Rosa Mystica Given the Vatican Clear

Exploring the Rosa Mystica Apparitions and Their Recognition by the Vatican

The Rosa Mystica apparitions, a series of reported visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Montichiari and Fontanelle, Italy, have captivated the faithful and intrigued scholars for decades. These apparitions, which occurred between 1947 and 1966, were reported by Pierina Gilli, a nurse who described visions of Mary, who appeared with three swords piercing her breast, symbolizing prayer, penitence, and expiation.

The messages of the Rosa Mystica emphasized the importance of prayer, penance, and conversion, calling for the sanctification of clergy and religious life. The apparitions also introduced the Hour of Grace on December 8th, coinciding with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a time dedicated to prayer and reflection.

The Rosa Mystica Apparitions: A Journey of Faith and Devotion

The Rosa Mystica apparitions are a series of reported visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary that have captivated the faithful for decades. These events are centered around Pierina Gilli, a nurse in the small town of Montichiari, Italy, who claimed to have witnessed the Virgin Mary appearing to her in the spring of 1947. The apparitions continued sporadically until 1966, weaving a narrative of prayer, penance, and expiation.

The initial apparition was marked by a vision of the Virgin Mary appearing sorrowful, with three swords piercing her heart, symbolizing the lack of faith, hope, and charity among the people. She spoke the words "prayer, penitence, and expiation," which would become the central themes of the Rosa Mystica devotion.

Subsequent apparitions elaborated on these themes. On July 13, 1947, the Virgin Mary appeared with three roses in place of the swords, each representing a different virtue: a white rose for prayer, a red rose for sacrifice, and a yellow rose for penance. She expressed a desire for the renewal of religious life and the sanctification of clergy and laity alike.

The messages from these apparitions emphasized the importance of the 13th of each month as a day dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with July 13th specifically set aside to honor the "Rosa Mystica." The Virgin Mary's request for the "Hour of Grace" on December 8th, coinciding with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, highlighted the significance of prayer and grace in the life of the Church.

The apparitions in Montichiari and Fontanelle gained a following among the faithful, leading to the establishment of a sanctuary and the practice of the Hour of Grace, which involves an hour of prayer from noon to 1 p.m. on December 8th. Participants are encouraged to pray with outstretched arms, reciting Psalm 51 three times, reflecting on repentance and seeking divine mercy.

The Rosa Mystica apparitions, while not officially recognized by the Vatican for many years, were recently approved by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This approval, endorsed by Pope Francis, acknowledges the spiritual value of the messages and the devotion they inspired. The approval letter noted that the spiritual proposal emerging from Pierina Gilli's experiences does not contain elements contrary to Church doctrine.

The story of the Rosa Mystica is a testament to the enduring power of Marian devotion in the Catholic faith. It underscores the belief in Mary's role as an intercessor and guide towards a deeper spiritual life. For many, the Rosa Mystica is not just a title but a call to live out the virtues of prayer, sacrifice, and penance in daily life.

The Miracles of Rosa Mystica: Signs of Faith and Hope

The Rosa Mystica apparitions, which took place between 1947 and 1966 in Montichiari and Fontanelle, Italy, have been associated with various miracles and signs of grace, reflecting the deep faith and devotion of those who believe in the messages conveyed by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Pierina Gilli. These reported miracles serve as a source of inspiration and hope for many, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the Rosa Mystica devotion.

One of the most well-known miracles associated with Rosa Mystica is the "miracle of the roses" that occurred during the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531. This event is commemorated as a sign of the Virgin Mary's presence and intercession.

In Venezuela, the Rosa Mystica devotion has been linked to claims of miracles as the Pilgrim Virgin traveled through homes in the arms of devoted followers. The faithful have reported experiences of healing and conversions, attributing these events to the intercession of María, Rosa Mystica.

At the sanctuary in Montichiari, visitors have reported miraculous healings attributed to the water from the well where the Virgin Mary instructed Pierina Gilli to place a crucifix. This water, considered holy by many, has become a symbol of the divine grace that flows from the devotion to Rosa Mystica.

Additionally, there have been accounts of the scent of roses manifesting without a natural explanation, often during prayer or at the sanctuary. Such occurrences are seen as a tangible sign of the Virgin Mary's presence and her title as the Mystical Rose.

The Rosa Mystica apparitions have also been associated with the transformation of lives, with individuals reporting profound spiritual renewals and a deeper commitment to the virtues of prayer, sacrifice, and penance as advocated by the Virgin Mary in her messages to Pierina Gilli.

While the Church has been cautious in its recognition of these events, the recent approval by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, endorsed by Pope Francis, acknowledges the spiritual value of the messages and the devotion they inspired, without making a definitive statement on the miraculous nature of the events.

The stories of miracles associated with Rosa Mystica continue to be shared among the faithful, each one a personal testament to the power of faith and the belief in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These accounts encourage believers to seek solace and guidance through the Rosa Mystica devotion, finding in it a source of spiritual strength and grace.

As the Rosa Mystica devotion continues to spread, it serves as a reminder of the potential for grace and conversion, even in the most challenging times. It invites believers to reflect on their own lives and to seek a closer relationship with the divine through the maternal care of Mary, the Mystical Rose.

