Not sure you understood what my thought experiment was about. Anyhow... Ok, please explain how she could have seen the saint on a common calendar in the early 60s pinpointing a specific saint that no one has ever been able to find? I could understand if the Blessed Mother told her about some saint no one knew about and that wasn't officially recognized. However that is not what is recorded. She looked at a calendar date and recognized the saint. Yet no one has ever been able to find said saint looking at ANY Catholic calendar from the 60s for the target date, especially now that we know its in April!!! This particular saint reference makes absolutely zero sense as it currently stands and has been reported over the years. I suppose she had access to a secret calendar that only she had and that has never been seen ever again???... I mean, seriously!
How reliable is this First Commission ? The main witness speaks out ! Upon presenting the memoirs of Juan Alveraz Seco, Brigadier Chief of the Civil Guard, and the man responsible for maintaining order in the village during the apparitions, Anotnio Pacio, M.S.C. Professor at the University of Barcelona writes: “ I would like to only state one thing to forestall the objections on many based on various official communiqués coming from the Diocese of Santandar. These communiqués should have been preceded by a substantial interrogation of the myriad witnesses” “Among these witnesses , one who stands out is Juan Alvarez Seco, Brigadier Chief of the Civil Guard,who is the author of these memoirs. He was present from the beginning to 1962,and at 1965 at the time of the Message, and he had the duty of informing his superiors and the Civil Governor and all that was going on in Garabandal, while at the same time he had to maintain order in the village. “ “Well, none of the Commissioners, who rejected the supernatural events at Garabandal, ever asked him to testify, nor did they deign to even interview him, who was the “official informant” to the authorities. This detail suffices to illustrate the “true and impartiality “ with which the various episcopal commissions endeavored to inform themselves. Juan Seco : “ THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN BELIEVING WITNESSES, BUT ONLY THE UNBELIEVING. THEY WANTED AT ALL COST, TO DISCREDIT THE MANIFISTATIONS, AND IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, THAT HAD TO ELIMINATE ANY WITNESS,INCLINED TO BE FAVORABLE, NO MATTER WHAT HIS COMPETENCY”. From “The Village Speaks” pgs 69 - 70.
The View of Medical Science FIRST COMMISSION MEDICAL RULING ??? This was the Commission's doctor's " medical opinion" The doctor in charge of the district, Doctor Jose Luis Gullon said " that these were seizures and diseases, that all that was happening was due to an illness that the girls had." He never said what illness it was. WOW can you believe this ? Now you know why the Bishop Dal Val Gallo ordered a new investigation in 1987 ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another opinion is changed by a miracle ! "This is no way supernatural. It is a psychogenic reaction to the situation . . . Vulgar hysterical phenomena . . ." Such was Dr. Luis Morales' opinion on the one ecstasy that he had attended. His report, quickly drafted, influenced the negative verdict by the "Commission" concerning the supernatural origin of the phenomena of Garabandal. He, who had really been the "directing head" of the "Special Commission," Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, by J. Serre, pages 59; 61 Dr. Luis Morales changes mind on Garabandal ! 'On September 3, 1978, my first visit with Dr. Morales was recorded in its totality with his consent and lasted two hours. During the interview he was somewhat reserved in explaining his change of position on Garabandal and finally, because of my insistence, he said, "Now I see the existential reality of Our Lady in Garabandal. I think of Garabandal as Fatima: a gift of Divine Providence for humanity. Garabandal truly is a gift to us from Christ through his Mother..." At the end of the interview he answered my last question by saying, "Oh, yes! Garabandal has been a manifestation of Divine Grace...!" A typed copy of this conversation was presented to Bishop del Val. He reacted with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction to the change of opinion of Dr. Morales. February 8, 1979, I had a second interview with Dr.Morales and found him calm, happier and very open. In this friendly atmosphere he answered my pointed questions by saying that he accepted Garabandal as supernatural and that the messages came directly from God. Then he told me how, a month before his wife died of cancer, he had borrowed from another cancer patient a crucifix kissed by the Virgin of Garabandal and presented it to his wife to kiss. Her pains disappeared and she remained with interior peace until the end". Signed: Father Francis A. Benac, S.J., Bombay, India Reprinted with kind permission from GARABANDAL JOURNAL November-December 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1983 he publicly declares what everyone already knows: “ In Garabandal there was neither a committee or an investigation. It was a sham”. From : Garabandal: Message of Hope” L. Saavedra pg 306
This question concerning the need for clarification appears to have been asked many times. I doubt Conchita, since she must be aware of this question mark, will ever resolve it. We simply must experience the Warning and wait for her announcement. Thank God for such Mercy!
December 13, 1961, Mary smiling and laughing. On December 13, 1961, Conchita wrote in a letter to the pastor of Barro, Father José Ramón García de la Riva. “The day of the Immaculate Conception (Dec.8 ), the Virgin came to wish me good name day. ( happy feast day ) She had already said that she would come and when she came she was smiling and laughing a lot. The first thing she said was: "Happy name day”. José Ramón García de la Riva, “Memoirs of a Spanish Country Priest”, p. 145 One unique characteristic of Mary appearing at Garabandal is the countless times she is recorded smiling and laughing !
