ARTICLE – Visions, Prophecies, and Divine Messages: A Call for Discernment

In an age of digital media, there seems to be an increasing number of people claiming to receive messages from God. Social media platforms and video-sharing websites are filled with individuals who report visions, dreams, and prophecies, often warning of impending doom or drastic changes in the Church. While some of these messages may come from sincere individuals, it is essential to approach these messages and revelations with great discernment.

Yes, throughout salvation history, God has indeed spoken to individuals guiding them through dreams, visions, and prophecies. Scripture provides many examples, such as when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:20), or when St. Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). The prophet Joel foretold such events, saying, “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

Similarly, Marian apparitions such as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 which led to the mass conversion of indigenous peoples in Mexico, demonstrating the profound impact that such supernatural phenomenon can have on spreading the Gospel. In 1858, the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes reinforced the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and encouraged devotion to Mary, while the Divine Mercy messages to St. Faustina in the 1930s emphasized trust in God’s mercy. Such messages have inspired devotion and deepened faith, leading many souls to conversion and renewal.

The Magisterium of the Church teaches that such revelations must always be approached with discernment. Also it distinguishes between public revelation which includes Sacred Scripture and Tradition and was completed with the death of the last Apostle, and private revelations, which are supernatural messages and visions given to individuals after the apostolic era. While private revelations do not add to the deposit of faith (see note below), God gives them to deepen faith and inspire conversion.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Throughout the ages, there have been so-called ‘private’ revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church… Their role is not to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history” (CCC 67). This means that while private revelations have their place and importance in the faith life of Catholics, they can never replace or contradict the truths of Scripture and Tradition.

The Danger of Misleading or False Revelations

Despite their potential for good, private revelations must be approached with caution. Scripture warns believers to test every spirit, for not all revelations are from God. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). The Church, in her wisdom, examines private revelations carefully to discern their authenticity.

The danger of sensationalism and an over-reliance on private revelations is real, as it can lead people away from the central message of Christ and toward an unhealthy fascination with extraordinary phenomena. History has shown that while some private revelations have led to great movements of faith, others have been misleading or even dangerous. When private revelations do not undergo proper discernment, they can push people away from authentic faith, cause division within the Church, or even result in spiritual and moral harm.

One of the most infamous examples of such revelation is the case of the Convulsionnaires of Saint-Médard in 18th-century France. After the death of a Jansenist deacon, François de Pâris, reports of miraculous healings at his tomb led to religious fanaticism. Some followers claimed to receive supernatural messages, entered into trance-like states, and engaged in violent, self-inflicted suffering, believing it was a form of divine purification. The movement quickly spiraled into chaos, and the Church condemned it as an example of religious hysteria rather than authentic private revelation.

Another tragic case was that of Clemente Domínguez and the Palmarian Church, a Spanish visionary who claimed to receive visions of Christ and Mary in the 1970s. Initially, many followers believed his messages were true, but as time passed, Domínguez declared himself the Pope, rejected Vatican authority, and led his followers into schism. His so-called private revelations were later proven to be self-fabricated, and his movement caused many to leave the true faith.

More recently, there was also Maria Divine Mercy, the pseudonym of an alleged Irish seer named Mary Carberry, who claimed to receive divine messages starting in 2010. Among these, she asserted that Pope Francis is a “false prophet” who would usher in the Antichrist. These messages have been widely discredited and condemned by Catholic authorities.

Discerning Messages That Are from God

Discerning whether a message is truly from God requires prayer, wisdom, and a deep alignment with the teachings of the Church. The first and most important test is whether the message is consistent with Sacred Scripture and Church doctrine. God never contradicts Himself, and any authentic revelation will always be in harmony with the truth that has already been revealed through Jesus Christ.

Since Christ is the fullness of revelation, private messages can never alter the Gospel. St. Paul warns us clearly: “Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). This means that any message that undermines the teachings of Christ, or the Magisterium should be rejected.

Another important sign of authenticity is the fruit that a message produces in the heart of the one who receives it. A message from God will always bring peace, love, and a desire for conversion rather than fear, division, or despair. Jesus Himself reassured His followers, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27).

The Holy Spirit inspires love, charity, and humility rather than pride, elitism, or condemnation of others. He leads people toward repentance, reconciliation and trust in God rather than fostering paranoia, excessive fear of divine punishment, or an unhealthy obsession with apocalyptic events. St. Paul reminds us that the presence of the Holy Spirit is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). If a message produces the opposite—restlessness, anxiety, judgment of others, hatred, or a sense of superiority—it is unlikely to be from God.

Obedience to the Church is another key factor in discernment. Throughout history, saints who have received private revelations, such as St. Catherine of Siena, St. Bernadette, St. Faustina, and Padre Pio submitted humbly to the judgment of the Church, even when it was difficult. A true messenger of God does not promote rebellion, disobedience, or division within the Church. Instead, they remain faithful to their spiritual directors and trust in the discernment of Church authorities. A dangerous sign is when someone claims to receive divine messages but refuses to submit them for evaluation or insists that they have a unique revelation that the Church is blind to. Christ established His Church with authority to guide His people, and true revelations will always lead to deeper unity in the Church, not division.

Another red flag is an excessive focus on end-times prophecies or secret knowledge. Jesus warned His disciples against trying to predict the end of the world, saying, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). While private revelations may sometimes include warnings or calls to repentance, their primary purpose is always to bring people closer to God, not to spread fear or confusion. Messages that focus excessively on doomsday predictions, conspiracies, or hidden truths known only to a select few should be approached with caution. If a revelation causes anxiety and distrust in God’s providence rather than encouraging trust and faith, it is not likely to be from Him.

A genuine message from God will always inspire greater faith, love, and devotion to the Sacraments. It will encourage a deeper prayer life, frequent reception of the Eucharist and Confession, and an increase in acts of reconciliation and charity toward others. Messages that are from God will point to Christ, helping people to grow in holiness. On the other hand, if a message leads someone away from the Church, discourages them from receiving the Sacraments, or promotes rejection of legitimate Church authority, it is not of divine origin.

Conclusion

God still speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, and when he does, we should listen with humility. But private revelations should always remain secondary to the Gospel message and only lead to love between brethren, the Sacraments, or the teachings of the Church.

One should stay away from private revelations that contradict Scripture or Church teaching or encourage division, and disobedience. Messages that focus excessively on the end times, glorify the messenger instead of Christ, or discourage participation in the Sacraments are also harmful. Authentic revelations will always guide us to Christ, deeper faith, reconciliation with others, divine peace and love for God and all human beings.

Note: The term “Deposit of Faith” refers to the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition that has been entrusted to the Church by Christ and the Apostles. It encompasses all teachings necessary for salvation and is safeguarded by the Church’s Magisterium, which is responsible for authentically interpreting this deposit throughout the ages. The faithful are called to adhere to, practice, and profess this heritage of faith, ensuring continuity and fidelity to the teachings of the Apostles and the life of the Church

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com

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