Saturday, June 30, 2007

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1961:

Their small crucifix in their hands,
the visionaries in ecstasy before the closed door of the church.


UNPARALLELED AND LIVING PRESENCE
OF THE "CRUCIFIX" IN GARABANDAL

Within the limits allowed by the Note from Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez and never in opposition to them, the church of Garabandal remains a major pole of the apparitions. In each one of them, or almost, the visionaries returned there to pray before the closed door. There, on several occasions, the Angel even gave them Communion.

On the day following the interdiction we know, the girls, in ecstasy before the closed door and on the advice of their Vision, suddenly decided to get a crucifix from their homes . . . except Mari-Cruz (for personal family reasons). It is interesting to note that this invitation and inspiration of "wearing a crucifix" happened on the very day of the Feast, then celebrated on August 23 in the universal Church, of St. Philip Benizi who was one of the seven founders of the
"Servites of Mary." At the moment of his death he had cried out: "Give me my book!" (that is, "my crucifix!"). Henceforth, the visionaries in ecstasy would systematically be equipped with one. This gesture, in its clear reference to the Passion, takes all its meaning in Garabandal, most especially with the second and ultimate Massage (June 18, 1965) of which, as we shall see, it will be precisely the final word.

During the apparitions, the visionaries would present their crucifix to be kissed, sometimes kiss it themselves, or make the sign of the cross with it over those present, notably over those who, very often in secret prayer, "were asking for proofs" . . . The children also made the sign of the cross with it over persons lying down and asleep, on the forehead of the sick, on the heads of beds (twice if two persons slept in them), over the vehicles of visitors, etc.

The kiss of the crucifix played an immense role at San Sebastian de Garabandal, giving rise in those benefited from this, to profound emotions, healings and even to remarkable conversions.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 95.]

Again we see the obedience of Our Lady in regards to the Bishop and the Church! In obeying, She led the children up to the door of the local parish but had their apparition out in the open air. Our Lady had said "Obedience to the Church gives great glory to God". It's a good lesson for us, to obey the Laws of the Church before our own pride filled ideas! The 'First Sin' was through disobedience and pride (Satan's fall from heaven) and Adam and Eve followed up with their disobedience and pride giving us Original Sin. But "Happy Fault", it caused Our Savior Jesus Christ to come down from heaven, to suffer, die and rise for our salvation. And that's why the crucifix is so important. We gaze upon the image of the Crucified One and it reminds us of all He did for us. It calls us to repentance and reparation for our personal sins. It gives us the grace to thank Jesus over and over for His Sacred Passion.

Our Mother Mary has taught us, through these young girls, to wear and venerate a Blessed crucifix (not a plain cross), to touch others with It, asking Almighty God to bless everyone (remember, only a priest and deacon can officially bless with the blessings of the Church) and all things!

I wear a large St. Benedict crucifix and Medal, which has been touched to a particle of the True Cross, a Garabandal relic kissed by Our Lady and many other relics. There are many indulgences attached to this crucifix and a promise of a happy death to those who wear it. It also protects us from the evil one. We need all the help we can get from heaven because there is a raging battle out there for our souls! It's a good idea to wear some religious item around our necks, medals, crucifixes, scapulars, just make sure they are blessed by a priest or deacon . . .
God love you
Roman Deacon


Friday, June 29, 2007

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1961:

Padre Don Jose Ramon Garcia de la Riva

A REMARKABLE "SPANISH
COUNTRY PASTOR" ENTERS
THE LIVING STORY OF
GARABANDAL

Don Jose Ramon Garcia de la Riva went up to Garabandal for the first time on this day. He was then pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows at Barro, a small village some 38 miles away. The name of this priest of the Asturias was to remain profoundly linked to Garabandal.

A good photographer and an amateur movie maker, he took some beautiful films and some remarkable photos of the visionaries and sites. He published his 'Memoirs of a Spanish country parish Priest', in memory of his numerous trips to San Sebastian de Garabandal, from 1961 to
1968.

The very day of his arrival in the village, the members of the "Special Commission," who were also there on this August 22, obtained that the church be closed to the visionaries in ecstasy. Four days later, Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez published his first Note in the Official Bulletin of
the diocese, forbidding priests henceforth from going to Garabandal. This was above all a pastoral act of prudence.

[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 95.]

Father Jose witnessed over 200 apparitions and compiled them in a book. I plan to publish that book here page by page after we finish with this present and new book about Garabandal. Stay tuned! Of course, the way the world is going, the Warning and Miracle might override my plans.

Our Lady said in one of her apparitions that she prayed for the coming of the Missiah before she found out that she was to be the Mother of God at the Annunciation. We can do the same, pray daily for the fulfillment of the Message of Garabandal, the Warning, the Miracle and Great Sign, and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

God Bless
Roman Deacon

Thursday, June 28, 2007

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1961:

Beginning of August 1961, Conchita in ecstasy presents her doll to her Vision.

"GAMES" OF THE VISIONARIES . . .
IN ECSTASY. "THREE SECRETS" TO
COME . . . FOR THREE MYSTERIOUS
YEARS RELATED TO THE LITURGICAL
FEAST OF THE DAY? TO THE THREE
(PAST) YEARS OF IMMEDIATE
PREPARATION TO THE GREAT JUBILEE 2000?

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, the four visionaries spoke of "three secrets for three years,"
of "three secret messages that they were to make public each year," but which they did not know at the time . . .

It does not seem advisable for us to interpret here those "secrets." However, the biblical theme of the "secret" being always linked to that of the "Heart" of God (and of Mary), it appears
necessary for us to connect this revelation made to the visionaries with the work of St. John Eudes. Living in the seventeenth century, he was later to be officially recognized as "the Father, the Apostle and the Doctor of the public cult given to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary."

Indwelt by a prayer of universal dimensions, Marie des Vallees was a source of major inspiration for St. John Eudes for fifteen years. This astonishing mystic enjoyed the benefits of admirable prophetic insights of an eschatological nature, of which some remain "secret" to this day. Marie des Vallees already proclaimed that, before the end of times, there would occur here, on Earth, a "general conversion," a "deluge of fire," work of the Holy Spirit, and that "everything in the
mission would be accomplished by the Blessed Virgin."

