4 Visionaries, Garabandal, Spain, 1962
Status: Supernatural Evidence Not established and
Not excluded. (Non constat de Supernaturalitate)
Episcopal Remarks:
(i) “nothing obliges us to confirm the supernatural origin of the events.”
(Bishop Doroteo Fernandez, Santander Diocese, August 26, 1961), (ii) “There
is no proof that the said apparitions, visions, locutions or revelations can so
far be presented as true and authentic, or be held as such on any serious
grounds.” (Bishop Doroteo Fernandez, Santander Diocese, October 19, 1961),
(iii) “It is thought scientifically possible that the fourteen year old child
who claims to see the apparitions may be suffering from a condition of health
conducive to ecstatic trances all this is of a natural order, and there is
no possibility of any supernatural cause” (Episcopal Decree signed by Mgr
Eugenio Beitia Aldazabal, Santander Diocese, October 7, 1962), (iv) “we have
found no grounds for an ecclesiastical condemnation” (Bishop Eugenio Beita
Aldazabal, Santander Diocese, July 8, 1965),
(v) “no evidence to support the supernatural nature of the
apparitions” (Bishop del Val, Santander Diocese, 1991), (vi) “no
supernatural validity to such apparitions” (as mistranslated by GOSPA
MISSIONS periodical, November 11, 1996) original Spanish translation “the
supernatural character of the said apparitions was not certain” (Bishop
Jose Vilaplana, Santander Diocese, 1996 and
2001) (See documentation Here)
Corroboration by other Seers: Padre Pio was reportedly favourably
disposed to Garabandal?
Biographical Information:
1.
The Visionaries
From left to right, Conchita
Gonzalez (12), Mari Cruz Gonzalez (11), Jacinta Gonzalez (12) and Mari Loli
Mazon (12).
2.
The Story
In
the evening of June 18, 1961, four girls were playing on the outskirts of
Garabandal, a small village in Northern Spain, Conchita Gonzalez, Maria Dolores
(Mari-loli) Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez and Maria Cruz Gonzalez when they first had
an apparition of St Michael the archangel. St Michael told them he would appear
daily until July 2 when he announced that they
would first see Our Lady. By the
day of the prophesied apparition over 2000 pilgrims had gathered from all over
Europe. The seers described the Blessed Virgin in the following way “Our Lady
wore a white robe and a blue cloak and
had a crown of goldern stars. Her feet are not visible, Her hands are
slender with a scapular on Her right Wrist. The scapular is reddish brown in
colour. Her face is long, Her nose is long and slender and Her mouth is
delicate and very beautiful. Her lips are just a little bit full. She has a
complexion that is quite dark but lighter than then angel’s. Her voice is
different from the angel’s voice, it is a very beautiful voice, very unusual.
Our Lady appears to be about 18. The seers report there is no woman who is like
Our Lady, either in voice or in any way at all. Sometimes Our Lady carries the
Child Jesus in Her arms. He is quite tiny as tiny as a newborn baby. He has a
round face with a sweet little mouth. His blond hair is rather long; His hands
are very small and He is dressed in a sort of sky blue tunic. He appears to have
the same complexion as Our Lady. (Peter Heintz A guide to Apparitions of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, Gabriel Press, California 1994 p257). During the apparitions that would follow
the girls appeared to enter into religious ecstasy falling to their knees with
a loud crack without injury, their facial expressions were transformed
(beautiful and sweet and of profound mysticism), absorbed in rapture, unaware
of anyone or any material thing apart from each other, eyes insensitive to
powerful light radiating intense joy, and body unresponsive to pricks, burns or
blows, exuding deep and profound peace
and joy, with a return to normal reflexes upon cessation of the visions. Our
Lady routinely kissed the rosaries, scapular, medal, crucifixes, wedding rings
of pilgrims which in certain cases have been the occasion of a miraculous rose
fragrance, conversions (of none believers) and healings. According to Conchita
“Jesus will work miracles through the objects kissed by her. Those who carry or
wear them with faith and confidence will suffer their purgatory here on earth.”
Unless stated otherwise the subsequent apparitions occurred at the Pines (There
were around 33 apparitions in total between 1961 –1965):
Apparitions
of Our Lady 1961: July 2 (Our Lady, flanked by two other
angels), 3, 4, (all the visionaries
went into ecstasy many times each day) July 26-27 (Conchita in Santander and
the other three visionaries in Garabandal), July 29-31, August 2,3,5,6,7 and
twice on the 8th in the Church (The seers witness a preview of the
“Great Miracle” to come; a priest named Fr Luis Andreu was present at the
apparition and cried “Miracle, Miracle” and it is believed he also saw it ),
then on August 16, 17, 19 and 22 and
once on October 18 (1st Message given). Apparitions of Archangel Michael: June 18, 27, 28, July 1 and 2.
