Apparition who spoke to me

[Zeno11]

As a student in Scotland, I shared a rented 200 year old cottage with four other people and one night as I was in my bedroom getting ready for bed, some sort of apparition appeared to me. It communicated with me in a way I can only describe as mind to mind, because I was unable to block my thoughts from it in any way. It was a tall, black shape, roughly in the outline of a human, but as though wearing a cloak; I couldn’t see a face, but I ‘knew’ it was male. It was suspended in air, about a foot off the floor. To say I was terrified just does not convey my abject terror at that time; I felt like a little cockroach in the face of this being who was obviously so far above me in every way. I was transfixed to the spot. He began by saying that I didn’t really believe in him in a chiding sort of tone, and talking about how other members of my family had never seen anything like this but they believed in him. He told me I was a student of literature, and why did I not read the Bible or study it in the way that I studied books? He said, for example, that when Moses went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, he did not really go up a mountain; that it was a metaphor meaning that he was spiritually elevated above the mass of the people. He then moved on to more personal things, including a punishment I would receive for the sins I had committed. He told me I had to be ‘strong, brave and lead out of darkness’. I was convinced I was in the presence of God Himself, because this being had what I can only describe as an awful majesty. I was terrified out of my wits, and he disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived.

This all happened in 1982, and I still get scared when I think about it. No-one has ever been able to satisfactorily explain what happened to me that night. I did wonder if I was going mad, but as I have lived another thirty years without any more incidents, I think I can safely say that I am not mad. No priest has ever been able to say what could have happened, beyond giving me the spiritual exercises on the discernment of spirits and knowing them by their fruits. A lot of people at the time said it was the devil; I wondered if it was, or an angel? I came to the conclusion that it couldn’t have been God because he doesn’t go around appearing to folk, although when it was actually happening, I thought it was God.

The thing is, both good and bad things followed this apparition. The following week, two members of my immediate family died suddenly. Because I had had this experience, I knew beyond any doubt that there was life after death, and that helped me cope and support my mother. At the time of the apparition I was away from the practice of my religion, a rebellious young person, and living a sinful life. So in that sense, the fruits of this experience were good, because it brought me back (eventually) to the faith. The punishment that the apparition told me would befall me for my sins also materialised some years later. This is something I still struggle with, but for the most part I have learned to accept it as a just punishment for my sins. Recently I have been reading about the signs for the end times, notably the three days of darkness www.3daysofdarkness.com/ where they talk about everyone being made aware of their own sinfulness; they refer to it as ‘The warning’ and that it will take place between the proximate and the immediate signs. This seems to me to be exactly what I experienced on that November night in 1982.
Has anything like this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts or insights?

 

[CB_Catholic]

As a student in Scotland, I shared a rented 200 year old cottage with four other people and one night as I was in my bedroom getting ready for bed, some sort of apparition appeared to me. It communicated with me in a way I can only describe as mind to mind, because I was unable to block my thoughts from it in any way. It was a tall, black shape, roughly in the outline of a human, but as though wearing a cloak; I couldn’t see a face, but I ‘knew’ it was male. It was suspended in air, about a foot off the floor. To say I was terrified just does not convey my abject terror at that time; I felt like a little cockroach in the face of this being who was obviously so far above me in every way. I was transfixed to the spot. He began by saying that I didn’t really believe in him in a chiding sort of tone, and talking about how other members of my family had never seen anything like this but they believed in him. He told me I was a student of literature, and why did I not read the Bible or study it in the way that I studied books? He said, for example, that when Moses went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, he did not really go up a mountain; that it was a metaphor meaning that he was spiritually elevated above the mass of the people. He then moved on to more personal things, including a punishment I would receive for the sins I had committed. He told me I had to be ‘strong, brave and lead out of darkness’. I was convinced I was in the presence of God Himself, because this being had what I can only describe as an awful majesty. I was terrified out of my wits, and he disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived.

This all happened in 1982, and I still get scared when I think about it. No-one has ever been able to satisfactorily explain what happened to me that night. I did wonder if I was going mad, but as I have lived another thirty years without any more incidents, I think I can safely say that I am not mad. No priest has ever been able to say what could have happened, beyond giving me the spiritual exercises on the discernment of spirits and knowing them by their fruits. A lot of people at the time said it was the devil; I wondered if it was, or an angel? I came to the conclusion that it couldn’t have been God because he doesn’t go around appearing to folk, although when it was actually happening, I thought it was God.

