Why Did Jesus Allow Himself to be Photographed?

The question of why Jesus would consent to have his face photographed in the context of Divine Appeals prompts serious contemplation of His omnipotent providence and His unending compassion for humanity. The following appeals, given by the Our Adorable Jesus Himself, shed light on this profound issue:

i. “Listen to Me. I am above this earth. I allow Myself to be seen after many warnings.” (12:15 am, 3rd April 1988)

In this statement, Jesus underscores His transcendence above earthly matters and His deliberate choice to make Himself visible only after issuing numerous warnings. This aligns with Catholic teaching on divine revelation, which emphasizes that God reveals Himself according to His will and timing. Jesus' visibility is an act of divine condescension, meant to draw attention to His call for repentance and transformation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that God’s revelation is gradual and often comes after periods of waiting and preparation (CCC 50-73). By making Himself visible, Jesus seeks to ensure that His message is received with due gravity and urgency.

ii. “I make Myself visible in order to bring back souls.” (10th April 1988)

Jesus’ declaration of making Himself visible to bring back souls reflects His salvific mission. Jesus highlights the Church's mission of evangelization and reconciliation by actively reaching out to people who have strayed from the faith through his visible manifestation. According to Catholic doctrine, Jesus entered the earth in order to find and rescue the lost (Luke 19:10). His presence is a powerful reminder of His goal to bring people back under God's grace. This is similar to the lost sheep narrative, in which Jesus celebrates the return of a single penitent sinner.

iii. “I love mankind and I make Myself visible in order to give My warnings of mercy.” (12th April 1988)

Here, Jesus’ visibility is portrayed as an expression of His immense love and a means to deliver warnings of mercy. Catholic teaching holds that God's love is the driving force behind His merciful acts. The Divine Mercy devotion, established by Saint Faustina Kowalska, highlights how Jesus reveals His mercy to encourage repentance and conversion (CCC 1864). By making Himself visible, Jesus not only manifests His love but also offers tangible signs of His mercy, urging humanity to embrace His forgiveness and grace.

iv. “Many do not listen to Me because they do not believe in My reality.” (23rd April 1988)

This statement addresses the challenge of faith. The Catholic Church acknowledges that belief in Christ’s real presence and His manifestations requires a deep, often challenging faith (CCC 150). This aligns with the Church’s understanding that faith often requires tangible signs to help overcome doubt (John 20:29). Jesus’ visible manifestations are meant to bolster faith and encourage a personal relationship with Him, despite the natural tendency to question and doubt. Jesus’ visibility is a response to human skepticism and disbelief, providing a direct encounter with His presence. 

Jesus allows Himself to be photographed as a way of expressing to us how much He values and loves each of us. His presence is seen to accomplish a number of goals, including reaffirming His transcendence, seeking out lost souls, extending His warnings of mercy, and addresses the challenge of disbelief. Each of these aspects reflects core Catholic teachings on divine revelation, the mission of Christ, and the importance of faith in the life of the believer. Through these visible manifestations, Jesus continues to reach out to humanity, inviting us to deepen our relationship with Him and respond to His call for conversion and renewal.