TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY June 23 ,1962 A LETTER FROM MARI LOLI & JACINTA "The Virgin has told us that the world continues the same, that it has not changed at all, that few will see God. There are so few that it causes the Virgin much sorrow that it does not change. The Virgin has told us that the chastisement is coming; [as] the world is not changing, the cup is filling up. How sad the Virgin was! Although she did not let us see it, because the Virgin loves us [so much] and she suffers alone, since she is so good. Be good, everyone so that the Virgin will be happy. She has told us that we who are good should pray for those who are bad; we should pray to God for the world, for those who do not know Him. Be good, [be] very good." Maria Dolores Mazon, 13 years Jacinta Gonzalez, 13 years Reprinted From “The Vigil “ special issue 2002
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY JUNE 24,1961 In the afternoon, St. Michael appears to the children in the “calleja”. At his feet is an inscription on a plaque made up of letters and some Roman numerals, … ” XVIII- MCMLXI“. The Visionaries do not understand the meaning of the inscription ( it is the future DATE the FIRST MESSAGE from Mary was to be made known, on October 18,1961 )
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY JUNE 25,1961 The crowds become larger and larger. At least 5 priests and many known medical doctors are present. Doctors from the local area are making various experiments to test the sensibility of the children during the ecstasies. For the first time the witnesses become aware of the extraordinary change in weight which the visionaries are undergoing. After the ecstasy, the young girls notice, especially on their legs, slight traces pinching, pricking, fingernail marks, and lumps due to the experiments made while they were in ecstasy. They claim that they did not feel anything. The children are taken to the church sacristy where they are questioned in the presence of priests and doctors. Their legs are examined. “ The Village Speaks” - pg. 16 TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY JUNE 25,1961 “The Cuadro” The young men of the Village set up this rectangular enclosure made of tree trunks and stakes so that the Visionaries might be better protected from the crowd. The only ones authorized to go in were the parents of the children, their brothers, the priests and physicians, who came to examine the girls while in ecstasy. “GARABANDAL ‘’ by J. Serre, pg. 37
SAINT JOSE MARIE ESCRIVA AND GARABANDAL His feast day is today June 26th The link between St Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer with the Garabandal apparitions is not well known. In the summer of 1962 he spent a few days on holiday in Suances, Cantabria, during which he visited Garabandal, accompanied by several young men , probably members of Opus Dei. He spoke cheerfully and profoundly to the girls, an experience they still recall fondly after all these years. The visit was not unusual since at that time, and up until the Official Note of the Bishop of Santander of 7 October 1962, many priests visited Garabandal. He reportedly went there three times. Mary Cruz described St. Escriva “ as a friendly priest, very sociable, always surrounded by young people”. She mentioned also that he always had candy for the Seers, and stood out among the visitors. As it happens, news of this visit came out by chance years later when somebody showed the girls a prayer picture for God’s favour through his intercession, printed during his canonization. It was then that the girls joyfully recounted the meeting. He would not have risked his reputation if he did not believe in the apparitions, and tell others about his trip to talk to the girls. This was also confirmed by Mother Nieves. St. Josemaria Escriva “ A Saint is a sinner who keeps trying”. Notes taken from p.245, “Garabandal: Message of hope”, Fr. Saavedra
The Light bulb story The Chief of the Civil Guard, Juan Alvarez Seco, remembers and tells this story. “One day María Dolores ( Mari Loli ) was on the second floor of her house where she had apparitions many times. Her father Ceferino had said that, when they came down from there to the floor below where the tavern was, they would unscrew the light bulb since there was no switch to turn it off. Loli, while putting her hand on the bulb this time, fell into ecstasy, and she didn't take away her hand. We all feared that if she continued like this, holding onto the lit light bulb, she would burn her hand. Her mother said, “Heavens, take away the light bulb!” However all our efforts were useless. Then we called Mari Cruz who wasn't in ecstasy, and she—with the greatest of ease—made Loli let go of the bulb. Her hand was not burned. Then the girl went down the stairs and continued her ecstatic march “. Barcelona, March 7, 1969. Juan Álvarez Seco
