MAJOR MARIAN APPARITIONS


Image of Our Lady
Image of Our Lady 

By Edward Matulanya 

Explore the major Marian apparitions recognized by the Catholic Church, their history, messages, and spiritual significance for believers worldwide.

The Major Marian Apparitions Recognized by the Catholic Church are as expected below.

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe 

According to Roman Catholic tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego in December 1531 near Tepeyac Hill, identifying herself as the Mother of the true God (Dios verdadero) and requesting the construction of a church (Brading, 2001; Poole, 2014). The miraculous image left on Juan Diego’s tilma has been studied historically and scientifically and continues to be venerated as a sign that leads the faithful to Christ, not as an object of worship itself (CCC, 971; Vatican II, 1964). The iconography of the image reflects biblical and doctrinal themes, particularly Revelation 12, Marian cooperation in salvation history, and the Church’s teaching on inculturation in evangelization (John Paul II, 1999; Brading, 2001).

1.1. Church Teaching and Authority

The Holy See has consistently affirmed the apparition’s authenticity, and Pope Pius XII officially declared Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Americas, emphasizing her role in missionary conversion (Pius XII, 1945; Benedict XVI, 2007). For example, Catholic Practices such as feast Day celebrated with Mass and Marian hymns (December 12), the Holy Rosary prayed for missionary evangelization (CCC, 2678) and Pilgrimages encouraged as expressions of popular piety (Directory on Popular Piety, 2001).

Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

2. Our Lady of Lourdes

Between February and July 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared eighteen times to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, affirming the Marian dogma of the Immaculate Conception by declaring, “I am the Immaculate Conception” (Laurentin, 1990; CCC, 491). This declaration reinforced the Church’s understanding that authentic private revelation never contradicts public revelation but supports it (CCC, 67). The spring revealed at Lourdes has become a sacramental sign associated with God’s healing mercy, consistent with Catholic theology on suffering, grace, and the sacraments (CDF, 1978; John Paul II, 1984).

2.1. Church Teaching and Authority

The local bishop approved the apparition in 1862 after canonical investigation (Laurentin, 1990). The Church continues to oversee claims of healing through the Lourdes Medical Bureau, ensuring scientific and theological rigor (John Paul II, 2004). For example of Catholic Practices are World Day of the Sick (February 11) (John Paul II, 1992), Eucharistic processions and Marian devotion and anointing of the Sick within pilgrimage liturgies (CCC, 1517).

Image of Our Lady of Lourdes
Image of Our Lady of Lourdes

3. Our Lady of Fatima

The Fatima apparitions emphasized prayer, sacrifice, and conversion, particularly through devotion to the Rosary and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2000). The Church teaches that, such private revelations serve as pastoral aids, not doctrinal additions (CCC, 66–67). The “Miracle of the Sun” was witnessed by thousands and later evaluated within a historical and theological framework by Church authorities (De Marchi, 1952; CDF, 2000).

3.1. Church Teaching and Authority

The Holy See officially published and interpreted the Fatima messages, clarifying their meaning in light of salvation history and twentieth-century persecution of the Church (John Paul II, 2000). Example of Catholic Practices are Daily Rosary (CCC, 2678), first Saturday devotion approved by the Church and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Pius XII, 1942)

Image of Our Lady of Fatima
Image of Our Lady of Fatima

4. Our Lady of Knock 

Discover Our Lady of Knock, the silent Marian apparition in Ireland, a sacred site of prayer, pilgrimage, and enduring Catholic faith.

Image of Our Lady of Knock
Image of Our Lady of Knock

The Marian Apparition witnessed by fifteen villagers of Knock on 21 August 1879. Marian apparition at Knock, occured in County Mayo in Ireland. The Key Features of Marian Apparition in Knock includes silent apparition of Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist at the church gable, lasting 2 hours.

4.1. Significance of Marian apparition 

Marian apparition at Knock is symbol of hope and endurance in Irish Catholicism.

4.2. Church Approval of Marian Apparition in Knock

The application Approved by the Church and the  feast day is August 21 (Knock Shrine n.d).

5. Our Lady of La Salette 

Marian apparition in La Salette France, (1846) witnessed by Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud. The Marian Apparition occured on September 19, 1846.

5.1. Key Features of Marian Apparition in La Salette 

Mary appeared weeping, lamenting human sin, urging repentance, fasting, and prayer.

5.2. Significance of Marian Apparition at La Salette

Marian Apparition at La Salette emphasizes penance and reconciliation.

