The Phenomenon of Marian Apparition: Research from Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Regulations of the Catholic Church

Abstract

Marian apparition is a complex religious phenomenon that has attracted interest from various sides, including the general public, scholars, social administrators, and the Catholic Church. Research on this phenomenon has been conducted using a range of approaches. This article selects the perspectives from Holism in Anthropology and the Phenomenology of Religion, arguing that “Marian apparition” should be understood as a multi-dimensional religious phenomenon. In addition, the article emphasizes that the official viewpoint and regulation of the Catholic Church on the phenomenon of Marian apparitions, particularly the regulations released in 1978 and 2024, need to be regarded as significant references. A comparison of these regulations from two different years as such reveals certain changes in the Catholic Church’s stance regarding the phenomenon of Marian apparition, providing useful suggestions for scholarly research and religious administrations, especially in the context of Vietnam.