THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1962:

Pope Benedict XVI

TWO EXTRAORDINARY PROPHETIC
REVELATIONS: "ONLY THREE POPES
AFTER JOHN XXIII, THEN NO MORE" -

"The Last three Popes"

Large snowflakes were falling in the early morning of December 20, 1962, when the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, during an apparition of ninety minutes, revealed to Conchita that "after Pope John (XXIII), there will come three other Popes and after . . . there will be no more. No, four, for one of them would not really count, the Blessed Virgin told me!" For several years, Conchita kept secret this prophetic allusion to the rule of an illegitimate and false-pope, or of an anti-pope. She confided it only in 1965, to Albrecht Weber, to whom she also told that, at the same apparition (December 20, 1962), the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel revealed to her that "one of the three (legitimate Popes yet to come after John XXIII, would have a very short Pontificate." John Paul I undoubtedly! It was also explained on that Thursday to the visionary, that "after the last Pope will come the end of the times, which is not the end of the world." These formidable revelations would again be the main item on the agenda, on June 3, 1963, the very day Pope John XXIII died!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 160]

The mystery deepens and the prophecies are getting harder to understand! Does this one about the Popes shake you up? Only time will tell what it all means. We certainly went through 3 Popes after John XXIII; Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II. Now we are in the reign of Benedict XVI.

Well, actually there was a man in Spain who claimed to be the Pope, and that all the others were false. Here's a newsclip about him:

"The media overlooked the passing on March 22, 2005 of the Pope Gregory XVII - the first "antipope" since Renaissance times - at his see in southern Spain. This controversial character presided over a thriving orthodox catholic church (for want of a better term) that embraced the pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass and other ceremonies and beliefs done away with by that assembly of prelates in the 1960s. With millions of dollars in his treasury, a monumental basilica and bishops all over Spain and even in the United States, Gregory XVII had excommunicated John Paul II early on, accusing the Bishop of Rome of being the true "antipope" (one of the first items of business for the Council of El Palmar, held in October 1980).

Before stepping into his papal slippers, Gregory XVII had been Clemente Domínguez, better known in the media as "el papa Clemente", eternally linked to the alleged apparitions of the Blessed Virgin at El Palmar de Troya in the community of Utrera (Seville)."

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So we had the three Popes and now what? I believe that during the reign of Benedict XVI we will see the climax of the Garabandal prophecies and that will be "the end of the times" as Our Lady said, and the beginning of the new Era for mankind, a time of peace and brotherhood, that was promised by Our Lady at Fatima!!! Are you ready for all this? It's gonna be a whirlpool of spectacular events, so hold on to your hat!!!
Deacon John

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, TO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1962:

Conchita with her own doll

NEW CIRCUMSTANCES OF
THE FUTURE "D" DAY

Conchita learned on this day that an almost generalized disaffection for Garabandal would come only one week before "D" day, in other words, as early as the day following the announcement that she would make. There will be few people at the village to attend the great Miracle on site. Nevertheless, it will be seen on television, could be filmed, etc.

The visionary declared on the other hand, that, as the future great events will draw near "presumed and false manifestations of the Blessed Virgin will increase considerably." She also predicted, the same day, "the disappearance, on the day of the Miracle, of the Note Dr. Pinal had forced her to sign, in Santander, which Note was saying that the apparitions of San Sebastian de Garabandal were frauds, and that herself was mad!"

Mari-Loli and Conchita Fernandez also revealed, on December 8, to Paloma Pacheco Larrauri, another important witness, present during these days with her husband, that "you will have a son for the day of the Miracle!" The sterility of the couple, source of a long separation of the two, is a trial that will come to an end in a prodigious and miraculous way. Paloma, born in 1931, will be at least 70 years old when the prophesy will be fulfilled!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 160]

Well, now we get to hear some controversial prophecies! This last one is strange indeed. If Paloma was born in 1931, she would be 79 years old now, if she's still living. Like some other prophecies, a supernatural answer to this question could be the answer. Maybe she had a mis-carriage and doesn't know it. She could have a son in heaven! This has happened to many women. My wife had two still-borns. I baptized them at home. I know for sure they are in heaven and I will meet them one day.

Yes, the devil loves to trick people with false apparitions. He could be doing that right now around the world with all the reported sightings of Jesus and Mary, weeping icons and statues, pictures in the clouds and on walls, windows, and even toast! The Vatican warned about a certain woman who claims to receive "Messages" from Jesus and she writes them down as if her hand is guided supernaturally. Maybe everybody will be so fed up with all these reported sightings that they will stop believing in Conchita's announcement of the Miracle.

