Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
APPARITION
Supernatural vision. It is a psychical experience in which a person or object not accessible to normal human powers is seen and ordinarily also heard. When apparitions are claimed, the Church's policy is to require proof of the fact, since illusions and hallucinations are so common, and the influence of the evil spirit is also to be taken into account. Yet from the Scriptures on there have been numerous, well-attested apparitions that were certainly of divine origin.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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