Mary mentions “ Hell “. The Blessed Virgin reaffirmed at Garabandal the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. from “GARABANDAL JOURNAL” Nov-Dec. 2002 MARY ON HELL: While hell is seldom if ever preached today in the majority of churches, the Blessed Virgin did not hesitate to make reference to it at Garabandal. In her second Message of June 18, 1965, delivered by Saint Michael on her behalf to Conchita, Our Lady said: "Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls with them." If there is any doubt that perdition refers to hell, here is the Webster's Unabridged dictionary description: Perdition: 1. a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation. 2. the future state of the wicked. 3. hell. In that same Message, Our Lady again alluded to hell when she said: "You are now receiving the last warnings. I love you very much and do not want your condemnation." Fashions dragging girls to Hell ? April 11, 1993, Interview with Conchita’s oldest brother, Serafin Gonzalez. Question: “ What did the Virgin say to the girls about fashions? “ Serafin: ”She told them that fashions drag people to hell and they should dress with decency and modesty if they want to be saved. These were her words. Much more meaningful now than it was back then when you consider the disaster all around (with the fashions). It didn’t make much sense back then, but it does now.” “GARABANDAL” magazine, July-September 1993
The “Chastisement” and the 3 “Days of Darkness” Many people ask me to compare the prophecy of the term "Three Days of Darkness" attributed to the late mystic, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, and the “CHASTISEMENT” mentioned at Garabandal. (The term "3 days" was NEVER used in Garabandal.) Conchita said: “The Chastisement is conditional and depends on whether or not mankind heeds the messages of the Blessed Virgin and the Miracle.” A quote from Blessed Anna's is “Fire will rain forth from the sky”. On the feast of the Holy Rosary, October 7, 1962, Maria Herrero de Gallardo was in Garabandal and took the occasion to question Mari Loli about the visions of June 19-20, 1962 (the Nights of the Screams), and what she and the other visionaries could possibly have seen to cause them to cry out in such a terrifying manner. Herrero reported: "Oh!" exclaimed the girl. (LOLI) "That was horrible to see. We were really frightened, and I know no words that could explain it. We saw rivers change into blood.... Fire fell from the sky.... And something much worse still, which I'm not able to reveal now." From : (SHE WENT IN HASTE TO THE MOUNTAIN) BK 2 Ch.7 pg. 196 Conchita said : “ I can assure you that if it comes, it will be worse than being enveloped in fire, worse than having fire above and beneath you. THE APPARITIONS OF GARABANDAL”, Francisco Sanchez-Venture y Pascual . Ch. 12 pg. 179
A frightful post to come back to after a week vacation that Geralyn and I enjoyed in Colorado, visiting our daughter, Therese and her family. Prayers!
Today in Garabandal History, August 15, 1961 A WONDERFUL VIGIL IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION The "Vigils," so familiar to Christians during the first centuries and then fallen into disuse, emerged again, as luck would have it, at Garabandal. There was a great deal of commotion during these vigils, the girls moving from one place to another in the village and in the neighborhood. The vigil inaugurating the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, 1961, stands out among the most beautiful ones. It began at 2:45 a.m., when Conchita, Loli and Jacinta came out in ecstasy from Conchita's home. For the first time, they sang Aves, a Noel as well, and a few "Mananitas" or short musical compositions. Then the Blessed Virgin brought them in front of the house of Mari-Cruz . . . prevented by her parents to follow the other visionaries who, once there, started an improvised song or, more exactly, a sacred serenade! That night, the candid hymns of the three children traveling through the dark lanes of the village, overjoyed in their ecstasy, symbolized the humble response of the earth to the songs of praise of the heavenly Court celebrating the Queen of angels and men. At about 4:15 a.m., always in ecstasy, they went to the church. The vigil came to an end at 5:00 a.m. The sacred serenade sung for Mari-Cruz Wake up, Mari-Cruz Do you not smell lilies The Virgin Mary brings you To help you be very good? Wake up, Mari-Cruz, She is coming, the kind Virgin With a basket of flowers For a little girl. Pick up the lilies That Mary brings you To help you be good. Good and holy little girl, You are very loving But you do not get up. "Garabandal', Book, by J. Serre, pages 89-91