I found out long ago to never say "Never!" So I won't say I will "never" stop believing in Garabandal, I know I believe firmly right now. St. Peter said he would "never" deny Our Lord, but we all know what happened when Jesus was arrested and was suffering his sacred Passion. St. Peter said, "I don't know the man!" And he suffered greatly for that denial . . . Let us persevere!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1962:

Some new explanations were given Conchita about new circumstances of the future Miracle: "It will occur at 8:30 p.m." (Spanish time), "on a Thursday," truly a Eucharistic and priestly day, also a day, par excellence, of the Unity of Christians. Indeed, it was on the evening of the Last supper in the Upper Room, that Christ addressed His sublime prayer to God; "Father, that they may all be One, as You are in Me and I am in You" (John 17: 21). There are so many corresponding details - but there are others! - that lead us to think that the "D" day might "fall" on a Holy Thursday. This intuition seemed all the more valid since we know that the "D" day will fall in the month of . . . April and, to repeat it, on a very special "Thursday," although we now know that it will not be a Holy Thursday! Conchita also said that: "the Miracle will last about a quarter of an hour; it will be seen in heaven, so clearly or in such an obvious way that there will no longer exist any doubts about the existence of God and His love for mankind." "The sick present at Garabandal, the place of the Miracle, will be healed."

Finally, Conchita "will announce the date eight days prior to the Miracle." Again, according to the visionary, "it will be the greatest Miracle that Jesus will ever have performed for the world."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 159]

Site of the future Miracle. Image by garabandal archives via Flickr

Now we are getting into some good news as the Miracle is slowly explained to us . . . Guess what? It's past April, so I doubt the Miracle will occur this year. Why? Because the Warning has to come first, to prepare the world for the Miracle. Both are supposed to happen within the same year. I could be wrong, though, so don't give up yet!

But lets think about some of the things that Conchita said about this Miracle:
1. It will occur on a Thursday evening at 8:30 P.M. Spanish time. That means about midnight for us here on the East Coast of America. I hope I'm awake to watch it on EWTN!

2. It will be Eucharistic! Could it be a vision of the Holy Mass? That's what Sister Lucia of Fatima saw in a vision!

3. It will unite all Christians into One! "Hooray!"

4. The whole world will believe in God! Goodbye Atheists and Darwin lovers!

5. All the sick present at Garabandal will be healed! Get your plane tickets ready if you have cancer, aids, TB, blind, deaf, lame, etc. for your personal miracle!

6. It will be announced 8 days in advance. Will the TV News announce it too? I think so, cause they went through the Warning and purification like the rest of us!

7. It will be the greatest Miracle Jesus will perform for the world.

That's it folks, last chance to convert before the "Second Coming of Christ"! He will do no more for us! Keep tuned for more revelations about the Miracle that is sure to come!!!
Deacon John

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1962:

Fr. Laffineur and Conchita in 1962

FATHER MATERNE LAFFINEUR (D. 1970)

Born in 1897 in Walcourt, Belgium, Fr. Materne Laffineur, O.P., was ordained to the priesthood in 1924. He was later to be involved in the canonical inquiry about the apparitions of Beuraing and become as early as 1963, the unofficial or private investigator of the Garabandal "facts," on behalf of Msgr. Beitia himself. A tireless diffuser of the Message in France and in the world, he worked without respite, so that the supernatural authenticity of the events might be recognized by the Church, gathering the most abundant documentation on the question.

In July 1965, Conchita is said to have transmitted to him, in a letter, these presumed words from the Blessed Virgin concerning the Dominican priest: "Tell . . . Fr. Laffineur in France that my Son has chosen him to spread the Message I gave to the world, tell him also my love for everyone . . . I shall always be with (him) and so will my Son." Fr. Laffineur had witnessed many ecstasies in San Sebastian de Garabandal.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 159]

This priest was a rare man, very holy and very Marian. He was really an expert on Marian apparitions and he firmly believed in Garabandal! He was instrumental in the spreading of the Messages and events throughout Europe and America. There were other great Marian priests who also believed in the Garabandal events. We will meet them as the story continues . . . Since 1970, I have always prayed for these priests who were spreading the Message throughout the world and I continue to do so for the glory of God and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1962:

A PRODIGIOUS "NOVEMBER 18":
"THE COUNCIL (THEN ALSO THE
FUTURE AVISO) AND THE MIRACLE
TO COME WILL BE A POWERFUL
CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONVERSION -
EVANGELIZATION OF THE ENTIRE WORLD!"

On this Sunday, also the Feast of the Dedication or Consecration of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, the Blessed Virgin informed Conchita that "the Council and the great Miracle would help to convert the whole world!" One of the main objects of Vatican II being the perfect Unity of all Christians, it seemed logical that the Blessed Virgin would have chosen this privileged liturgical framework to clarify further to the visionary, that "the divided Churches will again become ONE . . . on the very day of the Miracle!"

