Are There Modern Prophets Today? A Catholic Perspective

Many Catholics wonder: Are there modern prophets today, or did prophecy end with the Bible? The Church teaches that God’s definitive revelation is complete in Jesus Christ, yet the Holy Spirit continues to speak and guide the Church. Understanding how this works is key to answering questions about “modern prophets.” This article explores what the Catholic Church teaches about prophecy, private revelation, and discernment.

Public Revelation vs. Private Revelation

Public Revelation: Complete in Christ

In Catholic teaching, public revelation is everything God has revealed for our salvation, contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and authentically interpreted by the Magisterium (the teaching office of the Church).

Public revelation ended with the death of the last Apostle.
Nothing can be added to this deposit of faith.
Every Catholic is bound to believe what is contained in public revelation.

Prophets of the Old and New Testaments, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist, belonged to this foundational period of revelation. They prepared the way for Christ and helped shape the Bible we have today.

Private Revelation: May Help Us Live the Gospel

After the apostolic era, the Church recognizes that God may still grant private revelations. For example, approved apparitions such as those of Our Lady of Lourdes or Fatima.

However, private revelation is different:

It does not add to the Gospel.
Catholics are never obliged to accept any private revelation, even approved ones.
Its purpose is to help us live the Gospel more fully in a particular time and place.

If someone today is called a “prophet,” any message they claim to receive must be understood in this context: always secondary to Scripture and Tradition, and always subject to the Church’s discernment.

Prophecy as a Charism in the Catholic Church

Biblical Roots of Prophetic Gifts

The New Testament teaches that prophecy is one of the charisms of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12–14). St. Paul encourages believers not to despise prophetic utterances but to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21). Catholic theology affirms that:

The Holy Spirit still gives charisms for the building up of the Church.
Prophecy, understood as a charism, can include inspired words of encouragement, exhortation, or warning, always in harmony with the faith.

Charismatic Renewal and Modern Prophecy

Within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, many believers experience:

Words of knowledge
Words of encouragement
Instances of prophetic prayer

These are seen as gifts meant to edify the community, not to replace Scripture or the Sacraments. Any “prophetic” word must be:

In full agreement with Catholic teaching
Appropriately discerned by pastors and spiritual leaders
Humble, never claiming authority above the Church

In this sense, some Catholics speak of “modern prophets” as individuals especially open to the Holy Spirit’s charism of prophecy, but always under the guidance of the Church.

How the Church Discerns Prophetic Claims

Biblical and Ecclesial Criteria

The Bible provides clear principles for testing prophets (Deuteronomy 18:20–22; Matthew 7:15–20). The Catholic Church builds on these with practical guidelines:

Fidelity to Doctrine
Any purported message must fully agree with Scripture, Tradition, and the Catechism. If it contradicts the faith, it is not from God.
Moral Integrity of the Person
A true servant of God should show humility, obedience, charity, and a life consistent with the Gospel.
Spiritual Fruits
Authentic prophetic gifts lead to deeper conversion, prayer, love of the Eucharist, and unity with the Church.
Authority of the Bishop
Local bishops have the responsibility to investigate alleged apparitions or prophetic messages and to give pastoral guidance to the faithful.

Dangers of False Prophets

Jesus warned about false prophets who can mislead even sincere believers. This is why the Church insists on:

Avoiding sensationalism
Rejecting “prophecies” that predict dates of the end times or stir fear and division
Remaining anchored in the Mass, the Sacraments, and daily conversion

Any message that pulls Catholics away from the Church, away from the Eucharist, or into disobedience to legitimate authority must be firmly rejected.

What Catholics Can Learn from the Question of Modern Prophets

Stay Rooted in the Word and the Sacraments

Whether or not one uses the term “modern prophet,” Catholics are called to:

Listen daily to God through Scripture
Participate in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession
Allow the Holy Spirit to speak through the ordinary means of grace

The safest “prophetic voice” in our lives is always Jesus Christ, encountered in His Word and in the life of the Church.

Seek Authentic Guidance, Not Spiritual Novelty

It is natural to want clear direction in confusing times. But the Catholic response is:

Seek guidance through prayer, spiritual direction, and trusted pastors
Be cautious about chasing after every new mystic or “seer”
Remember that holiness is found in daily faithfulness: prayer, charity, and the duties of one’s state in life

If God chooses to raise up individuals with special prophetic charisms, He will also give the Church the grace to discern and guide their use.

So, Are There Modern Prophets in the Catholic Church?

From a Catholic perspective, the answer is nuanced:

Public revelation is complete; no modern prophet can add new doctrine or rival Scripture.
Private revelations and prophetic charisms may still occur, but they must always be tested and discerned by the Church.
The title “prophet” today is best understood in the context of charisms that encourage, exhort, and call people back to the Gospel, not as a new source of revelation.

Ultimately, the Catholic path is clear: Stay close to Christ, rooted in the Church, guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. In doing so, you will be safely led by the Holy Spirit whether through ordinary means or through authentic prophetic gifts.