Apparitions
of Our Lady 1962: June 19
(The Virgin told them that if the lack of response by the world continued the
Chastisement would come), 20, July 3, July 18, September 12. Apparitions of St
Michael the Archangel: May 1 (announced that he would give the girls
communion), June 18, June 22 (Announced the miracle to come of a visible
communion), 23 (Announced Our Lady will set a date for this miracle; more
lamentations that the world had not responded to the Virgin’s warnings and to
pray for the wicked), (on July 3 Conhita had an ecstasy at the Pines where she
was given the date), July 18
(Prophesied Eucharistic miracle is fulfilled and photographic evidence is
produced). On July 19 , 20 the Virgin is absent but the girls are given visions
of a coming Chastizement.
Apparitions
of Our Lady 1963: June
Apparitions
of Our Lady 1964: December
8, inside the Church
Apparitions
of Our Lady 1965: January 1
(2nd Message announced for June), 2 (Our Lady tells Conchita about
the future warning and the nature of the chastisement to come), June 18 (2nd Message given)
and November 13. Apparitions of Archangel Michael: June 19
3.
The Messages
Our
Lady's Message of July 4, 1961 (Released October 18, 1961)
“Many
Sacrifices must be made. Much penance must be done. We must pay many visits to
the Blessed Sacrament, but first of all we must be very good. If we do not do
this, punishment awaits us. Already the cup is filling, and if we do not change
we shall be punished.”
Our
Lady’s Message to Conchita January 1, 1965
“Archangel
Michael will appear to you in June 18, 1965 to deliver my final message for the
entire world”
Our Lady's Message of June 18, 1965 (Delivered by St Michael the Archangel)
“Since my message of October 18, 1961 has not
been complied with and has not been made much known to the world, I will tell
you that this is the last one. Before the chalice was filling now it is
overflowing. Many Cardinals, many Bishops, and many Priests are on the path of
perdition and they take many souls with them. To the Eucharist, there is given
less and less importance. We should avoid the wrath of God on us by our good
efforts. If you ask pardon with your sincere soul God will pardon you. It is I,
your mother, who through the intercession of St. Michael, wish to say that you
amend, that you are already in the last warnings and that I love you much and
do not want your condemenation. Ask Us sincerely and we will give to you. You
should sacrifice more. Think of the passion of Jesus “
The
Last apparition Saturday, November 13, 1965
“One
day in church Our Lady told me in a locution that I would see her on Saturday,
November 13, at the pines; it would be a special apparition to kiss the religious
objects so that I could give them away afterwards. I was anxious for this day
to arrive so that I could see again the Blessed Virgin and the Child Jesus who
have implanted in my life the seed of God's happiness. It was raining but it
did not matter to me. I went up to the Pines carrying with me the many rosaries
which people have given to me to distribute them... As I was going up I was
talking to myself, being sorry for my defects, desiring not to fall into them
again, for it gave me much worry to appear before the Mother of God without
wiping them out.
When
I arrived at the pines, I began to take the rosaries out and heard a sweet
voice, that of the Virgin, which you always distinguish among others, calling
me by my name. I answered her 'what?' At that very moment I saw Her with the
Child in her arms. She was dressed as usual and smiling. I told Her, 'I have
come to bring you the rosaries so that you can kiss them.' She said to me, 'I
can see it.' I had been chewing gum, but as I was seeing Her I did not chew it;
I placed the gum on a tooth. She must have noticed for She said, 'Conchita why
don't you get rid of the chewing gum and offer it up as a sacrifice for the
glory of my Son?' I, a bit ashamed of myself, took it out and threw it on the ground.
She said afterwards, 'Do you remember what I told you on your saint's day -
that you would suffer much on earth?... Now I repeat it to you. Have confidence
in Us. Then I added, 'How unworthy I am, O Mother of us, of so many graces
received through you, and now you have come to me to help me carry the little
cross I have." She said, 'Conchita, I am not coming only for you but I am
coming for all my children, with a desire to get them closer to Our Hearts.'
She
asked for the things I was carrying. 'Give them to me so that I can kiss all
you are carrying with you.' And I gave her everything. I was bringing with me
also a small crucifix which I gave her to kiss. She kissed it and said , 'Put
it in the hands of the Child Jesus.' And I did that and He said nothing. I said
'This cross I intend to take with me when I go to the convent.' But he did not
reply. After kissing everything She commented, 'My son, through this kiss, will
work wonders. Distribute them to the others..." Of course I will do it.