Today in Garabandal History: AUGUST 16, 1961 FR. LUIS ANDREU SPEAKS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE ! (who just passed away on August 9th) “Between 8:00 or 9:00 the Virgin appeared to us, smiling very much as usual, and said to the four of us, “ Fr. Luis will come now and speak to you” And after a while he came , and he called us one after the other. But we didn’t see him, we only heard his voice. It was exactly the same as when he spoke on Earth. And after giving us advice ,he also told us something for his brother Fr. Ramon. More importantly, he sent a consoling message through them to his elderly mother, for whom news of his early death had come as a great shock. ‘Be happy and content,’ he said, ‘for I am in Heaven and see you every day.’ He taught us words in French, and even to pray in Greek. He taught us words in German, and in English too. After a while, we didn’t hear his voice anymore. And the Virgin spoke to us and stayed for a moment and left.” From “Conchita’s Diary” page 32
CONCHITA:"LIVE THE MESSAGES !" At age 16 Conchita was already was spiritually wise: "There is no point in our believing in the apparitions if we do not heed the message." (Star on the Mountain, p. 118 ) March 2013 Glenn’s conversation with Conchita. We talked about “ the messages” and what that means. With all of the arguing over which of the different visionary’s is right, predicting dates, the direction of the church, She taught me one thing, it’s all distracting, and detracting from our spiritual goals. The best advice I ever got was from Conchita ( when I asked her about the direction of all these things) ,she talked about what is most important, maintaining your spiritual life, (Confession, penance ,mass, communion, the rosary, the Morning Offering, etc.) When asked the question, “What is the most important thing we must do? She said: “Keep the Commandments,”. Conchita said : " I surround myself with good people, pray and don't worry " . ( Sounds like she took the advice of her friend Padre Pio , “ Pray, hope, and don’t worry”).
Today in Garabandal history AUGUST 18, 1961: DEPTH OF PRAYER AT SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL "Prayer holds an important place in Garabandal. Magnificent, varied, profound, it runs through the "events" on the whole as never in any other great Marian Apparition . . . . The girls devoted a great deal of their time to prayer. What is especially striking is the quality of their ecstatic prayer: a meditation filled with presence, moved to the extreme; a slow, poised recitation inspiring the full meaning of words as simple as "Mary," "blessed," "grace," "Jesus." " (Robert Francois Turner, 'I, Your Mother,' chapter. 18). The children spontaneously recited first the Rosary, then the Litanies, the Creed, the Our Father, the Salve Regina, in short what they knew. The Blessed Virgin had taught the visionaries all these prayers and, then, had gradually helped the girls to pronounce them clearly. So, on this August 18, the first thing Our Lady undertook was to recite the rosary with them: "I'll start the prayer and you will answer, very slowly," She suggested to the children. The visionaries postures induced the crowds to be quiet and recollected. "They would fall on their knees in the tiniest fraction of a second, sometimes adopting an overwhelming attitude of petition, their faces turned to heaven" . "To sing is to pray twice over" . . . The children improvised various hymns. From their songs there emanated a strange meekness and always a beautiful harmony. The Blessed Virgin taught the girls to make correctly the various signs of the cross used in Spain. They made them with unmatched dignity. Many films testify to this. From 'Garabandal' Book, J Serre, page 93 Mary teaches the girls how to bless themselves (in their local Spanish custom).
Today in Garabandal history, August 19,1961 The Blessed Virgin Mary kisses the girls for the first time. Individual ecstasies begin to occur. Conchita revealed : “ Up to then, in all the ecstasies, we have been the four together. Jacinta, Mary Cruz, Mary Loli, and myself. But then we started to have ecstasies separately, each one in her home. And so the Most Holy Virgin called us even though we were not together but separated. But we always saw the Most Holy Virgin in ecstasy. “ Father Jose Ramon Garcia de la Riva, “Memoirs of a Spanish Country Pastor” page 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1961 The Blessed Virgin played hide-and-go-seek several times with the children, something that amused them a great deal. At the time of the ecstasy on this Saturday evening, August 19, 1961, Feast of St. John Eudes. Conchita in ecstasy presents her doll to her Vision. Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, J.Serre, page 94.