On the other hand, what the girls of Garabandal were told on that evening corroborates the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in August 1917, which occurred for well-known reasons, not on the 13th of the month, as usual, but on the 19th, precisely on the Feast of St. John Eudes. The prophetic (and eschatological) dimension of Fatima being not totally fulfilled yet, couldn't we consider this "delayed rendezvous" of the Blessed Virgin as the manifestation of the divine
plan and desire of setting up in the world, some day, a joint devotion and cult to the (Divine) Heart of Jesus and the (Immaculate) Heart of Mary?

[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 94.]

There's so much on this page, I don't know where to begin to comment!

Imagine playing games with Our Blessed Mother! And why not? Did not your own mother play games with you? If not, you missed out on a lot of growing up. Every mother plays with her children, even if it's just playing "this little piggy went to market . . ." to calm you down. So
Mother Mary, being our spiritual Mother, cares for us more than any earthly mother, so She would love to play games with us to calm us down . . . And of course Her divine Son Jesus taught us: Pointing to a little child, Jesus said 'You must be like this little child to enter the Kingdom of God!'

Secrets! I'm not sure what these secrets are, unless it refers to the Warning, the Miracle and the Great Sign prophesied at Garabandal.
We'll have to see as we go along, but we all know about the Secrets of Fatima. The last one was revealed by Pope John-Paul II on June 26, 2000. Here is the complete text:

"I write in obedience to you, my God, who command me to do so through his Excellency the Bishop of Leiria and through your Most Holy Mother and mine.

"After the two parts which I have already explained, at the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendor that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: 'Penance, Penance, Penance!'. And we saw in an immense light that is God: 'something similar to how people appear in a mirror when they pass in front of it' a Bishop dressed in White 'we had the impression that it was the Holy Father'. Other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious going up a steep mountain, at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks as of a cork-tree with the bark; before reaching there the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him, and in the same way there died one after another the other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, and various lay people of different ranks and positions. Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God."

(Committed to paper by Sr. Lucia on January 3, 1944.)

I looked up Marie des Vallees and most of the info about her is in French. It seems that she was a demonic and St. John Eudes exorcised her. After that she became one of his favorite spiritual advisers. She wrote four volumes of spiritual works too. It seems that St. Louis de Montfort also went to her for spiritual advise.

As I wrote before, Fatima & Garabandal are closely joined, as are all of Our Lady's apparitions . . . We're still waiting for the 'conversion of Russia' and the 'Era of Peace' prophecised at Fatima. I believe this will occur when the Garabandal "events" manifest themselves in the near future!!!
Roman Deacon

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1961:



UNPARALLELED RICHNESS, SIMPLICITY
AND 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,' ch. 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" (ibid.).

"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.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 93.]

Our Lady is teaching us, through these apparitions, how important it is to pray constantly and the right way of praying! See how we must think about the "words" that we are uttering, lifting up to God. Have you every been at a prayer service where the words are rattled off at ninety miles an hour? There is no time to think or meditate on their meaning. Some of the last words Our Blessed Mother said at Garabandal was "Think about the Passion of Jesus." Along with that and many Saints recommendations, I try to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary each day, thinking about how much the Lord suffered for my sins . . .

Mother Mary has also taught me to pray like she taught the visionaries. When I first went back to church, around the year 1970, I didn't know how to pray at all! Little by little, Our Lady sent to me people who taught and inspired me to pray many different ways. But the Rosary became my favorite private prayer and I promised Our Lady that I would say it everyday of my life.

Did you ever sing the Rosary? When I drove a truck, years ago, I used to sing the Mysteries as I drove here and there. Being alone in the cab of the truck, allows a person to express themselves and be truly open to God's grace. I can't sing too well, but only God knows about it!

Making the Sign of the Cross is important too! I've seen some sloppy ones made, sometimes so quick as if the person was embarrassed about the cross. Then there are those who refuse to cross themselves at all! I've seen this at Mass too! Even priests who did not make the Sign of the Cross at the start of the Mass! What a scandal! The cross is the sign of our redemption, so I think we should bless ourselves more often. One of the privileges of being a deacon, is to bless people and objects with the sign of the cross. What an honor!

By the way, did you know that the people of the Orthodox Faith make the Sign of the Cross right shoulder to left, instead of left shoulder to right as we do it. I always wondered why. Does anyone know?
United in Prayer
Roman Deacon

Monday, June 25, 2007

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1961:

Doctor Celestino Ortiz Perez, taking Conchita's pulse.

FIRST CLIMB TO SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL
BY A PEDIATRICIAN FROM SANTANDER,
A GREAT WITNESS OF THE "EVENTS"

A major scientific witness, Dr. Ortiz was the first physician to study the Garabandal phenomena seriously. Author of a report dated October 1962, of which a part was published, the pediatrician would spend about fifty days observing the visionaries. He always affirmed
that they were "normal from every point of view."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 91.]

Doctor Celestino Ortiz Perez was an excellent pediatrician from Santander. The picture above shows him taking Conchita's pulse while she was in ecstasy, on her knees, her head way back and looking straight up to her vision. These photos are quite good and very valuable in regard to the history and truth of the apparitions. We will hear more about this doctor later on . . .

Deacon John


Sunday, June 24, 2007

NIGHT OF MONDAY, AUGUST 14 TO TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1961

A sacred serenade was sung for Mari-Cruz

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.

[From "Garabandal', Book, pages 89-91]

So amazing! I wish I could hear those childish voices singing these hymns and serenades! Maybe some day we will, at least in the next life where we will get to see God, all in all, and many things will be revealed to us! I guess that what we desire spiritually here on earth, will be fulfilled in heaven. I say spiritually, cause we can't be attached to earthly things and desires if we want to enter heaven.

When the girls were going from place to place in ecstasy in the middle of the night, and remember, there was no street lights or even electricity to power them in Garabandal, they said: "We seemed to be moving in the air, as if we were upside down. we would have thought we were in another world! It was as if we were in broad daylight and sunshine."