After
all this she requested that I tell her all the petitions for others which I had
received. She said, 'Conchita, tell me, tell me things about my children. I
have all of them under my cloak.' And I commented, 'It is too small and there
is no room for all of us.' She smiled at this.
'Do You know, Conchita, why I did not come personally on June 18 to give
you the message for the world? Because it pained me to say it myself, but I
have to say it to you for your own good and, if you fulfill it, for God's
glory. I love you very much and I desire your salvation; to gather you all
around God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Conchita, won't you respond
to this?' I said, 'If I could be always seeing you, yes; but otherwise I can't
because I am very bad...' 'You do all you can,' Our Lady added, 'and We will
help you, as well as my daughters Loli, Jacinta and Maricruz...'
She
did not stay long with me. She also said, 'This will be the last time you see
me here, but I will always be with all my children.' Afterwards she added,
'Conchita, why don't you go often to visit my Son in the Most Blessed
Sacrament? Why do you let yourself be carried away by laziness and not go to
visit Him Who is waiting for you day an night?' As I have written above, it was raining hard. Our Lady and the
Child did not get wet. I was not aware it was raining while seeing them, but
when I stopped seeing them I was soaked. I also told her, 'O how happy I am
when I see you. Why don't you take me with you right now?' She answered,
'Remember what I told you on your saint's day. When you go before God you must
show Him your hands filled with good works done by you for your brothers and
for the glory of God; now your hands are empty.'
That's
all, I spent a happy moment with my mother from heaven, my best friend, and
with the Child Jesus. I have stopped seeing them but not feeling them close.
Again they have sown in my soul great peace, joy and a desire to conquer my
defects so that I will be able to love, with all my strength, the hearts of Jesus
and Mary who love us so much..."
"The
Blessed Virgin Mary told me before that Jesus does not want to send the
punishment in order to distress us but in order to help us and reproach us
because we pay no attention to Him. And the warning will be sent in order to
purify us for the miracle in which he will show us His great love, and in order
that we may fulfill the message." (Translation
of a private letter by Conchita detailing events of Saturday, November 13,
1965)
Locutions
continued in the absence of apparitions until February 13, 1966. One example is
the papal prophecy “After His Holiness Paul VI, there will be only two more
popes before the end of the present period (el fin de los tiempos) which is not
the end of the world. The Blessed Virgin told me so, but I don’t know what that
means” (Conchita, as reported by Fr Lafineur in Star On the Mountain
p95)
4. The Prophecies
after the visions –The Warning, Miracle
and Punishment
(a)
The seers on “The Warning”
“The
Blessed Virgin told me on the first of January that a Warning would be given
before the Miracle so that the world might amend itself. This Warning, like the
Chastizement, is a very fearful thing for the good as well as the wicked. It
will draw the good closer to God and will warn the wicked that the end of time
is coming and that these are the last warnings. There is more to it than this,
but it cant be said by letter. No one can stop it from happening. It is
certain, althought I know nothing concerning the day or the date” (Conchita
in a letter dated June 2, 1965, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal by Joseph A.
Pelletier, A. A., pp. 149-150.)
“The
warning is a thing that comes directly from God and will be visible throughout
the entire world in whatever place anyone might be” (Conchita in a letter
dated June 2, 1965, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal by Joseph A. Pelletier, A. A.,
pp. 149-150.)
“the
Warning will be like a revelation of our sins, and it will be seen and
experienced equally by believers and non-believers and people of any religion whatsoever.”
(Conchita in a letter dated June 2, 1965, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal by
Joseph A. Pelletier, A. A., pp. 149-150.)
“The
Warning is like a purification for the Miracle. And it is a sort of a
catastrophe. It will make us think of the dead, that is, we would prefer to be
dead than to experience the Warning.” (Conchita in a letter dated June 2,
1965, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal by Joseph A. Pelletier, A. A., pp. 149-150.)
“Certainly,
and for this reason I believe it is impossible that the world could be so
hardened as not to change” (Conchita in a letter dated June 2, 1965, Our
Lady Comes to Garabandal by Joseph A. Pelletier, A. A., pp. 149-150.)
“The
Warning is something supernatural and will not be explained by science. It will
be seen and felt.” (Conchita, October 1968, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal,
pp. 149-150)
“The
Warning will be a correction of the conscience of the world. “(Conchita,
October 1968, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal, pp. 149-150)
“For
those who do not know Christ (non-Christian) they will believe it is a Warning
from God.” (Conchita, October 1968, Our Lady Comes to Garabandal, pp.
