Is it wrong to ask for a Marian apparition?

[brycehecht]

I’m not sure if this should be somewhere else, but could someone tell me of it is wrong to ask for a Marian apparition? I feel like a fool for asking something like this, but is it wrong to pray for one of these occurrences? Or do these just happen? What causes them to happen? Any information welcomed. Thanks.

 

[TradAvenger]

I would not say it’s wrong of itself, in the sense that it’s always permitted to ask for a miracle. I suppose a contingent question is: why do you want a private revelation? What do you hope to accomplish by it?

 

[brycehecht]

I am searching for confirmation in my vocation. Even for only being 16, I am still very confident in my vocation. I have never felt so passionately, intensely, and intimately about anything in my life. I long to live for God as a religious/priest and serve. I yearn for it so bad. It is such an intense drive. It is almost similar to being in a state of religious ecstasy. I have never done anything that can make you high, so I don’t know what it feels like to be high, but I have a pretty good idea this is what its like. I feel so lose, full of love, full of joy. I want confirmation from something.

 

[bben15]

In my opinion, by asking for a Marian apparition, you basically saying that you are worthy of a Marian apparition. A Marian apparition is a holy thing, and Our Lady doesn’t appear to you just because you want to see her. She appears for a purpose.

Plus, if you want a private revelation, that means you do not need it. A Marian apparition is supposed to strengthen faith. Since you are asking for an apparition, your faith does not need strengthened because it is already strong.

 

[MaryT777]

I am searching for confirmation in my vocation. Even for only being 16, I am still very confident in my vocation. I have never felt so passionately, intensely, and intimately about anything in my life. I long to live for God as a religious/priest and serve. I yearn for it so bad. It is such an intense drive. It is almost similar to being in a state of religious ecstasy. I have never done anything that can make you high, so I don’t know what it feels like to be high, but I have a pretty good idea this is what its like. I feel so lose, full of love, full of joy. I want confirmation from something.

You have already discerned your vocation; your sign is your confidence and joy in that
realization.
Mary.

 

[JRKH]

I’m not sure if this should be somewhere else, but could someone tell me of it is wrong to ask for a Marian apparition? I feel like a fool for asking something like this, but is it wrong to pray for one of these occurrences? Or do these just happen? What causes them to happen? Any information welcomed. Thanks.

I am searching for confirmation in my vocation. Even for only being 16, I am still very confident in my vocation. I have never felt so passionately, intensely, and intimately about anything in my life. I long to live for God as a religious/priest and serve. I yearn for it so bad. It is such an intense drive. It is almost similar to being in a state of religious ecstasy. I have never done anything that can make you high, so I don’t know what it feels like to be high, but I have a pretty good idea this is what its like. I feel so lose, full of love, full of joy. I want confirmation from something.

Given what you write here…Yes I would say it is wrong.
You say that you want confirmation - and you want it in a very specific way - So - what if Mary does not appear to you…what happens if God gives you a different confirmation and you miss it?
Do you have your faith damaged? Do you renounce your vocation because the confirmations that came were not the ones you were looking for??

I think that it is good to pray for confirmation…but I do not think it good to pray for something so specific…

May God’s will be done in your life.

Peace
James

 

[HelenRose]

I’m not sure if this should be somewhere else, but could someone tell me of it is wrong to ask for a Marian apparition? I feel like a fool for asking something like this, but is it wrong to pray for one of these occurrences? Or do these just happen? What causes them to happen? Any information welcomed. Thanks.

Mary is your mother. You can ask her for anything. She will smile and perhaps you will feel her presence and her smile.

I disagree with the idea that we can not turn to her with any request, no matter how foolish it may seem to others. God knows what is in your heart anyway so why try to pretend in your heart that the desire is not there.

She may say, “Not know child but someday perhaps.”

 

[JRKH]

Mary is your mother. You can ask her for anything. She will smile and perhaps you will feel her presence and her smile.

I disagree with the idea that we can not turn to her with any request, no matter how foolish it may seem to others. God knows what is in your heart anyway so why try to pretend in your heart that the desire is not there.

She may say, “Not know child but someday perhaps.”

An excellent reply Helen…We should indeed be confident to go to our Mother and Father in prayer and make any request.
But our friend needs to know that there are dangers attached to such things if not done in the proper frame of mind and with a certain amount of spiritual maturity - and given that he is 16 and discerning the priesthood - perhaps the best advice we can give him is to discuss this matter with his spiritual or vocational director.
Then be guided by the advice of that person.

Peace
James

 

[brycehecht]

What would you say is a good sign that your vocation has been confirmed? Will it be a spiritual thing, will you just know it?

 

[choliks]

Not to douse your desire for an apparition to you by our Blessed Mother, but the Church is the one who confirms your vocation.

James is right. See a spiritual or a vocation director. He will help you in discerning your vocation, be it the religious life or the priesthood.

 

[AndyP2010]

To the good advise already given I add this. You might get more of an answer than you bargained for in that she might tell you more than just yes or no. Also remember the devil might make use of the knowledge that you desire such a sign to deceive you. You might want to pray the St. Michael prayer and ask for assistance from your guardian angel.

St. Michael the archangel defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil
May G_d rebuke him we humbly pray
and do thou oh Prince of the heavenly host by the power of G_d
trust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls

 

[latin_masser]

Seeking the spiritual is risky as you have no assurance of who ends up responding. I think it’s important to recognize that spiritual maturity is a must in such matters.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I do not believe we are to be asking or seeking such things as apparitions. As in any apparition, we cannot be sure what or who is behind it. All such things need to be subjected to the wisdom of the Church. Besides, when apparitions of the BVM occur, they, although private revelations, have a public message, they are not for one’s personal benefit.

Solicited apparitions, if they occur, could be very dangerous. Even the unsolicited ones need a great deal of investigation, and most of them are NOT declared worthy of belief.

 

[Timothysis]

Either your faith is honest and true or it isn’t. If you need an apparition to confirm your thoughts and beliefs, then I think there is a problem.

Though I don’t remember which saint it was, he scolded persons who desired miracles or apparitions because it indicates a weak or calculating faith.

 

[choliks]

It is important to note though, that the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Maximilian Kolbe when he was young. She made him choose either the white crown (living a life of purity) or a red crown (martyrdom). He chose both.