Although we still do not have an absolutely explicit assurance of this, it appears very plausible that Conchita received also, on this same day, some complementary information about the exceptional circumstances that will surround the famous "D" day, the future "great Church event."

In any case, we possess an authentic sound recording of the ecstasy of this November 18, 1962. It was taken by a key-witness of prime importance attending the phenomena of Garabandal: Don Placido Ruiloba (Santander). On this tape, one can hear a voice, not the voice of Conchita, which suddenly breaks out and clearly pronounces the word . . . "COUNCIL," the only word actually recorded and preserved of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel "speaking" at San Sebastian de Garabandal!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 158]

Unbelievable! Our Lady's voice captured on tape! I guess we would all love to hear it, even if it is only one word. I've heard recordings of the children praying the Rosary, in a very supernatural way, but haven't heard Our Lady yet!

But getting to the core of this particular day, imagine what is going to happen on the day of the great Miracle. The whole world will be converted and believe in Jesus and Mary! And this re-uniting of all Churches, WOW, I can't wait. I love our separated brethren and long for their return to the True Faith! Plus, to be honest with you, it will allow me and you, if you want, to celebrate the Eucharist in other Churches, like the Orthodox. I love their Divine Liturgy and long to receive Holy Communion at their Mass.

"Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth!"

Image via Wikipedia

Roman Deacon

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1962:

THE VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL AND
THE SHROUD OF TURIN: "IT IS THE DIVINE IMPRINT OF MY SON!"

On the Feastday of St. Charles Borromeo, a great architect of the Council of Trent and Cardinal Archbishop of Turin, who went four times on a pilgrimage to venerate the famous Shroud of Turin, it appears appropriate for us to deal briefly with the matter of the "Sabana Santa."

That Spanish expression means the "Shroud of Turin" . . . The Blessed Virgin at Garabandal used it formally, at least on one occasion. During an apparition She, in fact, confirmed to Conchita that "it is the divine imprint of my Son . . .", without the visionary having questioned the Vision about this and not even knowing what the expression "Sabana Santa" meant! She gave immediately an account of this remarkable episode to the Marquis and Marquess of Santa Maria, present that day at San Sebastian de Garabandal, and also witnesses of many other events occurring there. As to the "Sabana Santa" episode, I received personally the information from them.

The words of the Blessed Virgin to Conchita were also, so at least we think, confirming the identity of the mysterious crucified man. His imprint -- quite notably, the Vision said nothing about the datation of the Shroud itself -- due to an alpha radiation scientifically unexplainable, was undoubtedly left "to beckon" us to a faith of great depths! In other words, an imprint not man-made, but the work of a transcendent, divine Artist! Furthermore, the "scorching" we see on the body of the victim, as well as his members free of fractures, all that makes us recall those texts of the Book of Exodus describing the ritual of the Paschal Lamb: "You shall let none of it remain until the morning, anything that remains until the morning you shall burn." (Ex. 12:10), and "you shall not break any of its bones" (Ex. 12:46)? A Paschal mystery we will understand later . . . the extent to which, and in what a wonderful way, the "grace" of Garabandal is linked!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, pages 156-157]

When I first read about the Shroud and saw the pictures, I believed it showed Our Lord's dead body right away. I've read a number of different books and articles about this amazing piece of cloth, which is over 2000 years old. I'm also thinking about the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was divinely painted on the tilma of Juan Diego, who is now a Saint!

Image via Wikipedia

Almighty God created the universe from nothing, and created us from the dust; why can't He continue His artistic work in creating these images also? Do you believe in them or are you troubled with the supernatural world. Even Pope John Paul II believed in them, he went to both shrines to kneel and venerate both images! He's almost a Saint also!!!
Deacon John

NOVEMBER 1 ("ALL SAINTS DAY - NOVEMBER 2 (LITURGICAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED), 1962:

Garabandal village cemetery

THE "PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED,"
BUT ALSO THE "CREED" . . . AGAIN ON
THE AGENDA AT SAN SEBASTIAN DE
GARABANDAL

The visionaries, in ecstasy, recited the Creed apart from the Rosary at midnight, for the twelfth and last time, rather 'day.' That series of very distinctive days, indeed a very ecclesial one, was thus coming to an end on a very symbolic date: the girls were, in effect, bringing together, thanks to their Vision, in one same Profession of Faith, the Church on earth and the faithful in the process of purification in Purgatory, and those already in Eternal Life.
During the first week, that is, on the first day of that month devoted to the deceased, Mari-Loli and Conchita, in ecstasy, entered the cemetery. On their knees before the graves of Conchita's father and Maximina's relatives, the visionaries first placed their little crucifixes on them, then presented them to the Vision, and finally to Maximina accompanying them.
It was in this same month of November that we found an anecdote illustrating Conchita's sense of humor and quick temper. Pressed by questions about the great Miracle, she made the people believe that it would consist in moving objects in the air by using a magic powder . . ., "broma" (joke) she would say. This was to be, later, a source of many little disputes and "doubts."
The girls amused themselves in this way several times. For instance, they would simulate an ecstasy to be able to move away for a few moments from the crowd harassing them. But this kind of joking did not last. Furthermore, one day, in 1962, when they were 'pretending' to have an apparition, Conchita, for one, felt immediately a mysterious and terrible pain that discouraged her from ever doing this again . . .
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 154]





Actually, this is great stuff. It shows us how innocent these children are! Every kid likes to play jokes on adults, until they get caught. Then they're sorry after they get spanked . . .

