Findings of Holy Church

In May of 2020, the six Roman Catholic Bishops, who have jurisdiction over this devotion because the alleged apparitions occurred in their dioceses, released a joint decree discussing the supernaturality of what Sr. Mary Ephrem experienced as the basis for this devotion. This group of Bishops was led by Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Fort Wayne – South Bend Diocese. These ecclesiastical authorities have determined that what Sr. Mary Ephrem experienced cannot be said to be of supernatural origin in the sense of objective occurrences such as those seen at places like Guadalupe and Lourdes, but rather: “It seems that these were authentically graced moments, even perhaps of a spiritual quality beyond what most people experience…” On the other hand, it was recognized that, at least at one point, the alleged apparition taught a doctrine that the highest magisterium of the Church has avoided endorsing. They further recognized Kneipp Springs as the birthplace of the devotion where there have been many reports of good fruit including reported healings and conversions. The Devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America, in short, Our Lady of America, has been allowed as a Private Devotion of the lay faithful.

We frequently hear the question: “What does it mean to be a Private Devotion of the Faithful?” The words private and public do not have the same meaning as the secular meaning of “in private” or “in public.” A Private Devotion, while it is not approved as a devotion of the Church by legitimate ecclesiastical authority, is recognized by the ecclesiastical authority as occurring and as not prohibited. In other words, it can continue among the faithful of their own accord under the oversight of the local Bishop.