Visionaries and Devotion to Mary A letter from Mari Loli. "Dear friends in our Lady: “To have Devotion to the Blessed Mother is very important and in these times in which the church suffered so much it needs her protection more than ever the main weapon that the Blessed Virgin has given us to defend the church from the evil enemy is the holy rosary and this is why we must pray it every day and in it to pray especially for the sanctity of all Priests and the intentions of the Holy Father also we should pray very much for all the people who work spreading the messages of the Holy virgin throughout the world so that they may continue to do so with generosity and love.” In Union of prayers, Mary Loli. “Needles” magazine, April-June Issue 1977, page 6
Girls speak other languages in ecstasy ! September of 1961 Father Ramón brought out another very remarkable matter that occurred in the early ecstasies at Garabandal: “I myself have witnessed things that have given me reason to say that the girls spoke foreign languages while in their state of trance. Actually it isn't exactly that, at least not at the time I am writing these lines; the fact is that the girls have spoken words in other languages. I have heard the following . . . He (St. Michael) gives some words in French, in Latin, in German, and the beginning of the Hail Mary in Greek.) The most interesting thing is not that they spoke these words in ecstasy, but that they corrected themselves when they spoke them badly, so as to come to correct diction and pronunciation. They gave the impression that they were hearing the words from someone, one after the other, and that they were simply repeating them.” “ She Went In Haste to the Mountain” Book 1,Chpt.5 page 107
“An interview with the Seers” Mari Loli “The coming Warning and great Miracle” by Anthony Ambrosio “NEEDLES” magazine July-September 1977 ,page 10 Question: Could you describe what the Warning is to be like? Mari Loli: “ we will feel it within ourselves and it will be most clear that it comes from God. We will feel the pain we inflict on God with our sins”. Question: Have you ever discussed with Conchita the dates of the warning and the miracle? Loli: I have never talked to Conchita about these dates. The distance from the Warning to the Miracle will be less than one year. Question: Do you know the exact date of the Warning? Loli: “ No. The only thing I know is the year.” Question: What about the airplane stopping in mid-air? Did you see or were you told about this? Loli: “ the most holy virgin told me that all engines and Motors will come to a stop. “ Question have you any words of advice for the people in order that they may prepare for this event? Loli: “ To do much penance , make sacrifices, and visit the Blessed Sacrament everyday that we are able to and to pray the Holy Rosary daily.
I was asked , how long will the Warning last ? I refer to an answer that Conchita gave. An interview with Conchita “The coming Warning and great Miracle” by Anthony Ambrosio “NEEDLES” magazine July-September 1977 ,page 8 Question: If the Warning only lasts a short time, will the world remember it as coming from God or will it appear to have been a dream or an illusion? Conchita: “ 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 it’s not being human. I, who know what it is, am very afraid of that day”
In envision that this event will be our individual transfiguration's. If it does not wake you up and repent...then as Conchita's informs us...there will be a chastisement.
Jacinta Points Out the Priest’s Presence (Who was disguised). 1961 Among the people who went up one day with us to Garabandal was a Military Air Force Chaplain. He was wearing only the insignias of his rank of Captain and he asked the priests present not to tell the girls that he was also a priest. His desire was carefully respected. That night Jacinta fell into ecstasy and the pastor, Father Valentín, as was his custom, asked her how many priests were present. The girl gave the correct number of those in cassocks and added, “And one of those who go by plane. This is his name.” Returning home with us at 4 o’clock in the morning, the chaplain could not stop telling me of his astonishment and emotions. “Memoirs of a Spanish Country Priest “ by Father José Ramon Garcia de la Riva, Page 22
Pope Benedict XVI & Garabandal Pope Benedict XVI knew all about Garabandal , and been very receptive to learning more about it. Not only has he met and interviewed Conchita, ( When I personally spoke to Conchita about the meeting in the Vatican 1968 , she told me she only met him when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, not as Pope Benedict obviously.) He had all the latest investigation papers, eyewitness testimonies of the miracles, etc. performed through the intercession of Our Lady of Garabandal, sent to him by the well known promoter the late Fr. Francis Benac, S.J. He has also read the Garabandal book “ O Children Listen to Me “ According to journalist John L. Allen Jr.'s 2005 biography entitled: 'Pope Benedict XVI: A Biography of Joseph Ratzinger' (pages 118-119 ) his interest in Garabandal began long before becoming Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It actually began when he was a professor of theology at the Gustav Siewerth Haus Academy, located in Germany's Black Forest. Every summer he gave a course in dogmatic exegesis at the private academy from 1970 thru 1979. It is said that he knew of and took the Garabandal apparitions seriously even then. Author John Allen, Jr. confirmed this from several of Joseph Ratzinger's former graduate students. Monsignor Juan Antonio del Val, in addition to giving permission for the movie made by BBC, made a personal investigation for several years about the Apparitions of Garabandal and is one of the witnesses on the video, “Garabandal, the Eyewitnesses,” 1989 Monsignor del Val finally opens the Second Commission (with the support of Rome) testifies that the findings of the investigation of the Apparitions of the Most Holy Virgin Mary in Garabandal were sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; more specifically, to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. ( This led to Pope Benedict XVI confirming belief in Garabandal).
SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENONS , PROOF AT GARABANDAL 1. GIRLS RECITE THE ROSARY (THEY WERE NEVER TAUGHT IT ) 2. DOCTORS TESTED GIRLS BY PINCHING THEM, STICKING WITH NEEDLES, BURNING THEM WITH MATCHES, THROWING SAND IN THEIR EYES TO MAKE BLINK, CAMERA FLASH BULBS TO MAKE BLINK, BUT THEY NEVER BLINKED OR REACTED. 3.FALLING ON ROCKS & ECSTATIC WALKS FORWARD & BACKWARD OVER ROCKS AT NIGHT, ONLY LOOKING UP. 4. GIRLS COULD LIFT EACH OTHER UP TO MARY, BUT 2 MEN COULDN’T LIFT THEM. 5. GIRLS RETURN KISSED RELIGIOUS OBJECTS, WEDDING RINGS, ROSARIES, CRUCIFIXES TO OWNERS, FROM A PILE ON A TABLE, ALWAYS LOOKING UP. 6.AUG.’61 MARY VOICE RECORDED “NO I WON’T SPEAK “ 7. CONCHITA TAKES A POLAROID, IT SHOWS MARY. 8. CRUCIFIX RAISED ITSELF UP FROM THE MUD, TO CONCHITA. 9.MARY WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY PRIESTS WHO TRIED TO DISGUISE THEMSELVES IN CIVILIAN CLOTHING. 10."THE LITTLE MIRACLE" HOST APPEARS ON CONCHITA'S TONGUE.(ST. MICHAEL ANNOUNCED JULY 3’62 IN ADVANCE) HAPPENED ON JULY 18,’62 ,CAUGHT ON FILM.
TODAY IS THE FEAST DAY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD ! This reminded me of a talk I had with Conchita on Baptism. (December 29, 2019 ) I was speaking to Conchita on this day about a Christening I attended, and she said "Your Baptism is more important than your Birthday, because that is the day you become a child of God !" Isn't her outlook on life amazing ?
JANUARY 12 - 20, 1966: CONCHITA'S FIRST TRIP TO ITALY: ROME, THE VATICAN (AND POPE PAUL VI) On the order of Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, then Pro-Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who had been informed about the Garabandal "events" by the father of the princess of Bourbon Parme as early as the summer of 1965, Conchita at last goes to Rome. On this trip with her there were Fr. Luna, Cecile of Bourbon Parme, Aniceta (Conchita’s Mother) and Professor Medi (University of Rome), former ambassador of Spain to the Vatican. Cardinal Ottaviana listened to Conchita for more than two hours. Although we still have partial information about their conversation, we know, nonetheless, that Conchita told him the date of the Miracle as well as the nature of the very important Church event that will occur on the same day, while also answering 'presumed' difficulties reported to the Pro-Prefect . From the " GARABANDAL " BOOK ,by J. Serre, page 204 MORE STORIES TO FOLLOW THIS WEEK, OF HER VISIT TO ITALY .
