Ecstatic walk at incredible speed One of the reports written by Senorita Ascension de Luis, dated March 18th, 1962, reads as follows: "Loli left Jacinta's house still in ecstasy and walked all around the village saying the rosary. Her gait seemed quite normal, and yet those of us who were following her had to run to keep up. In this fashion, she proceeded to the sunken lane, where the stony ground proves difficult to negotiate. The child went up the lane and descended again backwards at an incredible speed." “The apparitions of GARABANDAL” By F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 7, pages 93
Fr. Don Valentin receives proof of the apparitions! In another report, on May 9th, 1962, "On Easter Sunday, Don Valentin asked the Lord to make him see clearly, once and for all, whether or not the apparition of the Virgin to the children was true. As proof, he asked that, if it was true, the children should come to him in ecstasy that very night while he was asleep, wake him up, make the Sign of the Cross over him and give him the crucifix to kiss. And so it came about that, shortly after two o'clock in the morning, one of the visionaries came in a trance to the door of the house where Don Valentin was staying the night, and started to knock at the door. As all the inmates were in bed, at first nobody answered. But, so violently did the child persist in her knocking, that the door was eventually opened. Don Valentin was still fast asleep, unaware that the child was in the house. Still in ecstasy, she reached the parish priest's bedroom. There, without any warning knock, she entered and pressed her crucifix to his lips until he awoke with a start. The child proceeded to make the Sign of the Cross over him several times with the crucifix, smiled sweetly at him and left the room." “The apparitions of GARABANDAL” By F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 7, pages 93,94
I was praying my Rosary this morning reflecting on the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Anna the prophetess, a widow of some 84 years, faithfully served God night and day in the Temple fasting and praying. Likewise, Simeon faithfully served God into old age for it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ. Here we have the example of long and faithful service to God, patient trusting in Divine providence and revelation. When I was thinking of Anna it struck me that Conchita has similar virtues -- Conchita of Garabandal has been faithful to the call of God since 1961 some 61 years of devoted service to the Lord, she is now widowed and getting old but trusts that God's providence will suffice as she awaits the Warning long prophesised. When the Warning & Great miracle occurs she can say like Simeon, 'Now Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation'. God bless Conchita of Garabandal.
Mary confirms a piece of the “True Cross” “On March 17th, 1962, Mary Loli gave the Vision several articles to kiss, among others a reliquary belonging to the Marques de Santa Maria and his wife, who are fortunate enough to have been present during a great many of the visionaries' mystical phenomena. The reliquary contained what was thought to be a splinter of the True Cross, but there were doubts as to its authenticity. The Vision (Mary) confirmed that it had belonged to the True Cross.” “The apparitions of GARABANDAL” BY : F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 7, page 94
sorry, Glenn, one more quick question: I seem to recall Conchita (?) saying that the Miracle would occur in an even year. Is that correct? Thanks, again.
Actually it was Mari Loli. Warning in an "Even Year". Here's how that came about. In the book, “Suddenly & Unexpectedly, The end of our Times” by Tom Fahy .pg .93 (Published November 11, 2012 ) "We know that the Warning must precede the Miracle. I happen to know, as per Maria (Saracco ) that Mari Loli had at one point been questioned by a priest who was trying to extract the year of the Warning from her. She would not tell him. Finally, he asked if she could at least tell him if it was an even or odd year. She relented and told him that it would be an “ even year. " When I researched this many years ago, I found out that the priest in question was Fr. Gustavo Morelos that she said this to.
