Private revelation is another matter. Many apparitions of Our Lord, Our
Lady, and so on, are alleged to have occurred over the centuries. Often one
or more individuals also claim to receive messages meant either for them or
for the world. Such is the case with the apparitions of the Sacred Heart
(1673), Rue du Bac (1830), Lourdes (1858) and Fatima (1917), for
example. Whether an apparition is from God or otherwise is a matter for
the Church to determine. Even if the Church looks favorably upon an
alleged apparition it will simply declare that it is “worthy of belief.” This
does not constitute a formal positive declaration that the apparition did
occur and that it is from God, but rather a negative declaration that the
apparition and its alleged messages contain nothing contrary to formal
Church teachings, and that the evidence for it has been carefully
investigated. Consequently, there is no obligation on Catholics to believe in
private apparitions even when approved.
Such is the case with the apparition of Our Lady to St. Dominic and the
Holy Rosary. The Catholic Church does not regard the Holy Rosary and its
recitation as being a part of or required by public revelation. The Church
recommends the praying it of as worthy and beneficial for her children; she
does not insist on its recitation as necessary for salvation. In any case, the
Holy Rosary is a pious practice, not a doctrine.
The Fathers
8
St. Ephrem of Edessa, Prayers to the God-Bearer (ante 373 AD)
“Most holy Lady, Mother of God, alone most pure in soul and body,
alone exceeding all perfection of purity ... my Lady most holy, all-pure,
all-immaculate, all-stainless, all-undefiled, all-incorrupt, all-inviolate.”
St. Ephrem of Edessa, Songs of Praise 1, 1; 1, 2 (ante 373 AD)
8
Being a development of medieval piety, the Holy Rosary was unknown to the
Fathers. Nevertheless, the Fathers make countless references to the Blessed Virgin
Mary and composed prayers praising her and invoking her intercession.
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