By Albert A. Caprio,O.P.
Around the world today, there are at least 300 places where it is claimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary is currently manifesting herself through apparitions which have gained varying degrees of popular attention. Some of these, of course, will in the end prove to be false, but still others might eventually be graced with the full approval of the Church, which is given only after much waiting and much careful investigation.
Throughout the centuries there have been noted many such apparent apparitions, few of which have been eventually approved as authentic by the Church. However, in recent years the claims have substantially increased.
Most apparitions bring with them some special message given to the world through the words of the Blessed Mother. Basically, the messages have been substantially the same: Prayer, penance, sacrifices and conversion.
Of the number of past apparitions which have been officially approved by the Church, I present only a few of the more popular ones. I also present one not yet approved officially, but extremely popular because of the apparent results being produced through it's devotion.
By showing her heart pierced with the sword, Mary prepared the way for special devotion to her sorrowful and immaculate heart.
On the 21st of February the woman said: "Pray for sinners". On the 24th of February she said: "Penance, Penance, Penance." On that same day, a spring miraculously came forth from the ground where Our lady told Bernadette to dig. On the 25th of February, the lady identified herself as "The Immaculate Conception" This became the central message of those apparitions.
Her white dress and her light blue mantle symbolized her integrity; the source of her absolute purity being her Immaculate Heart. Her hands united in prayer invite all to pray, and to fight against sensuality and impiety of the times.
The Virgin Mary invited Bernadette to pray, and the mother of God prayed with her. She recommended penance and prayer to all people as the only way to obtain pardon for the sins of mankind. This became the basic message of these apparitions.
Three young shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta were tending their sheep in the valley of Cova de Iria when all of a sudden, a great ball of light came towards them and then transformed into a beautiful woman who was wearing a brilliant white dress. She was smiling, her hands were joined in prayer, and there was a rosary hanging over her right arm. She asked fervently for prayers, and above all, sacrifices of reparation.
The apparitions subsequently took place the 13th of every month until November during which she gave extraordinary messages. On the 13th of June she showed her Immaculate Heart surrounded by thorns which penetrated the veins of her heart. Rays of grace projected from her heart. This certainly symbolized the devotion to her sorrowful heart which she had asked for. This brought to mind memories of the Divine Master who showed His Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary on December 27, 1673. His heart also radiated light and was surrounded by a crown of thorns.
It was at Fatima on the 13th of October 1917 that Our Lady announced that she was "Our Lady of The Rosary". Our Lady asked that a chapel be constructed on that site. She also complained that much more penance was necessary, and that the people should stop offending her Son who had been offended too often. She showed the children a vision of hell on several occasions and also gave them a secret message which would be revealed in 1960. She then convinced the 70,00 people who were present with the miracle of the sun. The sun fell so close to the earth that the people screamed in terror amid their cries for mercy. While the crowd contemplated with much emotion this fearful experience, the three children received four consecutive visions: The Sacred Family, Our Lord joyfully giving his blessing to the crowd, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Once again, Our Lady taught devotion to her Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart.
The first sanctuary was erected about 1533. This was nothing more than a small chapel which was erected over the bases of an old parish church. The construction of a second sanctuary was begun in 1695 and was solemnly dedicated in 1709. Because of faulty ground upon which the basilica was built, the structure sunk and inclined to such a point that a new basilica was planned and constructed in 1964. The old basilica still stands next to the new one, but is not open to the public for safety reasons.
It was in 1737 that the Most Holy Mary of Guadalupe was chosen as the patroness of the city of Mexico. In the course of time other Latin American countries adopted the same patroness, and in 1910 Pope Pius X declared Her the patroness of all Latin America, and in 1935 Pius XI extended this to the Philippines
Pilgrims by the thousands have been flocking to the apparition sights (which have changed places within Medugorje because of problems with the local bishop), and to date there have been many apparent healings and miracles reported to the Franciscan priests who have charge of the local parish of St. James. Careful records are being kept of these apparent miracles, and eventually a scientific commission will examine these healings to determine any real miracles. Local Church leaders sometimes feel they must keep Medjugorje "under wraps" until formal Church approval is given. However, because of the extraordinary occurrences which have taken place there, Rome has established for itself a very different pastoral response; a response of cautious support rather than distance. The support, of course, is low keyed and provisional so as not to cut short the on-going process that will lead to final, definitive judgement. The process historically has only granted full recognition to world-scale apparitions when they have come to their conclusion. Fatima was formally recognized only 13 years later, while Guadalupe delayed 200 years.
Since apparitions with any negative content are quickly disavowed, the wait-and-see attitude of the Church is in itself a provisional kind of approval. Both the pope and the Yugoslavia bishops are treating, and indeed protecting, Medugorje as a legitimate place of pilgrimage and a shrine, although they cannot officially say that explicitly as yet. They are also giving great priority to the pastoral needs of the people who are experiencing conversion through Medugorje.