Apparitions and visions

[Don9of11]

My nephew who is a fallen away catholic and now Pentecostal, I think is studying to be a minister, recently posted a rather peculiar remark on Facebook the otherday. He said that he pulled into his driveway, and when he got out he looked up and was startled. He said a bright light shone forth and it was an angel who spoke to him. The angel said “I am Michael the Ark Angel, your guardian angel, be of comfort and be encouraged.” I know God can send angles as messengers or helpers or guides and I know we all have guardian angels, but I am not sure what to make of this remark. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

 

[kimmielittle]

Hiyas Don

Did the Angel tell him to get back to the Catholic Church

 

[anode]

If this happens again, he should see his doctor and have an EEG or MRI. It could be a brain abnormality. If this sort of thing happened while he was driving, it could lead to a fatal accident.

It’s my impression that Michael the Archangel, ?mentioned in Revelations?, isn’t a guardian angel.

 

[StrawberryJam]

He just showed up and announced himself and that was it? Nothing more?

Seems like there was not much point to his visit.

 

[Bluegoat]

Hiyas Don

Did the Angel tell him to get back to the Catholic Church

This reminds me of a story I heard about a non-Catholic who received stigmata - I believe she was Church of England. When the local Catholic priest came to see her, he told her it was a sign she should become Catholic. She replied that it was a sign he should join her group.

I personally would be quite surprised if St Michael told me he was my guardian angel, although I don’t know that I would reject it out of hand.

 

[MarcoPolo]

This reminds me of a story I heard about a non-Catholic who received stigmata - I believe she was Church of England. When the local Catholic priest came to see her, he told her it was a sign she should become Catholic. She replied that it was a sign he should join her group.

What was the name of this stigmatist?

 

[Bluegoat]

What was the name of this stigmatist?

I’m afraid I don’t remember - the book I read the account in was when I was in my first year or so of university, so over 10 years ago, and I don’t remember when the woman had lived either, other than in the latter part of the 20th century.

There was also an account of a black American Baptist schoolgirl who had stigmata, which surprised everyone.

I may still have the book, I will have to have a look. It was interesting, not religious really (or non-religious) but looking at all the different cases, research, and theories around stigmata.

 

[StrawberryJam]

This reminds me of a story I heard about a non-Catholic who received stigmata - I believe she was Church of England. When the local Catholic priest came to see her, he told her it was a sign she should become Catholic. She replied that it was a sign he should join her group.

I personally would be quite surprised if St Michael told me he was my guardian angel, although I don’t know that I would reject it out of hand.

Do you have a belief in a guardian angel, Bluegoat?

I was just wondering if that is a tradition your community has.

Peace!

 

[bpbasilphx]

This reminds me of a story I heard about a non-Catholic who received stigmata - I believe she was Church of England. When the local Catholic priest came to see her, he told her it was a sign she should become Catholic. She replied that it was a sign he should join her group.

This is precisely why the Church does not attribute any significance to stigmata as such or by themselves.

 

[IHeartAquinas]

As far as has come to my knowledge, the official Catholic teaching on apparitions is that anything said is to be considered private revelation, because the Catholic Church teaches that all public revelation ceased with the writing of the Book of Revelations by St. John.

At first glance, it would seem to contradict such miracles as Fatima, but I’m not sure that the Church’s position is binding that we must believe that Fatima happened or that we must believe what was said at Fatima. I’m simply unsure, otherwise I would go on.

However, unless this angelic apparition tells your nephew anything insanely ludicrous like “blow up a bus-full of puppies,” I wouldn’t worry too much. Now if he suddenly pops up with “Yet Another Testament of Jesus Christ” dictated to him by the “angel,” I would get worried.