The thing is, both good and bad things followed this apparition. The following week, two members of my immediate family died suddenly. Because I had had this experience, I knew beyond any doubt that there was life after death, and that helped me cope and support my mother. At the time of the apparition I was away from the practice of my religion, a rebellious young person, and living a sinful life. So in that sense, the fruits of this experience were good, because it brought me back (eventually) to the faith. The punishment that the apparition told me would befall me for my sins also materialised some years later. This is something I still struggle with, but for the most part I have learned to accept it as a just punishment for my sins. Recently I have been reading about the signs for the end times, notably the three days of darkness www.3daysofdarkness.com/ where they talk about everyone being made aware of their own sinfulness; they refer to it as ‘The warning’ and that it will take place between the proximate and the immediate signs. This seems to me to be exactly what I experienced on that November night in 1982.
Has anything like this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts or insights?

No clue as to what it was, but it seems strange to me that something from God would contradict something from Sacred Scripture that has not been generally questioned and has been accepted as a reality–that Moses didn’t really ascend Mt Sinai, that it was a metaphorical journey. I would be wary of putting too much stock in it and it’s effects on my life.

On another note, this is how strange sects and such get started–a person receives a vision, the vision gives a “new” revelation" (such as the Moses story), knows enough about the person it is appearing to to make statements that are plausible, and the person receiving the vision carries this forward. You don’t seem to have done that, yet, but be careful. Satan is very subtle, mixing truth with falsehood, and can even appear as an angel (which he is, although a fallen one). He is supposedly very beautiful.

 

[just_came_back]

most apparitions are not from God. I’ve always heard that if you’re seeing something of the sort or if a person is exhibiting strange behavior, ask “spirit now manifesting, do you believe that Christ has come in the flesh?”

 

[nordskoven]

We are supposed to test the spirits WITH the Bible; and you have your spirit contradicting an incontroverted part of the Bible. PS Satan is the Accuser who stands before the throne of God blathering out our sins. Christ died for the forgiveness of sins. So…Get to confession, and get a little holy water to clean out the joint. Not liking this “apparition.”

 

[Zeno11]

most apparitions are not from God. I’ve always heard that if you’re seeing something of the sort or if a person is exhibiting strange behavior, ask “spirit now manifesting, do you believe that Christ has come in the flesh?”

I was so frightened at the time that i didn’t dare…or even think to…ask who he was. I would know now to ask that very question, sadly at that time, I didn’t. It scares me that it might have been a demon, and also because from what I have researched over the years, it seems rather unusual, eg spirts often appear, but don’t speak, or noises are heard but nothing is seen.

I suppose it’s just something that I can’t forget, and it had such a dramatic impact on the rest of my life from that night. The only thing that ever made any kind of sense was the stuff I read about @The warning’ that I mentioned in the earlier post. It really was a most comprehensive warning and laying bear of all my sins to myself.

I always pray that I never experience such a thing again. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[andreashofer]

.

My sister once had an apparition, where she saw a big, black nail in front of her. She was terrified at the sight, because it seemed real. She never gave this vision a meaning, but I studied her vision and picked up other stories of the same kind. The nail represents sin and by being terrified of it, she is terrified of sin.

Yes, it is good to be terrified of sin, because it separates us from God.

Your vision can be for the good by just being terrified of sin, terrified of offending God.

Our good Lord often uses Satan for his own glory. God is master over all creatures, including demons and other creatures from hell.

(Sister Josefa Menendez- The way of divine love)

I would stay away from any literature, that leads you to excitement. Rather chose this book -The way of divine love- to bring you to peace with what you have seen.

 

[Zeno11]

We are supposed to test the spirits WITH the Bible; and you have your spirit contradicting an incontroverted part of the Bible. PS Satan is the Accuser who stands before the throne of God blathering out our sins. Christ died for the forgiveness of sins. So…Get to confession, and get a little holy water to clean out the joint. Not liking this “apparition.”

Thanks, you are right, of course Satan is the Accuser! It’s funny how when you are in the middle of something, you can’t see the woods for the trees. But this happened 30 years ago, I only lived there for a year, and I am a practising Catholic who goes to Confession regularly.

But it chills me to the bone that it sounds like I had a visit from Satan. God has truly snatched me from the jaws of hell, and I was such a foolish young person that I didn’t even fully understand where I was heading. Pray for sinners!

