Discerning the Spirit: Fr. Iannuzzi Discusses Modern Prophecy in the Church

In an era flooded with digital content and spiritual uncertainty, Catholics are increasingly exposed to self-proclaimed prophets and online seers who claim to receive daily messages from heaven. To address this complex and growing phenomenon, Dr. Michael James sat down with Father Dr. Joseph Iannuzzi, a distinguished theologian and expert in eschatology and mystical theology, for a thoughtful and much-needed conversation on how the faithful can discern true prophecy from false.

The discussion began with a prayer, led by Fr. Iannuzzi, invoking God's wisdom and guidance. From there, the conversation quickly moved to the growing trend of “celebrity seers” on the internet—individuals who amass followings by sharing dramatic, often apocalyptic “revelations.” Fr. Iannuzzi expressed concern over this development, noting that many of these messages lack ecclesial oversight and theological consistency, and may lead people away from the core teachings of the Catholic faith.

Fr. Iannuzzi emphasized that while the Church does not prohibit belief in private revelations, it insists that such revelations be in harmony with Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium. Without that harmony, he warned, these messages may lead to confusion or spiritual harm. He stressed that the sincerity of a seer is not the issue; even well-meaning individuals can be misled or mistake their own thoughts for divine communication.

Drawing on the teachings of St. John of the Cross, Fr. Iannuzzi outlined three types of interior locutions: successive, formal, and substantial. These mystical experiences range from ordinary impressions of the soul to extraordinary divine communications. However, St. John warns that even authentic locutions are prone to misinterpretation—especially when individuals attempt to express them in their own words without proper spiritual formation or guidance.

Fr. Iannuzzi also warned of the “mystic-to-internet pipeline”—a modern phenomenon where alleged seers publish messages directly online without first submitting them to a spiritual director, theologian, or Church authority. This, he explained, bypasses the traditional safeguards of discernment and can easily result in confusion or deception. True mystics, such as St. Teresa of Avila and Luisa Piccarreta, always submitted their writings to the Church for review and correction.

He cited St. Hannibal di Francia, who acted as a spiritual editor for several mystics, carefully revising their writings to ensure they did not mislead readers or misrepresent Church teaching. Without such oversight, Fr. Iannuzzi warned, today's unvetted messages risk becoming a form of spiritual “apocrypha”—blending truth and error in a way that ultimately does more harm than good.

To guide discernment, Fr. Iannuzzi referred to the 1978 Vatican document issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which outlines several criteria for evaluating alleged private revelations. These include:

• Fidelity to Catholic doctrine

• Absence of factual errors or contradictions

• Psychological and moral integrity of the seer

• Obedience to Church authority

• Growth in virtue and spiritual fruit

• No pursuit of financial gain

• Fulfillment of prophetic content

He noted that many contemporary messages fail one or more of these criteria—especially those that breed fear, promote secret “refuges,” or foster disobedience toward the Pope and Church hierarchy. Such messages, he stated plainly, cannot come from God, who is the source of peace and order, not fear and division.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Michael James guided the discussion with clarity and pastoral concern, asking insightful questions that helped ground the topic in both theological precision and spiritual relevance for today’s believers.

In closing, Fr. Iannuzzi encouraged Catholics to deepen their relationship with God through Scripture, the sacraments, and the Gospel itself. Mystical experiences, he explained, are never an end in themselves—they are only helpful when they lead to greater love, humility, and union with God. Citing St. John of the Cross, he concluded: “The benefit to be gained from a locution comes not from analyzing the words, but from focusing the will on loving God.”

This conversation serves as a timely reminder that while private revelations can enrich the spiritual life, they must always be approached with discernment, humility, and fidelity to the Church. Faithful Catholics are called not to chase signs and wonders, but to live the Gospel with trust, grounded in the secure foundation of Church teaching.