Today in Garabandal History, August 20, 1961 From the personal journal of Fr. Valentín Marichalar, Parish Priest of Cosío and San Sebastián de Garabandal. August 20th. Fr. (Ramon) Andreu arrived. I said the rosary at 7:30, and they received Communion after the rosary. They went into ecstasy from 9:10-11:00. They prayed rosaries, sang songs, and they prostrated themselves at the entrance of the church for about half an hour. They talked about things that had happened during the day. They returned to the normal state at about 11, and Conchita fell back into ecstasy once again. A priest and one of the Fontenadas said that she was speaking German and French. It ended at 1, and Jacinta and Loli were in the same state. I went to bed at 2. They went to call me so that I could give them the key because Loli stayed in ecstasy until 5 o'clock in the morning. Fr. Andreu told me that Loli spoke French, German, and Latin with his deceased brother. He noted this. She saw Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Angel, and the Infant.
Jesus comments on belief of Garabandal before the Miracle From “Conchita’s Dairy” pages 53,54, (Feb.13,1966) : He [Jesus] replied..."I want to tell you, Conchita, that before the miracle occurs, you will suffer much, for few people will believe you. Your own family will believe that you have deceived them. I am the one who wants all this, as I have already told you, for your sanctification and so that the world may comply with the message. I wish to advise you that the remainder of your life will be a continual suffering. Do not be frightened. In your suffering you will find me and also Mary whom you love very much... I will be with whoever suffers for me. I am with him." “One day, before the Miracle, something will happen that will cause many people to stop believing in the apparitions of Garabandal. The doubts and desertions will not be due to an excessive delay of the Miracle.” “SHE WENT IN HASTE TO THE MOUNTAIN” Book 3 page 103
...interesting tid-bit I did not previoulsy recognize in the last sentence. Jesus states"...will not be due to an excessive delay of the Miracle."... Perhaps our prayers are delaying the inevitable a little longer to continue spreading the message to save more souls...at least I pray so...
I don't think the prayers are delaying the Miracle date (or Conchita would have mentioned that to me ) but the actual amount of years it has taken for it to come to fruition. Most thought it would have happened by now(some 60 years later).
LEG MIRACULOUSLY CURED ! AUGUST 22,1962 We have some brief notes from Father Valentin Marichalar that complement those of Luis Navas and Maximina Gonzalez, helping us to better recreate in our minds the atmosphere at Garabandal during the early part of August, 1962: August 22. The four fell into ecstasy; first Loli and Conchita; afterwards, Jacinta; and finally, Mari Cruz. The latter, on coming down from the Pines, went to the house of Daniela (who was in bed, with her leg in bad condition making it impossible for her to walk). And she gave her the crucifix to kiss. Daniela jumped from the bed and said she was cured. I think there might have been some suggestion, but she jumped up and went up the stairs as if there were nothing wrong with her. We will see what happens tomorrow. Father Valentin did not hide his disbelief that this was really a miraculous cure. However Father de la Riva added to the words of the Garabandal pastor some of his own: "I was at the village, and I heard the joyful shouts of the people who had seen what had happened, and were discussing it as if it were a miracle. I was able to see later that there was no natural explanation for what happened. Daniela went to have an x-ray taken and a complete cure was reported. She is now married and has children, which wouldn't have been possible with the disease she had in her hip." “She went in haste to the Mountain” chapter 3, page 61 This story has special meaning to me personally, as it was a miraculous cure to my own legs as a boy, from the medal that Joey Lomangino was given by Conchita, that “ Mary kissed”, that brought me to know and get involved with Joey Lomangino and volunteer at the New York Garabandal Center later as an adult. Sometimes we don’t understand or appreciate how a physical handicap can actually be a blessing from God, how he uses it for his glory, until later on. Praise be to God!
