Promises

  

God promises peace.

Appearances of the Blessed Mother, of Jesus or of saints are a delicate matter, and the Church wishes to prevent deception and other harm that can proceed from acknowledgement of authenticity of spiritual appearances.

Concern arises out of declarations about appearances. There is a great deal of power to be wielded by anyone judging spiritual events. They may serve the function of preventing harm to people attracted to supernatural events, but they may also serve only the prejudice of jaundiced officials whose egos subvert the work of God.

One example was the action taken against St. Padre Pio of Pietrecina who was forbidden to say Mass with anyone else present for several years. The truth was brought to light in the end, and he was restored to the fullness of his priestly ministry, but not before a great deal of harm was done him in the process.

Unscrupulous people might even make a lot of money with "pilgrimages" etc. to the sites of alleged apparitions. We should guard our hearts in Jesus, and not go looking to see miraculous things by which we may stumble into error.

New devotions spring up all the time, or things get added to the Holy Rosary or other liturgical events. My opinion is that we stick to the form of any devotion and  not be eager to innovate.  The Mother of God will respect our humble prayers, and our veneration of the Mother of God, or of Jesus or any of the saints. 

Genuine devotion will be well regarded by Mary or Jesus, and attract Him to us, since He has fewer friends all the time, as people are led off by things that are unholy and not of God in the first place.

Love God, and one another, and you cannot go wrong. Do not be concerned that you are not continually stirred up and agitated by events. Agitation is a good indicator of efforts of the unholy to turn your spiritual gaze from Jesus and from heaven. Ask Jesus to restore calm and His peace in you if you find yourself under attack by such things. Nothing can emulate that peace. It is powerful and unique and nourishing for the mind and spirit. Desire humility and try to accept trials when they comes, trusting that Jesus is close to us to protect us and to deliver us so we may enjoy His presence again. God gives what we need, and peace accompanies His gifts.