Apparition: Definition and Spiritual Meaning
An apparition, like a miracle, is a sign that comes to confirm and authenticate the Word of Christ and of the Church. The Bible already reports, in the Old Testament, accounts of apparitions such as that of the archangel Raphael to Tobit. After his resurrection, Christ came to confirm his disciples in the faith by appearing to them many times. Over 2,000 years of Christianity, the Church has recognized the authenticity of numerous apparitions of persons who have come from Heaven (angels, saints) for a specific mission, in particular the Blessed Virgin; in that case, we speak of Marian apparitions. Discover how an apparition is defined, what its spiritual meaning is, and which apparitions are the most famous and authentic!
What is an apparition?
Definition
An apparition is the perceptible manifestation of a “dead” person to a “living” person. An apparition can be perceived by the senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell—depending on the case, but it is to be distinguished from manifestations that occur during dreams, for example, which are not considered apparitions. An apparition is a supernatural phenomenon, not explained scientifically. Christianity, however, provides keys to understanding.
What does Christianity say?
The Christian religion affirms the immortality of the soul. Only the physical body passes through death for a period that will come to an end. All people are destined for eternal life and the resurrection of the body. Christ has already risen, and his soul is definitively united to his glorious body. The Virgin Mary has been assumed into Heaven in glory—her soul was reunited to her body after death (assumed into Heaven in glory). Consequently, when Jesus and Mary appear, their true body is visible. The other deceased are awaiting the resurrection of the body, which will take place at the end of the world; they are spiritual beings, like the angels, who do not have a physical body. These beings can also appear; for that they take on a recognizable human appearance—this is the case in apparitions of saints.
The Catholic Church and apparitions
Various apparitions over the course of history
Apparitions are part of the history of Christianity, and the Church has authenticated many of them. The Gospel reports the apparitions of Jesus after his resurrection. Later, over the course of Christian history, Christ continued to appear on various occasions and for particular purposes: the Church recognizes the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary at Paray-le-Monial, which developed devotion to the Sacred Heart. Likewise, the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska in Poland spread the devotion to Divine Mercy. The Church also recognizes apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel in various places from the very first centuries. The apparitions of Saint Anne of Auray and of Saint Joseph at Cotignac have also been authenticated by the Church.
The Church’s recognition of apparitions
The Catholic Church takes particular care in examining alleged apparitions. The bishop of the diocese where the events take place is responsible for forming a commission of theologians and experts to examine the facts, hear the witnesses, and study the content of the messages and their conformity with the Church’s teaching. At the end of this study, which lasts several years, the bishop pronounces on the authenticity of the apparitions. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome then validates the bishop’s decision. Among the important points for recognizing an apparition as worthy of belief are:
The message delivered from Heaven must correspond to the Church’s theological teaching.
The personality and morality of the “seer” are evaluated.
The apparitions must bear tangible and lasting fruits: prayer, conversions, etc.
The supernatural signs accompanying the apparition are evaluated: miracles, healings, etc.
Of the thousands of Marian apparitions reported over the centuries, only 16 are officially recognized.
What is the spiritual meaning of an apparition?
Apparitions occur in a specific context, and the messages given shed light on that context. God sends angels or saints to Earth—in particular the Virgin Mary, whose apparitions number in the thousands—for a well-defined purpose. It is a matter of conveying a message, often aimed at calling people back to the right path before chastisements arrive. This is the case in the messages of La Salette, Garabandal, Akita, Fatima, Medjugorje, etc. Sometimes the message is not expressed verbally, but observing the apparition conveys its spiritual meaning (Knock, Zeitoun, etc.). Through apparitions, the Lord comes to strengthen faith, to make the Gospel message present again, and to render it more forceful so that people keep—or recover—the course toward eternal life.
Marian apparitions
The apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been very widespread in the world since the origins of Christianity. The Blessed Virgin is the Lord’s messenger; she guides people to her Son Jesus Christ and to God the Father, playing a mediating role. Here are some important Marian apparitions recognized by the Catholic Church:
The apparitions at the grotto of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous
The apparitions of Akita in Japan
The apparitions of Our Lady of Laus
Other apparition sites not yet recognized by the Church are famous for the messages given there by Our Lady:
The apparitions of the Rue du Bac
The apparitions of L’Île-Bouchard
The apparitions of the Virgin in Egypt at Zeitoun
The apparitions of Quito
The apparitions of Pellevoisin
The apparitions of Querrien in Brittany
Apparitions of saints
Although rarer, apparitions of saints are not nonexistent. Saint Joseph appeared at Cotignac, Saint Anne at Auray, and Saint Michael the Archangel appeared many times. Other saints have also appeared on various occasions to guide certain souls spiritually, as in the case of Saint Joan of Arc, for example. Discover, in particular, the apparitions of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
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