The Six Apparitions of Mary
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: England, 1251
Blessed Mother appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite priest. She came as "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" holding the child Jesus. Showing him a brown monastic "apron," called a scapular (because it is worn over the shoulders, or "scapula"), she promised that whoever died clothed in this garment would not suffer eternal fire.
Over the centuries the scapular of Carmel has been adapted for use by the laity in the form of two small pieces of brown material held together by a ribbon or chain, and worn around the neck. The "Brown Scapular" has become a symbol of devotion and consecration to Mary, the Mother of God, and a powerful sacramental.
Our Lady of Fatima: Portugal, May through October, 1917
Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children six times from May through October, 1917, in Fatima, Portugal. Each time she appeared she foretold world events and asked that the Rosary be prayed daily. She told the children that many souls go to hell because they have no one to pray and make sacrifices for them. Our Lord wants devotion to her Immaculate Heart and her vision for world peace to be established throughout the world.
She stressed prayer, sacrifice and the faithful performance of daily duties as a means to peace in hearts, families and nations.
Our Lady of Lourdes: France, 1858
Our Lady appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, 18 times from February through July, 1858. During the apparitions she told Bernadette to dig a hole which later in the day produced a stream of water, bringing about thousands of spiritual and physical cures even to this day. Mary pleaded for "Penitence! Penitence! Penitence!" and urged us to "Pray to God for sinners." She called herself the "Immaculate Conception."
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexico, December 1531
Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Aztec, and asked him to have a church built on the hillside in her honor. When he went to the bishop he was turned down, no one would believe his story. Later she appeared again, directed him to pick roses growing on the hillside, even though it was winter, and sent him back to the bishop. When Juan opened his cloak in the bishop's presence, the roses fell out and there appeared a lovely image of the Lady who had appeared to him.
Our Lady of Knock: Ireland, August 21, 1879
Knock is an international shrine to the Lamb of God. The Blessed Mother appeared on the gable of St. John the Baptist Church with St. Joseph and St. John, the Beloved disciple, standing beside an altar with a lamb upon it and a cross behind the lamb. Angels hovered above the vision as it was witnessed by 15 people over an hour and a half. No words were spoken, but the tableau itself spoke volumes, for in it was contained the Paschal Mystery.
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal: Paris, 1830
Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure three times, from July to November 1830. The young Sister saw a vision of a beautiful Lady, pressing the world to her heart. The globe then disappeared and when she lowered her hands Catherine could see rays of light emanating from rings on the Lady's fingers. Mary told her she wanted a medal struck according to this model, and promised great graces for those who wore it, especially if worn around the neck.
The medal was made and the devotion spread rapidly. So many wonders were attributed to it that it became known as the "Miraculous Medal."