The Vatican officially refuted claims of supernatural sightings of Jesus in Dozulé, France, from the 1970s, deeming them false after decades of speculation. These apparitions, once believed to be divine, were dismissed as not supernatural, with the Cross symbolizing grace and forgiveness rather than physical grandeur. This declaration reinforces the Church’s focus on the Gospel’s truth and sacraments over sensational claims.
In 1970s, a Catholic mother, Madeleine Aumont, reported seeing Jesus 49 times in Dozulé, instructing her to build an enormous cross. The ‘Glorious Cross of Dozulé’ was to be constructed at over 2,000 feet tall with extensive illumination, sparking fervent devotion and curiosity. The Cross, however, was never built due to the Vatican’s eventual rejection of the apparitions as not supernatural. The town’s existing smaller cross on display is a reminder of the original claims, though the Vatican maintains that the true focus should be on the spiritual essence of the Cross.
Under Pope Leo XIV, the doctrine office affirmed that the phenomenon of the alleged apparitions is to be regarded definitively as not supernatural, underscoring that the Cross symbolizes grace and forgiveness without the need for physical grandeur. This statement is a reminder of the Church’s stance on the power of the sacraments and the truth of the Gospel. The decision highlights the importance of discernment in spiritual matters, ensuring faith is not anchored in emotion or speculation but in the truth of the Gospel.
Pope Leo’s recent declarations, including the canonization of two new saints, illustrate his approach to spiritual matters and the importance of doctrinal clarity. These efforts aim to safeguard believers from confusion and protect Christian teaching from superstition. The Pope’s emphasis is on keeping the focus on Christ within devotion, aligning with the Church’s long-standing tradition of balancing faith with reason and truth.
The town of Dozulé, located in the Normandy region of northern France, had a population of 2,279 in 2022. The apparitions, once a source of local devotion, now serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of Church discernment in spiritual claims. Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, a Dominican friar based in Rome, emphasized that while the messages inspired curiosity, they were never embraced by the wider Church. He noted that the Cross of Christ is the ‘summit of revelation,’ and the Church’s decision is a reminder that faith should be rooted in the truth of the Gospel rather than sensational claims.
The decision, as stated by the Vatican’s doctrinal office, is a clear indication of the Church’s commitment to maintaining spiritual clarity and truth in the face of potential superstition. The emphasis on doctrinal clarity serves to protect Christian teaching from excess and ensures that the core message of Christ remains central to devotion. This move by Pope Leo XIV also reflects his broader approach to contemporary issues, such as internet addiction and compulsive gambling, indicating a thoughtful engagement with modern challenges within the context of spiritual and doctrinal teachings.