GOOD DOCTORS DEFEND GARABANDAL APPARITIONS ! Honest Doctors like Dr. Ricardo Puncernau, and Dr. Celestino Ortiz Dr. Ricardo Puncernau, an internationally renowned neuro-psychiatrist, widely regarded among the elite in his profession, performed the most extensive series of tests on the girls over a twelve day period. He concluded that the quantity and the quality of the phenomena ruled out any natural explanation. He said, “From a strictly scientific point of view, one cannot deny the possibility of a supernatural cause in all these phenomena.” “I have weighed, thought about, and consciously observed [the events], and I have made the following conclusion: In Garabandal, there has never existed nor exists any other acting causing factor in relation to what is happening there except the Most Holy Virgin.” During these times, in which the world is “confused” on the ecclesiastical level, similarly on international, social, familiar, and personal levels, full of injustice and egoism, we have dared to write these lines. These are a series of simple stories that deal with the famous happenings of Garabandal as seen through the prism of a Christian doctor. Since I am Christian, I am obligated to strictly tell the truth, without adornment, at least in the essence of the narration. What is important, I dare to say, is the adornment of the story. At least consciously, I haven’t left out the slightest detail of what I remember. They are personal things, mine, as they relate to the history of Garabandal. They are things that I have never told before. Things that I believe are necessary to say. Next year, 1975, is the Holy Year. What better occasion to exhume events that were seemingly buried forever but, in reality, never were? It is evident that this has been written for those who already know the story of Garabandal. If not, I fear that they will neither understand nor value this testimony. Barcelona, December 1974. Dr. Ricardo Puncernau. Pediatrician Dr. Celestino Ortiz studied the visionaries for twenty consecutive days. Outside of the ecstatic state, he found these children to be normal and well balanced. Of their ecstasies he said, “To keep silent would be true scientific cowardice. We do not find any convincing explanation for such phenomena.” Photo Dr. Ortiz taking Conchita’s pulse in ecstasy.
There is something interesting about this theory. In the 60s the Assumption was celebrated on the 15th of August.
THE COMMISSION CUTS OFF CONCHITA’S HAIR ! The Commission was so desperate to discredit the apparitions, and especially Conchita that they actually removed Conchita from her home, brought her to another town, WITHOUT HER MOTHER, CUT MOST OF HER HAIR OFF,BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT HAD MAGICAL POWERS and had a priest ( Fr. Luis Gonzalez ) threaten her by saying: “If you persist in talking about apparitions, you will be disgraced. We will declare you crazy and lock you in a mad house. And your parents will go to jail.” Dr. Pinal ,the Commission appointed doctor ,and Dr. Morales, tried to “Hypnotize “ her ! They forced her to sign A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER ! (which the Commission conveniently filled in later,admitting to her guilt ) This happen to a frighten 12 year old, separated from family or counsel. Can you imagine this happening in today’s age ? This outrageous behavior would be called “Child abuse AND criminal” ! Thank God, that the likes of Pope Paul VI, Padre Pio, kept hope alive because of their belief in the early days, or this would have been dead and buried. As the evidence mounted that Mary was appearing, the best that they could do is say that the apparitions were " Non-constat de supernaturalitate - It is not certain that the events are of supernatural origin. ". It was neither approved or condemned. This is just a few reasons the early generations had little interest ,until Joey Lomangino went to confession to Padre Pio ,and came back to America and started his apostolate, telling the world about the truth of Mary’s appearances and her messages.
We each carry our reasons for focusing on one particular apparition or another. My Mom was a convert to Catholicism. She was deeply influenced by Bishop Fulton Sheen and his opinions about Marian apparitions and prayed a daily Rosary for the rest of her life. Speaking personally, Medjugorje has had a deep impact on my family due to our pilgrimage there in 1987. What attracts me to Garabandal is actually (1) the simplicity of the Faith lived out and lack of fanfare surrounding the village, (2) the humility of Conchita, and (3) the fulfillment of the second message, which was initially received with shock and disbelief. Whether I live to experience the Warning or personally view the Miracle matters little to me. Like our brother MOG member, garabandal, who not too long ago made a pilgrimage to Garabandal and was blessed, I simply examine the fruit that the tale of events has produced in my own life and say, "Thank you dear Lady!"
Live daily web cam of Rosary and Mass in Garabandal A web cam has been installed in the San Sebastián church in Garabandal. People can now watch the rosary and Mass live prayed by Fr. Rolando (check schedule at bottom of that page, Mon-Sat. usually the same time, Sunday is different. All in Spanish time. ) Adjust for your time zone. https://www.churchservices.tv/garabandal
For those who have inquired, YES !, there are plans being made to also live stream the Miracle at Garabandal when it happens, dont worry, you will see it !