Conchita was spanked a little supernaturally for making believe. She quickly learned a lesson! Another thing is that when adults try to fool us with make believe apparitions, they never joke around or play games. That would ruin their charade . . .

Notice how Our Lady led the girls to pray for the dead. She was re- enforcing the dogma of Purgatory and the Communion of Saints, which was being attacked by the modernists of that era. We don't have to enter a cemetery to pray for the dead, but if we pass by one, we could say a prayer for the Faithful departed! In New York there are a lot of cemeteries and I got into the habit of saying: "May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace,"  every time I passed one. As a truck and cab driver who was on the road most of the day, I said that prayer many times :-)
Roman Deacon

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1962:

The assembly of Bishops in St. Peter's Basilica

CONCHITA FALLS IN ECSTASY AT THE
EXACT MOMENT OF THE OPENING, IN
ROME, OF THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
VATICAN II

On the morning of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council, it was raining heavily in Rome. But when the Conciliar Fathers started in procession towards St. Peter's Basilica, the sky suddenly cleared up and the sun came out again.

At that same moment, another amazing phenomenon was unfolding at Garabandal; just as the radio was transmitting, at 8 a.m., the Opening of the Council and the inauguration ceremony, Conchita fell into ecstasy in her home; it lasted throughout her wandering through the lanes of the village, where witnesses could hear the seer talking of the Council with her Vision!

The visionary, who did not yet know the date, asked the apparition if the Miracle would occur during the Council. The beginning of an answer would be given to her during an important
ecstasy, on the following 18th of November.

Reverend Ramon Garcia de la Riva had spent, in the company of several other persons, the night of October 10 to 11 at Conchita's house. In order to enliven the long vigil, each had tried to guess the time when the visionary would have her ecstasy. The pastor of Barro alone found the right answer.

Msgr. Beitia was in Rome, sitting with his peers, when the newspapers published his first Note. The "aficionados" of Garabandal were obviously very disappointed. But Conchita, in a letter that she would send on that very same day to Fr. Ramon Andreu, reported, on behalf of the Blessed Virgin, that "the bishop (of Santander) in reality had a strong interior desire and real hope to discern the true origin of a matter of such gravity."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 153]

It's interesting that God choose this important time in the history of the Church to allow Our Blessed Lady to appear in Garabandal! And just as some modernists were trying to discard many of the Traditional devotions practiced by the faithful, such as the rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady was reminding us that these devotions are God's Will for us.

I heard it with my own ears, right after the Council, that the rosary was old fashioned and they tried to discourage the faithful from praying it. They also said that the Pope was an old Italian in Rome, and people should dis-regard his teachings. Amazing how fast Satan can take something good and turn it into his own weapon to snag souls. So who do we listen to, some modernist theologian, who wants to use birth control, or the Holy Father, who represents Christ on earth? I'm sticking with the Pope, even if it means that there will be a schism!!! Personally, I think we are in one already!
Deacon John

TUEDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1962:

Jacinta is happy again.

MARI-LOLI AND JACINTA, IN TURN, LEARN,
AS EARLY AS THE DAY FOLLOWING
THE NOTA OF MSGR. BEITIA, ABOUT
THE COMING OF A VERY GREAT MIRACLE

After a month of deprivation because of a new disobedience to her parents, Jacinta began to have ecstasies again. Mary revealed to her, and to Loli as well, the existence of Msgr. Beitia's first Note, written on the previous day but which was to be made public only on the following 19th of October. In this Note, the Bishop of Santander seemed to adopt completely the position of his predecessor, Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez, renewing in it the dispositions taken by the "Special Commission," and restating, out of pastoral prudence, the interdiction and warnings concerning Garabandal.

We must nevertheless emphasize here that Msgr. Beitia, the only titular Bishop of Santander at the time of the apparitions, was to display a very remarkable tact with regard to this "matter" of Garabandal. In the face of the "adversaries of the events," he would, like the famous Gamaliel (Acts 6:1; 22:3), use the most appropriate words: "It is not necessary to use here one's fists: things that do not proceed from God, sooner or later crumble on their own" . . .

