In the Christian life, we often hear stories of apparitions or heavenly messages that God has given throughout the centuries. One of the best known is the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. But what place do these events hold in the Catholic faith? Is it mandatory to believe in them? Let's explore together with an open heart.
The Church distinguishes between public Revelation, which ended with the death of the last apostle, and private revelations, which are aids to live that Revelation better. As the Catechism says:
“Throughout the ages, there have been so-called 'private' revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church” (CCC 67).These add nothing new to the deposit of faith, but are like lights that help us understand and apply the Gospel in our time.
Public Revelation: Complete and Definitive
The foundation of our faith is Sacred Scripture and Tradition, which together form public Revelation. Jesus Christ is the definitive Word of the Father; after Him, there is no other revelation that can surpass it. As the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum states:
“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” (DV 4).This means that what is essential for our salvation has already been said. Private revelations, like those of Fatima, are not necessary for faith, but can be useful if they are in harmony with doctrine.
Can a Catholic Have Reservations?
Yes, it is possible. The Church does not require the faithful to accept private revelations as if they were part of the Creed. In fact, the Catechism notes that “they do not belong to the deposit of faith” (CCC 67). Therefore, a Catholic may have questions or even doubts about certain aspects of Fatima, as long as they do so respectfully and without closing themselves off to the possibility that God speaks through these means.
However, it is important not to fall into stubborn skepticism. The believer's attitude should be one of humility and openness. As St. Paul says:
“Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV).If the Church has approved the apparitions of Fatima (as it did in 1930), it is because they contain nothing contrary to faith and can be a means of grace.
Is Denying Their Importance Heresy?
It is not heresy to deny a private revelation, because it is not part of dogma. But the spirit in which it is done does matter. If someone systematically rejects any possibility of God intervening in extraordinary ways, they might be closing their heart to the action of the Holy Spirit. Church history shows that many private revelations have helped the faithful deepen their love for God and the Virgin Mary.
For example, the message of Fatima includes a call to prayer, penance, and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These are fully biblical and traditional elements. Why reject something that brings us closer to Christ? As Pope Leo XIV said in his first encyclical:
“True Marian devotions always lead us to Jesus, the source of all grace.”
How to Discern a Private Revelation?
The Church has clear criteria for evaluating these experiences. Not everything that claims to be supernatural is authentic. St. John warns us:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1, ESV).Some criteria include:
- It does not contradict Catholic faith or morals.
- It promotes conversion and Christian virtues.
- It bears lasting spiritual fruit.
- It is recognized
Comments