Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Random Term from the Dictionary:

CLAIRVOYANCE

Seeing or knowing events occurring at a distance without the use of sensibly perceptible means of communication. As with telepathy, the available evidence indicates that this is a rare but natural phenomenon. Its exercise and evaluation should therefore be based on the same principles as other human actions.

Clairvoyance is one of the familiar physical phenomena of mysticism. But the Church's custom is to be very circumspect about admitting anything more than natural psychic powers and cautious in warning the faithful about the possibility of demonic intervention. (Etym. French clairvoyant, clear seeing.)