By Marilynn Hughes
Many ask, “If Jesus Christ rose from the dead, where is He now? Why has no one seen Him for over two thousand years?” The answer lies not in disbelief, but in understanding the nature of Christ, God incarnate, and the ongoing testimony of His presence in the world.
Jesus is unique among all religious leaders. He is both fully divine and fully human—“begotten, not made”—as the Creed of Nicaea affirms. He is eternal, perfect, yet also walked this earth in flesh, experiencing growth, emotion, and death. Over three hundred Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Him alone—a reality so extraordinary it points unmistakably to the divine.
After His resurrection, Christ appeared repeatedly to His disciples and to hundreds of witnesses, before ascending to Heaven. Their unwavering testimony, even under threat of torture, attests to the reality of the Resurrection. And since His Ascension, Christ continues to manifest in countless ways, in visions and apparitions, guiding, consoling, and inspiring humanity.
Christ’s resurrected form is different from the one who walked Galilee. He now exists fully in divine glory, incomprehensible yet intimately present to those He loves. His appearances are not bound by time, space, or human expectation—they occur wherever, whenever, and however He wills.
The Catholic Church has recognized numerous verified apparitions throughout history:
- 36 AD: Saint Stephen sees Christ standing at God’s right hand before his martyrdom.
- 31–36 AD: Saul, later Saint Paul, encounters Christ on the road to Damascus, transforming from persecutor to apostle.
- 1205: Saint Francis of Assisi receives a vision calling him to repair the Church, leading to the formation of the Franciscan order.
- 1246: Saint Lutgarde experiences a mystical exchange of hearts with Christ, fostering devotion to His Sacred Heart.
- 1302–1366: Saints Gertrude the Great, Catherine of Siena, and others report transformative visions of Christ, shaping their lives and ministries.
- 1673–1675: Saint Marguerite Marie Alacoque receives revelations of the Sacred Heart, inspiring a devotion celebrated to this day.
- 19th–20th centuries: Figures such as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Sister Josefa Menendez, Saint Faustina Kowalska, and Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli experience intimate encounters with Christ, often accompanied by the miraculous, the stigmata, or divine instruction.
Even in modern times, Jesus continues to appear to the faithful. Ordinary believers, such as those in Rwanda during the 1980s or individuals recounting personal encounters, bear witness to His ongoing presence, guidance, and protection.
The lesson is clear: Jesus Christ is alive. His appearances may be subtle or overwhelming, private or public, but they are real. He speaks to those who seek Him, consoles the suffering, and prepares humanity for His eventual return.
Christ’s presence is not limited to the pages of Scripture or the distant past—it is here, now, in our hearts and in the world. To see Him, one must seek with openness, faith, and love, trusting that He will reveal Himself in the way and time He chooses.
The Astral Projection Course of Study and Archive 