On this October 8, 1962, the two visionaries especially learned of the coming of the future great Miracle that would prove the authenticity of the Messages and the "events" occurring at San Sebastian de Garabandal.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 151]

The Bishop was very smart to allow things to proceed so as not to put stones in the path of God's plans. If there were any signs of heresy or dis-obedience to Church rules and orders, then he would have to intervene. This happened in New York, back in the 70's, when a small group of people were following an alleged seer named Veronica Luken, who claimed to receive visions and messages from Jesus and Mary. Unfortunately, what they published was weird and totally against the Church and its official teachings, and there was a lot of dis-obedience by her and her followers. The local Bishop condemned the visions and warned everyone to stay away! There was one man, who we knew, who gave all his paycheck to the false seer. His wife had to take him to court to get him to stop. Pure fanaticism! But a good lesson for us. Test everything and make sure it is in conformity with the Roman Catholic Church's dogma and beliefs. If not, stay away!
Deacon John

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1962:

AGAIN "FEAST OF OUR LADY OF
THE HOLY ROSARY" AT GARABANDAL.
MSGR. BEITIA'S 1st NOTE.

This feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was highlighted by the magnificent ecstasy of Conchita who ran through the village, while singing the rosary for more than an hour. According to the visionary, "the rosary is a very important part of the Message of Our Lady at Garabandal." Recommended by the Blessed Virgin at La Salette, at Lourdes, at Fatima and also at Pontmain, all the Popes of modern times have also advocated it. It is the "Breviary of the whole Gospel," according to Pius XII. The rosary, as recited and even sung at San Sebastian de Garabandal, was already in itself a kind of irrefutable proof of the authenticity of the phenomena for may witnesses, notably for priests fascinated by the quality and the supernatural emotion perceived, when recited (i.e. prayed and at times sung, as we said) by the seers in ecstasy.

On that day as well, the Blessed Virgin kissed Loli's Missal page by page. As to Msgr. Beitia's 1st Note, see hereafter the following days.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 151]

Yes, the Rosary is a great prayer because it is Our Lady's prayer, given to us through her to St. Dominic. And it is a miniature Gospel, especially if it is prayed correctly by meditating on the
mysteries . . .

My favorite way to pray it is the Scriptural Rosary. This way my mind is always on the Mystery and does not stray . . .

The Missal pages that Our Lady kissed were cut into small pieces and inserted into medals that were struck showing an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I have a few of these. Our Lady told the seers that "Jesus would perform prodigies for those who venerate the kissed objects!" Many people have reported healings and miracles after kissing the relics. A lot of these reports are being documented, so that they will be used as evidence for the approval of the apparitions by the Church sometime in the future. You can still get a "kissed relic" from 'Garabandal Magazine' and also, I believe, at one of the Garabandal Web Sites on my Favorite Links.

Deacon John

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1962:

TOWARD THE "SECOND ECUMENICAL VATICAN COUNCIL"

For several days already, Conchita had been heard exchanging statements with her Vision about the Council. This Council was to open two weeks later.

On the morning of this 26th of September, don Lavaca, a Basque priest who happened to be there, recorded the exceptional words of Conchita during her ecstasy, among them: "The Council is the greatest of all! . . . It will be a success! . . . How good this is! . . . Thus you (the Virgin Mary) will be better known, and you will be very happy . . ." Shortly after, and later on several occasions, Conchita was to affirm, very firmly, that Our Lady had assured her of "the extraordinary success of the Council." And, in fact, not only for its doctrinal content and as a very great historical and ecclesiastical event, but also for the countless and very important later authoritative applications of all its exceptionally enlightened and profound Teachings.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 150]

Some "Catholics" don't believe the Second Vatican Council was a success! They want to return to the days before the Council. Others have taken the Council's Teachings and twisted them to their own agendas, such as throwing out all our sacred devotions like Benediction, Adoration, Holy Hours, stripping the churches of statues and icons; etc., etc.

I have read the documents of Vatican II and I can tell you that they are marvelous! When you read the text, you can almost feel the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart! Believe me, the basics of our Faith have not changed. It is all in there, in those powerful documents! And they never asked for our churches to be stripped or modernized. They never asked for the sacrileges, the blasphemies, the watered down Liturgies; the celebrants not following the rubrics according to the Vatican; they never asked for the True Presence of Jesus in the tabernacle to be removed from the sanctuary. I could go on and on, but there is a reform of the reform coming! Thank God!

If you want to see what the true Vatican II texts taught, watch EWTN and their Liturgies. At least there you will find peace of soul in worshiping Almighty God in the correct way!