Recently, the Vatican has taken steps to formally recognize the devotion associated with the Rosa Mystica. On July 8, 2024, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith approved the devotion to Our Lady Rosa Mystica, marking a significant moment for devotees who have long sought ecclesiastical approval.

This recognition does not necessarily confirm the supernatural nature of the apparitions but acknowledges the positive fruits of the devotion and its alignment with Catholic teachings. It allows the faithful to practice the devotion with the Church's blessing, providing a framework for the veneration of Mary under the title of Rosa Mystica.

The Vatican's recent news also highlights the Church's ongoing efforts to discern and guide the faithful in matters of private revelation. The careful evaluation process underscores the Church's commitment to protecting the integrity of the faith while also embracing the spiritual richness that such devotions can offer.

I have witnessed the power of Our Lady, especially under the title of Rosa Mystica. I remember as a junior high schooler in the Bronx. The miraculous statue was brought to St. Thomas Aquinas at the request of Bishop Francisco Garmendia. My friend Jose Davila accompanied me along with my sister and mother. He was very sick, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, in a word, miserable. We had the Mass and then a Rosary. I recall the entire Church was filled with a strong aroma of roses. The scent was natural, not like those in Rosary scented Rosary beads or perfume. It was as if someone dumped a truckload of roses on the sanctuary.  I noticed that Jose's symptoms were gone. He noticed it too and was shocked. After this, he started becoming more responsive to Catholicism.  It was an amazing experience. Another man who had AIDs was also cured. He was frail, very thin with purple spots on his face and body.  He literally changed overnight looking healthy. Others were cured of cancer and other ailments.  

As the devotion to Rosa Mystica gains official recognition, it joins a long tradition of Marian spirituality that has shaped the faith and practices of Catholics around the world. It serves as a reminder of the Church's maternal figure's enduring presence and her call to live a life of holiness.

If you would like to purchase shirts and other items with the image of the Mystical Rose, visit our store:

https://sacerdotusstore.com/listing/RosaMystica

https://sacerdotusstore.com/listing/RosaMysticaEspanol

https://sacerdotusstore.com/listing/RosaMysticaRoses

You have until August 15, 2024 to get $5 off using the Code: ROSAMYSTICA

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-07/dicastery-doctrine-faith-our-lady-rosa-mystica-approval-devotion.html

‘Mystical Rose’ Marian apparitions in Italy receive Vatican approval | Catholic News Agency

Green light for devotion to Our Lady Mystical Rose - Vatican News

Home - Rosa Mystica House of Prayer : Rosa Mystica House of Prayer (rosamysticaofamerica.org)

ROSA MYSTICA (catholictradition.org)

Rosa Mystica - Wikipedia

History of Maria Rosa Mystica | Maria Rosa Mistica (mariarosamysticaevv.com)

‘Mystical Rose’ Marian Apparitions in Italy Receive Vatican Approval| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com)

Rosa Mystica devotion : University of Dayton, Ohio (udayton.edu)

About Rosa Mystica - Rosa Mystica House of Prayer : Rosa Mystica House of Prayer (rosamysticaofamerica.org)

Rosa Mystica : University of Dayton, Ohio (udayton.edu)

How Mary Became Known as Rosa Mystica - The Catholic Company®

Vatican Issues Guidelines on Supernatural Phenomena

The Vatican, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, has recently updated its approach to discerning and dealing with alleged supernatural phenomena, such as apparitions and mystical visions. This move comes as a significant development in the Church's handling of these occurrences, which have long been a topic of fascination and controversy within and outside the Catholic community.

The new document, titled "Norms for Proceeding in the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena," was published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on May 17, 2024. It outlines revised norms that aim to streamline the process for bishops to investigate such cases and establishes that the Vatican will avoid making definitive judgments on the authenticity of these events.

One of the key aspects of the new norms is the shift in the Church's stance on declaring supernatural phenomena. Historically, the process of officially defining the supernatural nature of an event could be lengthy and complex, requiring thorough study and discernment. The updated norms indicate that neither the local bishop nor the Holy See will declare these phenomena as supernatural in origin. Instead, the focus will be on authorizing and promoting devotion and pilgrimages related to these events.

The document emphasizes the importance of pastoral care and the spiritual fruits that can arise from such phenomena. It acknowledges that many times, these events have led to significant spiritual benefits, such as growth in faith, devotion, fraternity, and service. The Vatican's approach is not to control or stifle the Spirit but to ensure that any spiritual proposals are appreciated for their pastoral value and, where appropriate, promoted.

However, the document also addresses the potential risks associated with alleged supernatural occurrences. It warns against the use of such phenomena for personal gain, power, fame, or other interests that could be detrimental to the faithful. The Church must respond with utmost pastoral solicitude to protect believers from being misled by events that may not be of divine origin.

The new norms also involve the explicit involvement of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which must approve the local bishop's final decision and have the authority to intervene at any time. This change reflects the global reach of certain phenomena and the need for a decision made in one Diocese to be considered in a broader context.