149-150)
“The
most important thing about that day is that everyone in the whole world will
see a sign, a grace, or a punishment within themselves - in other words, a
Warning. They will find themselves all alone in the world no matter where they
are at the time, alone with their conscience right before God. They will then
see all their sins and what their sins have caused.” (Conchita 1973,
Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“We
will feel it at the same time” (Conchita 1973, Garabandal, January-March
1983)
“I
think five minutes would be an adequate time” (Conchita 1973, Garabandal,
January-March 1983)
“We
will all feel it differently because it will depend on our conscience. The
Warning will be very personal, therefore, we will all react differently to it.
The most important thing will be to recognize our own sins and the bad
consequences of them. You will have a different view of the Warning than me because
your sins are different from mine.” (Conchita 1973, Garabandal,
January-March 1983)
“No
[physical harm will occur]… unless it's something that results from the sick,
for example, a heart attack” (Conchita 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“This
will be only a Warning to see what you have done with your sins. It will be
like a purification before the Miracle to see if with the Warning and Miracle
we (meaning the whole world) will be converted.” (Conchita 1973, Garabandal,
January-March 1983)
“Yes, [this Warning
can occur any day now] but I don’t know the date it will occur” (Conchita
1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“The
only thing that I remember well is that it was the Virgin who told me of
it.” (Conchita, February, 1977,
Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“What
I remember now is that the Virgin told me that before the Miracle God will be
sending us a Warning so as to purify us or prepare us to see the Miracle and in
this way we may draw enough grace to change our lives toward God. She told me
what the Warning will consist of but not the date. I am not able to say what it
consists of but I am able to say what it will be like, more or less. It is a
phenomenon which will be seen and felt in all the world and everywhere; I have
always given as an example that of two stars that collide. This phenomenon will
not cause physical damage, but it will horrify us because at that very moment
we will see our souls and the harm we have done. It will be as though we were
in agony but we will not die by its effects but perhaps we will die of fright
or shock to see ourselves. May the Virgin forgive me if I do not explain it the
way it is, but I am trying to tell you ...after knowing what the Warning will
be like that day.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September
1977,(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“The
Virgin told me of its coming” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles,
July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“I
have never said that the Warning will be a short moment. What I have said is
that even if it were a moment it will be very impressive and terrible. No one
will have doubts of it being from God, and of its not being human. I, who know
what it is am very much afraid of that day.” (Conchita, February, 1977,
Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When
reminded that she had told us the Warning begins with the letter ”A.” but that
it couldn’t be revealed said “She did not forbid it, but I don't know why I
haven't said it and I don't feel as though I should say it now” (Conchita,
February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal,
January-March 1980)
“The
Virgin told us that the Warning and Miracle will be the last warnings for
public spectaculars that God will give us. This is why I believe that after
them we will be near the end of time.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles,
July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“We
must all ways be prepared with our souls in peace and not tie ourselves down so
much to this world. Instead, we must think very often that we are here to go to
heaven and to be saints.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September
1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“To
me, it's like two stars.. that crash and make a lot of noise and a lot of light
but they don't fall... It's something that's not going to hurt us but we're
going to see it. In that moment, we're going to see our conscience. You're
going to see everything wrong that you're doing.” (Conchita, August, 1980,
Garabandal, January-March 1984)
“And
you're going to see the good that you're not doing.” (Conchita, August,
1980, Garabandal, January-March 1984)
When
asked if she new the year of the warning: “No. I can't say anything.” (Mari
Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
When
asked if she had been asked to keep silent by Our Lady said: “No, she didn't ,
but, because the Warning and the Miracle are within the same year, I feel it
inside not to say anything. (Mari Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)”
When
asked how she knew that the miracle and warning are in the same year said:
“During an apparition-I don't remember just when- the Blessed Virgin told me.”
