Mother Mary Apparitions

Mother Mary Apparitions

Major Church-Approved Apparitions

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531) – Mexico
Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill.
She stands on a crescent moon in the miraculous tilma image

2. Our Lady of Lourdes (1858) – France
Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous 18 times.
Message: prayer, penance, healing.

3. Our Lady of Fatima (1917) – Portugal
Mary appeared to three shepherd children (Lucia, Jacinta, Francisco).
Message: repentance, rosary, consecration.
The Miracle of the Sun occurred here.

4. Our Lady of La Salette (1846) – France
Two children saw a weeping Mother Mary.
Message: reconciliation and conversion.

5. Our Lady of Knock (1879) – Ireland
Mary appeared silently with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist.
A symbolic apparition with no spoken message.

6. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (1830) – Paris, France
Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouré.
Message: Wear the Miraculous Medal.

7. Our Lady of Beauraing (1932–33) – Belgium
Known as the “Virgin of the Golden Heart.”

8. Our Lady of Banneux (1933) – Belgium
Mary revealed herself as the Virgin of the Poor.

Below are not endorsed by the Church; included only because people ask about them.

Medjugorje (Bosnia) – ongoing investigation
Garabandal (Spain)
Akita (Japan) – locally approved, not universally
Kibeho (Rwanda) – approved by local bishop
Zeitoun (Egypt) – Coptic-approved
San Nicolas (Argentina) – locally approved

Timeline of Mother Mary Apparitions

(Approved by the Church)

• 40 AD – Zaragoza, Spain (Our Lady of the Pillar)
  Mary appeared to Apostle James while still alive (bilocation)
• Middle Ages (1200–1500)
  1214 – Toulouse, France (St. Dominic – Rosary Tradition)
  Mary gives the Rosary to St. Dominic (tradition supported by Church).
• 16th Century
  1531 – Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico)
  Mary appears to Juan Diego; miraculous tilma image with Mary standing on the moon.
• 1570 - Vailankanni (Our Lady of Good Health), India
  Mary appeared to a young shepherd boy near Velankanni, later to crippled buttermilk seller
  Later in the 17th century, she is said to have saved Portuguese sailors from a storm, who then built a permanent shrine. The shrine was elevated to a Basilica in 1962.
• 17th Century
  1608 – Our Lady of Siluva (Lithuania)
  1664–1718 – Our Lady of Laus (France)
  Apparitions to Benoîte Rencurel.
• 19th Century (Age of Major Apparitions)
  1830 – Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Paris, France)
  To St. Catherine Labouré.
• 1846 – Our Lady of La Salette (France)
  Two shepherd children.
• 1858 – Our Lady of Lourdes (France)
  18 apparitions to St. Bernadette.
• 1871 – Pontmain (France)
  Mary appears to children during the war.
• 1879 – Our Lady of Knock (Ireland)
  Silent apparition with Joseph & John.
• 20th Century
  1917 – Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal)
  Three shepherd children; Miracle of the Sun.
• 1932–33 – Beauraing (Belgium)
  “Virgin of the Golden Heart.”
• 1933 – Banneux (Belgium)
  Virgin of the Poor.
• 1973 – Akita (Japan)
  Marian messages about prayer & suffering; tears from statue.
• 1981–1989 – Kibeho (Rwanda)
  Visions warning of coming genocide.

Approved Marian Apparitions & Their Messages

Below is apparition → main message summary:

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531, Mexico)

Message:

“I am the Mother of all who live in this land.”

Bring peace, end violence, convert hearts.

Build a church so people can find hope in Christ.

2. Our Lady of Lezajsk (1578, Poland)

Message:

Pray and trust God.

Mary protects the region from danger.

3. Our Lady of Šiluva (1608–1612, Lithuania)

Message:

Return to the Catholic faith.

Restore churches destroyed by the Reformation.

4. Our Lady of Laus (1664–1718, France)

Message:

Repentance and conversion.

Healing through confession.

Build a chapel where sinners can return to God.

5. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (1830, Paris – St. Catherine Labouré)

Message:

Wear the Miraculous Medal for grace, protection, and conversion.

Pray for the world and for sinners.

6. Our Lady of La Salette (1846, France)

Message:

Return to prayer, especially Sunday Mass.

Stop blasphemy.

Do penance to avoid chastisements.

7. Our Lady of Lourdes (1858, France – St. Bernadette)

Message:

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Pray the rosary.

Penance for sinners.

Healing through the Lourdes spring.

8. Our Lady of Pontmain (1871, France)

Message:

“Pray, my children; God will answer soon.”

Hope during war; prayer brings peace.