The Vatican's publication of these new norms represents a thoughtful and measured response to the complex issue of supernatural phenomena. It balances respect for popular devotion with the need for careful discernment and pastoral care. As the Church navigates these mysterious occurrences, the updated guidelines provide a clearer framework for bishops and the faithful alike, ensuring that the focus remains on the spiritual well-being of the community and the authentic pursuit of the Gospel message.

Here at Sacerdotus we are actively studying and collecting documentation on the alleged apparitions of Our Lady of the Universe in 1945 in the Grand Concourse of the Bronx, see www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com or www.ourladyoftheconcourse.com.

For those interested in reading the full document, it is available on the official Vatican website.

References:

: Vatican News. "Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena."

: Vatican. "Norms for Proceeding in the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena."

Norme del Dicastero per la Dottrina della Fede per procedere nel discernimento di presunti fenomeni soprannaturali (vatican.va)

Norme del Dicastero per la Dottrina della Fede per procedere nel discernimento di presunti fenomeni soprannaturali (vatican.va)

Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena - Vatican News

Vatican issues new rules on declaration of supernatural phenomena (msn.com)

Vatican releases new norms on alleged supernatural phenomena - Vatican News

Blessed Virgin Mary Allegedly Appears During Mass in Kenya, Africa

 Again, we have received reports that Our Lady appeared during a Mass at St. Clare Catholic Church in Kasarani, Kenya.  Instead of a sunset photo (see: Sacerdotus: Blessed Virgin Mary in Photo of Sunset in Africa), we have a video taken via cellphone which shows priests and a deacon at the altar when all of a sudden, the people begin to scream out of joy and adoration. 

The clergy on the sanctuary look befuddled as to why the commotion is taking place. Meanwhile, one can see sunlight taking form beside a large crucifix on the wall of the church.  You can view the video here and in the links at the end of the article.

I personally did not see anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes sunlight seeps in through windows or cracks and lights up a portion of the wall. The light seems brighter if the wall is white. This is because white reflects light more than darker colors.  I could only see "Mary" when Churchpop provided a close-up of the image. One can see what looks like a woman with a veil, but no distinguishable facial features or a full body.  As with the sunset photo in a previous post, this can be pareidolia again. The brain is hardwired to seek patterns in nature, particularly faces. This evolutionary trait helped our evolving ancestors determine what is living or deceased and what is safe and what is a large animal about to attack and devour them. Pareidolia is what allows humans to often see faces or things in clouds and even Jesus in toast bread or trees. The mind sorts these patterns and matches them to the schema of memory which stores images of things and people we encounter. 

The joy of the African Catholics is great to see, but we all need to be careful not to become fanatics.  Mind you, there are stained glass windows there which images of most likely Mary and even St. Clare who ironically the image in the sunlight projection on the wall is shaped like.  Anything is possible.  Moreover, it would not make sense for God and Our Lady to use sunlight for an apparition when they have their own dimensional ontological existence to present themselves via.  The apparitions of Lourdes, Guadalupe, and so on did not rely on natural elements to form. They were literally Mary in person.  

Moreover, I seriously doubt Our Lady would appear during Mass or allow it to be disrupted like we see in the video with people shouting and running forward.  Our Lady has respect for the Mass from which her Son will be made present under the species of bread and wine.  We need to be careful with these alleged videos and photos. We do not need these events to better our faith. The Catholic Faith is fine as is with God's revelation.  This video would have been more convincing if the image materialized in 3D like a hologram in front of the altar and actually behaved in a human manner with movement and speech.  

Source:

https://www.ghpage.com/moment-mary-appears-in-a-church-in-kenya/267015/

https://www.ghanaweb.com/region/managinggh/The-moment-the-Virgin-Mary-appears-in-a-church-Video-49523

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-7FYDCt3FQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEtqqyQT674

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtPO9POKIyE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k00yGvgZPkk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZpAvPlv0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycWmKNRBZLg

Blessed Virgin Mary in Photo of Sunset in Africa

Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been said to have appeared to many throughout the centuries. From the apostles themselves after she went to sleep, to the Fatima children, St. Juan Diego, and so on. She has appeared all throughout the world, from Lourdes Francs, Spain, even in the Bronx (see: www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com)  Many of these alleged apparitions have been confirmed by the Catholic Church to be credible and worthy to be believed but are not meant to add too or replace revelation. This is important to understand. There are some Catholics who rely on apparitions or alleged prophecies to attack the pope, bishops, and even Vatican II.  Apparitions are meant to augment the faith and not add to or replace it.  Jesus is the truth and cannot contradict Himself.  His Mother Mary was always obedient to the Lord and would never say things that contradict the revelation of God or say anything to add to it as if the revelation was incomplete.  

In Africa a photo was taken in which some are saying Our Lady is present.  If one looks carefully, one can see the image of what looks like Our Lady of Grace within the rays of the Sun.  The photo looks fascinating and captures the mind and imagination, however, we cannot know for sure if this is truly Our Lady. With today's technology and programming on computers, people can photoshop images and blend them into a natural photo in such a way that it looks authentic.  The image does look way too familiar to a large statue of Our Lady of Grace found in many parishes around the world. 