I agree such an attitude is definitely praiseworthy, and it is one that should be preached at every Baptism that takes place. On most occasions when I'm privileged to baptize a child, I'll have my wife, Geralyn, share how we have raised our children to celebrate not only their birthdays, but their own baptismal days, and the baptismal days of the grandchildren as well. Conchita preceded and reinforces that such a practice should be a frequent, even normal occurrence for Catholic families. Thank you, Conchita, for the good example you set for Geralyn and myself, for us all!
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: JANUARY 13, 1963 Mari-Loli's last ecstasy (two months later she, as well as Conchita, will enter into the phase of her locutions). For some time already (Fall 1962), the visionary had known the very year of the future Warning, and also that "the Aviso will come less than a year before the great Miracle," furthermore that "both of these future great events might occur the very same year . . ." (Mari-Loli first public declarations, 1975). From 'Garabandal' Book, by J.Serre, page 162
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: JANUARY 14, 1963 : CONCHITA LEARNS THE DATE OF THE “GREAT EVENTS OF “D” DAY. ( THE MIRACLE ) The Archangel St. Michael finally gave the exact date of the future “D” day (The Miracle) to Conchita alone. She would eventually say to Maria Herrero de Gallardo of Santandar. That “ by the year 2000, everything will be near”. “GARABANDAL” by J. Serre pg.163
JACINTA SUMMONED TO THE VATICAN. As most of you know, Conchita was asked to come to the Vatican to testify about the apparitions in 1966 with Cardinal Ottaviani . Most don't know that so was Jacinta in 1975. “It was recently learned that in December of 1975 Garabandal Visionary Jacinta Gonzalez (now Monahan) visited Rome to commemorate the Holy year and while there, was summoned for questioning by Vatican officials in regard to the Spanish apparitions which lasted from 1961 through 1965. Details of the meeting, other than the fact that Jacinta’s integrity left a very favorable impression, are confidential at this time. One thing however, was clearly demonstrated, the investigative authority of the church is still actively interested in the events of Garabandal.” “Needles” magazine, Summer issue 1976, page 23 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacinta herself was to be introduced to Cardinal Ottaviani, in 1975, for we know the astonishing exhortation he then addressed to her: "We must pray a great deal, Jacinta, so that the Church may acknowledge Garabandal. " After having told her that ,he believed in the supernatural character of Garabandal ! From 'Garabandal' Book, by J. Serre, page 234
January 16,1962 Return of visions, and "Honor Thy Father" Mary Cruz and Jacinta in turn, had their regular apparitions again. However starting on January 19th Jacinta was to be deprived of visions for a month for having disobeyed her father. Judging that his daughter needed her sleep, he had not awakened her at the appointed time for her rendezvous with the Blessed Virgin. Jacinta blamed him sharply for this in spite of her father's disapproval, she had gone to the calleja in the middle of this wintry night to wait for our lady who did not come. “GARABANDAL” book by J. Serre, page 122
January 17, 1996 , 30 years ago today, I met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. (A Saint & a sinner ,but both believers in Garabandal )
CONCHITA'S VISIT TO PADRE PIO (circa 1-17-66 ) In January 1966, Conchita arrived in Rome with her mother, a Spanish priest, Fr. Luis Luna, Professor Enrico Medi and Princess Cecilia from Bourbon and Parma. She had been called by Cardinal Ottaviani, prefect of the Holy Office, today known as the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It was during this visit that Conchita had a private audience with Pope Paul VI, during which only five others were present. We have the reliable witness of Professor Medi, who at the time was president of the European Association of Atomic Energy and friend of the Holy Father; he was one of the five present. As Conchita had to wait a day before her interview with Cardinal Ottaviani, Professor Medi suggested that they go to San Giovanni Rotondo to see Padre Pio. Conchita herself tells about her visit, taken from her interview in NEEDLES magazine: On February 9, 1975 the magazine known as “NEEDLES” had recorded an interview with Conchita . Published in the Spring issue 1975 “We all agreed to go so we headed towards the monastery in Professor Medi’s rental car. We arrived about 9 o’clock at night and we were told that we wouldn’t be able to see Padre