The Vatican has officially stated that Jesus did not make special appearances in the small town of Dozule, Normandy, in northern France. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Church’s top doctrinal office and approved by Pope Leo.
The clarification comes after a Catholic woman in Dozule reported seeing Jesus 49 times during the 1970s. She claimed that Jesus dictated a series of messages and instructed her to build a 7.38-meter (24.21-foot) cross on a local hillside.
In a formal instruction, the Vatican stated: “The phenomenon of the alleged apparitions … is to be regarded, definitively, as not supernatural in origin, with all the consequences that flow from this determination.”
Catholic doctrine allows for the possibility of supernatural appearances, or apparitions, of figures such as Jesus and Mary. These apparitions may deliver spiritual messages, promote devotional practices, or encourage peace. However, the Church emphasizes that claimed supernatural events must undergo a careful evaluation to determine authenticity. Alleged phenomena should also not be exploited for profit.
The Vatican referenced the failed prophecy associated with Dozule, in which the alleged apparition warned the world would end before the year 2000. The Church noted that this clearly did not occur.
The instruction underscored a spiritual perspective, stating: “The Cross does not need 738 meters of steel or concrete to be recognised: it is raised every time a heart, moved by grace, opens itself to forgiveness.”
Notable approved apparitions include the Virgin Mary’s appearance in Mexico as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 and Jesus’ appearances to Polish nun Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s. The Vatican continues to maintain a rigorous process for validating supernatural claims to protect the faith and ensure doctrinal accuracy.
With this clarification, Catholics are reminded that faith should not rely on unverified visions, but on the teachings and grace of Jesus Christ.