 

[grandfather]

My nephew who is a fallen away catholic and now Pentecostal, I think is studying to be a minister, recently posted a rather peculiar remark on Facebook the otherday. He said that he pulled into his driveway, and when he got out he looked up and was startled. He said a bright light shone forth and it was an angel who spoke to him. The angel said “I am Michael the Ark Angel, your guardian angel, be of comfort and be encouraged.” I know God can send angles as messengers or helpers or guides and I know we all have guardian angels, but I am not sure what to make of this remark. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

There are a number of possible explanations.

Saint Michael appeared to your nephew and introduced himself.

Another spiritual being appeared to your nephew posing as Saint Michael.

Your nephew experienced a hallucination.

Regarding the first, St. Michael is an archangel. Archangels are not guardian angels. This would seem to rule out the first explanation.

That leaves the two latter statements as possible explanations of what happened. There is not enough information to make a determination. Has your nephew had any history of mental problems? Has he delved into the occult? Has he been a drug user? Has he experienced any emotional trauma?

Since your nephew is religious he is aware of the scripture that says Satan can appear as an angel of light. If this happens again, maybe he should ask the spirit to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

[tobbias88]

5 yrs ago, my friend suffering badly from schizophrenia saw many such beings & heard numerous voices (usually on a religious topic). He saw halos & radiant light around people. So the strong possibility is that your nephew is in the early stages of the disease & should seek medical help quick!

My friend is now ‘cured’ but sill on medication.

 

[puzzleannie]

MyWhat is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

the loyal Catholic reports such events to his confessor or spiritual director for discernment, he does not broadcast it on facebook. the Church’s stance is that all such events have a natural explanation until definitely proven otherwise, and the classic advice in spiritual director is to ignore them unless and until they have been discerned. If the supposed apparition gave a message contrary to anything taught by the Church it is by definition false, either imaginary, concocted by a human, or demonic.

 

[puzzleannie]

As
At first glance, it would seem to contradict such miracles as Fatima, but I’m not sure that the Church’s position is binding that we must believe that Fatima happened or that we must believe what was said at Fatima. I’m simply unsure, otherwise I would go on.
.

the Church has made NO binding article of faith based solely on any apparition or private revelation, Fatima included.

 

[Bluegoat]

Do you have a belief in a guardian angel, Bluegoat?

I was just wondering if that is a tradition your community has.

Peace!

Anglican’s understanding of angels is essentially the same as Catholic’s. Some people seem to be interested in the idea of guardian angels, others not so much. To some extent this may relate to the tradition of Anglicanism they come from and its emphasis, but the theological understanding would really be the same. Personally, it isn’t something I think about, though if an angel introduced itself to me that would be different.

 

[Monica4316]

My nephew who is a fallen away catholic and now Pentecostal, I think is studying to be a minister, recently posted a rather peculiar remark on Facebook the otherday. He said that he pulled into his driveway, and when he got out he looked up and was startled. He said a bright light shone forth and it was an angel who spoke to him. The angel said “I am Michael the Ark Angel, your guardian angel, be of comfort and be encouraged.” I know God can send angles as messengers or helpers or guides and I know we all have guardian angels, but I am not sure what to make of this remark. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

there’s something that seems strange about this…

one, that he posted this on facebook… when the Saints had visions, they didn’t tell anyone but their spiritual director. But this was probably because of their holiness…and visions are not proof of holiness. So I don’t know. What I’ve heard of Pentecostals, spiritual experiences are really emphasized in their churches and many of them seek such experiences, but sadly this also opens doors to demons because we shouldn’t seek such things. If God wants to give a special favour, He will… it’s more humble not to seek it though.

Also, I don’t know if St Michael can be any particular person’s guardian Angel. St Frances of Rome’s guardian Angel was an Archangel, but this was a very special grace from God.

As far as has come to my knowledge, the official Catholic teaching on apparitions is that anything said is to be considered private revelation, because the Catholic Church teaches that all public revelation ceased with the writing of the Book of Revelations by St. John.

At first glance, it would seem to contradict such miracles as Fatima, but I’m not sure that the Church’s position is binding that we must believe that Fatima happened or that we must believe what was said at Fatima. I’m simply unsure, otherwise I would go on.

