Michael Brooks
Prophecy in Catholicism is the ability to communicate God's will and designs. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, God can work prophecy through anyone He chooses, including angels, devils, men, women, and children. The Pope has asked Catholics to be modern-day prophets, guiding others to see the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. This involves helping others understand God's plans and align themselves with them. While the Church no longer bestows the title of prophet upon anyone, as full and complete revelation about God has already been achieved, the charism of prophecy and private revelations are distinct concepts. Prophecy may be perfect or imperfect, depending on whether the prophet clearly understands that it is God who speaks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of prophecy | The ability to foretell events and communicate God's will and designs |
| Who can be a prophet? | God can work prophecy through anyone he chooses, including angels, devils, men, women, children, heathens, or gentiles |
| Who is a prophet? | A person selected and anointed by God to be charged, imbued, possessed, and transformed by his divine words |
| Role of a prophet | To help others "read the present under the action of the Holy Spirit" and understand God's plans |
| Baptism and prophecy | Every Catholic, by virtue of baptism, can be a prophet |
| Prophecy and the senses | Prophecy may take place when the senses are suspended as in ecstasy, but this is called rapture |
| Prophecy and the mind | When the mind is immediately enlightened, the activity of the senses should be suspended |
| Perfect vs. imperfect prophecy | Perfect prophecy is when the prophet knows it is God who speaks; imperfect prophecy is when the recipient does not know clearly from whom the revelation proceeds |
| Types of prophecy | Prophecy of denunciation, foreknowledge, and predestination |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the role of a prophet
The role of a prophet is to be a mouthpiece for God, transmitting His message to people. In the Catholic faith, prophets are not just limited to those mentioned in the Bible. In fact, Pope Francis has encouraged all Christians to be modern-day prophets, helping others to recognise God's plans and align themselves with them. This involves guiding others to see the work of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, rather than trying to predict or control the future.
The Greek word "prophetes" translates the Hebrew term accurately, meaning "to speak for or in the name of someone". This implies that a prophet speaks on behalf of God. The Hebrew Prophet was sent by Yahweh to communicate His will and designs to Israel. This included preaching, foretelling, maintaining and developing the knowledge of the Old Law among the Chosen People, and leading them back when they strayed.
Prophecy may be perfect or imperfect. It is perfect when the prophet knows that it is God who speaks, and imperfect when the recipient is unclear about the source of the revelation. Prophets are not limited to humans; angels, devils, men, women, children, heathens, or gentiles can all be prophets. However, moral goodness is considered most profitable for a prophet, even if it is not necessary to obtain the gift of prophecy.
In the Catholic Church, the role of a prophet is also associated with witnessing to the truth in word and deed, and leading others to advance the Kingdom of God. This involves using one's talents and living according to God's design. Ultimately, a prophet is someone who shows Jesus to others and helps them to live according to His teachings.
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The gift of prophecy
Prophecy in the Catholic Church is a gift from God, granted to help with "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3). It is a supernatural message, often predictive, that is bestowed on chosen individuals to communicate God's will and designs.
The Catholic Church teaches that God can choose anyone to be a prophet, including angels, devils, men, women, and children. The Greek word "prophetes" translates the Hebrew term accurately, meaning "to speak for, or in the name of someone". Prophets are messengers and interpreters of the divine, and their knowledge comes from visions and Divine revelations.
Prophecy can be perfect or imperfect. It is perfect when the prophet clearly knows that it is God speaking and can identify the source of the revelation. Imperfect prophecy occurs when the recipient is unclear about the source, which can lead to deception.
According to St. Thomas, there are three kinds of prophecy: denunciation, foreknowledge, and predestination. In the first kind, God reveals future events that may or may not happen, depending on other causes.
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The different types of prophecy
Prophecy in the Catholic Church is a complex and multifaceted concept, and it is essential to understand the different types of prophecies and their significance. While the Church has not declared any work as prophetic since the Apostolic times, it recognises the existence of prophecies and the role of prophets.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between the Old Testament prophets and modern-day prophets. In the Old Testament, Hebrew prophets like Moses and Aaron played a crucial role in communicating God's will and designs to Israel. They were interpreters of divine messages and foretold future events. Their mission also included preaching, maintaining the knowledge of the Old Law, and preparing the way for the new kingdom of God.