 

[Zeno11]

No clue as to what it was, but it seems strange to me that something from God would contradict something from Sacred Scripture that has not been generally questioned and has been accepted as a reality–that Moses didn’t really ascend Mt Sinai, that it was a metaphorical journey. I would be wary of putting too much stock in it and it’s effects on my life.

On another note, this is how strange sects and such get started–a person receives a vision, the vision gives a “new” revelation" (such as the Moses story), knows enough about the person it is appearing to to make statements that are plausible, and the person receiving the vision carries this forward. You don’t seem to have done that, yet, but be careful. Satan is very subtle, mixing truth with falsehood, and can even appear as an angel (which he is, although a fallen one). He is supposedly very beautiful.

Ever since it happened 30 years ago, I have always been afraid it was demonic in origin. Another poster mentioned Satan as ‘The Accuser’ which of course he is, and that would fit. I tremble with terror that I had such a visitation. I would never dream of starting up any kind of sect, I was hoping maybe other people had had similar experiences because although I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, it would be nice to talk to someone who had been there too.

 

[Zeno11]

.

My sister once had an apparition, where she saw a big, black nail in front of her. She was terrified at the sight, because it seemed real. She never gave this vision a meaning, but I studied her vision and picked up other stories of the same kind. The nail represents sin and by being terrified of it, she is terrified of sin.

Yes, it is good to be terrified of sin, because it separates us from God.

Your vision can be for the good by just being terrified of sin, terrified of offending God.

Our good Lord often uses Satan for his own glory. God is master over all creatures, including demons and other creatures from hell.

(Sister Josefa Menendez- The way of divine love)

I would stay away from any literature, that leads you to excitement. Rather chose this book -The way of divine love- to bring you to peace with what you have seen.

Thank you for the recommendation of that book, I will read it. It terrifies me that I had a demonic visitor, and yes, I never want to fall into serious sin or be separated from God again.

 

[midori]

Not common, but definitely not unheard-of. Usually when I’ve experienced things-- or others I know personally have experienced things-- they’ve been far less direct. The couple of direct things that I have experienced have definitely not been as conversational as yours, that’s for sure.

One thing to keep in mind-- don’t go judging something solely based on its fruits. I found out the hard-and-somewhat-embarrassing-way that to attribute something to God that isn’t from God is, in fact, a sin. It was a little surprising, since that had never occurred to me before.

Was writing up the personal anecdote behind it, but decided my memory was too fuzzy on the details since I was only peripherally involved. Ah, well.

 

[Zeno11]

Not common, but definitely not unheard-of. Usually when I’ve experienced things-- or others I know personally have experienced things-- they’ve been far less direct. The couple of direct things that I have experienced have definitely not been as conversational as yours, that’s for sure.

One thing to keep in mind-- don’t go judging something solely based on its fruits. I found out the hard-and-somewhat-embarrassing-way that to attribute something to God that isn’t from God is, in fact, a sin. It was a little surprising, since that had never occurred to me before.

Was writing up the personal anecdote behind it, but decided my memory was too fuzzy on the details since I was only peripherally involved. Ah, well.

It was a sin for me at the time to think it was God then (when it was happening, I mean). I wish it hadn’t happened, but then maybe I wouldn’t have renounced my sinful ways if it hadn’t.

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I’m going to put it out of my mind now again; it was just *such * a dramatic and mind blowing encounter that it does come to my mind and i muse over what it means and why.

*Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

 

[SteveLy]

While scripture speaks of people being frightened by the appearance of Angels, yours sounds different. It was not a peaceful experience and as stated disclosed information which contradicts scripture. That in itself causes it to be suspect. In your sinful behavior had you opened yourself to dark spirits by either inviting them or giving them permission to enter your life?

Here is a site which deals with demonology written by a Catholic: religiousdemonology.com/index.htm

 

[Blue_Cricket]

I have had similar experiences, and would like to share the following observation: This spirit may have laid bare your intimate secrets, but it sounds like it accused you without leaving you refuge in the Most Sacred and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for all (which fuels the 7 Sacraments, particularly Reconciliation which wipes away even mortal sins). So, the fruit that resulted and this spirit was trying to achieve was an immediate and servile, cringing fear – not the holy sense of fearful accountability a messenger of the Living God would bring. Fortunately, you had time to rationally think about things, and recast the later negative events (the death of two relatives) as positive (knowing there is life after death). Just remember, as a previous poster said – often angels of dark will masquerade as angels of light, but put to the question in Jesus’ name and before His Divine Judgement Seat (and it can be hard when you run into something unawares to keep your wits about your at first, especially when you are minding your own business, not looking for trouble) – the spirit will eventually be truthful about its intent.