Well, they certainly were in another world, another dimension, and a heavenly one. That's what ecstasies are all about. They enter into the supernatural and see things as they really are and what we can't see. Yes, we are surrounded by the other world, with angels and demons, either helping us or trying to destroy us. There's a great battle going on for our souls! That's why it's so important to constantly pray and invoke the angels and saints to assist and defend us. Call on Jesus & Mary all day long! I like the ejaculation: Jesus, Mary, I love You. Save souls!
God bless us all!
Deacon John

Saturday, June 23, 2007

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1961



THE DECEASED PADRE LUIS AND THE "SABBATINE PRIVILEGE."
THE SPIRITUAL PRESENCE OF ST. CLARE OF ASSISI ON THIS
DAY OF HER LITURGICAL FEAST

The Sabbatine Privilege, in its original form, was granted in the fourteenth century by the Blessed Virgin, after the grace of the Scapular to St. Simon Stock. The sixth General Superior of the Carmelites, who had just been chased away from the East by the Saracens, had begged Mary to help him. She then appeared to him promising him, at the same time as she gave him the gift of the Scapular, that every Carmelite wearing it would be spared the eternal fires.

As for the Sabbatine Privilege, it was broadened later by the Church, thanks to Pope Paul V (1605-1621). The Blessed Virgin promised that all those who had venerated her constantly and who had worn the Scapular with devotion would be withdrawn from Purgatory on the first
Saturday after their death.

At Garabandal, one finds indeed the figure of a small mountain on one side of the Scapular that Our Lady of Mount Carmel wears on her right arm. This mountain (the "Muhraka") symbolizes the confrontation that occurred on Mount Carmel between Elijah and Baal's false prophets. A cross is drawn on the other side: a clear indication of the divine source of that famous sacramental.

The Sabbatine Privilege was illustrated in a remarkable way on this August 12 at Garabandal. The four visionaries, as much in a state of ecstasy as in a normal state, had prayed a great deal after August 9, for the soul of the deceased Fr. Luis. They ceased to do so completely on this first Saturday after his death. The Blessed Virgin told the little girls that he was now in heaven. We know that Fr. Luis wore the scapular-medal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

As for St. Clare of Assisi, how not detect her "spiritual presence" at San Sebatian de Garabandal on this day of her "natale"? Several amazing events occurring as much during her life as soon after her death, offer, indeed, a clear analogy with some of the many phenomena registered on this August 12, 1961, in the village. For example, this one noted by Don Valentin Marichalar: ". . . The girls in ecstasy saw stars with long tails. . ." In the first case (charismatically speaking) as in the second (according to a theological reflection -- Canon J. Porro), people understood that this symbolized the Holy Spirit, known to have dwelt fully in St. Clare's soul while she lived.
[Excerpted from 'Garbandal' Book, page 88.]

Now you know why I have been wearing the Brown Scapular for the last 36 years and the only time I had to take it off was when I had an MRI exam and the technician insisted that everything had to go. As the old saying goes: "I wouldn't be caught dead without it!" When I tell people that Our Lady promised to take you out of Purgatory on the first Saturday after you die, if you wear and are enrolled in the Brown Scapular, I also say that I hope to die on a Saturday so that I can be taken right up!!!

I can tell you from personal experience how much I have changed from my "old self" to a "new man" through Our Lady's loving mantle of protection. She has guided and lead me in so many ways, especially to greater devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist! Each day when I wake up, I pray the Morning Offering, kissing my Scapular, and dedicating the entire day to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary. Sometimes, during the day, the scapular itches a little (it's made out of wool), and instantly I'm reminded of Our Blessed Mother and she keeps me on track.


Why not try it? There are many Catholic groups who will send you a free Brown Scapular, so if you want to wear Our Lady's Livery and receive many graces, why not get and wear one? Think about it!
Roman Deacon

Friday, June 22, 2007

TUESDAY 8 - WEDNESDAY 9 OF AUGUST, 1961

Before he died , Father Luis "saw the great Miracle"

Father Luis was buried at Ona, reserved for Jesuits

FATHER LUIS MARIA ANDREU SEES THE
BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL
AND THE FUTURE GREAT MIRACLE,
THEN BECOMING HIMSELF A
PROTAGONIST OF GARABANDAL

Father Luis Maria Andreu Rodmilans was born in 1925 in Bilbao, Spain. He entered the Jesuit Scholasticate, at Ona, in 1942; he was ordained to the priesthood in 1955, then he studied at Innsbruck, Rome, Geneva and Paris.

At the time of the Garabandal "events," the Andreu family was made up of six brothers. The eldest, Jose Maria, was married and lived in Madrid. Then came four priests, all of them Jesuits: Alejandro, a missionary in Venezuela; Ramon, today a missionary in California in the South American community; Luis; and finally Marcelino, a missionary in Taiwan. Rafael is the youngest.

Father Luis came back to Garabandal for the third time, on the 8th of August 1961, in order to observe once more the ecstasies. On that day, the Pastor, Don Valentin, who had to go to Santander, entrusted him with the keys of the church. The Jesuit Father celebrated his Mass
in "an admirable manner," said those who had taken part. This was to be his last Mass.

In the evening of this Tuesday, and for the third time, the visionaries fell into ecstasy in the village church. When they came out of the church, they began a long ecstatic walk that Fr. Luis followed, from the beginning to the end, up to the Pines, where himself falling into ecstasy, the priest suddenly pronounced loudly the word "Miracle!", four times. His eyes fixed on heaven, he was granted to see the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, and also, by anticipation, the future great Miracle which is to take place at San Sebatian de Garabandal. This was a unique event, and we know that the Jesuit Father had penetrated into the visionaries' "range of vision." They would later describe him in these few words: "He was there, on his knees, beads of perspiration on his forehead, the Blessed Virgin looking at him. We had the impression that she was telling him: 'Within a short time, you will be near me'."

The ecstasy over, Padre Luis came down from the Pines and, with some of his friends, went down in a jeep to Cosio to await the arrival of some of the other persons with whom he had come, and who had preferred to walk back. It was about one in the morning. The Father was dozing in the vehicle when Don Valentin, who was just coming back to the village, joined him. Immediately, Luis spoke: "Don Valentin, what the children are saying is true! But I ask you not to repeat what I have just told you. For the Church will never be too prudent in such matters."

