Appearences of Our LAdy

[curious]

Our Lady appeared in Guadalupe in December 1531, with apparitions to Saint Juan Diego occurring on the 9th, 10th, and 12th.

Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in Lourdes, France, starting on February 11, 1858, and ending on July 16, 1858

Our Lady first appeared in Fátima, Portugal, on May 13, 1917, to three shepherd children: Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. These apparitions continued once a month on the 13th day until October 1917

One common denemenator is all the persons to whom Our LAdy appeared was on the low class social scale.
*Juan Diego was a servant
*Bernadette Soubirous family was so poor that had to live in a old jail
*Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. were shepherds...

Yet such was their faith  despite their low social status they were chosen to be witness


While the Vatican has affirmed the spiritual fruits of Medjugorje, including conversions and renewed faith, and has allowed pilgrimages, it has not declared the alleged apparitions to be supernatural. The messages are largely consistent with Catholic doctrine and other Marian apparitions, but certain specific messages raise questions or appear misleading.
Consistency with other Marian apparitions
The core themes of the Medjugorje messages are consistent with the themes of other Marian apparitions, particularly Fatima.
Call to peace: Our Lady of Medjugorje reportedly introduced herself as the "Queen of Peace," a title that aligns with Marian apparitions that have brought messages of peace. The call for peace and reconciliation, both with God and among people, is a prominent theme.
Conversion and repentance: Like other apparitions, the Medjugorje messages emphasize the need for conversion, prayer, and penance to turn away from sin.
Prayer and fasting: Messages from Medjugorje emphasize the importance of prayer, including the Rosary, and fasting on bread and water. These practices are common to Christian tradition and are often highlighted in Marian apparitions.
Sacramental life: The messages encourage a return to the sacraments, especially monthly confession and the Eucharist.
The Church's current position
In May 2019, Pope Francis authorized official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, and in September 2024, the Holy See issued a nihil obstat for the devotion.
The Vatican has not confirmed the supernatural nature of the apparitions.
The nihil obstat allows for public acts of devotion, authorizing the faithful to receive positive encouragement for their Christian life through the spiritual proposal of Medjugorje.
The DDF advises pilgrims to focus on their encounter with Mary as the "Queen of Peace" rather than meeting with the alleged visionaries.
New messages and previously unpublished past messages require the approval of the apostolic visitor before publication.