Here is where the Teaching and Dogma of the Church (think old-school Baltimore Catechism) are priceless. For example:

Spirit manifests while you are cooking dinner for yourself. (Don’t laugh – I said you were ‘minding your own business’.)

Spirit: I have a message for you.

You: Do you know God? (Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.)

Spirit: Yes.

You: Do you serve God? (Every knee shall bow because Jesus Christ is Lord.)

Spirit: Yes.

You: Do you LOVE God? (Why did God create us? To know Him, to LOVE Him, and to serve him . . .)

Spirit: No. I hate God. (FAILED! FALLEN ANGEL ALERT!)

You: Then in the name of Jesus Christ, be gone in obedience to wherever the Living God sends you.

And no matter what in says or claims to say after, just turn everything over to Jesus Christ. (And, if you have your Rosary, you may appeal to His Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception to help you do so.)

Hope this helps, though I realize some times things aren’t as simple as outlined as above. But as I said, even when minding your own business . . . (sigh)

 

[Zeno11]

While scripture speaks of people being frightened by the appearance of Angels, yours sounds different. It was not a peaceful experience and as stated disclosed information which contradicts scripture. That in itself causes it to be suspect. In your sinful behavior had you opened yourself to dark spirits by either inviting them or giving them permission to enter your life?

Here is a site which deals with demonology written by a Catholic: religiousdemonology.com/index.htm

Yes, I’m afraid I had opened myself to that possibility. It wasn’t a peaceful experience, just writing about it now brings back all the terror I felt. I go years just not thinking about it, but would like to lay it to rest in my mind for good. I’ve also noticed since that when angels do appear in the Bible, they usually preface their words by saying ‘Do not be afraid…’ but this one didn’t. Will have a look at that site, but probably tomorrow…it’s after 1am here in London
Thanks for the link.
God Bless

 

[Zeno11]

I have had similar experiences, and would like to share the following observation: This spirit may have laid bare your intimate secrets, but it sounds like it accused you without leaving you refuge in the Most Sacred and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for all (which fuels the 7 Sacraments, particularly Reconciliation which wipes away even mortal sins). So, the fruit that resulted and this spirit was trying to achieve was an immediate and servile, cringing fear – not the holy sense of fearful accountability a messenger of the Living God would bring. Fortunately, you had time to rationally think about things, and recast the later negative events (the death of two relatives) as positive (knowing there is life after death). Just remember, as a previous poster said – often angels of dark will masquerade as angels of light, but put to the question in Jesus’ name and before His Divine Judgement Seat (and it can be hard when you run into something unawares to keep your wits about your at first, especially when you are minding your own business, not looking for trouble) – the spirit will eventually be truthful about its intent.

Here is where the Teaching and Dogma of the Church (think old-school Baltimore Catechism) are priceless. For example:

Spirit manifests while you are cooking dinner for yourself. (Don’t laugh – I said you were ‘minding your own business’.)

Spirit: I have a message for you.

You: Do you know God? (Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.)

Spirit: Yes.

You: Do you serve God? (Every knee shall bow because Jesus Christ is Lord.)

Spirit: Yes.

You: Do you LOVE God? (Why did God create us? To know Him, to LOVE Him, and to serve him . . .)

Spirit: No. I hate God. (FAILED! FALLEN ANGEL ALERT!)

You: Then in the name of Jesus Christ, be gone in obedience to wherever the Living God sends you.

And no matter what in says or claims to say after, just turn everything over to Jesus Christ. (And, if you have your Rosary, you may appeal to His Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception to help you do so.)

Hope this helps, though I realize some times things aren’t as simple as outlined as above. But as I said, even when minding your own business . . . (sigh)

Thank you SO much…you have no idea, how when I have tried to discuss this with friends, how they just shake their heads and tell me it was a dream, or I had a psychotic ‘moment’ etc… how amazing it is to read your words. And you have described exactly the emotions I felt ‘an immediate and servile, cringing fear’ is exactly right. I hope and pray I have no more encounters like that, but I will always remember your advice.
It troubles me though, that he said I would receive a particular punishment for my sins, and it happened. Does Satan have the power to inflict things on us, or did he know it was going to happen?

