The experience of Marian apparitions and the Mary cult

Since the earliest visions of Mary in the 4th century, there have been an e stimated 21,000 sightings of Mary in the eastern and western Christian worl ds. Centered on youth from the lower economic strata, the visions spawn a c onsiderable following. Millions visit the well-known vision sites such as L ourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe. Many healings were reported, a proportion of which were verified as miracles by authorities. Visions have become increa singly common in the 20th century, with reports from so many places it is h ard to keep track of them all. Modem visions tend to be serial, or recurrin g, as well as public - witnessed by hundreds or thousands of others. Phenom enological examination reveals 16 characteristics of the Marian Apparitions spiritual life world.