Apparitions of Mary: What the Church teaches about Marian apparitions

## Aparições de Maria: What They Are, How the Church Discerns Them, and Their Role in Christian Life### Introduction to Mary’s ApparitionsMary’s apparitions hold a significant place in Catholic piety. But what are Mary’s apparitions? How should Christians discern them? What is their value in the life of the Church? This article presents the Catholic doctrine on Mary’s apparitions, in light of the Magisterium and theology.### I. What Are Mary’s Apparitions?Mary’s apparitions are supernatural manifestations of the Virgin Mary to individual faithful, usually with messages aimed at conversion and Christian living. They belong to the category of “private revelations,” distinct from the public revelation contained in Sacred Scripture and apostolic tradition.### II. Public Revelation and Mary’s ApparitionsThe Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 67) teaches that public revelation concluded with the death of the last apostle. Mary’s apparitions are private revelations; they do not add anything to faith, but can help live more fully what has already been revealed. This distinction is crucial for properly situating Mary’s apparitions.### III. Criteria for Discerning Mary’s ApparitionsThe Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith (1978, updated norm in 2024) establishes criteria for discerning Mary’s apparitions: doctrinal conformity with faith, spiritual fruits (conversions, vocations, peace), moral integrity of the visionaries, absence of fraud or pathology. Only after this examination can a local bishop declare an apparition “worthy of belief.”### IV. Recognized Apparitions of Mary by the ChurchAmong the recognized apparitions of Mary by the Church are: Guadalupe (1531), Paris-Rue du Bac (1830), La Salette (1846), Lourdes (1858), Fátima (1917), Beauraing (1932-33), Banneux (1933), and others. Each of these recognized apparitions of Mary has left a sanctuary and specific spirituality within the framework of the single Catholic faith.### V. The Faithful’s Attitude Towards Mary’s ApparitionsNo one is obligated to believe in Mary’s apparitions, even those approved by the Church. The essence of faith lies in public revelation. However, when approved, Mary’s apparitions serve as a maternal sign for our time. The proper attitude is one of prudence, openness to the supernatural, and fidelity to the Magisterium. Deepen your knowledge through the Locus Mariologicus portal on Mariology, Marian Theology, and Mary’s Apparitions.

See the complete list of Marian apparitions recognized by the Church.