In the Catholic Church today, Pope Francis has emphasised that every baptised Christian can be a prophet. He encourages all Catholics to be modern-day prophets, guiding others to see the work of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. This does not involve predicting the future but rather helping others understand God's plans and align themselves with them.
The Church recognises two main types of prophecies: private revelations and charisms or spiritual gifts. Private revelations, such as the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, are usually accompanied by visions or apparitions and are subject to investigation and judgment by the Church. If deemed worthy, Catholics are free to believe in them, but they are not obligated to do so. Charisms, on the other hand, are special graces or gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the Church. These can include extraordinary gifts like the gift of miracles or speaking in tongues.
Additionally, prophecies can be classified based on their recipients. According to Benedict XIV, prophecy can be conveyed through angels, devils, men, women, children, heathens, or gentiles. This aligns with the belief that God can work prophecy through whomever He chooses.
Finally, it is worth noting that while the Church recognises prophecies, it also cautions against superstition and divination. Catholics are advised to be discerning and cautious when encountering prophecies, ensuring they align with Catholic doctrine and morality.
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How to recognise a prophet
According to Catholic teachings, a prophet is someone chosen by God to communicate His will and designs. Prophets are not limited to those in the Bible, and every baptised Catholic can be a prophet by helping others "read the present under the action of the Holy Spirit".
Prophets are messengers of God, and their mission is to preach and foretell. They are interpreters of the divine and possess supernatural enlightenment. Prophecy may take place when the senses are suspended, as in ecstasy, but this is not necessary for the mind to be enlightened.
The Greek prophetes translates the Hebrew nabî', which expresses the function of a prophet as a revealer of the future. The synonyms ro'éeh and hozéh emphasise the special source of prophetic knowledge, which is the Divine revelation or inspiration, also known as the vision.
The Catholic Church recognises that God can work prophecy through anyone He chooses, including angels, devils, men, women, and children. Prophets are not always easily recognised, and God's words are not always clear or what people want to hear. However, they are charged with His divine words to the degree that their audience cannot ignore them.
Saints Jacinta, Francisco, and Bernadette Soubirous are considered "seers" rather than prophets in the Catholic Church.
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How to be a prophet in your daily life
According to Pope Francis, every Catholic can be a prophet in their daily life by virtue of their baptism. This means helping others "read the present under the action of the Holy Spirit", which in turn helps people "understand God's plans and align [themselves] with them".
Being a prophet in your daily life involves witnessing the truth in word and deed, and guiding others to see the Holy Spirit at work in everyday life. This is not about predicting or controlling the future, but about interpreting God's will and designs.
In the Catholic tradition, a prophet is someone who is chosen and anointed by God to speak his divine words. This can be through angels, devils, men, women, or children. Prophets are not soothsayers or fortune-tellers, and they do not practise divination or magic. Instead, they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and speak God's words.
To be a prophet in your daily life, you must be open to God's message and be willing to communicate it to others. This may be through preaching, teaching, or simply living your life according to God's word. It is also important to recognise the prophetic gifts of others and to engage in listening and dialogue.
Finally, remember that being a prophet is not about personal gain or glory. As Pope Francis said, "A prophet is he who [...] shows Jesus to others, who witnesses him, who helps live today and build tomorrow according to his design."
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic prophet is someone who helps others "read the present under the action of the Holy Spirit", helping people "understand God's plans and align themselves" with them.
According to Pope Francis, every Catholic can be a prophet by virtue of baptism.
A Catholic prophet is someone who "shows Jesus to others" and ""witnesses him". They are forerunners of Jesus Christ, THE Prophet.
God can work prophecy through angels, devils, men, women, children, heathens, or gentiles. Prophets are enlightened by God and interpret His will and designs.
Prophecy may take place when the senses are suspended as in ecstasy, or rapture. It may also occur when the mind is immediately enlightened and the senses are not suspended.
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