[NYer]

What Marian apparitions have been recognized by ecclesiastical authorities?

There have been uncounted apparitions of Mary reported since the third century. Few have received recognition by the bishop of the diocese in which they occurred. Among those recognized are:

1531, Guadalupe, Mexico - On a hill outside Mexico City, the Blessed Mother appeared four times to a recent convert to Christianity, Juan Diego. Mary proclaimed herself "the Mother of the true God who gives life" and left her image permanently upon Diego's tilma or mantle.

1830, Paris, France - In the chapel of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Mary showed herself three times to novice Catherine Laboure (age 24). Laboure said she was commissioned by the Virgin to have the medal of the Immaculate Conception or "Miraculous Medal" made in order to spread devotion to Our Lady.

1846, La Salette, France - Six thousand feet up in the French Alps, Mary is believed to have come to Maximin Giraud (age 11) and Melanie Calvat (age 14) while they tended sheep. Her appearance in sorrow and tears called for conversion and penance for sins.

1858, Lourdes, France - At the Grotto of Massabielle, the Virgin showed herself 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous (age 14). Under the title "the Immaculate Conception," she called for penance and prayer for the conversion of sinners.

1871, Pontmain, France - Mary appeared on a farm to Eugene (age 10) and Joseph Barbadette (age 12) and Francoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse, students at the nearby convent school. Mary's message was written on a banner that unfurled from her feet: "But pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved by compassion."

1879, Knock, County Mayo, Ireland - During a pouring rain, the figures of Mary, Joseph, John the Apostle and a lamb on a plain altar appeared over the gable of the village chapel, enveloped in a bright light. None of them spoke. At least 15 people, between the ages of 5 and 75, saw the apparition.

1917, Fatima, Portugal - While tending sheep, Lucia de Santos (age 10) and her two cousins, Francisco (age 9) and Jacinta Marto (age 7), reported six apparitions of Mary, who identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary." Mary urged prayer of the rosary, penance for the conversion of sinners and consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.

1932-33, Beauraing, Belgium - Mary is believed to have come 33 times to the playground of a convent school to five children (ages 9-15), Andree and Gilberte Degeimbre and Albert, Fernande and Gilberte Voisin. Identifying herself as "the Immaculate Virgin" and "Mother of God, Queen of Heaven," she called for prayer for the conversion of sinners.

1933, Banneux, Belgium - In a garden behind the Beco family's cottage, the Blessed Mother is said to have appeared to Mariette Beco (age 11) eight times. Calling herself the "Virgin of the Poor," Mary promised to intercede for the poor, the sick and the suffering.

More recent apparitions include Akita, Japan, in 1984; Chontaleu, Nicaragua, in 1987; Kibeho, Rwanda, in 1988; and Betania, Venezuela.

[Pyro7480]

I have serious doubts about Medjugorje. Every single past apparition with a message, Our Lady appeared a limited number of times over a set period of time. This breaks smashes that general rule.

[netmilsmom]

A curious thing happened.
I have a friend who is very spiritual and in fact is one of best Catholics I know. Very devoted to Our Holy Mother and was consecrated before I even knew what that was.

A friend of hers told her that one of the "seers" was coming to our area. They should go and see him. My friend went to the venue and got physically ill just about the time the "seer" was to take the stage. She had to walk out. After about an hour, she began to feel better and was about to go back in. People were coming out and she missed the talk. She feels that Our Lady was keeping her safe from the "seers" message.

She does not tell the story often, however when I told her my distain for the Medjugore hoax, she told me and said I was correct. I feel that there is something going on over there but none of it is from God.

[Ozone34]

I recall Father Malchi Martin's comments regarding Medjugorge. He was convinced for many reasons that the apparitions were luciferian in origin. He observed that in most legitimate Marian appearances, the seers reported details regarding the Blessed Virgin's feet, often covered with rose petals. No such pedal observations have been reported from Medjugorge leading him to suspect that the alleged apparition's clothing covered what were quite possibly cloven hoves!

This is a good resource, by the way:
http://www.mdaviesonmedj.com/

[Aquinasfan]

He then called on the alleged visionaries and "those persons behind the messages to demonstrate ecclesiastical obedience and to cease with these public manifestations and messages in this parish."

"In this fashion they shall show their necessary adherence to the church, by placing neither private apparitions nor private sayings before the official position of the church," he said.

Obedience won't confirm the authenticity of the visions, but disobedience will demonstrate their falsity.

Catholics must submit to the authority of Christ's Church.

[marshmallow]

Twenty five years is a long time to perpetuate a fraud. Hoaxes usually start to fray at the edges and come apart long before this, especially when children/young adults are involved.

If this is a hoax, it's a darn good one.