While most Catholics are familiar with such Marian apparitions as Lourdes and Fatima, few are aware of miraculous events that have received much less fanfare.
Wincenty Łaszewski aims to shed light on a number of lesser known private revelations in his book The World of Marian Apparitions, published by Sophia Institute Press.
Łaszewski takes you on a photographic tour of these apparitions, pointing out which ones are approved by the Vatican, the local bishop, or were revealed to a saint.
Not all Marian apparitions are investigated by the Vatican, as there are so many claims that it would be nearly impossible to review each case submitted. Instead, the Vatican gives the local bishop authority to begin an investigation and declare whether or not the revelation is authentic.
One of the first apparitions that is profiled is the "laughing Madonna" that appeared to St. Padre Pio. The Virgin Mary appeared to the saintly friar on multiple occasions, and on one of them Padre Pio said to her, "Oh, you are so beautiful ... are you laughing? It does not matter ... you are beautiful!” One time when he was given a statue of Our Lady, he said, "They could not have painted an uglier one!” When pressed why he said this, Pio explained, "Who could possibly describe her beauty?” He had seen her on multiple occasions and any physical representation fell short.
Łaszewski explores a number of lesser known apparitions, including a few that have reportedly ocurred within the last 20 years.
This includes apparitions that may have occurred in Egypt in 2009 and alleged messages from 2003 that have been written down by a woman known as "Anne" in Ireland.
Uniquely, the messages received by Anne are all subjected to the approval of the local bishop. If the bishop doesn't approve it, the messages are not published.
Bishop O'Reilly explains in the book, "I have known ‘Anne’ ... for several years. She is a Catholic in good standing in the diocese, a wife and mother of small children, and a woman of deep spirituality. From the beginning, she has always been anxious that everything connected with the movement be subject to the authority of the Church."
If you want to dive deeper into lesser known Marian apparitions around the world, then Łaszewski's book is for you.
