Private revelation

Marguerite Marie Alacoque receiving revelations of the Sacred Heart, Tuam Cathedral, Ireland.

Private revelation is, in Christian theology, a message from God, which can come in a variety of types.

Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been numerous alleged revelations, from the prophecies of Montanus to the Miracle of the Sun.[1]

Roman Catholic theology

According to the Catholic Church, there are two types of revelations: divine revelation, which is in the Word of God (the Bible and Sacred Tradition),[2] and in the Word of God incarnate (Jesus Christ),[3] and personal revelation, which is a heavenly message that helps people live by divine revelation.[1]

Other terms for divine revelation include public prophecy, public revelation, fundamental revelation, and definitive revelation,[4][5][6] while other terms for personal revelation include private prophesy, private revelation, dependent revelation, and particular revelation.[4][5][7]

Divine revelation was fulfilled, completed, and perfected in Christ, the fullness and mediator, author and interpreter, purpose and center of public revelation.[8][9][10][11][12][13] Hence, public revelation is the deposit of faith and rule of faith and must be lived by all Catholics.[14] Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that all public revelation ended with the death of Saint John the Apostle.[15] Private revelations cannot surpass, correct, improve, or complete public revelation.[1]

The revelations in the Word of God  – such as the apparition of the three angels to Abraham and the angel who wrestled Jacob; the burning bush; the theophany on Mount Sinai; the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire; the visions and prophecies of the prophets; Elijah's test at the cave, and his assumption; the revelation to St. Peter ("You are the Christ"); the apparitions of the risen Christ to the Apostles, including the exceptional and unique apparition to St. Paul; the various miracles recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles; and the entire Book of Revelation  – are not private revelations but are public revelation.[16][17] The apparition of Our Lady of the Pillar to St. James the Greater is not a private revelation, public revelation, or Catholic dogma; it is an ecclesial tradition.[18][19][20]

Because Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would lead the church into every truth,[21] the Lord leads the church into a deeper understanding of Christ. One of the ways he does this is by private revelation.[22] Because Christ warned that false prophets would come and that the tree must be known by its fruit,[23] the church is skeptical of spiritual experiences.[24]

Types of revelation

Various types of private revelations have been reported in the Catholic Church.[25]

Private revelations can come to anyone for so long as God pleases. Some address the visionary, while others address more people. For instance, Our Lady of Laus appeared to a young shepherdess for many years, while Our Lady of Kibeho addressed the leaders of the nation of Rwanda .

The appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary are usually called Marian apparitions. These generally include a vision of the Blessed Virgin, accompanied by brief messages. These are by far the most widely reported form. Well known examples of approved Marian apparitions include Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima. These apparitions are considered private revelations from God through the Virgin Mary.[26]

Marian visions do not mean Mary appears as a disembodied spirit, since she has been assumed into heaven.[27] However, it is probable that Mary could appear in bodily form by bilocation.[28] Some theologians, such as Father Reginaldus, believe that, because Jesus does not appear in bodily form, Mary does not appear bodily either.[29]

A number of apparitions of Jesus Christ following his ascension have been reported. Some of these have received approval from the Holy See. For instance, the Vatican biography of Saint Faustina Kowalska quotes some of her conversations with Jesus.[30]

Apparitions of Jesus are not the same as the Eucharist, even if they include Eucharistic adoration, because the sacraments are a part of public revelation.[31] The apparitions are also not the same as the Second Coming, because the church believes Jesus "will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead".[32]

There are also reports of interior locutions in which inner voices are reported, but no vision of divinity is claimed. The Vatican biographies of both Saint Teresa of Avila and Mother Teresa of Calcutta refer to their interior locutions, although Mother Teresa often preferred to remain private about them.[33][34]

Some private revelations produce large amounts of text, while others amount to a few reported sentences. For instance, father Stefano Gobbi produced a book of messages attributed to the Virgin Mary, while sister Mary of the Divine Heart simply wrote two letters to Pope Leo XIII with a message attributed to Jesus Christ, prompting the Pope to consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The church does not regard occultism - spiritism, automatic writing, astrology, fortune-telling, psychic powers, magic, divination, conjuring the dead, etc. - as types of private revelations.[35][36]

