Pope Leo calls for \u2018prudent\u2019 evaluation of supernatural phenomena to avoid superstition Pope Leo XIV during an address at the Vatican on Thursday called for the \u201cprudent\u201d evaluation of supernatural phenomena to avoid falling into superstition. \u201cTo avoid falling into superstitious illusion, it is necessary to evaluate such events prudently, through humble discernment and in accordance with the teachings of the Church,\u201d the Holy Father said to participants in a Nov. 13 meeting organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints that reflected on the relationship between mystical phenomena and holiness of life. The conference focused on the theme \u201cMysticism, Mystical Phenomena, and Holiness.\u201d Upon receiving the participants at the Vatican, the pope noted that, through constant commitment, the magisterium, theology, and spiritual writers have provided \u201ccriteria for distinguishing authentic spiritual phenomena, which can occur in an atmosphere of prayer and a sincere search for God, from manifestations that may be deceptive.\u201d For the pope, mysticism and spiritual phenomena are \u201cone of the most beautiful dimensions of the experience of faith,\u201d and he expressed his gratitude for the participants\u2019 collaboration in shedding light on certain aspects that require discernment. The mystical life: Intimate union with God \u201cThrough theological reflection as well as preaching and catechesis, the Church has recognized for centuries that at the heart of the mystical life lies the awareness of the intimate union of love with God,\u201d the pope noted. The pontiff explained that mysticism is therefore characterized \u201cas an experience that transcends mere rational knowledge, not through the merit of the one who experiences it, but through a spiritual gift, which can manifest itself in diverse ways, even with opposing phenomena, such as luminous visions or dense darkness, afflictions, or ecstasies.\u201d However, he continued, these exceptional events \u201care secondary and not essential with respect to mysticism and holiness itself.\u201d The Holy Father said they can be \u201csigns\u201d of holiness insofar as they are \u201cunique charisms,\u201d although the true goal is and always remains \u201ccommunion with God.\u201d \u201cExtraordinary phenomena that may connote mystical experience are not indispensable conditions for recognizing the holiness of a member of the faithful,\u201d he emphasized. Leo pointed out that, if they are present, \u201cthey strengthen their virtues not as individual privileges, but insofar as they are ordered to the edification of the whole Church, the mystical body of Christ.\u201d Maintaining \u2018balance\u2019 \u201cWhat matters most and what must be emphasized in the examination of candidates for sainthood is their full and constant conformity with the will of God, revealed in Scripture and in the living apostolic tradition,\u201d he said. For this reason, he urged the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to maintain \u201cbalance.\u201d He added: \u201cJust as causes for canonization should not be promoted solely in the presence of exceptional phenomena, neither should those same phenomena [be looked upon negatively] if they characterize the lives of the servants of God.\u201d \u201cAt the heart of discernment regarding a member of the faithful is listening to their reputation for holiness and examining their perfect virtue, as expressions of ecclesial communion and intimate union with God,\u201d the pope noted. At another meeting held this week at the Pontifical Urban University, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fern\u00e1ndez, gave a presentation on the dicastery\u2019s norms on the discernment of supernatural phenomena, which were approved last year. The prelate addressed the complexity and challenges the Church faces in recognizing these types of manifestations. The cardinal noted that, despite approximately 3,500 cases of beatification and canonization in the last 50 years, only three or four declarations of phenomena of supernatural origin have been issued, underscoring the difficulty of obtaining official recognition of this kind. \u201cIt is difficult to recognize them,\u201d he stated, according to Vatican News. This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Victoria Cardiel Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Pope Francis sends condolences after death of Silvio Berlusconi Pope Francis opens Synod on Synodality assembly with warning against personal \u2018agendas\u2019 Filipino Cardinal Urges Catholics To Report Clerical Abuse To Church And Civil Authorities Vatican nixes use of \u2018Co-Redemptrix\u2019 as title for Mary Sister Clare Crockett\u2019s Beatification Cause Opens In Spain Our Lady of Good Counsel: All about this devotion and Pope Leo XIV\u2019s connection to it<\/p>\n