A Marian Apparition is a visible manifestation of the Virgin Mary to a visionary, whose purpose is to convey an important message to mankind, such as the need of conversion and prayer. While the Bible and the Dogmas of the church are considered as public revelation, which are ever Catholic must accept by faith, Marian Apparition even those approved by the Church, are classified as private revelation, which a faithfull may or may not accept the true.
As far as Marian Apparition is concerned the Church can make only three (3) statement :
TRUE : Constat de Supernaturalitate ( established as supernatural event)
MAY BE TRUE: Non Constat de supernaturalitat ( not established natural event)
FALSE : Constat de non Supernaturalitate ( established as non supernatural event)
Of the thousand reported Marian Apparition studied by the Church throughout the centuries, only a dozen have been approved. Some apparitions are illusion of the Devil, as St. Paul said: " Satan disguise himself as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11: 14). One time, the Devil appeared to St. Felipe Neri disguised as the Virgin Mary; after spitting on it, the image turned in that Satan who screamed : "How did you you recognize me?" The Saint replied: "Do you think that the Virgin Mary will appear to a sinful priest like me?"