9. Our Lady of Gietrzwałd (1877, Poland)

Message:

Daily Rosary.

Encouragement for the oppressed Polish people.

Mary speaks in their native language.

10. Our Lady of Knock (1879, Ireland)

Message:

Silent apparition: Mary, St. Joseph, St. John.

Message of comfort, silent prayer, and hope during famine.

11. Our Lady of Fátima (1917, Portugal)

Message:

Daily Rosary for peace.

Penance and conversion.

Vision of hell and warnings about war.

Consecration of Russia to Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

12. Our Lady of Beauraing – “Virgin of the Golden Heart” (1932–33, Belgium)

Message:

“Pray always.”

Mary’s heart loves and heals.

Call children and families to holiness.

13. Our Lady of Banneux – “Virgin of the Poor” (1933, Belgium)

Message:

“I am the Virgin of the Poor.”

Jesus heals the suffering.

Faith and trust bring relief.

For all nations, especially the poor and sick.

14. Our Lady of Kibeho (1981–1989, Rwanda)

Message:

Repentance to avoid future violence (fulfilled in the Rwandan genocide).

Pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows.

Conversion and reconciliation.

🇮🇳 India – Notes

Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni

(Not formally declared an apparition like Lourdes or Fatima, but devotion is approved)

Message (Tradition):

Compassion, healing, and service.

Help the poor and sick.

Trust in Jesus through Mary.

The 7 Archangels

Tobit 12:15 “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand before the Lord.”

Revelation 8:2 “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God…”

1. Michael

   Protector and leader of God’s army
   Mentioned in Daniel 10:13, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7

2. Gabriel

   Messenger of God
   Appeared to Mary in Luke 1:26–38, Daniel 8:16

3. Raphael

Angel of healing and protection
Mentioned in Tobit 12:15

The Other Four (from tradition)

4. Uriel

   Associated with wisdom and light

5. Selaphiel

   Associated with prayer and worship

6. Jegudiel

   Associated with work and perseverance

7. Barachiel

   Associated with blessings and grace

Apostles of Jesus

1. Peter: (Greek: Petros meaning ‘Rock’) Peter was one of the most prominent of the 12 disciples. He was a natural spokesperson and also the leader of the early Christian church. His original Hebrew name was Simeon (ശിമയോൻ), a common popular Hebrew name. Jesus gave him a name ‘Cephas‘, an Aramaic name. John translated into it Greek ‘Petros‘(പത്രോസ് ) meaning Rock. (John 1:42 – “you will be called Cephas.”)
   
   STATEMENTS: Matthew 16:16 “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
   Matthew 16:18 “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
   John 21:17 “Feed my sheep.”
   Luke 22:61–62 “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter… And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
   Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
   Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else…”
   Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
   Peter 1:16 “Be holy, because I am holy.”
   
   FAMILY: Peter was a native of Bethsaida (John 1:44), was the brother of Andrew, lived in a fishing town- Capernaum. (Mark 1:29)
   His father name is Jonah. Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
   He was a married man. (Mark 1:30, 1 Cor 9:5)
   PROFESSION: He was a fisherman by occupation on the Sea of Galilee.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Peter

   
   
2. John: (Aramaic: Yohanan, meaning: God is gracious, Mal: യോഹന്നാൻ) John was originally the disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35), and was introduced to Jesus in John 1:35-39. (Mark 1:19-20). He was one of the three disciples, closest to Jesus, the others being Peter and James.
   Called “Son of Thunder” (Mark 3:17)
   believed to have written: Gospel of John, Epistles of John, Book of Revelation
   
   STATEMENTS: John 13:24–25 At the Last Supper, John leans toward Jesus Christ and asks: “Lord, who is it?”
   Luke 9:49, Mark 9:38 John says: “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.”
   Luke 9:54 When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus: “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
   Acts 4:19 John (with Peter) replies: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!”
   John 21:24 While not a spoken conversation, John gives a personal testimony: “This is the disciple who testifies to these things…”
   
   FAMILY: He was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee. He lived in Capernaum in Galilee, but most probably a native of Bethsaida. Matthew 27:56 (mentions “mother of the sons of Zebedee”) as Salome.
   PROFESSION: He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee along with his brother and father.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of John

   
   

   

   Seven churches location from Revelation

   
   
3. James the greater: (Hebrew: Yaʿqob, Greek: Iakobos, English: Jacob meaning Israel or he who supplants his Brother, Mal: യാക്കോബ്). He was the first disciple (apostle) to be martyred. (Acts 12:2)
   
   FAMILY: James was the son of Zebedee (Mat 4:21), the older brother of John (Mat 17:1) Matthew 27:56 (mentions “mother of the sons of Zebedee”) as Salome.
   PROFESSION: a fisherman along with his brother and father at the Sea of Galilee, in partnership with Peter and Andrew. (Luke 5:10).
4. Andrew: (Greek: Andreas, meaning ‘Manly’, man, Mal: അന്ത്രയോസ്)
   
   STATEMENTS: First apostle: John 1:40–41 “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’
   John 6:8–9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish…”
   John 12:21–22 “They came to Philip… Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.”
   