Today in Garabandal History: June 28,1961 Seeing St. Michael again. "We were a little sad because we had not seen the Angel. We went as usual to the school. When we got out, the people in the village, seeing us so sad, wept and kissed us, saying: - Pray so that he will return! When the evening came, we went to the Calleja and did as usual. The people prayed the rosary with more faith than ever so that the Angel would appear to us. And on finishing the litany, he appeared to us and came smiling more than ever. We asked him, why have you come? He smiled and did not answer us. We began to see him around nine and it ended at ten. It seemed to us a minute or less, because we were so happy with him .” (During the ecstasy, the time seems very short because of the intense happiness they experience. ) (From “Conchita's Diary” Chapter 2)
Jacinta’s Vision of the Sacred Heart, June 29, 1961 The Sacred Heart Apparition One of the highlights of the interview was Jacinta's affirmation of having seen the Sacred Heart. Jacinta differs from the other Seers, Conchita and Mary loli, in that they “heard” in locutions the voice of Jesus, but only saw him as an infant in the Blessed Mother's arms. Jacinta saw the adult Jesus but did not hear him. Question. What is your most vivid recollection of the apparitions? Answer. I have the great memories about everything but specially that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Q. It is said that you were privileged to have a vision of Jesus as a grown man during the apparitions. can you tell us about this? A. As I said before, it was a great memory for me the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that will never be erased from my heart it was certain that I saw him. Q did you have any locutions with Jesus? A. I never had any locutions. “Needles” magazine, Winter 1976 issue, page 16
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY June 30, 1962 Don Luis Navas Carrillo, a lawyer from Palencia, witnessed two apparitions on Saturday night, June 30, 1962. The first one involved only Conchita and included prayer for the dead. Our Lady appeared to Conchita in the kitchen of her house during the early part of the night. Shortly after going into ecstasy, the child left her house, followed by a good number of people, both from the village and from outside the village. She walked through the streets and lanes reciting some decades of the rosary and singing others. She walked backwards in her ecstasy and this made a great impression on Don Luis. Shortly after this, Conchita went to Mari Cruz' house. Finding the door locked she knocked vigorously until it was opened. Then she mounted a steep stairway leading to the second floor where Mari Cruz and her family lived. She found her friend and placed the crucifix which she carried to her lips so that she could kiss it. Departing from Mari Cruz' house Conchita went to the cemetery, which is to the rear of the house and not too far away. She stopped for a while in front of the gate of the cemetery and then as she stood facing the tombs inside, she made a "solemn" sign of the cross. “NEEDLES” magazine Autumn 1976 Issue, pg. 9 by Fr. Joseph A. Pelletier
Like many others I believe that martyrdom comes in many forms. This was brought home to me in 2021 when I attended the ordination of a young man whose brother was severely handicapped from birth. In his ordination tributes he said “To Reuben, my youngest brother, I am in awe of your unconscious martyrdom which you have lived, it has inspired me in my priestly discernment and love for our Good Father. This side of heaven, we only have a glimpse of the witness you have been and continue to be.” The young martyr of the Eucharist most often associated with the Great Miracle of Garabandal is St Tarcisius who died after clutching the Blessed Sacrament to his heart as he protected it from desecration by a violent gang. His feast, for now, is August 15. We know that the Great Miracle will happen during a month of April in an even year. Some people have suggested that his feast day may be changed. Saint Stanislaus of Kostka (as opposed to Stanislaus of Warsaw) shares his feast day with St Tarcisius, on August 15, The Assumption of Our Lady. He died aged 17. Stanislaus was a sickly child who suffered many violent attacks from his brother Paul because he was so angered by his piety. Paul eventually repented and lived to attend the beatification of Stanislaus. Life at home became intolerable for Stanislaus and like