Special Private Revelations

[ChibiViolet]

I read that special private revelations that have been approved by the Church are “truthful and valid,” but at the same time, we are not required to believe in them. Is the part about them being “truthful and valid” as a sure thing then, written somewhere in some kind of doctrine, or is it only unofficially called so by the author of the article I read (which was a Catholic article that seemed to be legitimate)? I find it very hard to believe in most revelations that are not considered to be in some way official as stated by the Church.

Also, are internal (spiritual) messages from God a form of special private revelation?

 

[Petaro]

Unless approved by the Church I consider published Private Revelations the sign of pride rather than piety. We have enough wisdom and truth in the teachings of the Catholic Church through the encyclicals and writings of the great Popes alone, much less the Councils to keep us busy in our personal reflections. We need not go to the private ramblings of assorted nuns and seers to find our foundations in Christ.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Unless approved by the Church I consider published Private Revelations the sign of pride rather than piety. We have enough wisdom and truth in the teachings of the Catholic Church through the encyclicals and writings of the great Popes alone, much less the Councils to keep us busy in our personal reflections. We need not go to the private ramblings of assorted nuns and seers to find our foundations in Christ.

My first question specifically was about private revelations approved by the Church…I want to know if they are said somewhere to really have officially occurred–meaning it’s on an official document of some kind. I mean some very obviously did because of great miracles that affected many people–like the ones at Fatima and Lourdes, but what about others?

My other question was inspired by something I felt that God was telling me (specially just about myself) on simply a spiritual level. I want to know if that kind of thing counts as a special revelation or not.

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

I think God tells everyone a revelation of some kind on a personal level. Sometimes the revelation is not serious and is not the kind of thing to be told around. I think He does it by the way of prayer sometimes. It doesn’t mean it must be public or anything.

When my dog died, God gave me a beautiful plant. It blooms all the time. It is my special revelation from Him to console me. I don’t need to tell the world about it, nor is it necessary to go to the pastor or the bishop. It was just at a time when my pain over the loss was unbearable, and of course, I told God how I felt. Then I won the plant from the table where several of us were sitting. The number was picked and it was my number.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Our faith is in the public revelation of Christ. We should not put the same credence in private revelation.

The Catechism:

66 "The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ."28 Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.

67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.

Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.

Colin Donovan: Apparitions/Private Revelations
ewtn.com/expert/answers/apparitions.htm

 

[Petaro]

My first question specifically was about private revelations approved by the Church…I want to know if they are said somewhere to really have officially occurred–meaning it’s on an official document of some kind. I mean some very obviously did because of great miracles that affected many people–like the ones at Fatima and Lourdes, but what about others?

My other question was inspired by something I felt that God was telling me (specially just about myself) on simply a spiritual level. I want to know if that kind of thing counts as a special revelation or not.

I take your point. It may well be that the interior message you hear may be coming from God. I am not sure that it is a special revelation. Perhaps your spiritual advisor may direct you better. I would pray to the Holy Spirit that the Paraclete may open your ears to God in whatever medium He may desire to communicate.
I personally am not holy enough to presume that I am in any special level of communication with my Christ expect perhaps in some sad and humble prayers. God bless you in your quest. Pray to the Holy Spirit.

 

[thistle]

I read that special private revelations that have been approved by the Church are “truthful and valid,” but at the same time, we are not required to believe in them. Is the part about them being “truthful and valid” as a sure thing then, written somewhere in some kind of doctrine, or is it only unofficially called so by the author of the article I read (which was a Catholic article that seemed to be legitimate)? I find it very hard to believe in most revelations that are not considered to be in some way official as stated by the Church.

Also, are internal (spiritual) messages from God a form of special private revelation?

CCC 67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Our faith is in the public revelation of Christ. We should not put the same credence in private revelation.

