Apparitions, visions, miracles and more presents a list of site links of renowned visionaries, seers, stigmatics, locutionists and others proclaiming to have had miraculous experiences.
The Roman Catholic Church has approved (semi-approved) of a number of the mystics promoted on the provided website links. Some of these mystics have received approval from their local Churches. Many are waiting for approval and some have received disapproval (Miracles in Naju and The Divine Innocence – denoted with *). The two sites in question are provided as examples of what the Catholic Church has not approved. To learn more about which visionaries have and haven’t received approval go to Miracle Hunter.
It is important to use discernment when viewing or researching any site promoting miraculous blessings or divine messages. As wondrous and inspiring as many of these reported miraculous events appear it should be understood that they can also be very dangerous. The danger being that the mystic may not be influenced by God, but, rather, by the enemy of God. An example of such an incident is provided in a Biblical scripture involving the apostle Paul, Acts 16:16-18.
16 – As we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl with an oracular spirit, who used to bring a large profit to her owners through her fortune-telling.
17 – She began to follow Paul and us, shouting, “These people are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.”
18 – She did this for many days. Paul became annoyed, turned, and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
It seems that the slave girl, mystic, is doing no harm by promoting the efforts of Paul, however, by stating that these men provide “A way” as opposed to “The Way” she (the spirit within her) is subtly creating a division to the truth that Paul is proclaiming.
It is with this understanding the importance of discerning mystics in our present day. A mystic could appear to be extremely credible, however, even the slightest deviation from the truth could be detrimental to an individuals faith development.
The first question regarding the matter should be what is the truth concerning religion and where can it be found? Different religions will provide different answers to the question. Even Christians will agree that the source of truth is God, however, many will debate as to the provider of truth in our world.
The Bible provides these messages on truth;
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 8:31-32 Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
The Roman Catholic Church has the understanding that it is the foundation of truth as the Church’s doctrine has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is for this reason why the Catholic Church takes great precaution when addressing supposed visionaries preaching messages from God, even when they appear to promote the work of the Catholic Church.
It is important when discerning messages from visionaries to recognize if a message is attempting to teach any new doctrine or if any message contradicts any teachings of the Church. If the Church is the provider of truth, then it doesn’t need the assistance of an outside source to teach what is true. In fact, if one considers themselves devout in their faith as a practicing Catholic then they have no need to seek the assistance of an outside source.
Many of the most prominent visionaries are receiving messages that are directing the world to the Catholic Church. These messages are promoting prayer, fasting, use of the sacraments of the Catholic Church, support for the clergy and to the importance of the Catholic Church as the bride of Christ.
If a visionary is promoting any message that in some way contradicts the Church and in essence creates a wedge, a division, that could become a seed of doubt towards directing a person away from the Church, then the validity of the visionary should be questioned. The Catholic Church would disapprove of any such visionary..
Close Encounters with the Holy Trinity 