The church also does not regard private revelations as having authority over the Pope or the bishops in communion with him, because the church, the bishop, and public revelation have divine authority as a matter of faith,[37][38][39][40] while private revelations are not a matter of faith but are believed with human faith.[41] They neither have divine authority nor can be believed with divine and catholic faith,[42][43] and a proof of this is that even saints can make errors about the details of private revelations,[44] since fallen human nature is inclined to sin and error.[45] Hence, Catholics cannot disobey the church in favor of obeying private revelation.[46]

Sources of revelation

Private revelations come from God. False revelations come either from human or demonic sources. Just as in exorcism, the Catholic Church is careful to distinguish between supernatural events, mental illness, drug abuse, deception, and demonic activity. The church gathers a team of scientists, theologians, and other experts to test the spirit of the alleged visionary to see if he is genuine, psychotic or manipulative, influenced by drugs, deceptive or deceived, or possessed by demons.[47][48]

Revelations from God are an extraordinary grace which confirms Catholic doctrine and dogma. The most famous example is Our Lady of Lourdes, who declared Mary to be the Immaculate Conception four years after the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed.[49] Because they are extraordinary, revelations are not to be confused with holiness.[50] Because they are a grace, no one can rightfully desire to receive revelations.[51] Because they remind the faithful of what is already contained in public revelation, private revelations can sometimes occur in unexpected ways, such as the stigmata, which reminds Catholics of the Paschal Mystery; weeping statues, which remind of sin and Mercy; and the mystical ring of St. Catherine of Siena, which reminds of mystical marriage.

A common human source of false revelations is pareidolia, where people see visions or hear voices where there are none. Because private revelations are miracles, apparitions and visions cannot be photographed and messages and locutions cannot be recorded.[52] Despite this, some people believe in the apparitions of Zeitoun; the church, however, has never judged the alleged apparitions.

Another human source of false revelations is misattribution, where people put words into saints' and other persons' mouths, such as the "three days of darkness" prophesy attributed to St. Padre Pio,[53] the "end-times" prophesy attributed to Our Lady of Laus,[54] and the Medjugorje sayings attributed to Pope John Paul II.[55]

A common demonic source of false revelations is demonic possession. Satan can appear like an angel of light and rebuke people for their sins,[56] and mimic the miracles and revelations of God. The most famous case is Magdalena de la Cruz, through whom Satan uttered false prophecies and fabricated miracles, including uncreated light, stigmata, levitation, ecstasy, and extraordinary fasting (she allegedly survived solely on the Eucharist).[57]

It is a misconception that the church is quick to accept mental illness or drug abuse, such as schizophrenia or hallucinogens, for private revelation and demonic activity. The church is skeptical, and only accepts private revelation after discernment, because it is "the pillar and bulwark of the truth"[58] and because it has a long history of dealing with fraudulent visionaries.[59]

Discernment of revelation

Just as with all charisms, the charisms of prophecy, speaking in tongues, and miracles are subject to discernment.[60]

The Catholic Church uses the 1987 Normae Congregationis to discern and judge private revelations. After an alleged private revelation has been judged by the local Catholic bishop to be worthy of belief, the private revelation is said to contain nothing contrary to Catholic faith or morals, the faithful are authorized to prudently believe in the private revelation (without obligation), and it is legal to publish the private revelation.[61] In addition, the bishop approves of the titles - such as "Our Lady" - given to a Marian apparition.[62]

Judgment on private revelations falls under a bishop's ordinary magisterium, which is authoritative but noninfallible and requires religious submission of intellect and will. A bishop or his successor could overturn a prior judgment, such as happened in the case of the apparitions of the Lady of all Nations.[63]

A bishop can judge an alleged private revelation to be either worthy of belief (constat de supernaturalitate) or not worthy of belief (constat de non supernaturalitate). A private revelation that is worthy of belief can receive full approval if it is approved by the Pope, such as happened with the revelations to St. Margaret Mary.[64] A private revelation that is not worthy of belief can either be more fully investigated or, if bad fruits are found, condemned. A condemned revelation may not be followed, believed, or published by the faithful.[65][66]