At about four in the morning, while they were driving on the road to Reinosa, Luis spoke to his friends: "I am filled with joy! What a favor the Blessed Virgin has granted me! How lucky we are to have such a Mother in heaven! We must not be afraid of the supernatural. The children have taught us how to speak to the Blessed Virgin. For me, there can be no doubt! Why did the Blessed Virgin choose us, yes, us? Today is the happiest day of my life!"

Then he became silent. There was a sigh. Fr. Luis' head fell forward. He was dead! He was 36 years old. Father Luis' involvement with Garabandal was far from being over. In fact, it was revealed to Conchita that "on the day following the future great Miracle, his body will be found just as he was, when he died!" [Incorrupt.]
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 84-87.]

Another amazing event regarding these apparitions of Our Blessed Mother. Imagine, here was a brilliant young priest professor, who had a wonderful career ahead of him, snatched out of this life to enter heaven! It's mind-boggling! But God's ways are not our ways . . . St. Paul said in (2 Cor 5:4) that he was "groaning for heaven" and "But we are confident and have a good will to be absent rather from the body and to be present with the Lord. " (2 Cor 5:8) But he realized that the Lord had other plans for him, like evangelizing the world outside of Israel, and then he would give his life in martyrdom and go to heaven.

How about us? Do we think about heaven? Are we ready to be snatched up? Remember that old hymn "Swing low, sweet chariot." Lets hope that we all have a beautiful vision of Jesus & Mary coming to escort us to the Father's House in Heaven, and not have to see the evil one before we die!

There's an old Irish saying: "May you have one foot in Heaven, even before the devil knows you're dead." So be it! Hope to see you all there . . .
Roman Catholic Deacon

Thursday, June 21, 2007

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1961:



THE "ECSTATIC WALKS"

For the same reason as for the "calls" and the "falls," the "ecstatic walks" are typical events of San Sebastian de Garabandal. Their purpose was to draw attention to the apparitions (ecstasies).

These walks were absolutely extraordinary; they consisted in the girls moving from place to place, sometimes at a very high speed. The visionaries, hand in hand, would move at a very rapid pace, without seeing anything of their itinerary. They did not stumble on the rocky roads they took, their eyes being fixed on the apparition guiding them. According to the children's explanations, they had the impression of being "settled comfortably" in a fixed position with respect to their vision.

Here two of the girls are walking backwards. They would proceed in this way up to the Pines. On the steep slope of this same calleja , the children walked on their knees, without ever bruising themselves or experiencing the slightest pain as they came in contact with the rocky surface of the land. During the walks, the children appeared to be moved by an interior force that made the witnesses unable to hold them back. The rapid pace of the visionaries could become a race . . .
A word about their "range of vision": the girls saw nothing but the Apparition herself.

In one scene, Loli was alone in ecstasy, coming out of Conchita's home. She suddenly falls on her knees making a sharp noise. A few moments later, eyes fixed on heaven, arms outstretched, the upper body leaning forward, the pace of the visionary becomes more intense. It seems that she hardly touches the ground, as if she had "wings on her feet." The other three are not in ecstasy, they follow with difficulty.

At the end of these ecstatic walks, while the witnesses, even the most athletic ones, are deadbeat, Loli, on her part, shows no signs of fatigue. She is simply a little pale, but gives the impression of being calm.
[Excerpted from "Garabandal" Book, pages 81-83.]


More amazing signs of the supernatural! The pictures are spectacular! If you want to see them, go to http://www.stjosephpublications.com/Default.htm There a whole lot of pictures will come up for you to view.
Roman Catholic Deacon

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1961



NEW ECSTATIC PHENOMENA

The swaying movements began on the 31st of July. They were to be the prelude of yet more striking manifestations: the ecstatic falls, a kind of slow and graceful collapse of the children until they were stretched out on the ground.

These falls occurred quite frequently. Every time they happened, the girls drew attention by their beauty, their grace and the modesty of their attitudes and expressions.

Spectators could not help but be inclined to admire and respect them. The visionaries were always dressed in a most decent way, their clothes covering them sometimes even in a sliding movement opposite to the natural direction of the fall.

Mari-Loli and Jacinta were the first to "inaugurate" this phenomenon; they would remain stretched out some ten minutes in this astonishing position.

Brigadier Secco heard Mari-Loli asking her Vision: "If you don't help me, I could not get up." Then she was seen extending her arm, and as if raised by a mysterious force, "she slowly rose to a sitting position."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 75-77.]


Again, I've seen pictures and movies showing these falls and how the girls were piled up like sculptured forms, always dressed modestly and proper! God loves the virtues of purity and modesty, so Our Lady always glorified Him by helping the girls with these virtues. We should be so lucky! How many times have I seen men & women dressed indecently in church, and no one saying a word to them about proper attire in church. Sometimes it's the parents who bring their children scantly clad to Mass or even religious education. I pray for these people, so that they will realize the scandal they are causing. Please, dear Lord, may they wear their bathing suits, halters, topless gowns, see through clothes and short-shorts at the beach, instead of your Holy House!
Roman Catholic Deacon

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1961



THE CREED: A ONE, HOLY CATHOLIC,
APOSTOLIC AND . . . "ROMAN" CHURCH!

On this day, the girls in ecstasy recited the Creed, quite notably the Nicea-Constantinople one, for the first time apart from the rosary. This was a unique case in the public Marian apparitions, even in the whole history of apparitions. This particular performance would be repeated in twelve distinct and most relevant days the last of them significantly corresponding to the precise point of junction between the 1st and 2nd of November. Quite notable also is the strong biblical and ecclesial symbol of the number "12."

To this "profession of faith" always recited, it seems, in honor to the "Heart of Jesus" (al "Sagrado Corason"), the visionaries added an element of prime importance, of a truly prophetic nature, saying: "I believe in the one, holy, catholic, apostolic and Roman Church . . ."! The addition of these last words is most certainly linked to the future "reunification of the Churches" predicted at San Sebastian de Garabandal, and to which we will eventually return. Concerning this "addition" to the article of faith of the Church, . . . precisely about the Church, we must point out that, at a close examination, it did not reveal anything revolutionary: the "new" expression used by the visionaries in ecstasy was, in fact, only echoing the Ecumenical Councils of Trent and Vatican I, whose respective "professions of faith" had already included, in their own manner, the "addition": ". . . and Roman."