 

[LegoGE1947]

No clue as to what it was, but it seems strange to me that something from God would contradict something from Sacred Scripture that has not been generally questioned and has been accepted as a reality–that Moses didn’t really ascend Mt Sinai, that it was a metaphorical journey. I would be wary of putting too much stock in it and it’s effects on my life.

On another note, this is how strange sects and such get started–a person receives a vision, the vision gives a “new” revelation" (such as the Moses story), knows enough about the person it is appearing to to make statements that are plausible, and the person receiving the vision carries this forward. You don’t seem to have done that, yet, but be careful. Satan is very subtle, mixing truth with falsehood, and can even appear as an angel (which he is, although a fallen one). He is supposedly very beautiful.

An “apparition” was how the protestant doctrine of The Rapture began in the 1800s. It was to a mentally challenged woman who was a follower of John Nelson Darby, a former Anglican preacher who started an independent “Brethren” ecclesial group. A man named Cyrus I Schofield picked up this apparition and published a study Bible that became popular with lots of protestants and as a result the “Rapture” has become wide-spread in many circles even though it is all based on a so called “apparition” to some whacko in the 19th century. Known as the Schofield Study Bible, many protestants believe that the study notes are as inspired as the Bible text.

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

Here’s what I think.

I think this really happened to you.

But it happened to you ENTIRELY IN YOUR MIND.

In other words, there WAS an apparition. You DID hear it speak. But it existed entirely INSIDE your mind.

Think about it.

You have dreams in your sleep sometimes, right, which you remember upon waking, right? And in those dreams, you see characters who are not you, and you hear those characters (who are not you) speaking, right? So, where are those characters? Who are those characters? Those characters are inventions of your mind. Those characters exist, but only as fictional characters in your mind. You are in a dream state, so you experience them as “real.” But in fact, a part of your mind created those characters just as a fiction writer creates and gives dialogue to characters in a novel.

Now, scientists now know we humans are in fact dreaming, in unconscious parts of our mind, ALL THE TIME. The reason we experience this dreaming only when we are sleeping is because our conscious mind goes mostly dormant, allowing a part of ourselves to interact with these wild stories and wild characters that are being invented and acted out in the dream stories of our unconscious.

When you saw and heard that apparition, you had a rare but not unheard of experience: You were momentarily able to interact with a dream story in your mind even though you were not sleeping. You experienced, in other words, a waking dream.

Think about it. All that you describe sounds just like a dream.

 

[Blue_Cricket]

I believe St. Michael carries his sword and shield for a reason: to use it by God’s permission. Satan is similarly armed, but with far more limited resources and tries not to care about God’s permission – though he will get it if he can (Book of Job. I mean, there was Job, "minding his own business . . . )

From personal experience, I will tell you this: a fallen spirit will threaten, flatter, promise and test everything in Creation to get a target to follow him. If the target stumbles and then repents, the whole thing then becomes an assault of “God didn’t really forgive you.” (Consider that God in His Grace has put all our sins that we take to the Confessional so far behind us, that by Catholic Church ruling if the priest breaths even a specific word about what he has heard, it is automatic excommunication for the priest. Yet “two or more” have gathered to ask a great thing – forgiveness for the penitent without scandal and in dignified privacy – in Jesus name, so in faith we believe that forgiveness is granted, with the added favor of complete ‘absolution’ (or remission of earthly and eternal penalty) for the sins coming from Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Orders personified in the human priest, based on the desire of the penitent to be forgiven.)

But does that mean that the Devil can get you?

He does wander around like a ‘roaring lion’, looking to pick a fight. And just like I can see a speeding car approaching down the road, while someone with their back turned to it maybe can’t even hear it, the Devil often has a superior vantage point about what could hit and hurt people over most humans. (But the average guardian angel can boast just the same thing, and they are much cooler – wouldn’t you say? And they see the Father always, love Him VERY much, and their swords are pointy just like St. Michael’s. And they are very, very quick!)

So why would a spirit not so good ever get away with doing any evil to a human?

