QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Over the Centuries there have been many mystical occurrences reported involving Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

There is the famous appearance of Mary to Juan Diego of Mexico, which resulted in her image being imprinted in his cloak. Studied for many years, the origins of the image are still a mystery to science (including the fact that microscopic examination of the cloth led to the discovery that the Bishop and his servant, who were visted by Juan Diego, appear in Mary's eye upside down (as they would in a real human eye!)).

There is the appearance of Mary to three simple peasant children in Fatima in Portugal. (Fatima, by the way, is the name of Mohammed's daughter). In this case, Mary provided another visible miracle (the spinning of the sun in the sky seen by thousands) and gave the children prophecies that included the fall of Russia to Communism and World War II and the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

There is the appearance of Mary to Bernadette in Lourdes in France where a miraculous spring appeared as a sign to her presence.

In all these cases, the Church considers these and other apparitions as private revelations, that are NOT necessary for salvation or requiring of belief.

All that is necessary for salvation has been revealed by Jesus Christ and is in the Bible and Sacred Tradition.

In the case of these and other apparitions, the Church either states that the apparent apparitions do not contradict the teachings of Jesus and, thus, the faithful are allowed to go to the sites or read about them, or it condemns the apparent apparition, as it did in the apparitions claimed to have come to a woman in Bayside, NY.

- Deacon George Kozak (6/01)