On this August 1, 1961, Feastday of the Holy Martyrs Maccabees, such a recitation of the Creed by the seers then in ecstasy was indeed remarkable: it was bringing together the believers of the Old and the New Covenants in a kind of joint celebration of their new common Faith. It also underscored the fact that they both belong to this one Redeemer's plan of universal salvation.

On this same day, during another ecstasy, Loli and Jacinta were also heard for the first time reciting the Ave Maria with this beautiful addition: "Holy Mary, Mother of God" 'and our Mother' pray for us . . .", an addition the Blessed Virgin asked the visionaries not to use before the Church allowed it, in clear distinction to the previous addition "and Roman Church"!
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 74.]

WOW! Talk about prophecies . . . Here is Our Lady teaching and proclaiming something that was already on the lips and in the hearts of the faithful! I always use the term 'Roman Catholic' when explaining to someone what Church I belong to. How about you?

One day I was in Manhattan looking for a church to attend Mass. I passed by a beautiful, Gothic one near Times Square. There was a noon Mass scheduled, so I went in. Inside was a beautiful altar with a tabernacle and vigil lamp but the church was empty. Then I found the Mass which was being celebrated in a side room. I entered and took a seat. As I listened to the prayers of the priest, it all sounded strange to me, so I asked the man next to me if this was a Catholic Mass. He said yes. I said "A Roman Catholic Mass?" He said, "No, Anglican!" I ran out of there, bewildered. I said to myself, "How did I make that mistake?" By the way, the name of the church was "St Mary, the Virgin." I learned the hard way, that there are many catholic churches out there, but not all are Roman or united with Rome.

As far as the change to the Hail Mary that Our Lady asked the girls to hold off saying, the popes have allowed some changes in the Rosary since these apparitions in the 60's: There is the Scriptural Rosary, where a verse of scripture relating to the Mystery is inserted between the ten Hail Marys; and another way to pray, which was approved by Pope Paul IV, is to add something about the Mystery during the Hail Mary. Here is an example I use most of the time: Second Sorrowful Mystery, the Scourging: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus (who was scourged for us).

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. This way of praying helps keep your mind on the Mystery that we are supposed to meditate about. It works great if you are driving and praying! Roman Catholic Deacon

Monday, June 18, 2007

"THE CALLS"

Conchita is resting while awaiting for the last call . . .

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.

Ecstasies occurred more and more frequently during the night, sometimes lasting until morning. This was to make them more discreet, but also because the symbol of night evokes the evil that men commit at that time. It then becomes necessary to double the efforts in prayer and supernatural enlightenment. Significant also is the fact that the ecstasies never occurred to the little girls when at school, or during liturgical ceremonies, more, even when carrying out domestic duties!

It happened almost every day that several apparitions would occur on the same day or evening, but never at school, or during the liturgical ceremonies. Only the first apparition was preceded by the three calls. At the end of the ecstasy, the Virgin directly announced her first visit to the visionaries: "In a moment I will come back," "At such an hour . . .," etc.

When the girls waited in the evening for an apparition that finally did not occur, they had to make up for lost sleep. On the other hand, they did not at all experience the need to make up for the sleep they lost during the vision.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 72, 73.]

These are some of the amazing mysteries that sets Garabandal in a class by itself. These "calls" were quite mysterious and sometimes the girls waited a long time before Our Lady appeared to them. I guess it was a sort of test of their endurance and faith. Imagine sitting up all night waiting for an apparition. I probably would have gone to bed and missed everything!

See how the Blessed Mother respected their everyday duties. She didn't bother them when they had to go to school or do chores. And when she kept them up late at night, or sometimes all night for an apparition, they weren't tired the next day and just continued on as if they had a good nights sleep! The girls never doubted the "llamadas", they insisted they were calls from God. They felt a mysterious joy and restfulness inside them, which grew stronger, as they awaited the apparition. And they tried to hide these feelings from those around them, even their family members. Sometimes they had to help each other arouse themselves in the wee hours of the morning to go out in the cold for the meeting with Our Blessed Mother. If this was not real, do you think they would have deprived themselves of sleep or go out into the cold, cold night. No way, Jose! All this little phenomena builds up the case for the authenticity of these apparitions at Garabandal! And there is a lot more as we shall see!

Roman Catholic Deacon



Sunday, June 17, 2007

RAMON AND LUIS ANDREU, PRIESTS


Fr. Ramon Andreu on right

The brothers Luis Maria and Ramon Maria Andreu Rodamilans were among the four hundred or so spectators who attended the second ecstasy of tears, on July 29, 1961.
Both are Jesuits and doctors of Theology. Luis himself was then professor of Theology in the Major Scholasticate of Ona (Burgos) and Ramon, a preacher of retreats and Spiritual Exercises.
During the first visit they made to the village, they were simply drawn there out of curiosity, led there by friends, the Fontaneda family, very well known in Spain for their brand of biscuits ("galletas").
Father Ramon Maria Andreu immediately took down a substantial amount of notes about Jacinta's and Mari-Loli's ecstasies. First he thought that this was a case of hypnotism, until a very disturbing "sign" was given him: the instantaneous realization of a thought he had just formulated . . .: "Let one of these children come to herself and the others remain in ecstasy." This is exactly what happened.
Mari-Loli immediately recovered her normal state and turned slightly towards Fr. Ramon to look at him before falling again into ecstasy . . .!
We shall see later how the involvement of the Andreu family at Garabandal took an absolutely extraordinary turn.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 72.]

Yes, the thoughts of many were read by Our Lady at Garabandal and transmitted to the girls to tell the people involved. This made most of them believers! As it says in the Gospel: "The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed to thee" (Luke 2:35)

Fr. Ramon wrote a lot about the events at Garabandal. I hope to post some of his work here in the future.

The children of Fatima had priests from elsewhere to support them too, even though the local pastor didn't believe in Our Lady's apparitions there. He even held the three seers from receiving their First Holy Communion, thinking they were liars. Lucia was held back for a year and Francesco and Jacinta made theirs shortly before they died. They suffered a lot because of this rejection.

Roman Catholic Deacon


Saturday, June 16, 2007

FRIDAY, JULY 28, AND SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1961:

Fright and stupefaction of Jacinta and Loli

"TWO EVENINGS OF TEARS"

As was promised, the Blessed Virgin, since July 4, was gradually explaining to the children the Message she had revealed to them. This catechesis was absolutely necessary, considering their young age and the small amount of religious knowledge they had. What, indeed, did the words "sacrifice," "penance," mean to them, and how, in practice, were they "to be very good"?