The Catechism:

Colin Donovan: Apparitions/Private Revelations
ewtn.com/expert/answers/apparitions.htm

I read that before…It was basically all I could find on the subject and did not answer my questions…I really want to believe in the Divine Mercy Revelation (like of the promises of the Divine Mercy Chaplet), but find it very hard to, even though the Church approves it–because there seems to be nothing official saying its real, or really proving it either, and find it very hard to know when to believe I’ve actually heard God speak to my heart…I can’t bring myself to believe I really know God’s Voice when it feels and has often felt that He says things to my heart that contradict reality–like that I’m called to be a nun (yes, there are real obstacles to that.) There are certainly times I can tell when God is speaking to me, when the messages are very basic things I know (like that He loves me,) but when it comes to specifics I have to wonder…

More importantly, and the main reason I have asked this question is that the Council of Trent stated (I paraphrase) that one cannot believe definitely that one is going to Heaven, except by special Revelation and I want to make sure that God speaking to one’s heart is a special revelation that would make that acceptable. Of course, if I were able to believe about the promises of Divine Mercy than that could be acceptable to believe that what God says to me is true based on that…yet still, there’s the issue of not even being positive of knowing God is even really saying such a thing…

 

[fhansen]

I read that before…It was basically all I could find on the subject and did not answer my questions…I really want to believe in the Divine Mercy Revelation (like of the promises of the Divine Mercy Chaplet), but find it very hard to, even though the Church approves it–because there seems to be nothing official saying its real, or really proving it either, and find it very hard to know when to believe I’ve actually heard God speak to my heart…I can’t bring myself to believe I really know God’s Voice when it feels and has often felt that He says things to my heart that contradict reality–like that I’m called to be a nun (yes, there are real obstacles to that.) There are certainly times I can tell when God is speaking to me, when the messages are very basic things I know (like that He loves me,) but when it comes to specifics I have to wonder…

More importantly, and the main reason I have asked this question is that the Council of Trent stated (I paraphrase) that one cannot believe definitely that one is going to Heaven, except by special Revelation and I want to make sure that God speaking to one’s heart is a special revelation that would make that acceptable. Of course, if I were able to believe about the promises of Divine Mercy than that could be acceptable to believe that what God says to me is true based on that…yet still, there’s the issue of not even being positive of knowing God is even really saying such a thing…

Even St Teresa of Avila questioned her revelations at times, in humble acknowledgement of her human limitations. And yet her experiences were uncompromisingly profound, direct communications of God to her leaving no realistic room to doubt that she’d been authentically, supernaturally gifted, touched, enlightened by an infinitely superior, yet somehow familiar, Being.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Does anyone know the actual Catholic definition of special private revelation and if interior communication counts as that?

I don’t want to believe something contrary to the Council of Trent and the Divine Mercy revelations have not been said to be true at all officially, have they, or proven in some other way? I want very badly to believe that God has really told me I’m really going to get to Heaven in the end…I mean, I don’t obsess over it, but I often think about the risk of damnation (a part of me wants it though, it seems–crazy as that sounds…it’s just that upon refection, I’ve realized a part of me really hates myself, because of my tendency to commit certain mortal sins…)

 

[fhansen]

Does anyone know the actual Catholic definition of special private revelation and if interior communication counts as that?

I don’t want to believe something contrary to the Council of Trent and the Divine Mercy revelations have not been said to be true at all officially, have they, or proven in some other way? I want very badly to believe that God has really told me I’m really going to get to Heaven in the end…I mean, I don’t obsess over it, but I often think about the risk of damnation (a part of me wants it though, it seems–crazy as that sounds…it’s just that upon refection, I’ve realized a part of me really hates myself, because of my tendency to commit certain mortal sins…)

“Locutions” are interior communications commonly understood (by Catholics, anyway) to be one of the types of experiences given to men as a private revelation. They consist of a message directly received and understood as coming not from their own minds, but from another Person as it were. They may be somewhat matter of fact in their tone, but profoundly extraordinary in any case to the receiver. It’s best not to covet them-or any private revelations-although who wouldn’t want to be touched by God in that way? Those who receive them tend to be people who have a heart for God, a hunger for Him, seeking Him earnestly, while not looking for or expecting any special response. They strengthen faith, and yet they don’t overwhelm us so greatly that we don’t still have to walk by faith, rather than by sight, and remain cognizant of our human limitations to know anything absolutely about the supernatural realm. It’s also best not to wish that a particular experience is real; if we resort to wishing, our certainty is already obviously circumspect-so what good is it doing us?