Pio until the next morning, after he celebrated the 5 a.m. Mass. Fr. Luna and the Professor went to the sacristy before Mass began. The Professor told me later on what had happened. He said that Fr. Luna told Padre Pio that the Princess of Spain was there to see him, Padre Pio replied, "I don’t feel very well and won’t be able to see her until later in the day." Then Professor Medi said to him, "There is someone else here to see you as well. Conchita wants to speak with you." Padre Pio replied, "Conchita of Garabandal? Come back at eight o'clock this morning." When we arrived we were brought into a small room, a cell, which had a bed, a chair, and a small table. I asked Padre Pio if this was his room and if he slept here, to which he replied, 'Oh no, you cannot see my room. This is a rich room.' At the time I did not realize what a holy man Padre Pio was, as I know him to be now. I was very young; I was only 16." Q: Who was in the room with you? Conchita: It was just my mother, Fr. Luna, and a priest from the monastery who spoke Spanish and took a lot of pictures. I don’t remember the Princess or the Professor being there. Q: Can you tell us what was said during your visit with Padre Pio? Conchita: I only remember a little. I do remember that the priest who had been taking the pictures asked permission from Padre Pio who responded, “You have been taking them since you arrived.” I remember that I had the crucifix that Our Lady had kissed and I said to Padre Pio, “This Cross was kissed by the Blessed Virgin. Would you like to kiss it?” Padre Pio took the crucifix and placed it in the palm of his left hand, over the stigmata. Then he took my hand and placed it over the crucifix, and closed his fingers around my hand. Then with his right hand he blessed my hand and the crucifix. He did the same with my mother when she asked him to bless her rosary that had also been kissed by the Blessed Virgin. I was kneeling the whole time I was with him, he held me by the hand, together with the cross, while he spoke to me. ------------ I asked Conchita for a picture of that meeting, and she said :” I don't have the photo, Fr. Alesio who promised it to me, died before giving it to her. (our conversation 4-16-2018).
January 18, 1966. Conchita at age 16 is summoned to Rome with great expectations and trepidation. “Called by the pro- prefect of the Congregation for the doctrine of faith, Cardinal Ottaviani, and accompanied by her mother and Aniceta, Fr. Luna and Cecilia DeBarbon- Parma, with these feelings she is introduced to Cardinal Ottaviani. For over 2 hours, the Cardinal himself together with two other members of his congregation, personally interrogates her. With the Diocesan report in hand the pro prefect listens attentively to the girl, focusing particularly on the points he finds most obscure in the Diocesan document. Conchita tells the Cardinal absolutely everything she knows, therefore, that this is perhaps her only opportunity to testify before the church, and she tells all: the experiences, her mistakes, her fears, her sins, what she sees in people, and even something that she has never revealed to any of the person, neither to the other girls nor even to her closest family members; the date of the miracle. The Cardinal is satisfied . The Cardinal must have been very satisfied indeed, given that, when Conchita daringly requested to meet the Holy Father, Ottaviani assented. This is a very revealing detail: when all is said and done, Conchita is the 16-year-old presumed seer of the unapproved apparitions, unfavorably viewed by the Diocesan committee but Ottaviani has found Conchita to be sincere.” “GARABANDAL: Message of Hope” by Fr. Luis Saavedra, pages 251-253
Wednesday, January 19,1966 Conchita meets Pope Paul VI “The Pope in the gestatorial chair leaves the whole of the general audience. He observes Professor Medi, his personal physician.The pope calls him, “professor professor”, then he says to the bearers of the chair ”stop” indicating that they leave the just gestatorial chair on the floor and withdraw. The pope remains along with Dr Medi’s little group which includes in Conchita, her mother and Fr. Lunar and thus the audience takes place unprogrammed. They have been able to speak with perfect tranquility. Conchita spoke personally with the Pope. Then the little group with unspeakable joy headed towards the car to go directly to the airport for the return journey to Spain.” Pope Paul VI, updated on everything, and in spite of everything blesses Conchita with these transcendental words: “ I bless you and with me the whole church blesses you”. Wed. January 19, 1966 “GARABANDAL: Message of Hope”, Fr. Saaverdra , pages 253, 254