The ecstasies of July 28 and 29, 1961, were to represent a kind of particularly intensive course in which only Jacinta and Mari-Loli took part. For the first time Our Lady showed them "the Cup filling up with the wine of the Wrath of God." She spoke to them of the trials the sins of humanity would eventually cause, in a time we may call "time of the Pre-Warning" (or Pre-Aviso). Mary was also to reveal
to them later, the unique and inescapable event of the future Warning, a stupendous phenomenon and experience called "Aviso," of both cosmic and moral-spiritual (interior) dimensions, that would affect the whole of mankind. We could die from the effect of the emotion aroused by it. It would place us before our conscience thus "scanned" in the light of God revealing to us the evil we had done and of the good we had not done, in our lives. Through its frightening physical dimension and its prodigious divine interior action, we would know that
the Warning really came to us from God, but also that it will still be a "warning of grace and mercy!"

Finally, the Blessed Virgin recalled the final Chastisement of which mankind would be the object . . . should it persist in refusing to amend its ways. The first of the two "Nights of tears" occurred at the cuadro, and the second at the Pines.
Sari and Mari-Carmen, mandated by Our Lady, were the only ones authorized to stay by the visionaries. The crowd, kept at a distance, could see the terrified girls crying . . .
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 71.]

Our Lady is a great teacher! First she gives them the Message, then she teaches them its meaning . . .
The children of Fatima were taught in the same way. They received the "Secret" from Our Lady and then she literally taught them by showing them hell and souls and demons that were down there because of sin. They never forgot this vision and spent their lives (which for Jacinta and Francesco were very short) praying for sinners and offering reparation for sin.

The Warning is coming soon, whether we like it or not. It's not conditional! It will happen when the world is at its worst, when things look hopeless. Look around and see the hand writing on the wall. God will intervene and correct the conscience of the world. Everyone will feel and see the Warning. Everyone will know how they are offending God and their fellow man. Some may die of shock. Those who love God will love Him even more. The world will actually stop, suspended during the Warning. The Warning will prepare the world for the Great Miracle which follows shortly afterward (more about this later).
I've been praying for this event to happen for 35 years. I look forward to it for the salvation of the world.
Roman Catholic Deacon


Friday, June 15, 2007

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1961:

Santander Cathedral

CONCHITA IS STRONGLY REQUESTED
TO GO TO SANTANDER. FIRST MENTION
OF THE FUTURE DOUBTS AND DENIALS

Conchita left for Santander with her mother, Aniceta, and her aunt and godmother, Maximina. The pretext was to change her ideas and have a simple interview with Msgr. Fernandez. This trip was to last one week. Plotted by Don Luis Odriozola and by one of Conchita's uncles, curate of the parish of the Consolacion at Santander, this stay was really to draw the visionary away from the main site that already stood out in the Garabandal "events."

The priests and physicians, members of the "Special Commission" questioned the visionary every day at Santander. Verbally jostled about, even threatened to be sent to "a house for the mentally ill," she was forbidden to receive Communion, to go to confession and to attend Mass. Instead, she was taken to the beach and
the movies. They were hoping to dissuade her from returning to her village.
Doctor Pinal tried to hypnotize Conchita to "find out the magic fluid from which she held her power of suggestion over her little playmates," 'concluding' that this was coming . . . from her braids! The girl ended up by "acknowledging" that she had not seen the Blessed Virgin, but she did not swear not having seen her.

On the day of her arrival, Conchita fell into an ecstasy right in the middle of the street in front of the church of the Consolacion. At the same time, at the Pines, the three other visionaries also had an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. This was Conchita's only ecstasy in the capital of the Cantabrian region.

In an interior locution, Conchita learned, in these doubly significant circumstances, that "there would come a time when she and her companions would deny their apparitions and doubt everything." When she returned to Garabandal, she confided this news to her mother and her aunt.

Aniceta, a widow since many years and head of the family, watched over her children carefully. She asked for several signs to confirm the authenticity of the phenomena. she obtained them and had no longer any doubts. She died in 1990.
Maximina, Conchita's first confidante, always supported her godchild and never doubted the supernatural origin of the apparitions. She is one of the best "reporters" of these events.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 69, 70.]

The parallel to Fatima is unbelievable. There, the local administrator "arrested" the three tiny children, put them in jail with the regular criminals, and even threatened them with death by being boiled in oil! But the big difference was that the three children of Fatima did not deny the apparitions and refused to tell the authorities the "Secret." That had to be a supernatural "grace" because even adults tell everything and agree to anything under that type of pressure.

Poor Conchita was all alone, bombarded by the Commissions questions and
examinations, aged intellectual men against a young farm girl with no education . . . I wonder if they even believed in the supernatural at all? The blind will lead the blind . . . Of course, all this happened at the beginning of the "events of Garabandal", so there is no denying the supernatural in the thousands of apparitions and signs yet to come. "Everything is possible for him who believes."(Mark 9:23) And as the old saying goes: "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." (Bishop Sheen?)

Roman Catholic Deacon



Thursday, June 14, 2007

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1961:



THE CHILD JESUS AND THE VISIONARIES,
THE FIRST OF THE RARE "COSMIC PHENOMENA"
AT GARABANDAL

Our Lady, who had come with the Child Jesus, authorized the children for the first time to take Him in their arms. They felt His weight, noting, however, that they had the impression of not being really in contact with His little body.

Another first on this Sunday: beginning of the "cosmic phenomena" at San Sebastian de Garabandal. On that day, the young girls saw large stars with a long tail. Some of these phenomena were sometimes visible to everyone. They will reach their peak, and by far . . . , with the "very great Miracle" of the future "D" day to be revealed eventually, first to Conchita (on October 18, 1961).
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 67.]

Many saints have held the Child Jesus! Remembering St. Anthony, whose statues and holy cards always show him with the Baby Jesus in his arms. So it's not surprising that Our Blessed Mother gave Jesus to the girls to hold. Later on Conchita asked Our Lady: "When the Baby doesn't come, where is He? In heaven? . . . or in a cradle? . . . " See how a child's mind works! Conchita thought that Jesus always was a Baby. St. Francis of Assisi, of course, was one of the first Saints to have a strong devotion to the Infant Jesus and staged Nativity scenes with live people at Christmas time.