Remember, we have agreed to follow Jesus. That means, just as Jesus was put to the test, so will we be – for no student is greater than his Master, but every student properly trained can be like the Master. And Jesus also said “Pick up your cross daily, and follow me.” Some times obvious rewards of walking the straight and narrow can be seen, other times not. Remember Job? (Satan (Paraphrased): "Oh God, Job only loves you because you because you bribe him into it with lavish gifts and protection. [undertone: "And by the way, how much will you let me torture an Innocent Soul that hasn’t done a thing to deserve it, and is even trying to make up for other people’s – his children’s --sins? Job’s pretty good, but I know Jesus will be coming to Earth eventually. And it would look really awkward if Job who suffered as a mere, flawed human outdid the Second person of the Trinity, consubstantiated from your own essence? I mean, how far do I get to go with Jesu–uh, good old Job? Let’s have a wager . . . "] God (paraphrased): “Job is in your power, but don’t kill him.” [Divine Plan: “That sacrifice of obedient loyalty I reserve for my Beloved and Perfect Only Begotten Son.”]

So, just as we may be victims of a free-will attack by the evil one, God has been there with us. (The Father too, for His sacrifice, like Job’s, was to see the Eternal Offspring He loved die a brutal death.) And, I offer you the final consolation that Jesus Christ’s spilled Precious Blood is sufficient for your sins if you cling to Him, and He loves you very very much.

(sorry for taking such a long time to reply – I type slow, and had late dinner in the middle–beef and broccoli).

 

[thistle]

As a student in Scotland, I shared a rented 200 year old cottage with four other people and one night as I was in my bedroom getting ready for bed, some sort of apparition appeared to me. It communicated with me in a way I can only describe as mind to mind, because I was unable to block my thoughts from it in any way. It was a tall, black shape, roughly in the outline of a human, but as though wearing a cloak; I couldn’t see a face, but I ‘knew’ it was male. It was suspended in air, about a foot off the floor. To say I was terrified just does not convey my abject terror at that time; I felt like a little cockroach in the face of this being who was obviously so far above me in every way. I was transfixed to the spot. He began by saying that I didn’t really believe in him in a chiding sort of tone, and talking about how other members of my family had never seen anything like this but they believed in him. He told me I was a student of literature, and why did I not read the Bible or study it in the way that I studied books? He said, for example, that when Moses went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, he did not really go up a mountain; that it was a metaphor meaning that he was spiritually elevated above the mass of the people. He then moved on to more personal things, including a punishment I would receive for the sins I had committed. He told me I had to be ‘strong, brave and lead out of darkness’. I was convinced I was in the presence of God Himself, because this being had what I can only describe as an awful majesty. I was terrified out of my wits, and he disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived.

This all happened in 1982, and I still get scared when I think about it. No-one has ever been able to satisfactorily explain what happened to me that night. I did wonder if I was going mad, but as I have lived another thirty years without any more incidents, I think I can safely say that I am not mad. No priest has ever been able to say what could have happened, beyond giving me the spiritual exercises on the discernment of spirits and knowing them by their fruits. A lot of people at the time said it was the devil; I wondered if it was, or an angel? I came to the conclusion that it couldn’t have been God because he doesn’t go around appearing to folk, although when it was actually happening, I thought it was God.

The thing is, both good and bad things followed this apparition. The following week, two members of my immediate family died suddenly. Because I had had this experience, I knew beyond any doubt that there was life after death, and that helped me cope and support my mother. At the time of the apparition I was away from the practice of my religion, a rebellious young person, and living a sinful life. So in that sense, the fruits of this experience were good, because it brought me back (eventually) to the faith. The punishment that the apparition told me would befall me for my sins also materialised some years later. This is something I still struggle with, but for the most part I have learned to accept it as a just punishment for my sins. Recently I have been reading about the signs for the end times, notably the three days of darkness www.3daysofdarkness.com/ where they talk about everyone being made aware of their own sinfulness; they refer to it as ‘The warning’ and that it will take place between the proximate and the immediate signs. This seems to me to be exactly what I experienced on that November night in 1982.
Has anything like this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts or insights?

It is forbidden by the Forum Rules to discuss apparitions, visions, revelations which are not approved by the Church.

 

[midori]

Oh-- if you ever get a chance, you might want to see if you can get an appointment with a priest who has the charism of reading hearts. It would be extremely profitable to you in putting your mind to rest about different things. As you can see, you get the gamut of experiences on the forum-- but if you can talk to a priest like that, he should be able to give you definitive answers as to (a) what happened, and (b) why it was permitted to happen.