Marian apparitions: Is there an explanation for the choice of seers

[Kirin]

The earliest Marian apparitions see the virgin appearing to individuals of great status such as that of the Pillar to an apostle, or of great relevance (if you accept Juan Diego as being a historical person, the name literally being the Spanish equivalent of John Doe casts doubt on that however).

However once one enters the 18th century onward, with the odd exceptions (Laboure, Sasagawa) the Virgin seems to become preoccupied by children. Not Popes, not kings, not even wealthy individuals who actually have the resources and means to put her words into action; but children typically younger than twelve who've almost always been assumed to be making it up in accounts of both accepted and rejected apparitions.

Is there a particular theological message being sent by this, or more a matter of personal whimsy?

[Kaesekopf]

I'm not too certain.  I haven't really considered it, but ...  do you have any examples besides Lourdes and Fatima where the Virgin appeared to children?

Perhaps part of it is a mix between "let the little children come unto me", or is a rebuke and response to modern man's fetish for knowledge and "knowing better".

[nmoerbeek]

The earliest Marian apparitions see the virgin appearing to individuals of great status such as that of the Pillar to an apostle, or of great relevance (if you accept Juan Diego as being a historical person, the name literally being the Spanish equivalent of John Doe casts doubt on that however).

However once one enters the 18th century onward, with the odd exceptions (Laboure, Sasagawa) the Virgin seems to become preoccupied by children. Not Popes, not kings, not even wealthy individuals who actually have the resources and means to put her words into action; but children typically younger than twelve who've almost always been assumed to be making it up in accounts of both accepted and rejected apparitions.

Is there a particular theological message being sent by this, or more a matter of personal whimsy?

I think you are missing on your list of seers

Our Lady of Knock, 1879
Of the 15 witnesses, only 3 were children
http://www.knockshrine.ie/history/witnesses-accounts/

Also, there are instances of other people seeing the Virgin Mary as adults in the context of speaking to a Saint, there is such an episode in the Life of St. John Vianney, of course St. Padre Pio, and St. Gemma Galgani all also saw and conversed with Mary as well. 

There are of course other adults who have claimed to experience apparitions of the Virgin Mary such as Bayside, Nancy Fowler, of Conyers, GA but I only mention them sense you mentioned rejected apparitions.

[LausTibiChriste]

I'm not too certain.  I haven't really considered it, but ...  do you have any examples besides Lourdes and Fatima where the Virgin appeared to children?

Perhaps part of it is a mix between "let the little children come unto me", or is a rebuke and response to modern man's fetish for knowledge and "knowing better".

Off the top of my head La Salette.

[Maximilian]

I'm not too certain.  I haven't really considered it, but ...  do you have any examples besides Lourdes and Fatima where the Virgin appeared to children?

LaSallette. Garabandal. Medjugore.

(Not commenting on the authenticity.)

[LausTibiChriste]

I can personally confirm Medjugorje is full of more dog shit than the CNN staff.