(Mari Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
When asked whether everything will stand still
during the warning, even aeroplanes said: “Yes, but just for a few moments.” (Mari
Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
“During
an apparition the Blessed Virgin told me all this.” (Mari Loli, July 27,
1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
“She
told me all of this during one apparition. I don't remember now if she spoke
about the Warning during any other apparition.” (Mari Loli, July 27, 1975,
Needles,Autumn1975)
When
asked how long it will last said “Just a few minutes.” (Mari Loli, July 27,
1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
When
asked if afraid of the warnining said: “Yes. Like everyone else, I have faults,
and the warning will show me my faults and this makes me afraid.” (Mari
Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
“All
I can say is that it is very close and that it is very important that we
prepare ourselves because it will be a terrible thing. It will make us feel all
the wrong we have done.” (Mari Loli, July 27, 1975, Needles,Autumn1975)
When
asked whether she had told Conchita the date of the Warning and asked Conchita
the date of the Miracle said “I have never talked to Conchita about these
dates.” (Mari Loli, February, 1977,
Needles, July-September, 1977 (reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“do
much penance, make sacrifices, visit the Blessed Sacrament every day that we
are able to, and to pray the holy rosary daily.” (Mari Loli, February, 1977,
Needles, July-September, 1977 (reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“Everyone
will experience it wherever they may be, regardless of their condition or their
knowledge of God...It will be an interior personal experience. it will look as
if the world has come to a standstill,...however, no one will be aware of that
as they will be totally absorbed in their own experience.” (Mari Loli,
September 29, 1978, The Call of Garabandal, April-June 1984)
“It
is going to be something like and interior feeling of sorrow and pain for
having offended God. God will help us to see clearly the harm we are causing
Him and all the evil things we do. He will help us to sense this interior pain
because often when we do something wrong we just ask the Lord's forgiveness
with our lips, but now (through the Warning) He will help us sense physically
that deep sorrow. ((Mari Loli, September 29, 1978, The Call of Garabandal,
April-June 1984)
When
asked about the communist tribulation to precede the warning said: “It would
look like the communists have taken over the whole world and it would be very
hard to practice the religion, for priests to say Mass or for the people to
open the doors of the churches. (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal,
January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if that what she meant when she said that it would seem as though the
Church had disappeared said “Yes.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal,
January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if it would be because of the persecution rather than people stopping
religion said “Yes, but I guess a lot of people will stop. Whoever practices it
will have to go into hiding.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal,
January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if this will be local to Europe said: “I don't know because for me at
that time, Europe was the whole world. I just assumed it was that way. The
Blessed Mother didn't specify in what place. To me it looked like it was
everywhere.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and
April-June 1983)
When
asked if the current communist land mass of the world of 67% being a
fulfillment of the prophecy said: “I
really don't know. It sounded to me like it would be more that.” (Mari Loli,
October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if it would be worse than that said: “That's what I thought from what she
said but I really don't know exactly. To me it looked more like it was every
place out there, the places I saw in my mind. In a lot of countries in Europe
you can still practice your religion.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982,
Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
“The
Warning is not going to happen yet so it's probably going to get worse.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if Our Lady say it would be difficult for priests to say mass or whether
she just assumed that said “From what I remember, it was something she said.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if it would seem as if the Church had dissapeared said: “Yes.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if Mary said anything about the Holy Father having to leave Rome at this
time said “No, But what it looked like to me-maybe at this time I was confusing
in my mind what I was seeing and what the Blessed Mother was saying to me
because it's been so many years- but what it looked like to me was that the
Pope couldn't be in Rome either, you know what I mean, out in the open. He was
being persecuted, too, and had to hide just like everybody else.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked whether Mary said planes would stop in mid air during the warning said “She
said that everything, everywhere, for a moment would stop and the people would
just think and look inside themselves.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982,
Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked if there would be any noise said “The way I saw it at the time, it was
more like a big silence, like a sense of emptiness. Everything was very silent.
That's the way I saw it.” (Mari Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal,
January-March and April-June 1983)
“It
is soon. Everything looks soon to me because time goes by so fast.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked whether she has revealed the date of the warning to anyone said “No.” (Mari
Loli, October 19, 1982, Garabandal, January-March and April-June 1983)
When
asked whether there will be fighting among one another when it comes said:
nothing
When
asked whether Mary spoke to her about the warning said: “Yes, she spoke to me
about it but she never told me the year...” (Jancinta, August 17, 1975 ,
Needles, winter 1976.)
“The
Warning is something that is first seen in the air everywhere in the world and
immediately is transmitted into the interior of our souls. It will last for a
very little time, but it will seem a very long time because of its effect within
us. It will be for the good of our souls, in order to see in ourselves our
conscience, the good (*) and the bad that we've done. Then we'll feel a great
love toward our heavenly parents and ask forgiveness for all our offenses. (*)
Conchita says that we will only see the bad.” (Jacinta, February 1977,
Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“The
Warning is for everybody because God wants our salvation. The Warning is in
order for us to draw closer to Him and to increase our faith. Therefore, one
should prepare for that day, but not awaiting it with fear because God doesn't
send things for the sake of fear but rather with justice and love and He does
it for the good of all His children that they might enjoy eternal happiness and
not be lost.” (Jacinta, February 1977, Needles, July-September
1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When
asked if she remembered anything about a communist tribulation said “Yes , it
was an invasion, well, something that seemed to me like an invasion; something
that was a great evil in which communism played a great part, but I no longer
remember which countries or what region was stricken. The Blessed Virgin
insisted in telling us to pray (that it be averted). These difficult events
will take place before the Warning because the Warning itself will take place
when the situation will be at its worst.” (Jacinta, August 11, 1979,
Needles, winter 1976.)