A bishop can judge an alleged private revelation before it ends, such as was the case with the prophecies of Montanus.[67] Fraudulent visionaries sometimes counter the negative judgments of their bishops by saying the bishops didn't do a thorough investigation, such as interviewing the visionaries.[68]

Not all reports of private revelation are approved, even if they have good fruits (conversions, miracles, popular piety, etc.).[69][70] For instance, reports of Our Lady of Surbiton claiming that the Virgin Mary appeared every day under a pine tree in England were flatly rejected by the Vatican as a fraud.[71]

It is permissible, with the bishop's permission, to make a shrine in honor of an approved revelation.[72] However, no one is obligated to honor a private revelation, since it is not public revelation;[73] just as no one is obligated to practice popular piety, since it is not the liturgy.[74] Only public revelation and the liturgy are obligatory, for they are necessary for salvation.[75][76] Despite this, some Catholics, such as the Fatima Crusaders,[77] believe the rosary is necessary for world peace because Our Lady of Fatima said "Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war."[78]

Publication of revelation

On October 23, 1995 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified about private revelations:

With regard to the spreading of texts of presumed personal revelations, the Congregation makes it clear that:

1. The interpretation by some people of a decision approved by Paul VI on October 14, 1966, and promulgated on November 15 of the same year, by virtue of which writings and messages coming from presumed revelations might be freely spread within the Church is absolutely not valid. This decision actually referred to the 'Abolition of the Index of Banned Books,' and said that - once relative censures were lifted - the moral obligation in any case not to spread or read those writings which endangered faith and morals still remained.

2. A reminder, therefore, that for the diffusion of texts of presumed private revelations, the norm of the Code in force, Canon 823, para 1, which gives pastors the right 'to demand that the writings of the faithful which touch faith or morals be submitted to their own judgment before publication', remains valid.

3. Presumed supernatural revelations and writings which regard them are in the first instance subject to the judgment of the diocesan bishop and, in particular cases, to that of the episcopal conference and the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.[79]

It is a misconception that the faithful do not need permission to publish alleged private revelations since the abolition of Canon 1399 and 2318 of the former Canonical Code by Pope Paul VI in AAS 58 (1966) on October 14, 1966. The truth is that Pope Paul VI only abolished the Index Librorum Prohibitorum,[80] and that Canon 823 and 824 of the current 1983 Code of Canon Law define the right and duty of the bishop to censor all material concerning faith or morals.[81]

The canonization of a mystic or an imprimatur given to a book of revelations do not mean a private revelation is authentic, because the church does not pronounce on alleged revelations when it pronounces on the holiness of an individual[82] and because the Imprimatur only guarantees that a book is free from all doctrinal and moral errors.[81]