Conchita he had to leave and travel far away. “Stanislaus was accepted into the Jesuit order at age 17. He would spend 10 months as a novice, growing in holiness while completing his chores and making penance with humility and cheerfulness. His great love of Jesus in the Eucharist showed as a light in his face whenever he received the Sacrament during Mass.” (Wiki) Surely this was a form of martyrdom and martyrdom centred on his love of The Eucharist. Of course like Stanislaus our present pontiff is a Jesuit, the first ever to be so elected. His predecessor Pope Saint John Paul II had great devotion to the young St Stanislaus and was also a devotee of Garabandal. On the day after the Great Miracle the body of Fr Louis Andreu SJ, will be exhumed and found to be in perfect condition as on the day of his death without having been embalmed. His final witness on seeing Our Blessed Mother as he died from joy was to say “ How fortunate we are to have such a Mother in heaven.” The Assumption once more comes to mind. The Sacred Heart appeared in person to seer Jacinta in Garabandal. Like the Heart of Jesus, the heart of St Stanislaus was racked with pain. He often had to drape cold compresses on his chest to survive the burning fever that accompanied his pain. He is now regarded as the patron saint of those with heart conditions. The beatings from his brother must have weakened his heart further. When he was too sick to go to mass he received Holy Communion from the hands of an angel sent by St Barbara. This reception was witnessed by one of his companions although the host was not visible. Just like the seers reception of Communion from angels in Garabandal. All this made me think that perhaps Stanislaus could also be considered as a candidate for the Garabandal young martyr of the Eucharist. Of course his Feast Day would also have to be changed to fall in April. I claim no authority for these musings but they have persisted so I decided to share them in honour of all the secret martyrs of the world who graciously accept the sufferings of their cross for the sake of the gospel.
WHY WAIST ALL THIS TIME WITH TWO SAINTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY ? Tarcisius's feast day is in August and St Stanislaus was Bishop of Kracow who was martyred while celebrating Mass 49 YEARS OLD!! He is OBVIOUSLY not the Young martyr of the Eucharist.
Dear Glenn and John T I understand your frustration at some posts on Garabandal but your last response to my suggestion of St Tarcisius was better received by you. Permit me to remind you: “ Glenn↑ “Yes he is the most likely, except for the feast day not falling in April. I will be interested to see who it finally is.” Me: “Many believe that this feast will someday be changed to another date.” From an article on St Tarcisius in Catholicstand.com by Gabriel Garnica on 25 April 2016.” In addition you must have missed the fact that I clearly stated it was St Stanislaus Kostka and not the older St Stanislaus of Krakow who I wrote about: “Saint Stanislaus of Kostka (as opposed to Stanislaus of Warsaw) shares his feast day with St Tarcisius, on August 15, The Assumption of Our Lady. He died aged 17. ” Of course I respect your right to be so dismissive of all the connections I made with Garabandal. I did not say that my connections were irrefutable, However tenuous they seem to you they are facts: the gender and young age of St Stanislaus of Kostka, the fact that like the seers of Garabandal he received communion from angels, the fact that he was Jesuit, an order that features prominently in the fulfillment of Garabandal prophesy, his devotion to The Eucharist and Our Blessed Mother, the fact that like Conchita he was forced to leave his home, his commitment to prayer and penance as he lived out his vocation under the martyrdom of his illness and finally his connection with Pope St John Paul II who was a great believer in Garabandal. Sorry you saw my post as a waste of time. Perhaps it was my mention of Pope Francis that upset you but as we know his is the pontificate of The Warning and the Great Miracle. Even here we find the Jesuit connection with Garabandal - the first Jesuit Pope and the First proof of prophesy in the miraculous preservation of the body of Fr Louis Andreu, Jesuit, to be seen the day after the miracle. As I said these were just my musings but they are well considered and they are based on facts that fit well with the prophesy especially if as stated his feast day is changed which is a real possibility
JG: I try to post facts here, not hopes and wishes, and endless possibilities, so not to confuse new comers. They have enough trouble keeping all the facts straight about Garabandal.