   FAMILY: brother of Simon Peter, the son of Jonah, lived in Capernaum like his brother
   PROFESSION: was a fisherman by occupation.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Andrew

   
   
5. Philip: (Greek: Philippos, meaning ‘Lover of horses’, Mal: ഫിലിപ്പോസ്). He was a close friend of Andrew and Peter, and a native of Bethsaida (John 1:44).
   
   STATEMENTS: Jesus called Philip near Bethany where John the Baptist was preaching (John 1:43).
   John 1:45-46 Philip tells Nathanael: “We have found the one Moses wrote about… Jesus of Nazareth.”
   John 6:5-7 Jesus tests Philip: “Where shall we buy bread for these people?”
   John 14:8-9 Philip says: “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Philip

   
   
6. Bartholomew: (Greek: bartholomaios, Aramaic: Bar-Tolmai meaning Son of Talmai ("my furrow")).
   
   Most Christian scholars believe that Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person:
   1. Nathanael appears only in John Gospel of John mentions Nathanael (John 1:45–49, 21:2)
   2. Bartholomew appears in other Gospels
   3. Close connection with Philip
   John 1:45–49 “Philip found Nathanael and told him… ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about… Jesus of Nazareth.’ Nathanael said… ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’”
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Bartholomew

   
   
7. Thomas: (Greek: Thomas, Aramaic: te’oma meaning ‘twin’) He is also called ‘Didymus’ or ‘the Twin’ (John 11:16, 20:24, 21:2). When Jesus appeared to the apostles after His resurrection, Thomas was not present with them. Later on, when the disciples told him about Jesus’ appearance, he would not believe them, until Jesus showed Himself a week later. (John 20:24-29). His occupation is unknown.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Thomas

   
   

   

   Seven and half churches established by St. Thomas

   
   

   

   Seven and half churches location map

   
   
8. Matthew: (Greek: maththaios, meaning ‘gift of Yahweh’) is also called ‘Levi’ (Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27). He was a tax collector by occupation. Jesus called him to be one of his disciples, when he was at the tax office (Mat 9:9, Mark 2:14). Luke 5:29 Mark 2:15 Matthew (Levi) organizes a great banquet for Jesus Christ.
   He is ascribed to be the author of the Gospel according to Matthew.
   Mark 2:14 As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus (ഹൽപൈ) sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of Matthew

9. James the less/minor: (meaning younger, to distinguish him from the other James, who was also a disciple) (Hebrew: Yaʿqob, Greek: Iakobos, English: Jacob meaning Israel or he who supplants his Brother, Mal: യാക്കോബ്)
   
   FAMILY: Father: Alphaeus (ഹൽപൈ) (Mark 3:18)
   Mother: Mary Matthew 27:56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
   Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
   
   

   

   Missionary Journey of James

10. Thaddaeus: He is mentioned in two of the four lists of Jesus’ disciples. (Mat 10:3, Mark 3:18). In the other two lists he is variously called as Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. This is only times he speaks: John 14:22 “Judas (not Iscariot) said, ‘Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’”
    
    FAMILY: Father: James/യാക്കോബ് (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13)
    
    

    

    Missionary Journey of Thaddaeus

11. Simon the Zealot: (Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13), he also called as Simon the Cananaean (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18) This does not mean he was from Canaan. It comes from an Aramaic word meaning “zealous”, which is why Luke uses “Zealot.”
    
    

    

    Missionary Journey of Simon

12. Judas Iscariot: He is the disciple who betrayed Jesus. His last name ‘Iscariot’ is from the Hebrew word ‘Ish Kerioth‘ meaning ‘a man from Kerioth’, a place in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:25). He was a treasurer of the group. (John 12:6,13:29). After his betrayal of Jesus, he grieved for his actions and committed suicide. (Matthew 27:5). He is always mentioned last in the list of apostles.
13. Matthias: After Judas committed suicide after his betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 27:3–10), the eleven disciples selected Matthias as the twelfth disciple.
    

    

    Missionary Journey of Matthias

Missionary Journey of Paul

Missionary Journeys of Apostles

Manner of death of apostles

Jude 1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James