"The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries. Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations." (CCC #66-67)This is one of the main reasons why the Church may not be able to approve an apparition until they are reportedly ended. At the same time, they can be approved by the local bishop and not be approved by the universal Church. Or they may be recognized by the Eastern or Orthodox Churches. One question that I have and have not found an adequate response for is one that no one seems to be asking: "Why does Mary appear?" Sure she cares about us like a mother and wants to warn us about certain things or remind us of certain things, but why Mary? Why not Jesus himself? Why not other saints? Why does God allow Mary to appear? Or rather, why does God send Mary? Perhaps the answer is found in the story of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) where Mary is the first to be 'sent' to someone with the Good News of Jesus Christ. After all, Mary is really the first missionary in that sense. Maybe some of you have the answer to this question. If you do, please share. I think, again, the main thing to keep in mind is that our Faith cannot depend on private revelations or supernatural phenomena. If they help us and nourish our Faith and lead us to Christ and ultimately to Heaven – and do not contradict the basic tenets of our Catholic Faith, then Mary herself would be the first to approve. Next time let's explore some other titles of Mary. Read all my posts about Mary: Deacon-structing Mary Part 1: Full of Grace Deacon-structing Mary Part 2: The Assumption Deacon-structing Mary Part 3: The Rosary Deacon-structing Mary Part 4: Apparitions Deacon-structing Mary Part 5: Mary in the Americas Deacon-structing the Hail Mary - The Sorrow of Mary detail of the Descent of the Cross from the 15th century Stauffenberg Altarpiece. The author of this 15th century altarpiece from Alsace is anonymous.
Deacon Pedro explores the ins and outs of a modern Conclave, and asks, "Where is the Holy Spirit in all this?"
Pope Francis continued his cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope," as part of the Jubilee 2025. This week, he reflected on Mary's experience of searching for and finding the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple, saying that "Throughout this journey, the Virgin is a pilgrim of hope, in the strong sense that she becomes the 'daughter of her Son,' the first of His disciples."
In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope," as part of the Jubilee 2025. This week he reflected on the Magnificat, the Virgin Mary's Song of Praise after she is greeted by her cousin Elizabeth.
For the Jubilee of Hope, there are designated local pilgrimage sites in every country, and Canada is no exception. How is a local pilgrimage site determined? The local bishop can designate any parish, shrine, or basilica in his territory as a Jubilee Year pilgrimage site.
Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope." Reflecting on the Angel Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, he said that "The 'Almighty,' the God of the 'impossible' is with Mary, together with and beside her; He is her companion, her principal ally, the eternal 'I-with-you.'"