Hi Glenn, You have often witnessed how the Blessed Mother favours humility above all else. One of my favourite saints is Teresa of Lisieux. She was a great example of humility. I seem to remember reading that Conchita was familiar with the story of St Teresa from her childhood. (I am not talking about St Teresa of Calcutta godmother to her child.) St Stanislaus Kostka felt the need to have his hands full of gifts for God and to this end expressed the same intention as St Teresa to spend his heaven doing good on earth. The last play that St Teresa wrote was about St Stanislaus Kostka. I wonder if Conchita was/is aware of that play. Do you know if Conchita had a special devotion to St Teresa? Usually the Feast Day of a saint is on the day of his death as in the great supporter of Garabandal St Pope Paul VI August 6. St Stanislaus official feast day is November 13 but he is also remembered on the day of his death, August 15. Thank you.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: JULY 1 , 1961 ST. MICHAEL ANNOUNCES . . .SATURDAY, 1st OF JULY, 1961: THE ANGEL SPEAKS: HE ANNOUNCES THE "VISIT" OF "THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL" FOR THE NEXT DAY. At Garabandal, his manifestations were numerous. He is the one the little girls saw during the first nine days of the apparitions. He is the one who, later, often gave them the Eucharist; he again delivered the two famous Messages, etc. On this Saturday, 1st of July, St. Michael, for the first time, broke the silence in which the ecstasies had been unfolding until then: "Do you know why I have come?", he asked the children. -- No, they replied. "To tell you that tomorrow, Sunday, the Virgin Mary will appear to you under the title of "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." Then he asked the visionaries this other question: "Do you know what is written on the placard (escritorio)?" -- No!" The Blessed Virgin will tell you." Excerpted from "Garabandal" Book, J. Serre, page 41.
JULY 2, 1961 "THE CALLS" MOST PARTICULAR AND TYPICAL PHENOMENA OF GARABANDAL The "calls", "llamadas" in Spanish, began as early as July 2, 1961. They always preceded and announced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, but not those of the Angel. The children would then experience, in three successive yet very distinct moments "a kind of interior voice," a kind of intimate summons, or 'mystical calls.' A feeling of joy accompanies the first call. One or two hours later, the delight felt by the visionaries signaled the second call. "As if they had been guided," they would set out towards the site where the ecstasy was to take place. The third "llamada" gave them yet a more intense joy, which would increase until they would effectively fall into ecstasy a few minutes later. Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 72 [Photo] Conchita is resting while awaiting for the last call . . .
Dear Glenn, Most sincere condolences on your very heartbreaking loss of your daughter, Jenna. May she be joyfully in God's presence, and may your family receive all the love, kindness, understanding and support that is and has been needed. You are such a warrior for Christ and His Messenger, our Advocate, Our Lady regarding Garabandal. Thank you so much and God bless you! Also, back in February, I asked a question and you very kindly responded as you always do. I simply was derelict in thanking you as I'm new to the Mother of God forum (but not your FB page) and quite frankly find it hard to follow the various conversations as I don't know where certain conversations have been posted. That being said, I do thank you. Also, as you know Western Australia has a Garabandal Center and produces "Ave Maria" Magazine quarterly. As of this year, I've been fortunate to do its graphics, layout and design, so it has a new look, while Roma M devotedly continues researching articles and editing it. Thank you again for answering my query a few months back. Above all, may you and your family's hearts be able to heal with God's Grace and Love from your collective loss.
Dear Glenn, What ARE the privileges that go along with an object that has been kissed by Our Lady at Garabandal, and is this the same for those items blessed (but not kissed) by Our Lady? Finally, I've been given a Rosary with a relic from Mari Loli's Bible, that was said to be kissed by Our Lady. Can you confirm if indeed, the girls' Bibles were kissed? What is interesting is that those who have held this Rosary, and have had ailments, found that the ailments went away shortly after having held this Rosary. I've also been given a tiny Rosary that was blessed by Our Lady in Medjugorje. It may be tiny, but one can seriously feel the power once a full Rosary has been prayed using it. So please, can you confirm the girls' Bibles were blessed, and what the attached privileges are? Thank you so very, very much. God bless. Jan
