The apparitions of Jesus, throughout Christian history, occupy a central place in the faith and spirituality of believers. These extraordinary manifestations, in which Christ reveals himself after his Resurrection or at significant moments, bear witness to his infinite love, his victory over death and his closeness to humanity. They convey messages of faith, peace and mercy, while strengthening the hope of the faithful.
1. Apparitions of Jesus in the Gospels
a) Apparitions after the Resurrection
The first appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection are recounted in the Gospels. They confirm the reality of his victory over death and strengthen the faith of the disciples.
To Mary Magdalene: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene near the empty tomb (John 20:11-18), entrusting her with the mission of announcing his Resurrection to the disciples.
To the disciples on the road to Emmaus: Jesus accompanies two disciples, explaining the Scriptures to them and revealing himself during the breaking of bread (Luke 24:13-35).
To the Apostles in the Upper Room: He appears to them several times, giving them peace and the power to forgive sins (John 20:19-23).
To Thomas: Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds, dispelling his doubts and affirming the reality of his Resurrection (John 20:24-29).
b) The Ascension
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus appears one last time to his disciples, entrusting them with the mission of evangelising the world (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:9-11).
2. Appearances of Jesus in the history of the Church
Appearances of Jesus are not limited to biblical times. Throughout history, he has manifested himself to saints and mystics, transmitting messages of faith and mercy.
a) Apparitions to Saint Marguerite-Marie Alacoque (France, 17th century)
Jesus appears to Marguerite-Marie, a Visitation nun, to reveal his Sacred Heart to her. He expresses his infinite love for humanity and asks for the establishment of a special devotion to his Sacred Heart.
Main message: Reparation for offences against his love and the practice of the first Fridays of the month.
Impact: The worldwide spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
b) Apparitions to Saint Faustina Kowalska (Poland, 20th century)
In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, revealing to her his desire to spread devotion to his Divine Mercy.
Main message: Trust in God's mercy, prayer for sinners, and the celebration of the Feast of Mercy.
Impact: The prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy has become a major devotion in the Catholic Church.
c) The apparitions to Saint Paul
Although they occurred before the Gospels were written, the appearance of the risen Jesus to Paul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-9) is one of the most famous. Jesus reveals himself to Paul on the road to Damascus, transforming a persecutor into an apostle.
3. The main themes of Jesus' appearances
a) Confirmation of his Resurrection
Jesus' appearances after his Resurrection confirm his victory over death and bear witness to the reality of the salvation offered to all believers.
b) Peace and mercy
In almost all his appearances, Jesus begins by saying, "Peace be with you." He thus offers a profound spiritual peace, accessible through faith and reconciliation.
c) Love and closeness
Jesus' appearances show that he remains close to his people. He manifests his infinite love and invites believers to enter into a personal relationship with him.
d) The mission of believers
Jesus often entrusts a mission to those to whom he appears, calling them to share his message of love and salvation with the world.
4. The spiritual impact of Jesus' apparitions
a) Strengthening of faith
Jesus' apparitions strengthen the faith of individuals and communities, reminding them of the reality of his living and active presence in the Church.
b) Conversion of hearts
Like Paul on the road to Damascus, many people touched by Jesus' apparitions have experienced a profound transformation, abandoning sin to embrace a life of holiness.
c) Spread of devotions
The apparitions of Jesus have given rise to universal devotions, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Divine Mercy, which enrich the spiritual life of the Church.
5. Discerning apparitions
The Catholic Church carefully examines accounts of apparitions of Jesus. Criteria include:
Conformity with Catholic doctrine.
Spiritual fruits produced (conversion, prayer, holiness).
The absence of self-interest or fraud.
6. Conclusion : A call to faith and love
The apparitions of Jesus, whether recounted in the Gospels or occurring in the history of the Church, bear witness to his constant presence and love for humanity. They remind us that Jesus is always at our side, offering us his peace, his mercy and his salvation. By meditating on these apparitions, believers find a source of hope, renewed faith and closeness to the Risen Christ. May his message continue to inspire and guide souls on the path to eternal life.