“The
Virgin said that the Warning would come when conditions were at their worst. It
wouldn't be just the persecution either because many people will no longer be
practicing their religion.” (Jacinta, April 16, 1983, Garabandal,
July-September 1983.)
When
asked whether innocent children will experience the warn ing said “Yes. That's why we felt sorry for them
because it was such a terrifying experience.” (Jacinta, April 16, 1983, Garabandal,
July-September 1983.)
When
asked how the world will be when the warning comes said “Bad.” (Jacinta,
April 16, 1983, Garabandal, July-September 1983.)
“The
warning will come when conditions are at their worst” (Jacinta, as reported
by Conchita December 10, 1965)
(b) The seers on “The
Miracle”
“I am the only one to whom the Blessed Virgin spoke of the
Miracle. She forbade me to say what it will consist of. I can't announce the
date either until eight days before it is due to occur. What I can reveal is
that it will coincide with an event in the Church and with the feast of a
saint, martyr of the Eucharist; that it will take place at 8:30 on a Thursday
evening; that it will be visable to all those who are in the village and
surrounding mountains; that the sick who are present will be cured and the
incredulous will believe. It will be the greatest miracle that Jesus will have
performed for the world. There won't be the slightest doubt that it comes from
God and that it is for the good of mankind. A sign of the Miracle—un señal del
milagro—which it will be possible to film or televise, will remain forever—para
siempre—at the pines.” (Given by Conchita to Francisco Sanchez-Ventura,
author of The Apparitions at Garabandal)
“The sign that will remain forever at the pines is
something we will be able to photograph, televise and see, but not touch. It
will be evident that it is not a thing of this world but from God….it would
last about 15 minutes” (Conchita, September 14, 1965)
“It will take place on or between the eighth and sixteenth of March, April or May. It will not happen in February or June” (Conchita, August 10, 1971)
When asked who told her about the miracle said (The most
Holy Virgin told me.”(Mari Loli, February, 1977, Needles, July-September
1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
“All I know is that it will take place within a year after
the Warning.” (Mari Loli, February, 1977, Needles, July-September
1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980
When asked whether she and her family would go to
Garabandal to witness it said “If it is God's will.” (Mari Loli, February, 1977,
Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980
“I will tell you all that I can just as the Virgin told it
to me. She told me that God was going to perform a great Miracle and that there
would be no doubt about the fact that it was a miracle. It will come directly
from God with no human intervention. A day will come-and she told me the day,
the month and the year so I know the exact date. “ (Conchita, 1973,
Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“It is coming soon but I can't reveal it until eight days
before the date.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“I am not permitted to say exactly what is going to
happen. What I can reveal is that the Virgin said that everyone who would be
there (in Garabandal) on that day would see it. The sick who are there will be
cured no matter what their disease or religion. However, they have to be
there.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“The virgin said that everyone present would believe. They
would see that this was coming directly from God. All sinners present would be
converted. She also said that you would be able to take pictures and televise
it. Also, from that moment on there would be a permanent sign at the pines that
everyone will be able to see and touch but not feel. I can't explain it.“ (Conchita,
1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
When asked if this would be accompanied by an
extraordinary sign not made by human hands said “Yes. And this sign will remain
until the end of time.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
“It will be like smoke. You can touch it but not feel it.”
(Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
When asked about what Mary said about the blind man Joe Lomangino
said “She said that on the day of the great Miracle he will recover his sight.
She also talked about a paralytic boy whose parents came from my town
(Garabandal). This boy will also be cured. these are the only two people she
mentioned.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
When asked about Fr. Luis Andreu said “ Yes. This priest
came frequently to the village to see if the apparitions were real or not.