5.3. Church Approval of Marian Apparition 

Marian Apparition approved by the Church and the feast day September 19 (Vatican 2000).

6. Our Lady of Good Help

Marian apparition in Wisconsin, USA, 1859 witnessed by Adele Brise. The application took place at Champion, Wisconsin on October 8, 1859.

6.1. Key Features of Marian apparition at Champion

Mary instructed Adele to teach children the faith and live a Christian life.

6.2. Significance of Marian apparition at Champion 

First approved Marian apparition in the United States.

6.3. Church Approval

The Church approved the Marian apparition and the feast day is October 8 (Champion Shrine n.d)

7. Our Lady of Kibeho 

In Rwanda, 1981–1989, Mary appeared under the title “Mother of the Word”, emphasizing Sacred Scripture, repentance, and obedience to Christ (Pontifical Commission for Kibeho, 2001). The Church later interpreted these messages within the tragic historical context of the Rwandan genocide, stressing reconciliation and healing (Benedict XVI, 2010).

7.1. Church Teaching and Authority

Kibeho remains the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition in Africa, confirmed after nearly two decades of investigation (Pontifical Commission for Kibeho, 2001). Example of Catholic Practices are Seven Sorrows Rosary, peace-building prayer and reconciliation liturgies. Also, catechesis on forgiveness and human dignity (CCC, 2304)

7.2. Catholic Teaching on Private Revelation

The Catholic Church teaches that, private revelations “do not belong to the deposit of faith” and are never obligatory, even when approved (CCC, 67). Their value lies in helping believers live the Gospel more faithfully in specific historical contexts (Benedict XVI, 2010).

8. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Mary’s apparition to Saint Catherine Labouré   (1830) in France highlights the Church’s doctrine of Mary’s maternal intercession, visually catechized through the medal’s symbols (Aladel, 1834/2000; CCC, 969). The Church classifies the medal as a sacramental, which disposes believers to grace through faith and prayer rather than superstition (CCC, 1667).

8.1. Examples of Catholic Practice

The practice of wearing the medal with proper catechesis, marian invocation prayer recognized by the Church and use in missionary evangelization (Directory on Popular Piety, 2001).

References 

Aladel, J. (2000). The Miraculous Medal. Pauline Books. (Original work published 1834)

Benedict XVI. (2007). Homily at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Vatican.

Benedict XVI. (2010). Message at Fatima Pilgrimage. Vatican.

Brading, D. A. (2001). Mexican Phoenix: Our Lady of Guadalupe. Cambridge University Press.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Catholic News Agency. (2017, November 28). Rwandan apparition of Our Lady of Kibeho recognized by Vatican. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/36636/rwandan-apparition-of-our-lady-of-kibeho-recognized-by-vatican

Champion Shrine. (n.d.). Our story: Adele Brise and the apparition of Mary. https://championshrine.org/our-story/

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. (1978). Norms for discerning private revelations.

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. (2000). The Message of Fatima. Vatican

De Marchi, J. (1952). The True Story of Fatima. Catechetical Guild.

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. (2001). Vatican.

John Paul II. (1984). Salvifici Doloris. Vatican.

John Paul II. (1992). World Day of the Sick Message. Vatican.

John Paul II. (1999). Ecclesia in America. Vatican.

John Paul II. (2000). Homily at Fatima. Vatican.

Knock Shrine. (n.d.). History of the apparition at Knock. https://www.knockshrine.ie/history/

Lourdes Volunteers. (n.d.). The apparitions at Lourdes. https://lourdesvolunteers.org/the-apparitions/

Laurentin, R. (1990). Lourdes: A Complete History. Pauline Books.

Pius XII. (1942). Radio Message on Consecration to the Immaculate Heart. Vatican.

Pius XII. (1945). Ecclesiae Americanae. Vatican.

Poole, S. (2014). Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Origins and Sources of a Mexican National Symbol. University of Arizona Press.

Pontifical Commission for Kibeho. (2001). Final Report on the Marian Apparitions. Vatican.

Vatican II. (1964). Lumen Gentium. Vatican.

Vatican News. (2020, May 13). Pope encourages devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-05/pope-encourages-devotion-to-our-lady-of-fatima.html

Vatican News. (2018, December 11). The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-12/our-lady-of-guadaloupe-feast-day-mexico-americas.html

Vatican.va. (2000, May 4). Address to the Missionaries de Notre-Dame de la Salette. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2000/apr-jun/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20000504_notre-dame.html


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