TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: MAY 4, 1962 “ THE POPE IN RUSSIA, AT MOSCOW,THEN THE BEGINNING OF THE DIFFICULT PRE-AVISO PERIOD “ On that day, Mari-Loli and Conchita received new and prophetic revelations about the future tribulations of the brief but very difficult time of the “Pre-Aviso” ( Pre-Warning) . Conchita also said during her ecstasy that “ Communism will also come back in Spain”. The Blessed Virgin also predicted to the visionary that “ the Pope would go to Russia, to Moscow”, a trip absolutely unthinkable in the political climate of the 1960’s. She also added among other important things, that “ As soon as the Sovereign Pontiff would return to the Vatican, successive violent persecutions would break out here and there in Europe”. These would be signs that the world, and particularly the Church (people would then believe that She will be on the point of disappearing, etc. ) were entering into the relatively short yet very difficult period of the Pre-Warning. From the book : “ GARABANDAL “ -J. Serre, p.133
ECSTATIC WALKS AT NIGHT Watch how the girls would walk at night, not only through the town without looking where they are stepping, but more impressive was the ecstatic walks at night through the rocky cow paths, never falling, or being injured. Eyes always fixed upward on Mary. Try walking around your house at night and see how many seconds it takes before your eyes pull back to guide where you are going.. This is miraculous ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2T__zBujA
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: MAY 6, 2012 On May 6,2012, Bishop of Santandar Vecente Jimenez Zamora, celebrated mass in Garabandal in commemoration of the completion of the restoration of the village church. This was the first time a Bishop celebrated Mass in Garabandal, since the apparitions began ! The fact that he came himself, and did not send someone in his place,and the fact that he returned again on May 1 2013 ,and kissed a crucifix belonging to villager David Toribio that was kissed by the Blessed Virgin at Garabandal, were signs of his acceptance and personal approval of the apparitions.
Conchita’s Brother Miguel Gonzalez testifies “I knew my sister well and I knew that she was telling the truth. The things that happened during the Apparitions were incredible and all of the events impressed me in a way that I remember as if they happened yesterday. When I witnessed my first Apparition, I was profoundly impressed. I was equally impressed the first time I heard the girls pray the Rosary and the first time I saw them go up to the Pines and then come down backwards. The girl is transformed in the presence of the Mother of Heaven The first time that I was a witness I was nervous because I had never seen something like it and I didn’t understand many things that were happening. For example, Conchita had no reaction to the powerful lights that I sometimes shone in front of her eyes or even when people pinched her without a reaction on her part. The doctors tried to lift Conchita from the ground, but they couldn’t.” PHOTO :From left to right: Miguel, Aniceto, Conchita, and Serafín, with their mother Aniceta in the middle of the photograph, 1965.
ARE YOUR HANDS EMPTY ? The Last Apparition at Garabandal November 13, 1965, was a day mixed with joy and sadness for Conchita. The Virgin appeared with her Child to the teenager but it was to be for the last time at Garabandal. Talk to me, Conchita, talk to me about my children. I hold them all beneath my mantle. This will be the last time you will see me here but I shall always be with you and with all my children. Conchita, why don't you go and visit my Son in the tabernacle? He waits for you night and day." Conchita said to the Virgin, "I am so happy when I see both of you. Why don't you take me now to heaven with you?" She replied, "Remember what I told you on your patronal feast day? " When you present yourself before God, your hands must be filled with good deeds done for your brothers and for His glory. At the present time, your hands are empty." Mary said “ Conchita, I am not coming only for you but I am coming for all my children, with a desire to see them closer to our hearts”. “Garabandal“ by J. Serre -p.201
CONCHITA ON LIVING AND SPREADING THE MESSAGE (part 1 ) “ Let us give thanks to God for having chosen us to help our fellowman find the road of true peace with a joyful destination through the messages that Our Mother has given us. Let us pray much, receive Jesus in the Eucharist frequently, and do penance so that God, Our Lord, is reflected in our lives and we are able to project His Presence”. “GARABANDAL” magazine April-June issue 1985, page 4.