One more thing, I would not be an ordained Permanent Deacon if there was no Vatican II. I am a product of it! Thank you Blessed John XXIII; Thank you, Pope Paul VI . . .
God Bless us all+
Deacon John

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1962:

"COMMUNISM" IS MENTIONED AGAIN . . .
ON THIS ANNIVERSARY DAY OF THE
"APPARITIONS OF LA SALETTE"

Mari-Loli and Jacinta again mentioned the theme of communism. A theme suited to the occasion on this anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at La Salette, on September 19, 1846. We know that certain elements of Melanie's famous secret indeed concerned the great evil of communism that was then soon to begin to spread more and more throughout the world . . .

As they came out of their ecstasy, the two visionaries did not want to disclose Our Lady's words: these were certainly related to the very difficult period of time of the Pre-Aviso. It was only in 1978 that Mari-Loli and Jacinta confirmed the fact that Mary had really spoken to them of communism and had done so on more than one occasion.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 150]

Who could forget the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The world was on the brink of nuclear war! I think Our Lady had a lot to do in stopping that horror! Then it seemed that communism was disappearing after the 80's and 90's, but actually, it's gotten worse in countries like China and North Korea. Now we have communism creeping into South America with so-called dictators vowing to destroy democracy and hating America. So, maybe communism will be the scourge that will bring God's intervention with the Warning and conversion of the world. We will see . . .
Deacon John

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1962:

THE "BLESSED VIRGIN'S FOOL"

A day to remember for its spiritual teaching . . . The ecstasy of this Monday led Mari-Loli and Conchita to Alfonso's place, the one who was nicknamed, rather unkindly, "the village's fool." Having made the sign of the cross over his pillow and offered him the crucifix to kiss, the two visionaries explained the reasons for their gestures: "The Blessed Virgin told us, 'You hold him in contempt, but I love him' ".
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 150]

Wow! What a lesson for us! How many times have we looked upon certain people with contempt? I know I have. But after reading this statement of Our Blessed Lady many years ago, I really changed my outlook about others and tried to treat everyone equally. I remember how annoying driving in NYC was when at every traffic light there was a hobo trying to wipe my window with a dirty rag and looking for a handout. I went to confession one day (a Franciscan priest) and told him my thoughts about these people. The priest said, "You know, that 25 cents you could have gave the man, could have let him live one more night!" And then I also heard Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta say that she "sends people out to beg, cause that's their job in life, and always rejoices with them if someone gave them something." Boy did that change my outlook! I started to give away quarters like crazy and even my lunch or any fruit I had with me to make these people happy. If the Blessed Mother loves them, I better love them too! What do you think?
Deacon John

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1962:

Mari-Cruz

MARI-CRUZ STOPS SEEING THE
BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL

 

Of the four visionaries, Mari-Cruz was the least favored with ecstasies. They stopped completely for her on this September 12, 1962 (the very day of the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary). She would suffer a great deal from this . . . to such an extent that she would come to deny that she had ever seen anything supernatural at San Sebastian de Garabandal.

The most probable explanations of the "Mari-Cruz enigma" undoubtedly resides in the opposition of her parents who, more or less, 'disapproved' of these phenomena from the very beginning. At Garabandal, the Blessed Virgin always had respect for the authority of the parents.

(Mari-Cruz became a simple mournful observer of her companions in ecstasy. Conchita liked her very much and said that she was the kindest of the four visionaries, and that her doubts would be dispelled after the Aviso and the great Miracle.)

[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 149]

Oh, to be left out! Imagine what that was like. Did it ever happen to you, that some of your friends did something together, and left you out? It's happened to me, and is still happening. I feel just like Mari-Cruz cause I can't join in and do what I love to do! I know one thing, it's a great offering of suffering for the offenses committed against the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart! Amen.
Deacon John

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1962:

Conchita.

"THE POPE AND PADRE PIO WILL SEE THE MIRACLE" . . .

Conchita explained Our Lady's remarks to Dr. Celestino Ortiz: "This Miracle will be a very great one. The Pope, wherever we may want him to be, will see it. And Padre Pio as well."

The odd turn of the visionary's statement concerning the location from which the Sovereign Pontiff will see the Miracle, leads us to suppose that he will not be at the Vatican for the great event. (Conchita's own repeated opinion). As to Blessed Padre Pio seeing (in advance) the Miracle, cf. infra, Part III, on October 17-18, 1968.
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 147]

That was an odd way to describe the Pope's witness of the Miracle. I had read before that he would see the Miracle from wherever he was. Now for the first time the statement reads "wherever we may want him to be." It sounds like Conchita is saying the Pope will be at Garabandal for the Miracle. That would be fantastic, if true! We'll have to wait and see. Of course it may mean something else, only God knows for sure . . .

As for Padre Pio, as we will read later on, he did see the Miracle before he died, which was verified by some of his brother friars. We'll hear more about that later too . . .