After a while he believed in them. Once, while we were in ecstasy at the pines,
he began to shout, "Miracle, miracle, miracle." When this happened
the Virgin said, "At this moment the priest is seeing me and the Miracle
that will occur.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal, January-March 1983)
When asked if he was seeing the miracle said “Yes. That
same day on his trip back home he said to his friends, "This is the
happiest day of my life. What a great mother we have in heaven. The apparitions
are true. " As he said these words he died.” (Conchita, 1973,
Garabandal, January-March 1983)
When asked if Mary said something would occur on the day
of the Miracle concerning Fr. Andreu said “Yes, she said that on the day of the
Miracle his body would be found incorrupt.” (Conchita, 1973, Garabandal,
January-March 1983)
When asked if she would take her expectant child to the miracle said “I don't even know if I'm going. (Asked to expand on her answer, Conchita said): Surely I want to go, but I don't know if circumstances will permit. It is not necessary (for the occurrence of the Miracle) that I be there.” (Conchita, February 7, 1974, Needles, Spring 1974.)
When asked what the great event in the Church would be
which coincides with the Miracle said “Yes, I know what the event is. It is a
singular event in the church that happens very rarely, and has never happened
in my lifetime. It is not new or stupendous, only rare, like a definition of a
dogma- something like that in that it will affect the entire church. It will
happen on the same day as the Miracle, but not as a consequence of the Miracle,
only coincidentally. “ (Conchita, February 7, 1974, Needles, Spring 1974.)
When asked how she will announce the miracle said “I don't
know exactly. Most definitely at midnight (eight days before the Miracle) I
will call Joey (Lomangino), radio, television, and anyone else in the world
that I feel can help to spread the world rapidly. I am not worried. I know that
if the Blessed Mother wants you there, you will be there.” (Conchita,
February 7, 1974, Needles, Spring 1974.)
When asked about Joey going to Garabandal after the
warning and how much time would be between the warning and miracle said “For
Joey to go to Garabandal is a good idea, but I don't know how long will pass
between the Warning and the Miracle.” (Conchita, February 7, 1974, Needles,
Spring 1974.)
“Sometimes I think of it as so imminent, sometimes far
away. It seems so near when I think that people are not answering the Message,
because after the Miracle there may come the punishment. I am anxious, yes. I
wait. The blessed Mother never lies. For the words of the Blessed Mother to be
complete, there must be the Warning and the Miracle. It is all one message.” (Conchita,
February 7, 1974, Needles, Spring 1974.)
“Concerning Joey, the only thing I remember now is that
the Blessed virgin said to me that at the moment of the Miracle Joey will have
new eyes, and he will see permanently after that. “(Conchita, February 7,
1974, Needles, Spring 1974.)
When asked if she saw the miracle or was told about it
said “The Virgin told me of it and made me understand exactly what it will be “
(Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in
Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When asked if she was alone or with the others when told
this said “I don't remember.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September
1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When asked what it will be like said “Even if I would try
to explain it, I wouldn't be able to do it well. It is better that you wait and
see it.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted
in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When asked when the rought time of its arrival would be
said “March to May” (Conchita,
February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal,
January-March 1980)
“I believe that the way in which it will be said will be
another miracle because it is a very great responsibility for me and I will
need a miracle to say it. “ (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles,
July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When asked if it will be visible from the village in the
mountains and whether one would be cured said “You will be able to witness the
Miracle clearly, and if God wills it you will be cured.” (Conchita,
February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal,
January-March 1980)
When asked if people at distant Marian shrines would also
be healed said “The Virgin didn't tell us anything about this.” (Conchita,
February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March
1980)
When asked if holy people unable to attend on the day
would receive any benefits said “I don't know, personally. It depends on these
people; of their wishes, or their faith, or their sacrifice or their
obedience.” (Conchita, February, 1977, Needles, July-September 1977
(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
When asked how the sea of attendants to the miracle will
cope for basic amenties said “Leave that in God's hands. Do what you can and
for the rest remember, "God performs miracles.'” (Conchita, February,
1977, Needles, July-September 1977(reprinted in Garabandal, January-March 1980)
(c)
The seers on “The Chastisement”
“Something
very, very great, in keeping with what we deserve…If the world changes the
chastisement can be averted…” (Conhita’s dairy)
“The Chastizement is conditional and depends on whether or
not mankind heeds the Messages of the Blessed Virgin and the Miracle. If it
should take place, I know what it will consist of because the Blessed Virgin
told me about it, but I am not permitted to say what it is. Moreover, I have
seen the Chastizement. I can assure that if it comes, it is worse than being
enveloped in fire, worse than having fire above and beneath you. I do not know
how much time will elapse between the Miracle and the Chastisement” (Given
by Conchita to Francisco Sanchez-Ventura, author of The Apparitions at
Garabandal)
“I
cannot reveal what kind of punishment it is except that it will be a result of
the direct intervention of God, which makes it more terrible and fearful than
anything we can imagine. It will be less painful for innocent babies to die a
natural death than for those babies to die because of the punishment. All
Catholics should go to confession before the punishment and the others should
repent of their sins. When I saw IT (the punishment), I felt a great fear even
though at the same time I was seeing Our Blessed Mother. The punishment, if it
comes, will come after the miracle”
When Our Lady spoke to the girls of the punishment, her face assumed a look
of great sadness. The girls revealed: “We have never seen her look so serious.