However, unless this angelic apparition tells your nephew anything insanely ludicrous like “blow up a bus-full of puppies,” I wouldn’t worry too much. Now if he suddenly pops up with “Yet Another Testament of Jesus Christ” dictated to him by the “angel,” I would get worried.

the Church teaches that Fatima is private revelation not public. Our Lady of Fatima never said it’s public revelation either.

There are a number of possible explanations.

Saint Michael appeared to your nephew and introduced himself.

Another spiritual being appeared to your nephew posing as Saint Michael.

Your nephew experienced a hallucination.

Regarding the first, St. Michael is an archangel. Archangels are not guardian angels. This would seem to rule out the first explanation.

That leaves the two latter statements as possible explanations of what happened. There is not enough information to make a determination. Has your nephew had any history of mental problems? Has he delved into the occult? Has he been a drug user? Has he experienced any emotional trauma?

Since your nephew is religious he is aware of the scripture that says Satan can appear as an angel of light. If this happens again, maybe he should ask the spirit to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

good post

the loyal Catholic reports such events to his confessor or spiritual director for discernment, he does not broadcast it on facebook. the Church’s stance is that all such events have a natural explanation until definitely proven otherwise, and the classic advice in spiritual director is to ignore them unless and until they have been discerned. If the supposed apparition gave a message contrary to anything taught by the Church it is by definition false, either imaginary, concocted by a human, or demonic.

 

[peary]

My nephew who is a fallen away catholic and now Pentecostal, I think is studying to be a minister, recently posted a rather peculiar remark on Facebook the otherday. He said that he pulled into his driveway, and when he got out he looked up and was startled. He said a bright light shone forth and it was an angel who spoke to him. The angel said “I am Michael the Ark Angel, your guardian angel, be of comfort and be encouraged.” I know God can send angles as messengers or helpers or guides and I know we all have guardian angels, but I am not sure what to make of this remark. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

If it truly was his guardian angel, or even Michael the Archangel (not ‘ark’ angel), then the ‘messenger’ would have told him to return to the Catholic Church, go to confession and receive the Lord in the Eucharist. Otherwise, he’s either making it up or is being stalked by demons.

 

[Bluegoat]

If it truly was his guardian angel, or even Michael the Archangel (not ‘ark’ angel), then the ‘messenger’ would have told him to return to the Catholic Church, go to confession and receive the Lord in the Eucharist. Otherwise, he’s either making it up or is being stalked by demons.

Well, I realize this is a Catholic board, but this post seems to be assuming rather a lot. One that Catholicism is what it thinks - which could, conceivably be wrong. Maybe the Pentecostals are on the right track. But also, that God’s only messages to all non-Catholics is that they should join the Catholic Church. THis doesn’t seem all that likely to me.

 

[mark_a]

My nephew who is a fallen away catholic and now Pentecostal, I think is studying to be a minister, recently posted a rather peculiar remark on Facebook the otherday. He said that he pulled into his driveway, and when he got out he looked up and was startled. He said a bright light shone forth and it was an angel who spoke to him. The angel said “I am Michael the Ark Angel, your guardian angel, be of comfort and be encouraged.” I know God can send angles as messengers or helpers or guides and I know we all have guardian angels, but I am not sure what to make of this remark. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church in such instances?

Don’t the scriptural encounters usually begin with an angel saying something like: “Do not be afraid!”

 

[peary]

Well, I realize this is a Catholic board, but this post seems to be assuming rather a lot. One that Catholicism is what it thinks - which could, conceivably be wrong. Maybe the Pentecostals are on the right track. But also, that God’s only messages to all non-Catholics is that they should join the Catholic Church. THis doesn’t seem all that likely to me.

Either the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by Christ to teach the fullness of Truth or it isn’t. The Holy Spirit WILL NEVER LEAD ONE AWAY FROM THE CHURCH.