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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Bilocation?	Benjamin	Friday, March 21, 2008
Question: Hi brother I'm in the middle of your essay on the gifts of the spirit and the building up of the church. I've read from a few Catholic sources St. Padre Pio, St. Drogo and a few others had a gift where they could simultaneously be in two places at once? I know that through God all things are possible.. but how would they be able to document that so long ago?? My other question is about St. Rose of Lima and a few other saints who went through extreme mortifications. If someone today were to go to the church and ask if they could go through the same thing (ie ask a priest/bishop), I don't think the Church would condone this behaviour. Extreme mortification is very dangerous to the health of the body (obviously), does the church still allow it?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Benjamin: I believe the bi-location of Padre Pio and others were documented by credible witnesses in different locations reporting seeing him at the same time -- which of course is not possible, except by bi-location. On severe mortifications the Church advises against them but stops short of prohibiting them; the Church does not wish to hinder the movement of the Holy Spirit. If one senses a call to a severe mortification he needs to discuss it with a wise and experienced spiritual director first. The person should obey the spiritual director's decision about it. The Church is concerned that a person be genuinely called to such mortification and not be motivated by mental illness. If given permission then the person needs to be under supervision to ensure safety and any other provisions set by the spiritual director. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Bilocation?

Benjamin

Friday, March 21, 2008

Question:

Hi brother I'm in the middle of your essay on the gifts of the spirit and the building up of the church.

I've read from a few Catholic sources St. Padre Pio, St. Drogo and a few others had a gift where they could simultaneously be in two places at once? I know that through God all things are possible.. but how would they be able to document that so long ago??

My other question is about St. Rose of Lima and a few other saints who went through extreme mortifications. If someone today were to go to the church and ask if they could go through the same thing (ie ask a priest/bishop), I don't think the Church would condone this behaviour. Extreme mortification is very dangerous to the health of the body (obviously), does the church still allow it?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Benjamin:

I believe the bi-location of Padre Pio and others were documented by credible witnesses in different locations reporting seeing him at the same time -- which of course is not possible, except by bi-location.

On severe mortifications the Church advises against them but stops short of prohibiting them; the Church does not wish to hinder the movement of the Holy Spirit.

If one senses a call to a severe mortification he needs to discuss it with a wise and experienced spiritual director first. The person should obey the spiritual director's decision about it.

The Church is concerned that a person be genuinely called to such mortification and not be motivated by mental illness. If given permission then the person needs to be under supervision to ensure safety and any other provisions set by the spiritual director.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum