BLESSED MADRE MARAVILLAS OF JESUS, O.C.D. (1891-1974)

Pope Paul VI at Fatima, May 13, 1976

This extraordinary Carmelite nun, who was beatified in 1998, less than 25 years after she died, founded the "Association of St. Teresa," with the purpose of restoring the rule of life of the original Constitutions of 1581, rigorously established by Teresa of Avila one year before her own death. More than one hundred Carmelite Convents belong to this Association of Discalced Carmelites, approved by Rome in 1973. The highest Church authorities all agreed to celebrate in Madre Maravillas the fact that she had, without any hesitation, 'received' the Vatican II ecumenical Council, its teachings but also, on the precise level of "consecrated life," the necessary adaptations to the new circumstances and conditions of our time. Pope John Paul II beatified her on May 10, 1998.

Mother Maravillas "knew" that Garabandal was authentic. She even clearly shared her conviction with her spiritual daughters, assuring them that "the phenomena occurring at San Sebastian de Garabandal come from God!"

On the other hand, it was very probable to her, not to Conchita as it was believed for a long time, that the Pope's trips to Fatima, and eventually . . . to San Sebastian de Garabandal, were revealed . . . before May, 1967! The prophetic mention of these trips appears in a notebook belonging to Padre Rodrigo, who knew the famous Carmelite nun, at least through the intermediary of her spiritual Father (in Madrid). "Hecho" ("Done"), Conchita's confessor was to write in his notebook, when Paul VI went to Fatima, on May 13, 1967. As for a Sovereign Pontiff's future visit to San Sebastian de Garabandal, Padre Rodrigo subtitled it as follows: "We are waiting . . .". We must recall how Padre Rodrigo had learned, also on April 25, 1967, the very day it was predicted, and thus in advance, the accident which was to cost Msgr. Puchol his life on the following 8th of May!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 228]

It's amazing how many "special" people are involved in some way with Garabandal! So many Saints! St. Padre Pio, Blessed Maria Rafols, Blessed Madre Maravillas, Venerable Padre Nieto, Venerable Fr. Ciszek, Ven. Pope Paul VI, and even our beloved Venerable Pope John Paul II, who everyone thought would be the Pope who would go to Garabandal. Unless he went in
disguise, I guess the Pope who will go there, as the prophecy says, will be the reigning one after the Miracle. That could be Benedict XVI, if the Miracle comes soon . . . we shall see . . . in the meantime, tomorrow we will hear about a very special "saint" involved with Garabandal, Marthe Robin, whose cause for beatification is opened in Rome.
Roman Deacon