Maria Divine Mercy

Alex,what is the message our Blessed Mother stressed at Garabandal? REPENTANCE,DAILY MASS,DAILY COMMUNION,CONFESSION,THE ROSARY, THE BROWN SCAPULAR,THE MORNING OFFERING. These are the backbone of the Catholic faith !

 

So??? The backbone of the Catholic Faith does not need apparitions.

 

Need ? Really Alex ? Look around ,about 20-25 % of Catholics DON'T even bother going to mass anymore. The world is in moral decay. Abortion is the norm,not the sin. WE NEED THESE MESSAGES TO WAKE UP ALL CHRISTIANS ,BUT ESPECIALLY CATHOLICS ! Why do you think Mary is so busy appearing around the world ? She is trying to warn us !

 

The Catholic Faith does not need apparitions to affirm its authority. People may need to wake up with these messages. But only when approved by the Church. Why seek out apparitions and revelations when you can learn from reading your catechism?

 

I repeat. Is that what you would have said to those who, before Church approval witnessed the miracle of the Sun at Fatima and who received physical healings at Lourdes. 'Stay away, don't listen, don't read about it, don't believe'? Would you have said this?

 

The Flemish theologian E. Dhanis, an eminent scholar in this field, states succinctly that ecclesiastical approval of a private revelation has three elements: the message contains nothing contrary to faith or morals; it is lawful to make it public; and the faithful are authorized to accept it with prudence. . . . Such a message can be a genuine help in understanding the Gospel and living it better at a particular moment in time; therefore it should not be disregarded. It is a help which is offered, but which one is not obliged to use.

 

Private revelations are a HELP, provided it is approved by the Church, "but which one is not obliged to use."

 

I did not "seek" out this apparition. The mere fact that the Blessed Mother appeared for 4 YEARS ,and over 2000 TIMES in Garabandal, signifies MARY WANTED US TO PAY ATTENTION TO HER MESSAGES.

 

"In the private revelations approved by the Church — and therefore also in Fatima — this is the point: they help us to understand the signs of the times and to respond to them rightly in faith. . . ."
http://cinemacatechism.blogspot.com/2010/10/theological-commentary-on-fatima.html

I am talking about APPROVED private revelations, not those that have not been approved or under investigation.

 

For as long the messages do not contain doctrinal errors.

Then again, how many catholics know how to detect these errors if they are not well-schooled in at least the catechism? That is why we leave the discernment to the Church authority on these things. Because when you start embracing seers that have not been approved by the church, you risk falling into the same trap that MDM has laid out.

 

WE KNOW THAT, NO-ONE HAS ARGUED THAT POINT but you keep repeating it.

 

And I will repeat it again and again for people who will insist on putting their faith on alleged private revelations that do not have Church approval.

 

It's one to thing to read about them, or visit the site for curiosity, it's another to put them on the same level as the deposit of faith. Like I said, no one is obliged to believe in an apparition or revelation even if church approved.

 

I resent the fact that you think my faith is based on this apparition,IT IS NOT ! I have been a lifelong Orthodox Catholic. This apostolate has been a blessing placed in my lap,and working with and knowing Joey & Conchita ,and watching the "good fruits" that have come from it , cement in my mind ,this is from God.

 

http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/apparitions.htm

No private revelation can ever be necessary for salvation, though its content may obviously coincide with what is necessary for salvation as known from Scripture and Tradition. The person who believes the teachings of the Magisterium, utilizes devoutly the sacramental means of sanctification and prayer, and remains in Communion with the Pope and the bishops in union with him, is already employing the necessary means of salvation. A private revelation may recall wayward individuals to the faith, stir the devotion of the already pious, encourage prayer and penance on behalf of others, but it cannot substitute for the Catholic faith, the sacraments and hierarchical communion with the Pope and bishops.

 

You like putting words into my mouth? Where did I say that your faith is based on apparitions? I said and I say it again, you cannot and should never put private revelations on the same level as the deposit of faith.

 

Alex , NO ONE here has based their faith on private revelation, for goodness sake, you've made your point,it is mute now.

 

Just point to me my statement that says people here are basing their faith on revelations. What I am up against is people who put private revelations on the same level as their faith, approved or not. If that is moot, so be it. Not "mute."

 

If you are saying that I put any apparition on the same level as the deposit of faith because I am inclined to believe in one or more of them is a very grave spiritual accusation. Where do you get off judging my spiritual state. And would you answer my question about those who preempted the decision on Fatima and Lourdes (third time of asking).

 

Grave spiritual accusation? You believe in them right? So what is there to accuse? I already answered your question. I don't hold apparitions as necessary to my faith. If they are reminders, fine, but i don't need them. I stand firmly on the Deposit of Faith. I do not bother with these revelations, even approved ones. Approved ones only make them credible as having supernatural origin. But I am not obliged to put them on the same level as scripture, the sacred traditions and the magisterium.