Image via Wikipedia

Little by little, we are learning more and more about the three great supernatural events that will soon take place to shake up the world, 1. The Warning; 2. The Miracle; 3. The Great Sign. Well that's what mysteries are all about. If we knew everything already, it wouldn't be a mystery. Keep tuned!
Deacon John

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1962:

Conchita in ecstasy at the Pines.

ABOUT THE FUTURE MIRACLE

Conchita insistently questioned her Vision about the future great Miracle to come, of which she knew since October 18, 1961: ". . . Yes, you had said that you would perform a Miracle . . . and that it would consist in what? . . . Will the Blessed Virgin be seen? And when? . . . So soon? . . . With me alone, no! I don't want it so . . . Do not do that! Do it with the four of us! . . ."

The great Miracle will come about through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, but, on a certain level, Conchita, so she was also told, would be personally involved in obtaining it from God.
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 147]

The future great Miracle will finalize the Garabandal Events and prove their reality. Those who go to Garabandal in person to witness it (an act of faith) will be cured of whatever ailment they have; the cure is unconditional, Our Lady said "All will be cured!" So if you have some terminal disease and want to be healed, go there for the Miracle. It will be announced 8 days in advance by Conchita and it will happen within a year after the Warning. Dr. Rosalie Turton from the 101 Foundation has planes reserved for the flight to Garabandal. You can register at this web address: http://www.101foundation.com/pilgrimage/Garabandal.html Have you got your bag packed? Of course, it would take another miracle for me to get my wife Marianne, who has end stage kidney failure, there for the Great Miracle. Right now, we have no money to buy a plane ticket but if Our Lady wants us to be there, she will provide the way! Either way, I certainly will celebrate this supernatural Event from God. Years ago, when I was a young man, I gave up drinking any alcohol including beer. But I did make this vow: That on the day of the Great Miracle, I would celebrate by having a glass of beer! I'm looking forward to that! :-) 
Roman Deacon

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1962:

Maximina & family with Aniceta and Conchita.

A FUTURE PRIEST . . .

Maximina, a very young widow, had two children, one of them a boy of only a few months when, in 1962, Conchita was told in an ecstasy that he would become a priest. A news that the visionary would tell her aunt later.
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 147]

Interesting prophecy. I'm not going to wonder if it was fulfilled, if Our Lady wants us to know what happened to this child, she will let it be known . . .

Someone asked me once: "What if Garabandal was not true, that the prophecies never come about, that all those involved just die and nothing happens?" I responded that I would be sad that these hoped for events would not happen, and that all I believed about the apparitions was false, but my faith in the Church would not be weakened. But I firmly believe in Garabandal, as much as I believe in Lourdes, La Salette, Fatima, and so many other apparitions of Our Lady, but I would be obedient to the Rome's decision and immediately delete this Blog Site! So far the Church has not condemned Garabandal and it is still under investigation.

How about you? Would your faith be shaken if the Church condemned Garabandal? Why not post your thoughts here. Lets have a discussion!!!
Deacon John

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1962:

The three Brothers with Mari-Cruz and Jacinta.

FEAST OF THE "TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD":
CONCHITA AGAIN RECEIVES HOLY COMMUNION
AT THE PINES, FROM THE HAND OF ST. MICHAEL,
IN THE PRESENCE OF OUTSTANDING WITNESSES

Three Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God arrived at San Sebastian de Garabandal on this August 6, from the "Instituto Psiquiatro de Mondragon, the site of their apostolate. Visiting the
village for the first time, they climbed up to the Pines. There they found Conchita with the three other girls. They offered to share their breakfast with them. But Conchita told them that the Angel (St. Michael) was to give her Holy Communion. Amazed, the Brothers of St. John of God were effectively to witness the "event," unable, of course, to see the Host. Nevertheless, they took superb photos of this ecstasy . . .
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 144]

Witnesses are the most important people regarding an ecstasy. And if they are Religious (priests, brothers, etc.) they are more qualified to report what they have seen. Of course, not all witnesses will believe in the supernatural events, many are closed minded, and not child-like to accept God's intervention in the world. I remember one priest friend, (he died a few years ago) who had gone to Lourdes, seeing all the sick people there, all the commercialization around the place, who said to me he didn't believe in Lourdes! Imagine that! I was shocked! I always say, "Let's not put God in a box." Who are we to say God can't or won't do this or that. This is a big problem with today's generation, they want to scientifically prove everything! My response to a priest once who said that Jesus only rose in the spirit, was, "It takes faith to believe in the bodily resurrection!" Let's pray for an increase of faith in all the world. Amen.
Deacon John

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18-19, 1962:

The Host, visible and as if it were alive, on Conchita's tongue.

THE "MILAGRUCU" (ON THE VERY
FEASTDAY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL)

The "Milagrucu," in other words, the little miracle": that is how Conchita described the wonder that was to take place. For the visionary, indeed, the fact that the consecrated Hosts, usually given to her by the Angel and most of the time before a large crowd, were invisible, was much more astonishing!