Testimony of Joachim Bouflet, PhD August 23, 1968, he accidently meets Padre Pio. Confirms Garabandal. "On the afternoon of the 23rd of August, I went to the small church of Nossa Senhora das Graças. we passed through a side door of a cloister. A short distance away, in the shade under the arches, Padre Pio sat in an armchair. He looked tired. I was filled with emotion being so close to him. I was so close to Padre Pio! An opportunity like this would never come again. I crossed the cloister garden and fell at his feet. He was surprised. At the same time, two Capuchins ran out, shouting unintelligible words. Padre Pio made a sign to them with his gloved hand and they were silent, but stayed close by. Then he looked at me seriously, but I'm sure there was understanding and affection and it was reflected in his eyes. He placed his hand on my head (I was kneeling in front of Padre Pio) and he said a few words to me. The two monks withdrew to some distance. I heard Padre Pio, who kept his hand on my head. I understood perfectly what he said to me. I confessed my sins and he answered me, commenting on what I had said and then I was given an overwhelming experience of the charism attributed to him, and his knowledge of the heart. I felt a deep peace and a deep anguish. I don't know how long all this lasted. Finally, he said to me: "Pray to Our Lady. Consecrate yourself to the Virgin of Carmo". "Yes, Father, I pray to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In fact, I would like to become a Carmelite." He did not comment on this, but insistently repeated: "Consecrate yourself to the Virgin of Carmel, who appeared in Garabandal" . - " So it's true?", I said. - "Right and true!" ("Yes, it's true!"), said Padre Pio. "
August 24, 1970. LETTER SIGNED BY CONCHITA TO THE FRENCH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO VISITED THE PEOPLE OF GARABANDAL. Dear young French people: From you the Virgin desires help to turn the world and avoid God's wrath upon us sinners. She trusts you so that with your example and selflessness you will be models for the other young people who have not had the thanks that you have to hear the messages of the Virgin. She asks you so much spirit of penance, sacrifice and prayer. Without these weapons nothing we can do. It's not much time we have, but it's enough to avoid great punishment and content our Mother's Holy Heart. It is in the Holy Sacrament that you will find enough strength to embark on this life that the Virgin is constantly asking you to go to the Blessed, to empty your heart of worldly things that will not let you hear God. If you do this you will start living life happy, because only happiness you have never felt will be found in the surrender to God and the Virgin. Pray for one another, for yourselves, ask the Virgin. Order it with faith and trust. She will give you everything good for you. And now for me and my friends I ask you to pray to God and the Virgin to be humble and sacrificial and all together to think more about Jesu s' Passion, to forget about ourselves. In togetherness of prayers, and that one day forever we can meet in Heaven to be eternally happy. Conchita Gonzalez.
JACINTA Interview April 16, 1983 The “ Warning” will be experienced even by children ! Q. You have also said that when things were at their very worst then the Warning will happen. How do you know this? Did the Virgin tell you or did you see it in a vision? A. 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. Q. When the Warning comes it will be seen and felt by everyone on earth. Does this include little children who have not yet reached the age of reason? A. Yes. That's why we felt sorry for them because it was such a terrifying experience. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, I always remind people that God is all merciful, and certainly will take into account each person’s ability to understand the purpose of the Warning.
Conchita’s sufferings Last week I mentioned Jesus telling Conchita would suffer for him. Many people wrote asking me to be more specific as to what kind of suffering. Starting at the tender age of 11, already lost her Father to lung disease, living in a remote town with no electricity, tv, movies, stores, toy stores,etc. Then is saddled with being accused of being a liar, fraud, mentally ill, threaten to be put in jail, her Mother was threatened to be put in an insane asylum, her whole life being questioned as being truthful, forced to hold a secret from the world. Conchita’s penances were not limited to simple, exterior acts. She suffered from acute perception, the trials of the "dark night" of the soul, that St. John of the Cross speaks of. " 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." Conchita 11-25-66 How many people know about Garabandal, after she gave 20 + years of interviews? The demands put on her as a child and teenager, worst of all from the Church. How many people believe her ? She has survived a cancer scare, lost her Husband to cancer. Has moved several times, so she can have some privacy. You have no idea the burden of having to also keep a date, a secret from your family, friends, and the world, and that’s just for starters.
I'm glad the Lord opened a pathway for Conchita to come to America where she met her future husband and has had the joy of raising a family. And I thank you, Glenn for being her supportive friend. God is good!
