Different churches make various claims about supernatural events like Fatima, stigmata, exorcisms, Marian apparitions, divine encounters with Christ, bleeding Hosts, etc. Do you believe in these supernatural events and how much do they convict you to join or take seriously the churches in which these events are purported to occur? What sort of ecumenical appreciation do you take away from reading about these events and to what degree do you discount them, shrug them off, or accept them?
What part does the supernatural of the post-Biblical age play in your faith journey and choice of Church?
When I was a Protestant I didn’t take much notice of post-Biblical age supernatural events. I ought to point out though that I’ve had my own fair share of supernatural experiences - my father turning up in my room the night he died (when I was still an atheist), three and three only “double whammies” (like a very strong breath going through you from head to foot. My Catholic psychiatrist coined the term for this usage, because he’s had them himself). a voice speaking very clearly on a couple of occasions related to specific issues (again my psychiatrist has had the same experience - I’ve written about it on other posts, when he was told to “Go to Maclean”), heavy gripping pressures (demonic), the available light changing at night to a sort of sinister hue (also demonic), and a fair number of other events, some of them quite subtle and sometimes very deceptive.
I had a pastor who was uncannily accurate with his predictions. He was prophetic. I became aware of a “ghost” at a place where I worked for a short time (he committed suicide about forty to fifty years ago). I’ve heard of other people’s experiences from time to time. I get a sense of peace sometimes when a Christian dies, usually someone I know. I’ve had brief visions in which someone has spoken to me.
I’ve heard people speaking in tongues, but never spoken in them myself. I’ve met at least three Protestants who had an exorcism ministry and one of them in particular related a few of his experiences. I’ve seen looks of judgment on the faces of other people, and on one uncomfortable occasion, thought I was going to literally disintegrate. I had to pull over as I was driving at the time.
I’ve heard a former homosexual say that at his second suicide attempt Christ appeared in the corner of the room, moved towards him, and somehow merged. From that time on he never even had to struggle with homosexual temptation.
So I don’t have trouble believing in Marian incidents, other people’s experiences, stigmata, levitation, and the like.
What I do look for is corroborating evidence. I’m not particularly impressed when someone sees Christ in their breakfast cereal. But when 70,000 witnesses say they saw the sun dance at Fatima, the ground and clothes dry supernaturally, and the predictions made come true, then I’m inclined to believe it. Especially when I see the startlingly incorrupt St. Bernadette Soubirous as corollary evidence
On the other hand my BS meter goes off fairly quickly when I think so called seers are promoting their own political beliefs via alleged apparitions.
I believe Padre Pio and other saints through the centuries, had the stigmata.
If I think there is one particularly important supernatural sign these days, its the Marian apparitions. Even my old Protestant pastor said to me, long before I became Catholic (which he also predicted would happen), “There’s been a lot of them (Marian apparitions). I think they’re a judgement on a divided church”.
Since I equate the
approved Marian apparitions equate with the “portent in heaven” in Chapter 12 of Revelation and therefore they have biblical backing, then I think the warnings should be heeded. Since they also come through Catholic and to a lesser extent the Orthodox Church, with sightings in islamic countries (eg. at Zeitoun in Egypt), but over a church, then suspect she’s indicated the Catholic Church is closest to the truth, but accepts the honour given her by the Orthodox and Moslem adherents.
The point is however that until I became a Christian, I had no real time for alleged supernatural events, even though I’d already experienced some myself(!). And I didn’t take much notice of Marianism, stigmata, levitation etc. until I became Catholic.
But I had to make the leap of faith first. Although my probably cynical guardian angel would probably say, “Leap? Garbage!! You were pushed, mate.”
when they could be reading about apparitions and bilocutions?!
