Rome conference: ““There is no fourth secret and there are no other hidden secrets.” Cardinal Amato said he had “the privilege” of reading the original Read more
A public event involving a Medjugorje seer in the United States this month was cancelled at the request of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. But Ivan Dragicevic reportedly had an “apparition” in a private residence in a town in Missouri instead. According to the Medjugorje Today website, Mr Dragicevic “consoled” about 75 Read more
Seeing Jesus on a slice of toast? It’s common for people to see non-existent features because human brains are uniquely wired to recognise faces, scientists say. Whether glimpsing the blessed Mary in a grilled cheese or eyeing up Nebuchadnezzar in a freshly crisped bagel, we all know that Americans are constantly beset by visions of Read more
Visions of Mary, if taken in the wrong spirit, can sow confusion and distance people from the Gospel, Pope Francis has said. “The spirit of curiosity generates confusion and distances a person from the Spirit of wisdom, which brings peace”, said Pope Francis in his homily at morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. Curiosity, the Read more
The Vatican has denied a report that a special commission investigating the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje will release its findings during December. A French journal, La Vie, had reported that the Medjugorje commission appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in March 2010, and chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, would present its report to the Pope by Read more