In 1970, Madeleine Aumont, a Catholic mother in Dozulé, France, reported seeing Jesus 49 times. According to her testimonies, the apparition of Christ instructed her to construct an enormous cross in the town, symbolizing divine presence and devotion. The proposed cross, which would have stood over 2,000 feet high and required extensive steel and concrete materials, was intended to be a monumental symbol of faith. However, decades later, these claims have been officially rejected by the Vatican, citing a lack of supernatural evidence. The Vatican’s doctrinal office, under Pope Leo XIV, has issued a clear statement asserting that the phenomena reported in Dozulé are not supernatural in nature. This declaration underscores the Church’s commitment to preserving theological accuracy and spiritual discipline.
The implications of the Vatican’s decision extend beyond Dozulé, affecting broader interpretations of religious phenomena in the Catholic Church. The statement highlights the Church’s emphasis on the cross of Christ as the central symbol of the Christian faith, rather than focusing on extraordinary apparitions. Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, a Dominican friar in Rome, noted that the Church’s decision serves to remind believers of the importance of faith grounded in truth and sacramental practices rather than sensational claims. He emphasized that Pope Leo XIV’s approval of this conclusion demonstrates the Church’s serious approach toward discernment in spiritual matters, ensuring that faith remains rooted in authenticity rather than emotional or speculative excess.
This declaration also comes in the context of other recent Vatican activities, including Pope Leo XIV’s announcement of two new saints, the first of whom was a millennial. These developments reflect the Pope’s broader engagement with contemporary issues and his commitment to balancing tradition with modern concerns. Father Briscoe also pointed out that the Pope’s recent statements on topics such as internet addiction and compulsive gambling indicate an awareness of present-day challenges. The Vatican’s emphasis on doctrinal clarity is seen as a safeguard against superstition, ensuring that Christian devotion remains centered on Christ rather than on speculative or sensational phenomena. Overall, the Vatican’s stance on the Dozulé apparitions reinforces its long-standing role in guiding spiritual understanding, prioritizing theological clarity over extraordinary claims.