Visions

• A corporeal vision is one that comes through the physical sense of sight.
• An imaginative vision is one seen in the mind, often through the medium of a dream
• An intellectual vision is one where there is no visual image; the experience illuminates the soul.
• An example of a corporeal vision is St Bernadette of Lourdes.
• An example of an imaginative vision is the Egyptian Pharaoh.
• An example of an intellectual vision is St Theresa of Avila.
• Numinous: relating to the power or presence of an entity/divinity- strong religious or spiritual quality.
• St Theresa of Avila lived from 1515-1582.
• Where can the recount of the Egyptian Pharaoh's experience be found?

  Genesis 41.
• What happens in the Egyptian Pharaoh's dream?

  Seven thin cows devour seven fat cows. Seven withered ears of grain devour seven fat ears of grain.
• What effect did the Egyptian Pharaoh's dream have on him?

  He knew it was important but his magician and wise men couldn't figure it out.They had a young Hebrew man, Joseph, in prison who claimed he could interpret dreams- he said the dream meant a famine is coming. The Pharaoh stores surplus grain which saves the whole nation. Joseph becomes part of the Pharaoh's court.
• The dream decipherer in the Pharaoh's anecdote was called Joseph.
• What happened in St Bernadette of Lourdes visions?

  18 visions of the Virgin Mary (who initially only identified herself as the 'Immaculate Conception') who in later visions spoke to her. Told her to pray for sinners and build a chapel on the site. Told her to dig soil and a spring sprung from it- she told her to drink the water and bathe from it. Later, a local woman dipped her paralysed hand in this water and was cured.
• In total, St Bernadette of Lourdes had 18 visions.
• What did the Virgin Mary initially identify herself as in St Bernadette's visions?

  The Immaculate Conception.
• What effect did St Bernadette's visions have?

  The place is now a place of pilgrimage. The Catholic Church claim healing miracles occur here.
• What happened in St Theresa of Avila's vision?

  Felt Christ standing beside her during prayer- shows intent during this situation. Didn't actually see anything- 'nothing with the eyes of the body, nothing with the eyes of the soul'.
• What effect did St Theresa's vision have on her?

  Strengthened her faith. This vision was followed by later visions.