The Virgin Mary often seems to come to offer comfort or consolation particularly to the poor and vulnerable. While many of the apparitions include requests or warnings, at least a few of them seem to be connected to the Virgin Mary's desire to bring comfort to those who are in need.

This was particularly the case in apparitions that were reported to occur in Vietnam. Christianity was introduced to what is now Vietnam in 1533. Since then, Christians have suffered much persecution. In the past three centuries, thousands have been martyred for the faith. In 1798, an apparition of the Virgin Mary occurred in LaVang, Vietnam, to a group of Christians who had escaped to the jungles in the mountains. One day, this group was praying the Rosary when a radiant woman appeared to them, flanked by angels and holding the infant Christ in her arms. She assured them of her protection and care.

There have been numerous “silent apparitions” in which the Virgin Mary has appeared to people, offering healing and hope without saying a word. Her presence in places like Zeitun, Egypt, has been taken as a sign of God's continual love for the people of the world.