I for one am skeptical but will not deny the spiritual experience of the people. We must be careful into thinking any image is Our Lady or Our Lord. There is a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia which is when the brain looks for patterns, particularly faces in nature.  This is why humans often see faces or images in clouds and some claim to see Jesus in toast bread or trees.  Here are some of the images of the alleged apparition in Africa:

Again, we must be careful. I personally do not believe God or Mary would use created things to present themselves. They have, well, themselves!  Why would Our Lady or Our Lord need to use sun rays or anything else for an apparition when they already exist as beings with dimensions and can present themselves?  Jesus appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection as Himself and did not use sunlight or anything else.  Be it as it may, if these photos help increase the faith, then thanks be to God. However, they should not be accepted at face value.  There are many photos and videos on the internet showing giant remains which some fundamentalists try to use to prove giants existed as the Old Testament accounts. There are even photos and videos of alleged ghosts, demons, genies, and even strange creatures or aliens which people claim are real.  Again, with the technology today it can be very easy to create convincing photography and videography which can only be debunked by professionals who can spot the variations in pixels or interpolations involved.  

Source:

Blessed Virgin Mary Allegedly Spotted in Sunset of Viral Photo Taken in Africa - (churchpop.com)

Our Lady of the Universe: Mary Appears in the Bronx - Grand Concourse

Many of you know that I am from the Bronx. I was born in Manhattan, but most of my life was spent in the Bronx. The Bronx is home to many things the world loves. Hip Hop culture with its rap music, break dancing, graffiti art originated in the Bronx. Many famous actors were born and raised in the Bronx, even astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson grew up in the county. Poet and author Edgar Allan Poe lived there and even in the park that bears his name and where his house is still present is the birthplace of Batman. I can go on and on, but you get the point. The Bronx is awesome!  It has a bad reputation due to the portrayal of the borough on television and movies. However, there are many good things about the place.

What I may about to announce may come as a shock to some readers or maybe all. Did you know that the Bronx is also known for a Marian apparition?  Yes, the Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in the Bronx.  While the apparitions are not approved by the Catholic Church, they were not condemned either. As a former atheist, the suggestion that the Virgin Mary even appeared in my hometown intrigued me. While I am a skeptic and do not believe things at face value, this does not mean that I automatically reject claims. I vet things and test them to see the truth and accuracy behind them. I do not believe that being an incredulous skeptic is good. It is self-defeating. I used to walk by the stop of the apparition when studying at CUNY and going to nearby Lehman College to use the library.

The Bronx is home to a huge avenue or boulevard called the Grand Concourse. This huge road was envisioned by Alsatian immigrant Louis Aloys Risse.  The project was begun in 1894 and finished in 1909.  Afterwards, many art deco buildings were built alongside the Concourse which stretches from the South Bronx to the north Bronx. These buildings contain art and housed Jewish, German, Irish and Italians unto the 60's when they began to move to the suburbs.  Puerto Ricans and African Americans replaced them afterward until the late 90's when Dominicans and others began to move in.  Today, many of these buildings have remnants of those who lived in them such as Jewish Mezuzahs on the doors of apartments. There is even old synagogues still present on the Concourse which houses Protestant sects such as the Baptists, Adventists, and Pentecostals.  However, further north on 3191 Grand Concourse is a small pot of land with a boulder left over from the last ice age. It was here where Our Lady is said to have appeared.


Story:

According to my research, on the Monday 29th of October in 1945, a young boy of 9 years of age claimed to have seen a woman on a vacant lot just behind his home on Villa Avenue (Blue house on 3194 Villa Ave). The apparitions were daily, according to the boy named Joseph Vitolo.  Vitolo was an Italian born to Italian immigrants. He claimed that this woman was about 5 feet tall and was dressed in a similar manner as Our Lady of Lourdes of Fatima (Fatima Apparitions did not occur then, I mention it for reference only). He described her as wearing all white, standing on a crescent moon holding blue Rosary beads with a Magen David (Star of David) on her chest and wearing a 12-star crown. On other occasions, she wore all blue (light blue) and pink and black. The lady came to be known as Our Lady of the Universe or Our Lady of the Concourse.

As news spread, many thousands flocked to the spot in hopes of witnessing or experiencing something supernatural. In fact, as many as 30,000 packed the Grand Concourse praying the Rosary and hoping for a sign or miracle. Some claimed to have experienced healing or other miracles. However, I have not found any medical documentation proving the claims. Nevertheless, this does not mean they did not happen. The media even covered the apparitions. Among them were Time and Life magazines.  Other periodicals cover the story including Catholics ones, the Bronx Home News, New York Journal, New York Post, New York Herald Tribune and New York Times. Interestingly enough, the Archdiocese of New York did not bother investigating the claims of Our Lady appearing in the Bronx on the Grand Concourse.  Neither did they condemn it or barred Catholics from participating. To my knowledge, no warning was given to clergy about it as well.  However, priests from the nearby parish of St. Philip Neri did not provide services for the shrine that was eventually built on the site. Whether or not priests did visit is not known. Maybe they did and did not wear clericals or maybe they just ignored it as a fad. I have not found evidence either way.