When she said the words 'The cup is already filling', she spoke in a very low
voice.” (Conchita, Catholic Prophecy by David Stahl, Jr)
5.
The Miracle of the Host
Above
the village is a steep hill on which stands a cluster of 9 pine trees.
"One day," said the girls, "an angel with a golden chalice
appeared to us at "The Pines". He told us to recite the Confiteor and
then he gave us Holy Communion." This wonderful favor happened many times
during those days when the parish priest of the neighboring town of Cosio could
not go to Garabandal. It was possible to film some of these Communions, using
very bright light. The movements of the lips and tongues of the girls gave the exact
idea of a real Communion. On May 2, 1962, the angel told Conchita that God
would perform a miracle so that all people would believe: they would see the
Sacred Host on her tongue at the moment of Communion and that she should make
this known fifteen days in advance. On July 18, 1962, the town was crowded with
visitors. At midnight Conchita, who had remained in her home continually
surrounded by visitors, entered into ecstasy and went out into the street. At a
short distance from her house she fell down on her knees in the midst of the
crowd. Lanterns were focused on her. She put out her tongue upon which nothing
was resting, as everyone could see. In a few moments, a white host appeared on
her tongue and remained there for a few minutes. A businessman from Barcelona,
Don Alejandro Damians, standing less than three feet from the girl, secured
some very good moving pictures. In the film there appeared 79 pictures of the
extraordinary scene. This same witness wrote a report which he submitted to the
Bishop of Santander, together with a copy of the film. The number of witnesses
on this occasion was very large: there were people from different cultures and
social classes. Don Benjamin Gomez, a farmer from Potes, wrote: “I was standing
at less than an arm's length from the girl. I saw very well that her tongue was
completely clean of everything. The girl did not move. Suddenly there appeared
on it the Sacred Host. It was white, shining and resplendent. It reminded one
of the snow when the sun strikes it with its brilliant rays. The girl's face
was beautifully transformed into heavenly ecstasy. Her face was angelic I can
certify that she was there motionless, moving neither hands nor tongue. In this
motionless position she received the Sacred Host. We had enough time to
contemplate this marvelous phenomenon without any undue haste, and we were many
who saw it. I was an unbeliever until that day. I am not such a Catholic as to
be subject to any hallucination or imagination. I had not concerned myself
about God until then except to offend Him. I went to confession in April but
previous to that time I had not gone to confession for twenty-three years.” (From
St Michaels Centre for Our Lady of Carmel The Garabandal Story
http://www.garabandal.org/story.shtml, accessed Jan 18, 2005)
6.
Fr. Luis Marie Andreu
The
only other person to see Our Blessed Mother at Garabandal was a 38-year old
Spanish Jesuit Priest, Father Luis Marie Andreu. On August 8, 1961, Father Luis
was Among the spectators at The Pines when suddenly he became an integral part
of the Garabandal drama. He was heard to say, Miracle! Miracle!" Not only
did he see The Virgin Mary, but he was shown the forthcoming Great Miracle. The
children in ecstasy understood Our Lady to say to him: "You will soon be
with me." Although, he had never had any history of serious illness, he
died that same night of complete joy. His final words were: "Oh! What a sweet and lovely mother we
have in heaven...how happy I am... what a favor The Blessed Virgin has bestowed
on me. How fortunate we are to have a mother like her in heaven!. There is no
reason to fear the supernatural life. The girls have given us an example of how
we must act with the Blessed Virgin. There is no doubt, in my mind that the
things involving the girls are true. Why should the Blessed Virgin have chosen
us? This is the happiest day of my life."
With those words, Father bowed his head and died. Our Lady has said,
"that on the day after the Miracle his body will be found to be incorrupt."
Our Blessed Mother showed special attention and concern for all priests,
repeatedly asking that they come to Garabandal. She gave the girls the ability
to recognize them even when they came dressed as laymen, revealing the state of
their souls. She taught the children that priests were more important even than
angels because by means of their ordination they have the power to change bread
and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ during the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass. (From St Michaels Centre for Our Lady of Carmel The Garabandal
Story http://www.garabandal.org/story.shtml, accessed Jan 18, 2005 )