Eyes do not blink ! “When in ecstasy, light falling on their eyes does not cause them to blink. This can be appreciated in a film taken under bright arc-lights which made no impression on the visionaries at all. But, on emerging from their trance, they could be seen to react immediately, shielding their eyes from the unbearable glare.” “The apparitions of GARABANDAL” BY : F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 7, page 98
Padre Pio confirms Mary’s appearances ! A group of Spaniards once asked Padre Pio whether the happenings at San Sebastian de Garabandal were true. They declare that the Capuchin monk retorted in his customary harsh voice: "Are you still asking about that? How long do you expect her to appear there? She has been appearing for eight months already!" “The Apparitions of GARABANDAL” BY : F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 8, page 99
FEBRUARY 1963 Joey Lomangino was born on June 27, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY (U.S.A.) from Italian-American parents. He was the eldest of five boys and one girl. In 1947, while he was watching a truck tire being inflated, it exploded and Joey was hit by the rim in his face. The bones of the forehead were crushed, the optic and olfactory nerves were severed. He was in a coma for three weeks before he woke up . . . on the 16th of July (Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) ! In 1961, he traveled to Italy and met St. Padre Pio for the first time, at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo. Although they had never met, the famous Capuchin greeted the American with these words: "Ah, Joey, how happy I am to see you!" February 1963, Joey made another trip to Italy. He went back to see Padre Pio, who heard his confession and . . . miraculously restored the use of his olfactory sense . . . while the nerve still remains severed! Joey tells the story : "when I knelt down to receive Padre Pio’s blessing, and got the fragrance of roses that came from the wounds in his hands, I was startled and went against the wall with my arms up to protect myself; I didn’t know what it was. Padre Pio pulled down my hand and said in Italian, “Joey, don’t be afraid.” He then touched me on the bridge of my nose and my sense of smell was restored to me after being without it from the day of my accident in June 1947, which was 16 years." Joey asked Padre Pio if the Virgin was appearing in Garabandal ,and was it true. Padre Pio would encouraged him to go to San Sebastian de Garabandal, after he had assured him very clearly that, "Yes, it is true, the Blessed Virgin is appearing at Garabandal!" Joey was far from being the only one to whom the great Italian stigmatist would confirm the authenticity of the apparitions: in addition to Conchita herself, may we mention, among others, Frs. Pel and Marcelino Maria Andreu, Padre Gustavo Morelos ( from Mexico), Mr. John Haffert (then President of the "Blue Army" of Fatima), Miss Eloisa Deguia. When Joey returned to NY, he started spreading the news of apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Garabandal. [From the 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, pages 166-167
The Message of October 18, 1961 signed by the four little visionaries “We must make many sacrifices, perform much penance, and visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently. But first, we must lead good lives. If we do not, a chastisement will befall us. The cup is already filling up, and if we do not change, a very great chastisement will come upon us.” Conchita Gonzalez, Mary Dolores Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez Gonzalez, Maria Cruz Gonzalez The Apparitions of GARABANDAL BY F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 9, page 119
Letter to Fr. Ramón by Dr. D.C. Ortiz Pérez, from Santander February 2, 1962 Reverend Father Andreu: I am going to tell you about the impressions of my last trip to Garabandal on January 27th. For this date, the Marquis of Santa María had already given more facts. He told me that he would see you on the next day. The event that caught my attention is that after 7 consecutive months of “marvelous ecstasies,” the four girls continue with the utmost normality, although many people “who don’t see” maintain that this is the result of a pathology. The girls continue their ecstasies the same as always, running through the streets of the village praying, with this precious transformation on their faces and movements that seem to be images. On the afternoon of the 28th, with the difference of approximately 10 minutes from one to the other, María Dolores and Conchita had ecstasies in their houses and left directly for the Church. When they met each other, they were very happy and they ran through the streets of the village singing the rosary. They visited the houses of the sick where they prayed and gave the crucifix to be kissed. It made a great impression on me when they visited a sick old man (uncle Leoncio) who was blind, deranged, had the flu, and was in agony. They knelt at the head of his bed, praying Hail Marys without interruption, and everyone answered except the dying man. After 15 or 16 prayers, the sick man responded with ‘Holy Mary’ in a clear voice and added: “I pray because I have faith.” In this moment, they put the statue of Christ to his lips, and he kissed it. The girls had expressions of immense enjoyment. They returned to the normal state after approximately 2 and a quarter hours. At ten at night we thought we’d return, and it took half an hour for us to leave. We realized that María Cruz was running through the streets of the village in ecstasy accompanied by her parents. We united with a group and prayed with them. These are the facts of what happened on the 28th in Garabandal. Respectful greeting from my wife—she tells what this good friend always offers. I salute you affectionately. D.C. Ortiz
Conchita on the Miracle Conchita, "the Miracle will be as great and spectacular as the world needs. Let us wait trustfully and prepare properly for that great day of the miracle, for it will perhaps be the last chance given us by Heaven, Mary's final effort to make the world leave its road to perdition and, by rectifying in time, ward off its punishment.” “The Apparitions of GARABANDAL” By F. SANCHEZ-VENTURA Y PASCUAL Chapter 9, Page 135 MIRACLE DAY DETAILS 1.Conchita is the only one who knows the date. (other than the Vatican, she told Paul VI in January 1966.) 2.Conchita will reveal it 8 days in advance. (I will announce it here on all my language pages). 3. It will be on a Thursday evening, between the 8th -16th of APRIL, at 8:30pm ( Spanish time ). 4. The girls said it will happen between the Months of March, April and May, BUT My research says it will be in April. 5. It will be on the Feast Day of a young male Martyr of the Eucharist. 6. The Martyr will not be Spanish. 7. It will coincide with a great event in the Church, but will not be a feast day of our Lord or a Marian feast day. It will NOT be on Holy Thursday (as per Conchita) 8. It will be visible to all in the Village of Garabandal, and the surrounding mountains. “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 .” 9. It will be able to be filmed and televised. 10. It will last for about 15 minutes, and after that a permanent sign will remain at the Pines forever !