The apparitions did not contain any secrets or major supernatural messages other than a request to pray the Rosary for peace.  There was no promise of a warning, sign, miracle or anything supernatural. The request was simple and prayerful. On one occasion, Our Lady asked Vitolo if he knew who Bernadette was. He replied that he did not. She told him to do as she did.  On another occasion, Vitolo claimed that Our Lady had beads that broke. She bent to pick them up and told him that one is missing.  No one seems to understand the meaning of this incident or if it were Rosary beads that broke either on purpose or by accident.  The incident remains a mystery.  Our lady even told Vitolo that if he studies hard, goes to church, prays that he will be cleansed of his sins and can become a priest.  She also said that the people should build a church on the spot of her appearance.  It is interesting to note that Vitolo did enter a seminary but did not find the experience great. Moreover, no church was built on a spot. Instead, a makeshift altar was built and statues added to create a private shrine of sorts.

Vitolo stated that he would pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be and then Our Lady would make her appearance before him at around 7:00 PM.  She would appear to him for about 5 to 10 minutes; however, observers around him claimed that he was there for almost an hour in ecstasy and without motion in a stance of prayer. During the apparition, those present claimed that all the votive candles on the spot turned off except for the one in the center. There was one moment on Halloween October 31, 1945, where some in the crowd voiced their disbelief at the child and then the votive candles would turn off without interference from anyone or anything visible. This would silence the skeptics in the crowd. On the last night of the apparitions, some claimed to have witnessed the "sky opening" and what looked like an angel descending. Others did not see the alleged angel, only the sky opening while some claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary ascending into the opening.

After 1947, interest in the shrine and apparitions began to decline. Today, the remnants of the shrine remain. I am not sure if it still accepts visitors. They do not solicit donations or anything of any kind. Vitolo himself did not earn a dime on the apparitions and struggled to find a good paying job as he got older. I am still researching this apparition and will update this post as I learn more. To date, I have not found anything contrary to Catholic doctrine in these alleged apparitions. Again, the Church has not condemned them. On a personal note, I find this apparition cool and love the titles of Our Lady of the Universe and Our lady of the Concourse.  It brings to mind my love of astrophysics and astronomy.  Moreover, the Star of David on her chest captures my attention especially after finding out via AncestryDNA that I have Jewish blood in me via my maternal side. I am still trying to find out why Our Lady alleged appeared with the Star of David.  Could it be because she was a descendant of David and her Son is a King in the line of David?  Could it be because the Grand Concourse had a large Jewish population and Our Lady was acknowledging this?  I do not know. Hopefully, I will find more information and will update this page and restart the www.OurLadyoftheUniverse.com website after seeing that it has been inactive.   If Our Lady really did appear in the Bronx, I must spread the word!

Furthermore, it seems Satan tried to stop me from making this post. As I wrote this, half the post was deleted. I clicked "undo" and could not retrieve the original text I wrote in a draft. Afterwards, an outlet extension nearby began to spew sparks, flames, and smoke out of nowhere. Nothing that uses heavy wattage was plugged into it. I am still trying to figure out why it did that.  In any event, Satan can go to hell, I will not stop promoting devotion to Mama Mary.

Here are videos of an interview done where an older Joe Vitolo answers questions. 

Jospeh Vitolo still remained in the Bronx.  I was hoping to contact him but learned that he passed on to the Lord in December 2014.  He is now with Our Lady again.  May he rest in peace.  

UPDATE: December 1, 2017.
I have control of www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com and am currently building it up.  If you were present during the alleged apparitions, have verifiable information on it or know someone who was there and has verifiable information, please contact me: Contact@sacerdotus.com




Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/22/nyregion/the-boy-who-saw-the-virgin.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/faithful-65-years-italian-boy-joseph-vitolo-witnesses-miracle-night-article-1.199052

http://heresy-hunter.blogspot.com/2009/10/bvm1-bronx-miracle-revisited.html

https://fotosmilagrosasbrasil.blogspot.com/2015/07/miracle-bronx-apparitions-of-virgin.html

http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/calandra/bronx-miracle-joseph-vitolo-jr-our-lady-universe-and-roman-catholic-devotion

http://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/weeping530.htm

https://www.mylife.com/joseph-vitolo/e909738647022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYavPJ2MVNI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKZuUaSXa9E

https://obittree.com/obituary/us/new-york/bronx/john-j-fox--sons-inc/joseph-vitolo/2005759/

https://www.hotfrog.com/business/ny/bronx/our-lady-of-the-universe

Psychosis, Miracles And Catholic Frauds - My Critique

Blogger "Rosa Rubicondior" whose real name is Esther Harrison recently published a post conflating psychosis with miracles and Catholic visionaries.

She attempts to use the journal article, "Psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of 8000 children aged 9 to 11 years: an item response theory analysis" to support her case.

However, in doing so she has shown her complete ignorance regarding psychology and the Catholic religion.  Esther's original words will be in quotations """".  My response will be centered.