 

[ChibiViolet]

“Locutions” are interior communications commonly understood (by Catholics, anyway) to be one of the types of experiences given to men as a private revelation. They consist of a message directly received and understood as coming not from their own minds, but from another Person as it were. They may be somewhat matter of fact in their tone, but profoundly extraordinary in any case to the receiver. It’s best not to covet them-or any private revelations-although who wouldn’t want to be touched by God in that way? Those who receive them tend to be people who have a heart for God, a hunger for Him, seeking Him earnestly, while not looking for or expecting any special response. They strengthen faith, and yet they don’t overwhelm us so greatly that we don’t still have to walk by faith, rather than by sight, and remain cognizant of our human limitations to know anything absolutely about the supernatural realm. It’s also best not to wish that a particular experience is real; if we resort to wishing, our certainty is already obviously circumspect-so what good is it doing us?

I was merely trying to figure out if I were ALLOWED to believe in a message that really felt to be from God–one that I know I am allowed to believe in as long as I believe in any or all private revelations approved by the Church, that support it like the Divine Mercy revelations, but none are said to be true in any kind of official way, or proved by miracles either. I guess it’s just safest not to believe it is. I might go to Hell and that’s just the way it is. That’s what I usually tell myself and I guess I’m right to do so. If the knowledge (that I tell myself) feels like it hardens my heart and or distresses my spirit, no matter. They are only feelings and we are not to permit our feelings to control our beliefs. They come and go like the wind for most of us and so they are with me.

 

[fhansen]

I was merely trying to figure out if I were ALLOWED to believe in a message that really felt to be from God–one that I know I am allowed to believe in as long as I believe in any or all private revelations approved by the Church, that support it like the Divine Mercy revelations, but none are said to be true in any kind of official way, or proved by miracles either. I guess it’s just safest not to believe it is. I might go to Hell and that’s just the way it is. That’s what I usually tell myself and I guess I’m right to do so. If the knowledge (that I tell myself) feels like it hardens my heart and or distresses my spirit, no matter. They are only feelings and we are not to permit our feelings to control our beliefs. They come and go like the wind for most of us and so they are with me.

It’s fine to believe it-that’s between you and God anyway and you’re the only one in a position to know. No man even has the right to interfere with that- yes, it absolutely* can *happen. The Church doesn’t need to approve of a PR in order for it to be valid-and wouldn’t have the time anyway.

 

[ChibiViolet]

It’s fine to believe it-that’s between you and God anyway and you’re the only one in a position to know. No man even has the right to interfere with that- yes, it absolutely* can *happen. The Church doesn’t need to approve of a PR in order for it to be valid-and wouldn’t have the time anyway.

Thank you. I never once thought that my feelings from God would be “Church approved” though–just that they would need to be backed up by ones that are–because of what the Council of Trent says. I don’t know if I really even do know God’s Voice to the point where I could say it was truly Him every time I thought He really spoke to me…I’ve gotten confused by certain more specific things that seem to contradict reality (like feeling called for so long to be a nun when I know intellectually that I can’t be one.)

 

[KiwiBliss]

Thank you. I never once thought that my feelings from God would be “Church approved” though–just that they would need to be backed up by ones that are–because of what the Council of Trent says. I don’t know if I really even do know God’s Voice to the point where I could say it was truly Him every time I thought He really spoke to me…I’ve gotten confused by certain more specific things that seem to contradict reality (like feeling called for so long to be a nun when I know intellectually that I can’t be one.)

What you’re experiencing is understandable. You don’t need the smarts to be a nun. Any religious order teaches you amid discerning about their lifestyle, charisms, etc. to be part of that community. If you desire to be a nun for the right reasons for God within that call and yet still feel like you’re incapable, what’s holding you back in fear is not from God. Like a prayer; there’s no right or wrong way in doing so…explore the call with God to see where He’s leading you along the journey of faith, hope, & love.