Controversy

Certain private revelations have been the subject of conspiracy theories. The theories include church coverups,[83] church officials siding with the local government to destroy apparitions,[84] visionaries' doubles,[85] and church corruption.[86] It is sometimes claimed that private revelations prove conspiracy theories. For instance, some UFO conspiracy theorists claim that the Miracle of the Sun was a UFO.[87]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Vatican on private revelations". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church  – The Transmission of Divine Revelation". Vatican.va. 1950-11-01. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  3. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Revelation of God". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Prophesy for Today, Edward Connor. Pg. 2-4
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Understanding Tradition “the definitive revelation of God communicated through Christ and his apostles can be appropriately called ‘foundational’ revelation. The present revelation that we receive now can be called ‘dependent’ revelation, inasmuch as it depends on the foundational figures of Christ and his apostles.”
  6. ↑ "Catechism, 66". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Introduction to Mariology". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The summary of the whole Gospel". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  9. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Revelation of God". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  10. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - Sacred Scripture". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  11. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - Sacred Scripture". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  12. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The seven petitions". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  13. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - Sacred Scripture". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  14. ↑ "Dei Verbum, 5". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "Question 174". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Revelation of God". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  17. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  18. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Nuestra Senora Del Pilar". Newadvent.org. 1911-06-01. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  19. ↑ "Dogma". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  20. ↑ "Apostolic Tradition and ecclesial traditions". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  21. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - I believe in the Holy Spirit". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  22. ↑ "Message of Fatima". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "The Bible and Morality, 2". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  24. ↑ "Theology Today, 92". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  25. ↑ Michael Freze, 1993, Voices, Visions, and Apparitions, OSV Publishing ISBN 0-87973-454-X
  26. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  27. ↑ "Apostolic Constitution defining the Dogma of the Assumption - Munificentissimus Deus". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  28. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Visions and Apparitions". Newadvent.org. 1912-10-01. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  29. ↑ "Where was Mary assumed to? | The New Theological Movement". Newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com. 2010-08-14. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  30. ↑ "Mary Faustina Kowalska". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  31. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The sacramental economy". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  32. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - "From thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead"". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  33. ↑ "General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI, 2 February 2011". Vatican.va. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  34. ↑ "Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), biography". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  35. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Spiritism". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  36. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Occult Art, Occultism". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  37. ↑ John Paul II (14 October 1987). "Jesus Christ the Divine Lawgiver". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  38. ↑ Pius XII (30 September 1943). "Divino Afflante Spiritu". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  39. ↑ Leo XIII (29 June 1881). "Diuturnum". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  40. ↑ Benedict XV (1 November 1914). "Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  41. ↑ "Message of Fatima". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  42. ↑ "Message of Fatima". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  43. ↑ "Message of Fatima". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  44. ↑ "Co-Patronesses of Europe". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  45. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - Man: the image of God". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  46. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The fourth commandment". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  47. ↑ "Private Revelations". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  48. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The fifth commandment". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  49. ↑ "Lourdes". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  50. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - Grace and justification". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  51. ↑ "St. John of the Cross". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  52. ↑ Pius XI (20 December 1935). "Ad Catholici Sacerdotii 62". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  53. ↑ The 3 Days of Darkness Padre Pio and other Catholics eminent for sanctity, have for centuries prophesied the dreadful coming chastisement of the Three Days of Darkness; where at least half to three quarters of the world's population will be killed by God's Just Wrath.
  54. ↑ Michael Dubruiel. "Apparition Approved (Signal of the End of Times?)". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  55. ↑ Sr. Emmanuel; Nolan, Denis, Međugorje: What Does the Church Say?, Queenship Publishing (2000) p. 19.
  56. ↑ "St. Eusebius, Church History, Book V, 16:9". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  57. ↑ "Imposters". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  58. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - We believe". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  59. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Imposters". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  60. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  61. ↑ "Verbum Domini". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  62. ↑ "Visit to the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Bandra". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  63. ↑ "Our Lady of All Nations". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  64. ↑ Pius XI (8 May 1928). "Miserentissimus Redemptor 3". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  65. ↑ "Apparitions". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  66. ↑ "Bryan J Walsh". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  67. ↑ "Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, Book V, Chapter 16". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  68. ↑ Complaints by SMWA on Diocecean Investigation
  69. ↑ Pius X (5 April 1906). "Tribus Circiter". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  70. ↑ "Archbishop enters row over Knock 'sun miracle'". Independent.ie. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  71. ↑ "Vatican rejects Our Lady of Surbiton". Telegraph.co.uk. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  72. ↑ "Code of Canon Law - IntraText". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  73. ↑ "Verbum Domini 14". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  74. ↑ "Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  75. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Transmission of Divine Revelation". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  76. ↑ "Catechism of the Catholic Church - The celebration of the christian mystery". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  77. ↑ "Fatima Crusader". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  78. ↑ "Santuário de Fátima - Página Oficial". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  79. ↑ "CATHOLIC LIBRARY: Communique on Vassula Ryden (1996)". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  80. ↑ "Pope Paul VI, Integrae Servandae". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 "Code of Canon Law - IntraText". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  82. ↑ "Co-Patronesses of Europe". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  83. ↑ Bertone, Tarcisio (May 6, 2008). The Last Secret of Fatima. Doubleday Religion. pp. 65–66. ISBN 0-385-52582-6.
  84. ↑ "The Stance of the Local Bishop on Medjugorje". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  85. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: La Salette". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  86. ↑ Pius X (5 April 1906). "Pius X, Tribus Circiter (05/04/1906)". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  87. ↑ "This website is currently unavailable.". Retrieved 13 September 2014.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.