"Psychological Medicine - Psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of 8000 children aged 9 to 11 years: an item response theory analysis - Cambridge Journals Online

It seems that hallucinations are far more common in children that was previously thought, and in fact are fairly frequent. In one 2011 study of nearly 8000 children, two-thirds were found to have had at least one psychotic-like experience (PLE) which was more than a simple childhood play fantasy.

Do we have here a simple, and above all natural, explanation for many of the supposed miracles, very often involving young girls, of visions of, in Catholic countries, the Virgin Mary?"

Esther attempts to make a connection between the child visionaries found in the Catholic square with the findings of this study.  The problem with this assertion is that the majority of visionaries were adults, not children. The apparitions that had children involved in more "recent" times are the following:


The Apparition at La Salette, France
Mary appeared to two children, Maximin Giraud, aged 11, and Mélanie Calvat, aged 14, in 1846, one afternoon while they were looking after the animals high up on the mountain. She appealed for penance and an end to Sabbath breaking and blasphemy in the region. This apparition is credited with a major revival of Catholicism in the area.

The Apparitions at Lourdes, France
Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, aged 14, a total of eighteen times at Lourdes in southern France, at the Grotto of Massabielle. She asked for penance and prayer for the conversion of sinners, and described herself as the "the Immaculate Conception." Lourdes is most famous for the miraculous spring which has been responsible for many cures accepted by the Church.

The Apparition at Pontmain, France
Mary appeared in the sky over the small town of Pontmain in north-western France to a group of young children for about three hours in January 1871, as the Franco-Prussian war was threatening the area. Her message appeared on a banner under her feet, and encouraged prayer while emphasising Jesus' love and concern. The village was spared invasion.


The Apparitions at Fatima, Portugal
Three children, Lucia de Santos, aged 10, and her two cousins, Francisco Marto, aged 9, and Jacinta Marto, aged 7, saw Mary six
times between May and October 1917. She described herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary," while urging prayer, and particularly the rosary, as well as penance for the conversion of sinners, and the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart.

The Apparitions at Beauraing, Belgium
Mary appeared thirty-three times to a group of children in the winter of 1932-33 at Beauraing in Belgium, in a convent garden near a hawthorn tree. She described herself as "the Immaculate Virgin" and "Mother of God, Queen of Heaven," while calling for prayer for the conversion of sinners.

The Apparitions at Banneux, Belgium
Mary appeared eight times to Mariette Beco, aged 11, outside the family home at Banneux, a small village, in Belgium. She described herself as the "Virgin of the Poor," and promised to intercede for the poor, the sick and the suffering.

- "Apparitions" by Fr. Michael Carroll's Theotokos, A Theological Encyclopedia of the Blessed Virgin Mary, p.47


Esther then posts the abstract of the journal article she is distorting in order to present her sophism:

"One of the arguments for, for example, Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes and Lúcia Santos of Fatima experiencing more than a simple childhood fantasy was the tenacity with which they stuck to their story when questioned, (although Bernadette Soubirous' memory of the event seems to improve with age). So, could these children have had a PLE?"

Esther describes the experiences of both Bernadette Soubirous and Lucia Santos as "childhood fantasy," but fails to support this claim. She fails to acknowledge that the events surrounding these two individuals are heavily documented.  Many have witnessed the miraculous events in which both Bernadette and Lucia were a part of.  This includes and is not limited to, healing, prayers answered, sensual perception that defies the laws of physics and so forth.  Esther then asks the question, "could these children have had a PLE (Psychotic-like Experience)?  The answer is no.  It is normal for children to fantasize and use their imagination.  The article's abstract describes this as, "constitut[ing] part of a spectrum of normative development."  Those who have studied child psychology as I have are familiar with the term "animism" which comes from psychologist Jean Piaget who formulated his "Stages of Development" which rivaled that of  atheist Sigmund Freud and is considered more scientific and accurate than the latter's contribution.

Stages of Development: 

• Sensory Motor Stage(Birth - 2yrs)
• Pre-operational Stage (2yrs-7yrs)
• Concrete Operational Stage (7yrs-11yrs)
• Formal Operations Stage (11yrs-16yrs)

During the Pre-operational Stage, children begin to use semiotic function, or the ability to use symbols which are assigned to actions or tangible objects cognitively.  This brings about "Egocentrism" or the child dwelling within him/herself, especially during play.  They tend to create a world within themselves and get lost in it.  This is often characteristic of young girls playing "tea time" or boys making explosive sounds with their mouths as they play with toy soldiers and the like.  This is completely normal. However, this is unrelated to Catholic-approved visions by children. 

  
"The same case can be made for the Medjugorje 'miracle' of 1981 in Bosnia-Herzegovina in what looks remarkably like a re-run of Fatim, where the main instigators were a sixteen year-old girl, Mirjana Dragicevic and fifteen year-old Ivanka Ivanković and where, once again, the Catholic Church had a very strong political motive for wanting a 'miracle' to keep control as the political situaltion deteriorated as former Jugoslavia degenerated into inter-religious civil war, anarchy and eventually disintegrtion, following the dath of Tito a year earlier."