On the Feast also of St. Sebastian, (thanks to an Indult from Rome, since January 20 is normally the day of its celebration), Patron Saint of the village, Conchita was indeed to receive her "first call" . . . at 11:30 p.m. As to the ecstasy itself, it was to be over at . . . 2 a.m. The time here was exactly the same as that of the first great apparition at the "Rue de Bac" (the famous "Miraculous Medal" sanctuary in Paris) on July 18-19, 1830, the very liturgical Feastday of St. Vincent de Paul!

On the morning of the events, Conchita, inadvertently, had already received Communion from the hands of a priest in the village church. This explains, perhaps, but only in part, that the "Milagrucu" occurred not on July 18, the date originally predicted, but rather in the night of July 18 to 19.

This sign was brought about to help people believe, and to confirm the supernatural authenticity of the "events" of San Sebastian de Garabandal.

"La forma! La forma! La forma!," shouted the crowd with one voice when Conchita held out her tongue and, suddenly, in a split second, appearing like lightning, the Host was deposited there. It was white, the same size as the Hosts commonly used, but slightly thicker. It remained visible on Conchita's tongue for almost two minutes.

To this day, all the history of Christian spirituality and hagiography attest to the possibility of such a miracle. Considering the numerous and perfectly reliable testimonies we have at our disposal, it would be worth writing a substantial monograph about it . . . (that will be done later -- J.S.).

At the end Conchita fell in ecstasy on her knees, in a puddle of water . . . to receive the Host from St. Michael's hand. It was about 1:40 a.m. . . . July 19!

We owe the film of the "Milagrucu" to Alejandro Damians, an engineer from Barcelona. He used his amateur camera with the sole light of a full moon and a few flashlights. Msgr. Beitia quickly expressed his keen desire to see the film and have a copy of it in his possession.

Informed by a letter from Conchita, Dr. Jean Caux (Paris) was on the premises with his camera on the night of the "Milagrucu." Unfortunately, he was unable to film anything, for lack of a flash. This "deprivation" upset him to the point of modifying his life considerably and determining his spiritual journey in a decisive way. It was probably to sooth his bitter disappointment that Conchita, during her ecstasy, presented her crucifix to the famous physician for him to kiss it . . . three times!

All through his stays in the village from 1961 to 1965, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Caux shot some of the most beautiful films ever about Garabandal. Being also an aesthetician surgeon in Paris, this professional of beauty was first touched by the unparalleled grace of the girls in ecstasy. After having attended many other "apparitions" and all kinds of "trances" for more than thirty years and throughout all of Europe, he found the quality of the phenomenon he was able to witness in San Sebastian de Garabandal, absolutely unsurpassable and unequaled.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, pages 142-143]

God does things in His own time and fashion! Many people in the village left when the "little miracle" didn't happen on the 18th of July. They had no patience and went home. But because Our Lady is always obedient, (the Church only allowed one Holy Communion per day at that time) She waited until after midnight to allow the Angel to give Conchita Holy Communion. Our Lady said "Obedience to the Church, gives great glory to God!" That's a good lesson for us.

I remember in New York, there was a woman who went from church to church, receiving Communion in each one. She was finally confronted one day and told to stop because the Church says (in our time) that a person can receive twice in one day, provided he or she stays for the whole Mass, and the second Mass should only be a special one like a funeral or wedding, etc. It's different for a priest, of course. Some priests have to celebrate more than two Masses, but a priest must receive the Host he consecrated to make the Mass complete!

About that French Doctor, I read elsewhere that (He said this himself in an interview) he was in mortal sin, living with a woman, and that's why he was denied from taking the pictures of the "little miracle"! He had a change of conscience after that and changed his lifestyle! A great Garabandal conversion story!

Deacon John

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1962:

Conchita and Aniceta with the family's little donkey (1964).

CONCHITA PREDICTS THE FUTURE "MILAGRUCU"

As the "voice" had asked her, from this day on Conchita began to spread the news of the "Milagrucu," first of all warning the village, then writing to the main witnesses of the events of San Sebastian de Garabandal: "People will see the Host, that the Angel will give me,
appearing on my tongue" . . .
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 138]

Conchita is preparing everyone of the "Little Miracle", but wait till you hear what happens in our next installment. It shows us how weak people's faith becomes when God tests them with patience. I guess we are all the same. How many times have we asked God for some grace and when we don't get it right away, we become impatient and our prayers and faith start to diminish. Even Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph were tested with patience; remember when the Child Jesus was lost when He was 12 years old, He tested Mary and Joseph by His absence, until they found Him in the Temple. Mary said to Jesus: "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" [Luke 2:48-49]
Deacon John