There was a lot of "cosmic phenomena" at Fatima, during Our Lady's apparitions there in 1917. And the people who were there also witnessed the strange events, like falling flower petals that disappeared before they hit the ground, low clouds circling the Holm oak tree Our Lady stood upon, an orb of light surrounding and transporting Our Lady into heaven, etc., etc. Real manifestations of the supernatural! I'd probably faint with joy to see these sights! How about you?
Roman Catholic Deacon

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1961:



BEGINNING OF THE PERSONALIZATION
OF THE ECSTASIES

We know that, on this day, for the first time and very often later, the visionaries in ecstasy went two by two: Conchita and Mari-Cruz; Mari-Loli and Jacinta.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 67.]


Each day, it seems, something new is added to these mysterious events . . . I've seen film on video of the girls marching arm in arm, step in step. They marched better than a platoon of soldiers! And as they did so, their heads where tilted back as they looked at the vision. They never looked where they were going or what they were stepping on. Sometimes they marched backward and downhill! Amazingly, they never tripped or fell over one another or anyone else who was in their path. One report told of the girls coming to a stream and walking over a
plank without looking down. The poor villagers had a hard time keeping up with them . . .
We'll hear more of these ecstatic marches as the story continues . . .
Roman Catholic Deacon





Tuesday, June 12, 2007

FIRST REAL COMMUNIONS: CONTINUED

Conchita blessing her lips


The Communion given by the Angel observed a well-established ritual. The girls made the Sign of the Cross and recited the "Confiteor." After a brief dialog with St. Michael, they then put out their tongue, drew it back and swallowed the Host. The movements of the cheeks and neck made the phenomenon of swallowing it visible. The children then made an act of thanksgiving, recited the prayer "Soul of Christ," and came out of their ecstasy; it never lasted more than ten minutes. A new detail, what an eloquent one too: the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel was never "present" when the real Communion (and not "mystical," as a good number of authors incorrectly qualified them) was given by the "Angel" to the young visionaries of San Sebastian de Garabandal.

At the request of the Blessed Virgin, the two little girls of six years old (Sari, Mari-Loli's sister & Mari-Carmen, Jacinta's sister) were present at the first real Communion received by Conchita and Mari-Cruz. As these girls moved freely around the visionaries, they fulfilled the role of witnesses on several occasions and for various reasons.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 66.]

See how Our Lady takes care of all our spiritual needs. When there was no priest in town and therefore, no Mass, the Angel brought Holy Communion to the girls, which I guess, inspired them and a lesson for us, to become daily Communicants! Everything is done for a purpose, so to teach us how to receive Communion properly, the girls were taught by the Angel to recite the Confiteor before receiving and say a thanksgiving prayer after. I still pray the traditional "I confess . . ." prayer each morning. The "Soul of Christ" is a beautiful thanksgiving prayer, but I just never got into the habit of praying it. Instead, I always pray the Fatima prayers that were taught by the Angel.

Deacon John

CONFITEOR
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault (strike the breast three times).
Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to
life everlasting. Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and
remission of my sins. Amen.

SOUL OF CHRIST
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.

From the malicious enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me
and bid me come unto thee,
that with thy saints I may praise thee
for ever and ever. Amen.


Monday, June 11, 2007

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 1961

Photo most likely taken in 1962 or 1963. Mari Loli receives an invisible host;
her younger sister, Rosoura (Sari) watches in the background.

FIRST REAL COMMUNIONS GIVEN BY THE
ARCHANGEL ST. MICHAEL TO THE
VISIONARIES.

On the Feastday of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Blessed Virgin awakened the four children very early in the morning. They were to receive the first of some fifty real Communions from St. Michael. These occurred either in public or without any witnesses, and at various locations, except the village church and in homes.
That morning, the girls, in ecstasy, climbed, also for the first time, the very steep calleja up to the Pines, where, at 5 a.m., the Archangel gave the Eucharist to Mari-Cruz and Conchita. The latter would receive five or six of her subsequent Communions at this site on very particular liturgical days.

One hour later, also on the 16th of July, Mari-Loli and Jacinta, in turn, received the Eucharist at the site of the "Rock of the Angel" located on a lower level than the Pines and so named because St. Michael had stood there several times.
During the whole period of the apparitions, the visionaries received Communion almost every day, either at the Mass in the village, or from the hands of the Angel when there was no priest at Garabandal. The nine Pines at San Sebastian de Garabandal are what remains from a small plantation of pines and oaks organized in 1947 by the pastor of the village, by Serafin Gonzalez, Conchita's grandfather on her father's side, and by the mayor of the area.

Set on a slightly higher level above the village and with no trees in the area, the Pines, as we will often have the opportunity of mentioning them, are the neuralgic center, really "chosen" for the phenomena and the events of Garabandal past and . . . to come.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 65.]

Again that 'link' to Fatima, Our Lady continuing her appearances to the world as "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." The "Carmelites" in Spain have been a powerful spiritual force for many years prior to this. Remembering St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, who continue to inspire us today with their writings. And of course the Brown Scapular of Our Lady itself, where by wearing it, we consecrate ourselves to Her and She promises to take us under Her mantle of protection. I never take my Scapular off, even in the shower (it dries in minutes) except once when I had a MRI scan and the doctor ordered me to take it off. I felt naked without it and couldn't wait to put it back on!
At Fatima the Archangel acted as an 'Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion' and so he does again at Garabandal. Even the Angels are called to serve! How about you? The church is always looking for holy people to assist with Communion. It's a wonderful, rewarding ministry, especially bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the 'homebound'.
Deacon John

Sunday, June 10, 2007

"PRODIGIOUS PHENOMENA"



THE "PRODIGIOUS" PHENOMENA BECOME
MORE AND MORE DIVERSIFIED

During the month of July 1961, a very striking phenomenon proper to Garabandal occurred.
The visionaries in ecstasy, increased in weight so much that two men could barely suceed in lifting them . . .
Without any effort, the girls managed to do this!
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 62.]


