Three Days of Darkness
Encyclopedia
The Three Days of Darkness is an apocalyptic tradition within Catholicism which recalls the tenth plague of Moses
against Egypt. Just as God punished the idolatrous Egyptians during the days of Moses with Ten Plagues culminating in "three days of darknesss," so also, at the end of time will God will punish the entire world with "three days of darkness." The theory holds that the entire earth will be enveloped by perfect darkness lasting the span of three days and three nights. The only light that will be seen during these three days will come from blessed candles. Catholic visionaries agree that the faithful should stay within their homes during this plague of darkness as most of the earth's inhabitant shall die.
, Elizabeth Canori-Mora, Rosa-Colomba Asdente, Palma d'Oria, Pere Lamy, Marie Baourdi, Marie Martel, and Marie Julie Jahenny
.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi
(1769–1837) is the greatest known advocate for the Three Days of Darkness and describes the event in this way:
. Presumably, a very cold summer night in Australia or, by contrast, a torrid night. The wind will howl and roar. Lightning and thunderbolts of an unprecedented magnitude will strike the earth. The whole earth will shake, heavenly bodies will be disturbed – this will be the beginning of the Three Days. Every demon
will be released from Hell and will be allowed to roam the earth. Terrifying apparitions will take place. Many will die from sheer fright. Fire will rain forth from the sky, all large cities will be destroyed, poisonous gases will fill the air, cries and lamentations everywhere. The unbelievers will burn in the open like withered grass. The entire earth will be afflicted. Then it will become dark for three days as it did in the days of Moses
.
is also kept as a remedy against demonic activity. Once the darkness descends, no one should go outside. Rather, the faithful should stay indoors and pray fervently.
and Saint Paul. This tangental belief assumes that the current pontiffs of the Roman Catholic Church
are not true popes, but antipopes. There is also controversy over whether the twentieth century saint and stigmatist Padre Pio of Pietreclina endorsed and taught the future Three Days of Darkness. The authenticity of the alleged words of Saint Pio are disputed.
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
against Egypt. Just as God punished the idolatrous Egyptians during the days of Moses with Ten Plagues culminating in "three days of darknesss," so also, at the end of time will God will punish the entire world with "three days of darkness." The theory holds that the entire earth will be enveloped by perfect darkness lasting the span of three days and three nights. The only light that will be seen during these three days will come from blessed candles. Catholic visionaries agree that the faithful should stay within their homes during this plague of darkness as most of the earth's inhabitant shall die.
Advocates of the Theory
Many Catholic saints and mystics have affirmed the coming Three Days of Darkness, such as, Saint Pio of Pietreclina, Saint Hildegard, Blessed Anna Maria TaigiAnna Maria Taigi
Anna Maria Gesualda Antonia Taigi was an Italian woman who was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.-Life:...
, Elizabeth Canori-Mora, Rosa-Colomba Asdente, Palma d'Oria, Pere Lamy, Marie Baourdi, Marie Martel, and Marie Julie Jahenny
Marie Julie Jahenny
Julie Marie Jahenny - French nun, mystic and stigmatist.-Life:She was born in a large peasant family, and later joined the Third Order of St. Francis...
.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi
Anna Maria Taigi
Anna Maria Gesualda Antonia Taigi was an Italian woman who was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.-Life:...
(1769–1837) is the greatest known advocate for the Three Days of Darkness and describes the event in this way:
- "There shall come over the whole earth an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights. Nothing can be seen, and the air will be laden with pestilence which will claim mainly, but not only, the enemies of religion. It will be impossible to use any man-made lighting during this darkness, except blessed candles. He, who out of curiosity, opens his window to look out, or leaves his home, will fall dead on the spot. During these three days, people should remain in their homes, pray the Rosary and beg God for mercy. All the enemies of the Church, whether known or unknown, will perish over the whole earth during that universal darkness, with the exception of a few whom God will soon convert. The air shall be infected by demons who will appear under all sorts of hideous forms."
Description of the Three Days of Darkness
It will be a bitterly cold winter night in the northern hemisphereNorthern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
. Presumably, a very cold summer night in Australia or, by contrast, a torrid night. The wind will howl and roar. Lightning and thunderbolts of an unprecedented magnitude will strike the earth. The whole earth will shake, heavenly bodies will be disturbed – this will be the beginning of the Three Days. Every demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
will be released from Hell and will be allowed to roam the earth. Terrifying apparitions will take place. Many will die from sheer fright. Fire will rain forth from the sky, all large cities will be destroyed, poisonous gases will fill the air, cries and lamentations everywhere. The unbelievers will burn in the open like withered grass. The entire earth will be afflicted. Then it will become dark for three days as it did in the days of Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
.
Instructions for Adherents
Those who subscribe to the coming Three Days of Darkness instruct the faithful to flee into their homes whenever they observe the prophesied "bitterly cold winter night." The faithful should lock their doors, and close their blinds. Beeswax candles previously blessed by a Catholic priest are kept stored in homes in preparation for the event. Holy waterHoly water
Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism, the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.The use for baptism and...
is also kept as a remedy against demonic activity. Once the darkness descends, no one should go outside. Rather, the faithful should stay indoors and pray fervently.
Controversy and the Three Days
Adherents of the Three Days of Darkness are usually traditionalist Catholics or sedevacantists. In the latter case, they hope that a true pope will be miraculous designated by an apparition of Saint PeterSaint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
and Saint Paul. This tangental belief assumes that the current pontiffs of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
are not true popes, but antipopes. There is also controversy over whether the twentieth century saint and stigmatist Padre Pio of Pietreclina endorsed and taught the future Three Days of Darkness. The authenticity of the alleged words of Saint Pio are disputed.