If you have paid attention to my previous critique of Esther's claims, you will notice something stand out.  Esther uses the alleged visionaries Ivanka and Mirjana from Bosnia as examples.  These two individuals claim to have had apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 1980s and I believe into the present.  These apparitions are known as the "Medjugorje" apparitions.  If you notice what Esther wrote, you will see that she gives their ages which are sixteen and fifteen.  The problem here is that these two individuals had already passed the pre-operational stage as described by Piaget when the alleged apparitions begain in the 1980s.  Ergo, they would not exhibit animism or resort to semiotic functioning.  Moreover, this apparition is NOT approved by the Catholic Church.  As a matter of fact, rumor has it that the Vatican will be deciding on it soon, see:  http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/06/08/vatican-ready-to-announce-decision-on-medjugorje-says-pope-francis/

Once again, Esther is showing her ignorance of Catholicism and Psychology. 

"In all these cases these 'visions' were then elevated to the status of miracles by first the local Catholic Church, then, when it realised the potential, the Vatican itself, and in all cases with a clear political motive and now a financial one, but what we probably have is essentially a childhood PLE, nothing more and nothing less.

Other supposed 'miracles' usually associated with the appearance of figures, normally Mary, to children, usually young girls, several of whom appear to have had a troubled childhood, include:"

None of these 'visions' were elevated to the status of miracles as Esther claims.  The local ordinary or bishop may have not objected to Catholics participating in any events surrounding the alleged 'visions;' however, there is a big difference between a bishop showing indifference and actually approving an alleged apparition.  The claims of using apparitions for political motive and financial gain is unsupported by Esther and is completely false. If the Church were interested in political motives and financial gains from allege apparitions, then she would be approving them all of the time. We know the Church will not do this because: 

1) She has to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. 

2) She cannot turn into a superstition business. 

3) Any discovery of fraud or true psychosis will effect the credibility of the Church. 

"The Church needs to put aside it's own greed and avarice for once and start recognising the fact that these hallucinations could be a symptom of psychological, even neurophysiological disorders requiring medical attention, in the interests of the children involved, rather than seizing on these possible, even probable, examples of psychotic episodes, as miracles and using them to enhance the Catholic Church's income and influence, and often effectively taking over the lives of children who then get caught up in their own legend and tied to a treadmill they can never get off.

But without these fake supernatural events to fool the masses with, what would the Catholic Church have to promote it's evidence-free superstition and dogma with?"

Once again, Esther makes a bare assertion fallacy by calling these apparitions, "hallucinations" without showing evidence.  We are left to adopt her inferences as factual.  As I have shown, Esther has no knowledge of Psychology nor Catholicism, therefore, her opinions on the aforementioned are moot. 

What Esther fails to mention in her post is that those apparitions which are approved had some supernatural element to them which was witnessed by many and found to be credible by the Church which used both science and methods of investigation to investigate claims. In the apparitions of Fatima, there were many supernatural events which were captured on the cameras of the time.  Many skeptics, atheists, scientists and others witnessed the "dancing sun" miracle.

Here is an excerpt from a post I wrote on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima:

"Moreover, as expected, many skeptics denied the apparitions at the time.  They considered the children to be either making the apparition up or completely delusional.  Our Lady would promise a miracle in October that would give substance to the claims of the children.  When the day arrived on October 13, 1917, the people gathered in the rain at Cova da Iria.  They were expecting a miracle in the skies and instead saw rain.
Crowds over 70,000 gathered including reporters of different media outlets, atheists and scientists.  They grew impatient and began to heckle the children believing them to be charlatans.  However, the rain stopped suddenly.  The sun became visible behind thin clouds and its rays did not hurt the eyes of those looking at it.  Lucia cried out, "the sun! Look at the sun!"  All looked and saw the sun begin to spin and change into different colors.  Others saw the sun actually moving or "dancing" in the skies and seemed to come close to the Earth; so close that those present could feel an increase of heat.  As a result, the drenched clothing of the people were completely dried.  This event was witnessed by others miles away from the site.  Till this day, no one has been able to explain this event.

Some have tried to explain this as a mere hallucination; however, it is not possible for 70,000 people to hallucinate in the exact same manner.  Moreover, people miles away who had no idea what was going on in regards to the gathering at Cova da Iria, witnessed the solar phenomenon.  As a student of physics, there is no explanation in physics that takes into account this event.

Yes, the sun is "spinning" or rotating in space, but on its axis like the Earth.  It is not making erratic movements.  Others have claimed that the sun blinded the people and their eyes compensated for this; however, if the photoreceptor cells or "cone" cells of the eyes absorb too much light, they simply will just shut down and one will perceive darkness.

While it recovers, the eyes will begin to perceive other neon toned colors as the cones regulate themselves.  This is not what the people saw.  They saw the sun spinning, moving and changing colors in the sky.  They felt the heat increase as well as the sun moved closer.  There was no blindness or any attempt by the eyes to regulate the amount of light entering the cones.

As stated before, people could look at the sun and did not feel any discomfort.  Reporters were present, as well as atheists and men of science.  They all have given account of this event and did not brush them off as hallucination or ocular regulation when too much light is absorbed.  It was truly a miracle."  -http://www.sacerdotus.com/2013/05/our-lady-of-fatima.html

Moreover, the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes witnessed by Bernadette was also documented extensively. Miracles that take place today are also studied and investigated by the Lourdes International Medical Committee which is an organization with a board of skeptics, scientists, medical doctors and clergy.  Esther's claim that the Church uses miracles to promote its dogma is unfounded and based on her ignorance.  She is clearly not well read on this topic and many others as well. 

