Marian apparitions in the papal Magisterium: Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, Aparecida

The Marian apparitions recognized by the Church are an important part of the Marian Magisterium of the last centuries. Although they do not constitute public revelation (which ends with the death of the last Apostle), approved apparitions are considered authentic private revelations, with a message for the Church and for the world. The popes, especially since Pius IX, have devoted numerous documents to the principal apparitions.

Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531), Mexico

The apparitions of the Virgin to the Indian Juan Diego on Mount Tepeyac (December 9-12, 1531) and the miraculous imprinting of the image on the tilma are the founding Marian event of the American continent. Officially recognized by the Holy See since 1666.

Papal documents on Guadalupe

• Benedict XIV (1754): Bull Non est equidem, Guadalupe as universal patroness
• Pius X (1910): Canonical coronation reconfirmed
• John Paul II (1990, 2002): Beatification and canonization of Juan Diego (July 31, 2002)
• John Paul II (1999): Ecclesia in America, Guadalupe as mother of American evangelization

“Guadalupe est exemplum perfectum primae ‘evangelizationis’ Americae, non per impositiones exteriores, sed per inculturationem fidei in symbolis et linguis populorum americanorum”

Guadalupe is the perfect example of the first “evangelization” of America, not through external impositions, but through the inculturation of the faith in the symbols and languages of the American peoples. (John Paul II, Ecclesia in America)

Our Lady of Lourdes (1858), France

The eighteen apparitions of the Virgin to Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto of Massabielle (February 11 – July 16, 1858) are the Mariological confirmation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. On March 25, 1858, the Virgin identified herself: “Que soy era Immaculada Councepciou” (I am the Immaculate Conception), four years after the definition of Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus (1854).

Papal documents on Lourdes

• Pius IX (1860): Official approval of the apparitions (Msgr. Laurence, Tarbes)
• Pius X (1907): Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11 extended to the whole universal Church
• Pius XII (1957): Encyclical Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes, centenary of the apparitions
• John Paul II (1992): Institution of the World Day of the Sick on February 11
• John Paul II (1983, 2004): Visits to Lourdes
• Benedict XVI (2008): Visit for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions

Our Lady of Fatima (1917), Portugal

The six apparitions of the Virgin to Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta Marto at the Cova da Iria (May 13 – October 13, 1917), with the “Miracle of the Sun” of October 13, 1917, witnessed by more than 70,000 people, are the most influential Marian event of the twentieth century.

Papal documents on Fatima

• Pius XII (1942, 1952): Consecration of the world and of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Paul VI (1967): Visit to Fatima on the 50th anniversary
• John Paul II (1982, 1991, 2000): Three visits to Fatima. Revelation of the Third Secret (2000)
• John Paul II (1984): Consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Benedict XVI (2010): Visit to Fatima (May 12-13, 2010)
• Francis (2017): Canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto (centenary)

The third secret of Fatima

The Third Secret, made public by Saint John Paul II on June 26, 2000, with a Theological Commentary by Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger), was officially interpreted as a reference to the attempt of May 13, 1981, on the life of John Paul II himself, the exact date of the first apparitions 64 years earlier. The pope attributed his survival to the intervention of Our Lady of Fatima.

Our Lady of Aparecida (1717), Brazil

The finding of the image (terracotta) by three fishermen in the waters of the Paraíba River (October 12, 1717) and the popular devotion that followed made Aparecida the most visited Marian shrine in the world (more than 13 million visitors a year).

Papal documents on Aparecida

• Pius XI (1929): Canonical coronation and proclamation as patroness of Brazil
• Pius XII (1953): Bull Maxima nobis exhibitio, papal basilica
• John Paul II (1980): Visit to Aparecida
• Benedict XVI (2007): Opening of the Fifth Conference of the Latin American Episcopate at Aparecida
• Francis (2013): Visit to Aparecida during World Youth Day in Rio

Apparitions not approved but tolerated

There are other apparitions that have not received formal approval but are tolerated by the local ecclesiastical authority: La Salette (1846, approved in 1851), Knock (1879, approved in 1936), Beauraing and Banneux (1932-1933, approved in 1949), Akita (1973, approved in 1984), Kibeho (1981, approved in 2001).

Criteria for recognition

In 1978 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Norms for Judging Presumed Apparitions:

1. Positive Criteria: moral certainty about the fact, personal qualities of the visionaries, orthodox doctrine, spiritual fruits
2. Negative Criteria: absence of doctrinal errors, absence of profit motives, absence of immoral acts
3. Confirmation: a medical and psychiatric examination of the visionaries, a theological examination of the messages, and watching the pastoral fruits

Theological significance of the apparitions

Marian apparitions:

• They add nothing to public revelation (which ends with the Apostles)
• They confirm existing doctrines (Lourdes confirms the Immaculate Conception, Fatima confirms penance)
• They call for spiritual revival at critical historical moments
• They manifest Mary’s spiritual motherhood over humanity

Further reading

Mariology | Ineffabilis Deus | Redemptoris Mater | Rosarium Virginis Mariae | Postgraduate Program in Mariology

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