I've seen many pictures and video's of this 'phenomena' and it's really amazing! The one posted above shows Mari-Loli easily lifting Jacinta to help her reach the Vision. But what is God and Our Lady telling us with these supernatural happenings? Well, I think it's exactly that . . . to point out the supernaturality of the events! Then by believing in this we are drawn to the "Formal Messages" and can believe in them. As Our Lord proclaimed His Father's Kingdom and called His people to repentance, He worked 'signs and wonders', miracles of healing, changing water into wine, raising the dead, exorcism's, etc., to call attention to His Message of Faith, Hope and Love. And as He ascended into Heaven, He said: "Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned." [Mark 16: 15-16] We have to believe in the Gospel to be saved, but we don't have to believe in apparitions and what they proclaim. Nevertheless, if God is sending Our Lady down to earth as a Prophetess for our times, are we to ignore what She says, or take and live Her Messages in our hearts and grow spiritually? I personally cannot ignore Our Mother's urgent pleas!
Deacon John


Saturday, June 9, 2007

THE ROSARY:

The four seers praying the Rosary with Our Lady!

THE "FIFTEEN DECADES OF THE ROSARY"
AT SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL

At church or at the cuadro, the rosary was said every day and, in general, it preceded the ecstasies. Sometimes the girls said the entire rosary. At times, they even sang it, always proclaiming, thanks to their Vision, the "mysteries" to be meditated. The children used their own rosary, the one that they most often held in their hands during the apparitions. However, we point out that they never recited this prayer in the presence of the Angel or of the Child-Jesus. Were
there any exceptions, these will be resolved later, but only after having access to other original documents. So we may presume that the visionaries began to pray the rosary in ecstasy only from the following August 18, and always within the framework of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin alone.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 62.]

The rosary always plays a big part in Our Lady's apparitions! Lourdes and Fatima are striking examples, where the Blessed Mother prayed with and taught the seers to pray it properly. It seems that heaven wants us to pray slowly, meditating on the Mysteries, or at least on the words of the prayer. I've learned over the years that rattling off a lot of prayers and not thinking about what I am saying, does not help my spirituality at all! I think it's good to pray all "Fifteen
Decades" each day, (I usually wind up praying two) but it's better to pray One slowly, meditating on the Mystery. Some of us can't meditate, so Our Lady said "Think about the Passion of Jesus!" We can all think. St. Louis de Montfort, the great Marian priest, said we should pray the Sorrowful Mysteries every day! I try to do that! Our Lady also suggested at another apparition that we should look at the Crucifix as we pray. It's good to set up a little "prayer space" where we could have a Crucifix and some statues or pictures of Our Lady. "The eyes are the windows of our souls", they say. Have you ever sang the rosary? I have and it's spiritually rewarding! Happy praying! And pray for me as I pray for all of you!
Deacon John


Friday, June 8, 2007

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1961:



THE PHYSICIANS AT WORK . . .
PERFORMING TESTS

Garabandal was an exceptional field of study for theologians as well as for physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists who, as early as June 25, went up to the village as independent observers.
In the first two weeks of July, Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez set up a "Special Commission" made up of three priests and two physicians. These were in charge of investigating the "events" and the girls of San Sebastian de Garabandal. The members of this "Commission" came only three times to the village during the four years that the events occurred.
Commissioned by the bishop, Doctors Jose Luis Pinal Ruiz and Luis Morales, psychiatrist, began their first experiments on July 11.
All kinds of tests were performed on the children in ecstasy. Pinching, burns, pricks, intense light: so many sensory stimulants producing no effect.

"This is no way supernatural. It is a psychogenic reaction to the situation . . . Vulgar hysterical phenomena . . ." Such was Dr. 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," completely reversed his position in 1977. In May 1983, during some lectures he gave at Santander, then at Madrid, he publicly defended the authenticity of the apparitions.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 59; 61]



It's amazing how "stiff-necked", as the Bible calls certain people, witnesses to the supernatural can be. Even at the "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima, where hundreds of thousands of people experienced the signs and wonders, there were a few who refused to acknowledge it as a supernatural event. Perhaps because they were atheists or agnostics, maybe Freemasons, the "Commission" couldn't see the intervention of the supernatural. Of course this all could have been a vision of the devil, but I don't think they believed in Satan or hell either. Like certain leaders in Israel, who accused Our Lord of working miracles by the power of Satan, these "Commission" members were blind too!

Again, at Fatima, certain theologians said that Lucia made up all that she reported Our Lady said, especially regarding devotion to her Immaculate Heart. They blamed it on Lucia's traditional upbringing, saying her mother put all these thoughts in her head or she made it up after the fact. Incredible! You could expect this from the secular media, but from the clergy you expect some faith and common sense. Dr. Morales recanted later on and became a good spokesman for Garabandal, but the damage was done early and many shrugged off the visions as unbelievable.
Deacon John


Thursday, June 7, 2007

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS BECOME DAILY OCCURANCES


The wonderful became almost routine. Every day the girls had an apparition. At the center of extraordinary phenomena, the objects of all kinds of curiosity, of every pressure and solicitation, they nevertheless preserved their candor and simplicity. They fell into ecstasies and came out of them with an astonishing ease, and spoke of these wonders with the most perfect simplicity.

In her Diary, Conchita comments on her daily life in these words:
"The belief of the villagers, of our parents and brothers increased every day . . . As for ourselves, we kept on our everyday life and we obeyed our parents."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 58.]


It's funny how we can get used to anything! The girls were seeing the
Blessed Mother everyday, and sometimes twice or more a day, thousands of apparitions before they finally ended in 1965. It became almost normal for them, like us when we start a new job or occupation, at first we have our anxieties, but they soon leave us and we become relaxed and familiar with what we are doing; until something happens to upset the apple cart. I'm sure the villagers and the seers' parents were not so relaxed, especially when Our Lady called them in the wee
hours of the night.

The children of Fatima were also relaxed with Our Lady, although She
only appeared to them 6 or 7 times . . . Francisco, who could not hear what Our Lady said during the apparitions, was just satisfied and loved to look on the loveliness of the Blessed Mother as She appeared to them. After the vision, Lucia would tell him what Our Lady said. And the three seers were also very obedient to their parents . . .
Deacon John