It is interesting to note that not once does Esther cite from the "Psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of 8000 children aged 9 to 11 years: an item response theory analysis" to support her case.  She simply posts the link and abstract in order to deceive her readers into thinking her post is well researched and supported by the article.  As a student and graduate of the sciences, I have access to numerous articles and journals.  It is obvious that Esther did not have full access to the article.  However, I do.  

This article does not even mention the word 'catholic.'

Neither 'religion' nor 'visionaries' are mentioned in this article, nor are they variables. Esther simply used a journal article she did not read and attempted to conflate it with her uneducated inferences. 

 

 As you can see above, the introduction clearly states the factors that lead to hallucinations and schizophrenia.  Notice that religion, apparitions, Catholicism etc are not listed.  The claims from Esther are unfounded and shows her dishonesty.  

The method of the study was as follows:  children ages 9-11 were taken as subjects from 73 elementary schools in the Greater London area.  An n sample of 7966 children were used with 49% of them being female.  They were taken from both state and religious schools based on enrollment size.  According to the statistics, the mu of the sample size was 10 years and 5 months while the standard deviation was 9.  96% of the children sampled were between 9 and 11 years old.  The students were asked the following questions below. The chart shows the descriptive statistics found based on responses.

 

Please take note that none of the questions asked by the researchers were about apparitions of God, Mary or anyone else related to Catholicism.  The questions are geared around the typical symptoms of schizophrenia and hallucinations.  The correlation Esther tries to make in her post is based on her science illiteracy.  The APA (American Psychological Association) has clearly stated in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) that religion has nothing to do with delusions, psychosis and the like.  

According to the paper entitled, "Differentiating psychosis and faith: the role of social norms and religious fundamentalism," it states that "Catholic beliefs were rated as significantly less delusional than Mormon beliefs.."  When compared to the Nation of Islam, the researchers found, "catholic beliefs as the least delusional and with Nation of Islam beliefs as highly delusional."  This paper relied on the typicality of delusional beliefs and how they relate to religion. Delusional beliefs that are deemed as a psychological disorder are often irrational, pervasive, cause preoccupation and can lead to severe self-mutilation (Applebaum, Robbins, & Roth, 1999; Siddle et al., 2002; Culliford, 1987; Waugh, 1986).  

There are several other studies and research papers available which clearly disqualify religious beliefs as delusional based on the typicality and prevalence of symptoms, many times comorbid with other conditions. Esther's attempt to conflate the article studying children and testing for "PLE" with Catholic visionaries is poor scholarship and a pathetic attempt at reason and scientific inquiry. As demonstrated, Esther's intent was to deceive her readers into thinking that the article she linked supports her warped inferences and conclusions.  The latter are simply based on her atheistic cognitive bias which fails to see evidence and scientific research that contradicts her irrational ideas and conclusions.  Those apparitions that are approved by the Church passed that bar because they met the criteria.  The Church employs ever effort and asset against any claims of the supernatural.  This includes the use of the scientific method, skepticism, scientific professionals, theologians and the like. In many cases, it takes the Church nearly centuries to decide on an alleged miracle or apparition. 

There is no psychosis or fraud involved in Catholic Church approved apparitions.  In reality, the real psychosis is demonstrated in Esther's post vis a vis her conclusions.  The fraud here is her attempt to pass off her inferences and ignorance as scientific and supported by the article, "Psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of 8000 children aged 9 to 11 years: an item response theory analysis."  This post on my blog exposes her ignorance and bias.  If you wish to have the article Esther links in her post, a fee of $30 USD must be paid here: http://www.sacerdotus.com/p/donate-to-ministry.html .  Use the paypal button and be sure to write on paypal's check layout the name of the article.   

      

   

   

Sources:

http://www.catholicdoors.com/isit/approved.htm

"Apparitions" by Fr. Michael Carroll's Theotokos, A Theological Encyclopedia of the Blessed Virgin Mary, p.47

Child Animism: What the Child Means by "Alive" S. W. Klingensmith
Child Development. Vol. 24, No. 1 (Mar., 1953), pp. 51-61

Borke, H. (1975). Piaget's mountains revisited: Changes in the egocentric landscape. Developmental Psychology, 11(2), 240.

Piaget, J. (1951). Egocentric thought and sociocentric thought. J. Piaget, Sociological studies, 270-286.

http://en.lourdes-france.org/deepen/cures-and-miracles/the-international-medical-committee

Psychosis or Faith? Clinicians’ Assessment of Religious Beliefs
Shawn O’Connor and Brian Vandenberg
University of Missouri—St. Louis

Differentiating psychosis and faith: the role of social norms and religious fundamentalism
Shawn O’Connora* and Brian Vandenbergba St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, USA;
bDepartment of Psychology, University Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA (Received 2 June 2009; final version received 22 August 2009)