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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Said to have appeared
Pope Benedict XVI has authorised special indulgences to mark the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's reputed appearance at Lourdes.
Catholics visiting the site within a year of 8 December will be able to receive an indulgence, which the Church teaches can reduce time in purgatory.
Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary was said to have appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous.
The waters of the French shrine are said to have miraculous healing powers.
The Pope is expected to visit the shrine next year.
The pontiff also said believers who prayed at places of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes from 2-11 February next year - or who were unable to make the journey - would also be able to receive indulgences.
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Why is it necessary to write 'Mary was said to have appeared' here?
Are they guessing?
I would write 'Mary appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Sourbirous.
Catholics visiting the site within a year of 8 December will be able to receive an indulgence, which the Church teaches can reduce time in purgatory.
Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary was said to have appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous.
The waters of the French shrine are said to have miraculous healing powers.
The Pope is expected to visit the shrine next year.
The pontiff also said believers who prayed at places of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes from 2-11 February next year - or who were unable to make the journey - would also be able to receive indulgences.
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Why is it necessary to write 'Mary was said to have appeared' here?
Are they guessing?
I would write 'Mary appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Sourbirous.
Top answer
If you say "Mary appeared" you are reporting it as fact. If you say "Mary is said to have appeared" you are reporting that people claimed that Mary appeared. That these people have claimd they saw Mary is a fact - whether they actually did or not is not a fact.
- If you say "Mary appeared" you are reporting it as fact.
- If you say "Mary is said to have appeared" you are reporting that people claimed that Mary appeared.
- That these people have claimd they saw Mary is a fact - whether they actually did or not is not a fact.
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5 Answers
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If you say "Mary appeared" you are reporting it as fact. If you say "Mary is said to have appeared" you are reporting that people claimed that Mary appeared. That these people have claimd they saw Mary is a fact - whether they actually did or not is not a fact.
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Thanks Grammar Geek
They have written 'the Virgin Mary's reputed appearence ...
Do you need the article? Is it a typo?
We don't write 'the Jesus' , do we?
They have written 'the Virgin Mary's reputed appearence ...
Do you need the article? Is it a typo?
We don't write 'the Jesus' , do we?
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Virgin is not really part of her name (although it is often used as such), it is an adjective describing Mary.
Mary appeared. Jesus appeared.
The Virgin Mary appeared. The prophet Jesus appeared (as he is in some religions).
Mary appeared. Jesus appeared.
The Virgin Mary appeared. The prophet Jesus appeared (as he is in some religions).
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So to write 'Virgin Mary appeared' is incorrect.
It should be 'the Virgin Mary appeared'.
It should be 'the Virgin Mary appeared'.
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