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For example, the apparitions at Medjugorie aren't official, yet the faithful are encouraged to make a pilgimage to receive grace.

I can receive grace praying to the Blessed Mother in my living room.

I'm sure the faithful ARE encouraged to go to Medjugorie.

By the residents of Medjugorie. Tourists are good for business.

Excuse my cynicism, but I witnessed one of these "unofficial" miracles out in Lubbock, Texas. Seven thousand Mexicans gathered daily for two weeks to witness the Blessed Mother in the sun.

YOu ever looked directly at the sun? You might imagine you're seeing all kinds of things.

The Bishop of San Angelo, Bishop Michael Sheehan (now Archbishop of Santa Fe and a personal friend) endured untold abuse because he wouldn't go out to the field and sanction the event as a miracle.

BTW, an imprimatur can be given by any bishop, any where.

Yes, I am well aware of falsehoods, and I have no problem with your skepticism. I am just saying to you that if the church has not condemned a particular phenomenon after 600+ years that there is nothing harmful in the faithful believing in said miracle.

BTW, a pilgrimage to Medjugorie was encouraged by the Pope. He has been there on more than one occasion. Bosnia isn't exactly a tourist haven either. :)

"For example, the apparitions at Medjugorie aren't official, yet the faithful are encouraged to make a pilgimage to receive grace."

I don't think the grace is because of the apparitions. Last I heard the Church has not declared them worthy of belief. (I don't believe them.) The grace comes from attending the sacraments, Mass, Eucharist and Reconciliation once you get there.

I don't know if this miracle has been declared worthy or if it is just a pious superstition. But if it has been verified as a true miracle, it is still a peripheral matter. It is pretty far down on the list of priorities. We should not need miracles. At Vatican II a hierarchy was set down and the three main things that the Catholic Church is about are the Bible, Eucharist and Prayer. Anyway my understanding of how we are to view things like this is that you can believe it if you want to but don't fixate on it. If you don't believe it that's okay, but DON'T make fun of it.

One requirement for sainthood is that miracles occur because of the saint. It could be that this is a miracle, that amoung other requirements, led to the canonization of this particular saint.