CONCHITA ON LIVING AND SPREADING THE MESSAGE (PART 2) “Do all to complete and spread the message, not necessarily as the message of Garabandal but as the wish of the Blessed Mother. Prayer, Penance, and Sacrifice, visit the Blessed Sacrament, pray for Priests. Do not be concerned about the time. If you are not received as Garabandalists, bring the message as from the Blessed Mother, even without the word Garabandal. Think about the passion of Jesus. In these times, the best book you can have is the Bible. Read it every day. “Needles” magazine, Spring Issue 1974 page 17
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
“Never think that what you are doing is great” February 13, 1966: Jesus to Conchita in a locution while at school in Pamplona. “Love humility, simplicity. Never think that what you are doing is great.” Imagine you are Conchita for a minute. You’ve seen and talked to the Blessed Mother for 4 years! Talked to Jesus in Locutions, and are the main Visionary messenger for the Garabandal prophecies, and you are told by Jesus: “Never think that what you are doing is great”. This 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.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY May 13, 1967 The Archbishop of Madrid, Casimiro Morcillo Gonzalez , issued a letter on May 13,1967, to the Bishop of Tacna in Peru, five days after the death of Bishop of Santandar Puchol Montis, stated : “ The apparitions of Garabandal are a confirmation of those at Fatima fifty years ago. The Virgin Mary came once more to insist in Spain what she had already told three shepherds at the Cova da Iria : The bitter cup is not only filled , it is spilling over”. I personally see a great parallel between Fatima and Garabandal. The children saw the Virgin at the exclusion of others. The Virgin smiled at them. She promised them Heaven. She asked that they spread her message of the Rosary, penance and prayers for sinners. “ If there is a small difference in the last message, it is precisely its great clarity and the extent to which it admonishes the faithful, priests, and even Bishops. “ “There are therefore, sufficient reasons for the Holy Father Pope Paul VI to tell Conchita during their meeting of January 19,1966: “Conchita I bless you and with me the entire Church blesses you.” The phrase evidences the concern on the part of the Holy Father for the ruin that is sought to be introduced into the Church via false reforms.” And the Bishop of Tacna who relayed this to the Secretary of the Apostolic Papal Nuncio in Lima, added: “ Personally I suggest to your reverence that the events of Garabandal contribute to the enrichment of those of Fatima”. Reprinted with kind permission from Garabandal Journal March/April 2019
As we celebrate " Mother's Day" here in America, it reminded me of this story. Mary “our Mother” “Our Lady has come on the earth one more time because she is a Mother not only for the visionaries and for a few chosen souls, but for the whole world. One day the children in ecstasy recited the rosary under the Virgin’s direction and said, “Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us sinners.” “She went in haste to the mountain”, Book 1, page 163 (Note: Our Lady told the Visionaries that she liked it very much but told them it should not be used publicly unless it was approved by the Church. A Happy Mother’s day to all Mother’s here, and especially to “our Mother” ,Mary.
