Dr. Michael James discusses the Concept of Spiritual Bilocation according to SOG Luisa Piccarreta

In Roman Catholicism, spiritual bilocation refers to the mystical phenomenon where a person is believed to be present in two places at once in a spiritual or supernatural sense. Unlike physical bilocation, where a person’s body appears in two places at the same time, spiritual bilocation involves the person’s soul or spiritual presence being perceived in another location, often to fulfill a divine mission, offer assistance, or deliver messages.

The concept is not explicitly defined in official Church doctrine but has been part of the mystical tradition within Catholicism. Saints such as St. Padre Pio and St. Alphonsus Liguori have been reported to experience spiritual bilocation, where they were seen in two locations simultaneously, performing miracles or offering guidance.

In these instances, the Church recognizes that the phenomenon is not a natural occurrence but a grace or supernatural gift granted by God to certain individuals to further His divine will.

Luisa Piccarreta (1865–1947) was an Italian Catholic mystic who is often associated with the concept of spiritual bilocation and other extraordinary mystical experiences. She is best known for her writings about living in the Divine Will, which have been compiled in a series of volumes known as the “Book of Heaven.” Her spirituality emphasizes complete surrender to God’s will and a deep union with the divine.

Luisa Piccarreta is said to have experienced spiritual bilocation on several occasions. These experiences were reportedly not physical but rather spiritual presences that allowed her to appear in other places while her body remained in her room. This phenomenon is similar to what other mystics, like St. Padre Pio, are said to have experienced, where they would be seen in multiple locations at once. In Luisa’s case, her bilocations were often linked to her role as a spiritual intercessor and her participation in the divine mission of bringing souls into a deeper union with God.

Luisa also experienced visions, locutions, and other mystical phenomena, which she believed were granted to her to aid in spreading devotion to living in God’s will. She spent much of her life in a state of deep prayer and contemplation, and her writings reveal a profound experience of God’s presence and a desire to help others understand and live in the Divine Will.

Luisa’s primary focus was on the concept of the Divine Will (or Volontà Divina). She believed that God’s will should be the guiding force in a person’s life, and she taught that humans were called to live in complete harmony with God’s will, surrendering their personal will to God’s plan. This, according to Luisa, is the key to experiencing true peace and spiritual fulfillment.

She was deeply influenced by the idea that God wants to reign on earth as He reigns in Heaven, and she envisioned a world where all souls would live in unity with God’s will, transforming the world into a place of holiness.

Luisa Piccarreta’s writings were initially not widely recognized by the Church, but over time, interest in her spirituality grew. In 2005, the Vatican initiated the process of her beatification. While her cause is still ongoing, her writings have gained significant attention and have inspired a following, particularly among those interested in deeper spiritual devotion and the idea of living in the Divine Will.

Her spiritual bilocation, along with her mystical gifts, are considered a sign of her close union with God and her unique role as a mystic in the Church’s broader spiritual tradition.