The Visionary girl’s mentality Some unbelievers accused the girls of fooling the entire town, Police and Church Officials, but that was not possible because these 11 and 12 year old little girls, didn’t even possess the mentality of someone their own age, outside of Garabandal. “The psychological age during the first moth of the alleged apparitions would be about 8 or 9 years of age, in comparison with city or school children”. Fr. Ramon Andreu. “Garabandal : Message of Hope” pg.58 “Yes, the four village girls, with a mentality (due to their remote isolation) of 8 or 9 year old children, who had never seen a motion picture, a television program.” “She went in haste to the mountain” Book 1 ,page 50
HUMILITY "What God loves above all is humility. What displeases Him above all is pride." These words, spoken by the Blessed Virgin Mary to the visionary Mari Loli in a locution in 1963, so sublime in their simplicity, are the key to a true understanding of Garabandal. For all its amazing phenomena and unexplained events, the essence of Garabandal is not found in its apparitions but in its message, which is above all of a message of practicing humility in daily life. The visionaries themselves pointed out repeatedly that belief in the apparitions means nothing without believing - and living -- the message. Conchita and Loli have written many times "There is no point in our believing in the apparitions if we do not heed the message." [Star on the Mountain, p. 118 (Laffineur and le Pelletier Consider the attitude of the visionaries. Four young girls, favoured with literally thousands of visits from the Blessed Virgin Mary, on truly intimate terms with the Mother of God. For months on end, on an almost daily basis, they prayed, talked, played games, and even held Her Son, the infant Jesus, in their arms. These children were, quite literally, the most privileged people on earth. And yet their attitude was characterized, above all, by genuine humility. Conchita was told, in a locution whilst at school in Pamplona in 1966, by Christ, "Love humility, simplicity. Never think that what you have done is much." [Ibid., p. 129.; She Went in Haste to the Mountain, p. 549.] Stunning words, indeed, but spoken with love. They should serve as a reminder that no matter who we are, or think we are, we must continually strive to do more good, to do so without thought of gain or personal honor, in short, to be humble. From a portion of a letter Mari Loli wrote to Fr. Luis Retenaga, dated 13 October 1963. Reprinted in She Went in Haste to the Mountain, p. 479 (Eusebio Pesquera).
Conchita & Humility For a time, when she was younger, while she was living in Fatima many years ago, she went daily to an older priest’s residence to volunteer as a cleaning lady. As on other occasions, she went there using the name of Maria, in order not to be recognized. However, one day someone recognized her and immediately all the resident priests knew that the woman who swept the floors of their residence was Conchita of Garabandal. From then on, nothing was the same. Conchita told me that when the priests discovered who she was, they changed the way they treated her. She said she was sorry that they had found out who she was because she felt better serving those elderly priests anonymously. Reminds me very much of Saint Bernadette. "The Blessed Virgin used me like a broom. What do you do with a broom when you have finished sweeping? You put it back in its place, behind the door!"
As the world gets darker Garabandal remains a great light of hope for the world. Keep up the good work Glenn - you are a beacon of hope in spreading the message of Garabandal! Please God it always has been my desire for decades to be at Garabandal on the day of the Great Miracle.
Sometimes, I wonder if the prophecy of St. Faustina in her diary, Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands of feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.” Saint Faustina and the ‘second coming’ (spiritdaily.org) Could coincide with the predicted sign at Garabandal.
Why did Conchita move to America ? There was no chance of her having a realistic life there in the village. Everyday she had people telling her what to do, and it would be impossible for her to go outside or even do her chores because of the countless visitors wanting to see her, talk to her, question her, touch her ( as if she had powers to heal ),that is why her mother sent her away at 17 to another town for her education . Later at age 23 she came to America. A famous Spanish/American Radio personality and Physician in NY, Dr. Dominguez, knew her from his visits to Garabandal, offered to bring her over, and provide housing and a vocation in his medical practice. Funny how 3 of the 4 girls moved to America for privacy. Here is Conchita in her own words : " " I remember my village caused me to suffer. I felt as if I was imprisoned. I acted by the commands of others who constantly advised me " Go to mass, Pray the rosary, Do this, Give up that ". At times I thought I would be happy in a hermitage away from everyone, and to work there alone for God and see what I was capable of doing without their forever telling me." November 25,1966
Feb. 7, 2022 I want to wish a most Happy and Blessed 73rd Birthday today to Conchita ! Having the privilege of knowing her and a being able to use her a moral and spiritual compass all these years is one my greatest blessings. Her example of humility, grace, spiritual wisdom, and sacrifice , is an example for all of us to follow and emulate. May God continue to bless her, and I ask you pray for her intentions today, thank you.