A MIRACLE OF A DIFFERENT KIND, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF MOTHER TERESA , FOR CONCHITA’S HUSBAND PATRICK. I was talking to Conchita ON THIS DAY (December 16, 2013 ) and she has given me permission to tell the amazing story of how through the “Power of Prayer” and the intercession of( now Saint ) Mother Teresa, God did in fact answer our prayers for Patrick before his death. Patrick was being released from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There was nothing that could be done for his advanced stage 4 cancer. Doctors feared he might not even make the flight home. The tumors now had now spread through his spine, kidneys and bladder, so much so that they were visible even through his shirt. They informed him that he should be on Morphine for the painful flight home and everyday to deal with extreme pain he would face. During the flight home, he experienced an unusual sensation in his back, leaving his clothes wet, but NO PAIN. When he arrived back in New York, his family was helping clean him up from the flight and they noticed that the inflammation and tumors were gone from his back and his skin was clear ! It was as if it was “drained “ from his back into his clothes. For the next three weeks, Patrick was joyful, even in planning his funeral ! He was able to see family members and spend quality time, with them, PAIN FREE ! He even worried that there was too many visitors and even offered Conchita to cancel some visits if it was too much burden on her, but obviously she never entertained the idea. She embraced the time to spend with family while he was able to, and in such good spirits. Sometimes our prayers are answered in God’s time and according to his will. Even though we thought all of our prayers went unanswered, God’s plan for Patrick was to be Heaven bound, BUT through the enormous amount of prayers sent asking Blessed Mother Teresa to intercede for Patrick, God did in fact grant him several miracles. God granted him more time than the doctors told him he would have, joyous, pain free, medication free, quality time to be with his family, to say good bye for now (until they would be reunited in Heaven ), and God sparred his family (and especially Conchita) the agony of watching him die , suffering the last weeks of his life. Conchita has asked me to thank all of you who prayed for Patrick, and for the blessing you gave her and her family those last three weeks. She and Patrick attributed all the prayers to Mother Teresa , for her intercession, for the relief of pain and discomfort ( of which he had none) , until the day of his death. She said to tell you all “ Remember the power of Prayer ! “
What a marvelous testimony on the power of intercessory prayer. Thank you Lord and thank you Mother Teresa!
December 17, 2013 Conchita’s letter to me on death. I wanted to share something special with you today. I received a letter from Conchita on the date above, after the passing of her husband Patrick. While most of it was personal, I wanted to post the last sentence of her letter, which was TRULY PROFOUND. She said: " Death for sure is not the end, it is the beginning and the vanities of the world are a loss of energy because it distracts us from the reality of life, and true happiness. "
I think that answer is very simple. We aren't supposed to know who that saint and therefore the date. If Conchita wanted us to know the saint, she'd have just told us. You can guess all. You want but the very simple answer is we werent meant to know, so all the riddle solving and guessing in the world will not solve this. And thats just how its going to be until the warning and miracle happen. Then and only then will everything make sense. Its quite simple.really.
Photo: 1961 Conchita, Mary Cruz, Jacinta, Mari Loli. The Visionaries and Their Families . "Let us pause for a moment and become better acquainted with the four children at the time the apparitions began. The eldest, Conchita, just 12 years old, is a pretty brunette, full of life and zest, and the only daughter of a widow, Aniceta Gonzalez. She has three older brothers: Serafin, Aniceto and Miguel. The family owns a small herd on the mountain, tended by the two younger boys, while the eldest works in the mines in the Province of Leon. They live in a small house at the very end of the village. The kitchen with its raised open fireplace is poorly furnished. It is there that we were to witness one of the child's most striking ecstasies. Maria Dolores, called Loli, is the second of six children. Her father Ceferino Mazon is mayor of the village and its real authority in every respect. He keeps a small café which is the men's rendezvous. Loli, quiet, smiling, obedient, helps her mother and will later take full charge of Guadalupe, her baby sister. Loli is also 12 years old. Jacinta is a charming and lovely little girl. Her parents are among he poorest in the village and their home is particularly humble. Nevertheless, they are always vays very hospitable. The father, Simon, a hard known fo working man, is also known for his staunch faith. The mother, Maria Gonzalez, is charming like her daughter. Jacinta, also 12 years old, is shy and retiring. She is the most reserved of the four girls and perhaps the most profound. The fourth girl, Mari Cruz, although a year younger, is just as tall as her companions. She is less outgoing than the others. Later she will have - at least apparently - the most profound, painful and least frequent ecstasies. After September 12, 1962, her face will show her deep sorrow at no longer seeing the Virgin. Of average height and weight for their age, the four children are robust mountain girls. The doctors who examined and re-examined them agreed that they have no physical defects. If we compare them to city children, we must realize that the development of their intellectual capacities is two or three years behind. There are so many things they do not know as yet, because they have never left their native village. Garabandal, of course, has neither television nor movie theatres." “STAR ON THE MOUNTAIN” by Fr. M. Laffineur and Fr. M. T. Le Pelletier, PAGES 15-16.
I believe in Garabandal , I have always believed in it down the years as did Padre Pio. He was asked about it one time and said he did although he added that Satan had entered in to to confuse the matter. There is nothing that might surprise this in this as in all Marian apparitions this happens. Garbandal is quite , quite true as several modern saints, including Mother Angelica have attested. Our Blessed Lady does not really need us to defend her honour in this matter but if we do feel the need to do so let it be with the greatest kindness as befifts Our Mother.