February 13, 1966. A locution between Jesus and Conchita at the Convent school of Discalced Carmelite Missionary Sisters at Pamplona. “Do not fear temptations. If you are loyal to my love, you will conquer the numerous temptations awaiting you. Understand intelligently and spiritually what I am telling you. Do not close your eyes of your soul or let yourself be deceived by anyone. Show love, humility, and simplicity. “
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY, MAY 16,1962 TWO NEW COMMUNIONS GIVEN BY ST. MICHAEL, AT THE PINES, TO CONCHITA The Communions given by the Angel to Conchita at the Pines, on May 16 and 26, were another proof of the extent to which, in Garabandal, there is an essential link between the Eucharist and the Priesthood. As a complement to what has already been pointed out, may we add here that St. Simon Stock, whose Feast day falls on May 16, received the "rule of the Carmelites" in Palestine, from St. Albert of Jerusalem. (In the church of Garabandal, one can contemplate two central themes in the apparitions: the pelican sculptured on the door of the tabernacle being one of them, the other being quite properly the lamb.)Pelican on the tabernacle From 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, page 133 *In Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood by wounding her own breast when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist since about the 12th century.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: MAY 17 With her permission, I reprinted a letter from Conchita to the present pastor of the village of Garabandal, Padre Rolando, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the apparitions 1961-2011. AVE MARIA May 17, 2011 Dear Father Rolando, I join with you in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the events of Garabandal. It is for me fifty years of contemplating the most beautiful thing in the world. I give thanks to God for having been a part of those experiences, impossible to describe adequately, but which have pressed upon my soul the secure assurance of faith and hope. I thank you, Father Rolando, for granting me the opportunity to recite the Message of Our Mother in the village yet again. [ October 18,1961-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.] The Angel said: As my message of October 18 has not been complied with and has not been made known to the world, I am advising you that this is the last one. Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing over. Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls with them. Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist. You should turn the wrath of God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask His forgiveness with sincere hearts, He will pardon you. I, your mother, through the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel, ask you to amend your lives. You are now receiving the last warnings. I love you very much and do not want your condemnation. Pray to us with sincerity and we will grant your requests. You should make more sacrifices. Think about the passion of Jesus. Father Rolando, there is nothing of greater importance that I can speak about than this Message of Our Mother. In Union of Prayer, Conchita
Today we remember and celebrate the birthday of one of the great believers of Garabandal, Saint Pope John Paul II ,who was born on May 18, 1920 . During a special general audience with the Pope at the Vatican ... "special" because it was held on Saturday, rather than the usual Wednesday... Father Robert introduced Garabandal Visionary Mari-Loli and family to him. Father Robert who was holding 7 year old Maria Dolores, one of the three Lafleur children, said to the Pope: "Your Holiness, a special blessing for your littlest children who come on behalf of The Blessed Virgin from Garabandal." Our Holy Father exclaimed "Garabandal!"
“The Important Testimony of Fr. De la Riva” “Needles” Winter Issue1973, page 13 A year ago “Needles” reported that Fr. Jose Ramon Garcia De La Riva had been asked by the Holy See in May 1971, to give testimony regarding the Garabandal events. This is extremely significant for two reasons. First it shows that evidence is still being collected and examined by Rome. Second, it brings before the Holy See the testimony of a highly qualified witness. Father de la Riva who is Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows church in Barro Asturias, Spain, a village very near Garabandal, was an eyewitness to more than 200 ecstasies. During the years of the apparitions and afterwards he was able to question the Visionaries at length many times. His findings are recorded in his book “Memories of my visits to Garabandal 1961 – 68” published in 1969. This article is from a taped recording of Father de la Rivas conversation with Ramon Perez a French newspaper man who went to Garabandal to collect material for his book. Mr Perez interviewed Fr. de la Riva on August 5th 1971 by Ed Kelly of Santa Clara California. (Edward Kelly is a friend and a member of my FB English Garabandal page)
Conchita presents Scapular to Mary “In ecstasy, Conchita raises towards the vision, the scapular of a Brother of the order of St John of God. The Garabandal Visionaries manifested great respect for Religious who visited the village. During the years of the apparitions, The Visionaries could always identify a priest, even if he was in lay clothes and concealed his identity in other ways as well in giving the girls this ability to recognize priests. OurLady called attention to the church's belief concerning the sacramental “character” of the priesthood, the indelible “mark” that the priest receives an ordination.” “NEEDLES” magazine, Winter Issue 1973, PAGE 2
My friend Michael Tubberty, producer of the video Garabandal, The Eye Witnesses, has a piece of that scapular to which I touched my kissed relic of Garabandal. Blessed indeed.
