[wmfights]

Catholics do not “worship” the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I disagree, but we will never resolve that will we?

I'm curious when the Vatican approved public sightings of Mary began. The earliest I can find is 1531 AD. I believe Pope Liberius claimed to have had a personal sighting in 352 AD. Are the Marian apparitions a recent phenomenon?

[Pyro7480]

I'm curious when the Vatican approved public sightings of Mary began. The earliest I can find is 1531 AD. I believe Pope Liberius claimed to have had a personal sighting in 352 AD. Are the Marian apparitions a recent phenomenon?

Marian apparitions are of apostolic origin.

http://www.marypages.com/OLVvandePilaarEng.htm

Also, the English shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at a place where she appeared during the reign of St. Edward the Confessor, about 5 years before the Norman conquest.