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In a field where almost al1 the previous literature has been sectarian, pietistic or polemic, this book is especially welcome. It provides an excellent summary, critical but always sensitive, of Marian visions. One of the tests for any introductory book is whether it illumines the Marian visions as human experiences, to be examined in their psychological and sociological context .
From this interesting pattern emerge. The border between the religious visions and those of ghost, fairies, and other figures of popular folklore appears to be very thin. The Lourdes apparition w s initially believed to be the ghost of a local girl. One of the witnesses of Pontmain at first thought the figure to be a presentiment of the death of his soldier brother. The apparition at La Salette warned against bad harvests had more than the echoes of some pre-Christian Earth-goddess or corn-maiden. The percipients were often children living in extremely stressful conditions, In communities which were themselves under stress. The problems of modernisation and secularization appear to be common features in many accounts up to the present, with the use of the visions by ultra-traditionalist groups in their struggle against reforming elements in the Church.
The author concludes that there is no evidence for miraculous intervention in such cases, but that there is evidence for paranormal powers on the part of some of the children, and their apparent abilities to respond simultaneously to undetected stimuli. There are curious hints such as the claim by the French ufologist Cornu, that the number of meteorological anomalies interpreted as divine omens rose dramatically from 1942 on. Further details would be most welcome. Recommended as essential to all Magonia readers.
- Peter Rogerson, from Magonia 15, 1984
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